A/N: I know it's been ages! I'm sorry! Uni has been killing me—who knew! We're actually here to work, not just to have fun!
I hope you like it. I am actually thinking of one more chapter, maybe two. So get ready for a finish.
Chapter 5
Nathan POV
"Bye Princess," I said, kissing El and she hugged me tight.
"Bye Daddy," she said, as I put her on the ground.
I unbuckled Cody from his seat and he ran toward Brooke with a grin on his face. She picked him up and tickled him.
"Mommy that tickles," he said laughing.
Brooke sat him in the car next to El, then closed the car door behind them.
"So um, I'll see you week after next?" I asked, putting my hands in my pockets.
The air around us was calm but there was a deflated air around both of us.
I watched Brooke shut the back of the car once she had both their bags in, and I bit my lip hard, hating myself right now for this situation. Every time I thought of Brooke with someone else I wanted to give up. I was in better place now than I was before we split up, and the only drive I had was thinking I had Brooke waiting for me at the end of the finish line. Now I didn't even have that. Thinking about it in my head was bad enough but seeing her in person and knowing she was just an arms width away but I couldn't reach out, was ten times worse.
"Yeah," she said, "I umm spoke to a lawyer."
This was really happening.
"You did?"
She nodded.
"I'm going to go pick up some papers next week. Maybe you could come look at them?" she asked.
"Ok," I said.
"I'll text you then when I have them?"
"Sure," I said.
"Nathan listen, there also something else I need to talk to you about," she said.
She looked anxious, and I realised she was about to break the news to me about her boyfriend. I couldn't believe this was actually happened. I mentally braced myself, despite knowing there was no way I could prepare myself for hearing the words come out her mouth.
"I got a promotion," she said.
"You what?" I said looking up.
"Co-head of department," she said nodding.
"I'm really proud of you Brooke," I said smiling softly. I knew that had always been her aim, and after working so hard over the years she deserved it.
"Thanks Nathan," she said.
"When do you start?" I asked.
She suddenly bit her lip.
"The thing is, the job isn't here. It's in Greensboro," she said.
"Greensboro as in, not in Tree Hill," I said sounding like an idiot.
"Right," she said.
"What does that mean?" I asked.
"It means I would have to move up there," she said.
I leaned against the car and took a deep breath. Now Brooke was moving?
"Look, I know it sounds really bad," she said trying to reassure me, "but it's not that far and we can sort something out with the kids."
"Ok," I said, the one word being the extent of my capable vocabulary at the moment.
"I thought about turning it back but then I realised what a great opportunity this is and its not like I have anyt—"
Brooke suddenly stopped. What was the end of that sentence? That she had no ties here? No nothing to stop her? Anything else to worry about apart from the kids?
"I just think I need this," she said.
"You should take it Brooke, you deserve it," I told her. Despite not wanting her to leave, it was true. I wasn't going to hold her back. If it took a few hours to go see my kids that's what I'd have to do.
"Just to make it easier, we should probably get a formal custody arrangement sorted," she said.
After we separated we never formalised anything to do with the kids. I had them every other weekend plus whenever else it worked for us. We didn't need a schedule.
Getting a legal agreement would make it formal.
I ran my hands through my hair, trying to process the last few minutes.
"Look I'll talk to the lawyer about it and set a date, ok? He said it was pretty easy, you just get the paperwork and book a court date."
"Fine," I said.
Brooke looked conflicted over staying or leaving.
"Ok, I'll update you," she said.
"Ok."
She walked toward the car and opened the driver's door.
"Nathan I think this will be good for both of us," she said.
I looked up, and she gave me a nod goodbye, and closed the door.
I got into my own car after watching hers drive away and took a deep breathe. I gripped the wheel, despite the car not being on and took a minute to gather my thoughts.
Rain started to drizzle on the windscreen, matching my mood.
How did we end up here?
Xxxxxx
Flashback
"Could I get another one?" I said, tilting my empty beer bottle to the guy behind the bar. The four I'd already had, had done nothing to blur out my argument with Brooke.
I didn't mean to leave but I felt suffocated. I needed an out from the monotony of life, and the constant reminder that I was stuck and not going anywhere. Being in Tree Hill just reminded me of where I was headed and didn't make it there.
When I was at home, Brooke just didn't get that. She didn't see how I was so detached from my life. I knew the constant leaving wasn't going to solve anything but in the moment it always seemed like a better option than staying and yelling more.
"I'll get one too," I heard beside me, as someone sat down.
"The storm is insane," she said shaking out her hair.
Two beers hit the counter in front of us, and the woman sat down properly so I could see her face.
"Haley?" I asked, in recognition.
She looked up instantly, and grinned when she saw me.
"Oh my god! Nathan!" she leaned over and gave me a hug, "I can't believe it's you!"
"I thought you moved to New York," I said.
"I did," she said, "I just came back to visit the family, but there only so much of that I can take in small doses, you know?"
She gestured to her beer then laughed.
"So what are you doing now?" she asked.
"I umm…coach the ravens," I said.
"You're kidding!" she said, "wow, that takes me back."
"Tell me about it," I said.
"No, I think it's great—you passing on your knowledge to the next generation," she said, rubbing my arm.
"Thanks," I said.
I looked down to her hand on me, and new I should probably move it since she made no move to take it off, but we weren't technically doing anything wrong were we? Haley looked slightly blurry in front of me, as the alcohol decided to make its presence in my system know, and I forced my eyes to focus.
"I always thought you'd make a coach," she said, "you were always so patient. Well you were when you taught me to throw a basket. You remember that?"
"Of course I do," I said and she smiled, "I mean you were pretty terrible. That's hard to forget."
She gasped and hit my side, pretending to be angry before we both laughed.
Xxxxxxx
xxxxx
Nathan POV
"Nathan?" I heard after the door opened.
There was only one other person who had a set of keys, and it wasn't the person I wanted it to be.
"I told you he was in," Peyton whispered to Lucas but I could hear her like she was right next to.
"I wasn't saying he wasn't home, I was saying we can't just let ourselves in," Luke replied.
"I am right here," I said, "and I can hear you."
"Why didn't you open the door?" Lucas asked.
"Didn't feel like it," I said shrugging.
"What's wrong?" Peyton asked, moving some of the empty bottles and food containers on the coffee table to the side and sitting on it, opposite me.
"Nothing," I said.
"Nathan," she said firmly.
"I'm fine. I'm a grown up guys," I said.
"Fine, if you wont tell us I'll call Brooke and see if she knows," Peyton said, getting out her cell phone. I leapt off the couch and grabbed the phone out her hands, even though I was pretty sure she was bluffing.
"Spill," Peyton said.
I sighed and sat back down on the couch.
"I'm getting a divorce," I said, "is that not good enough reason for me to have a bad day?"
"I told you, I talked to her. Remember nothing's happened yet, this could all work out," Lucas said.
"Not when she's doing it because she has a boyfriend," I said plainly.
Lucas's mouth dropped open.
"She doesn't have a boyfriend," Peyton said, "she's my best friend, I think I would know."
"Well he spent the night and dropped Talia off to school the next day and she told me when I asked," I said.
"What?" Peyton said looking genuinely shocked, "Why would she not tell me?"
"To be fair she has been keeping to herself lately," Lucas said.
"She shouldn't have to pull away though," Peyton said.
"Did you guys think this was really going to work? Me and Brooke no longer together and the gang carrying on as normal? Someone had to be phased out at some point," I said.
"Up until now it's been fine," Peyton said.
"Well yeah, because everyone thought the split was temporary," I said.
"But now a divorce," Peyton said, sounding defeated.
"Oh and a custody agreement," I said.
"You don't need a custody agreement," Peyton said, "you're not going to walk out on the kids."
"It's to make things easier when she moves to Greensboro," I said and Peyton and Luke both looks stunned, "oh I'm sorry did I not mention that?"
"She can't just move!" Peyton said getting up.
"She got a job, what's stopping her from taking it?" I said.
"Errr maybe the fact you're here," Peyton pointed out.
"Peyt, it's over," I said.
"There has to be something we can do," she said.
"I appreciate it guys but there isn't. She had someone new and is moving away. Now I just want to sit here, watch the game, eat food that's not good for me, and drink enough beer to forget for a while. Is that ok with everyone?"
The two of the exchanged glances.
Xxxxx
Flashback
I pulled a paper towel out the dispenser and took a second to get control over my senses. I hadn't done anything wrong, I knew I hadn't. All I was doing was enjoying conversation with an old friend. If that were true though, why was I even questioning it?
This is ridiculous, I thought, throwing the scrunched up towel in the trash. I left the bathroom and my eyes took a second to adjust from the brightness of the bathroom to the dim light of the bar. I starting walking back into the main bar section, and saw the seats where I was before empty.
"Looking for me?" I heard. I turned around and saw Haley leaning against the wall by the payphone.
"I thought you left," I said.
"I wouldn't leave without saying goodbye," she said.
"Yeah so um..." I said running a hand through my hair.
"Nathan, stop being weird," she said laughing, ""It all seems like such a long time ago doesn't it? Back when things were easy and the world was our oyster."
"Yes it does," I agreed with her.
"You were always destined for greatness," Haley said.
Before I could react, she pushed me back into the wall and her lips pressed into mine as my back hit the wall.
I would like to blame the alcohol for my irresponsible actions but truthfully, I wasn't that drunk. I was mad and frustrated with what my life had become, and I welcomed this small moment that allowed me to do something reckless.
Haley's hands rested on my chest, and I pulled her closer as I kissed her back.
We were both oblivious to the people passing us to go to the bathroom, too consumed in what we were doing.
It was when Haley reached up and stroked the back of my neck that I was instantly brought back to reality. Haley's gesture, one which Brooke did all the time, suddenly reminded me of what I was doing.
I pushed Haley off me, and internally panicked as what had just happened registered.
"Nate?"
"I'm sorry, I can't," I said, starting to go get my jacket.
"Nathan, wait!" she called after me, "are you happy?"
I stopped and turned for a second to answer her.
"I actually am."
xxxxx
Brooke POV
"Mom, I'm going to Anna's," Talia said, pulling on her jacket.
"Be back before dinner," I said reaching for my phone.
"Will you be here when I get back?" she asked Julian who was sitting on the floor by the coffee table. Talia and Julian had formed some kind of friendship in the last three weeks, which wasn't always fun for me because it normally consisted of them ganging up on me. It was good to see the kids get on without someone I had to work to closely with though.
"From the looks of this, we'll be here until next week," he joked, gesturing to the piles of paperwork.
"Good, then she won't notice I haven't cleaned my room," Talia said.
"I thought you were going to Anna's?" I asked.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm going," she said, "bye Julian."
"Bye Tal," he said as she left.
"What about the Depoware contract though? Are we bound to use them to supply material for the whole season or just until next month?" Julian asked, flicking through a folder.
"I don't know but it's not going to be in there," I said, reaching for the red folder with contract information and passed it to him.
"Does it matter though? He asked, can we just renew the contract?" he asked.
"I don't know, we could but then we'd be bound for next season too and what if we want to supply from somewhere else," I said.
"Do you want to see what the policy is?" he said passing me the initial folder he had. In the process though, it knocked into a half full mug off coffee.
I gasped as the liquid hit my shirt and seeped through.
"Oh my god, I am so sorry," he said, jumping up.
"It's totally fine," I said, getting up.
"Sorry," he repeated.
"I have three kids, I'm used to getting messy," I kidded, as I got up and went into the laundry room to find another shirt. Even though the coffee wasn't hot I could feel my skin go red, as I looked flushed.
I searched through the ironing pile and found a blue denim shirt just as I heard the doorbell ring.
"Julian can you get that?" I called, "Talia probably forgot something."
I walked around the corner, buttoning up my shirt as I got to the door. Julian was standing there having a conversation with Nathan.
"Nathan," I said in surprise as I finished the last button.
Nathan scanned me up and down then looked at Julian.
"What are you doing here?" I asked.
"I came to pick up the forms," he said as I looked at him blankly.
"Oh right! Sorry, I forgot I told you to pick them up," I said, going into the drawers in the hallway, "I've been really busy."
"Yeah I can see that," Nathan said coldly.
I raised my eyebrow at him, but he didn't react.
I pulled the manila envelope out, and handed it to him.
"You need to fill those out and bring them to the divorce hearing tomorrow," I said, "I've already done mine so if you have questions call my lawyer, he'll talk you through them."
"Fine," he said.
"Sorry, Nathan, this is Julian by the way," I said, realising I was being completely rude, "he's a work friend."
"Right, " he replied, "Nathan Scott."
The two shook hands, and the moment suddenly felt very awkward. What was wrong with Nathan?
"I'm going to go make more coffee," Julian said to me, probably sensing Nathan and I needed a minute.
I nodded and he went into the kitchen.
"So are you all set for tomorrow?" I asked.
"To make it official that I get to see my children every other weekend? And to formalise our divorce? Sure," he said.
"Nathan…"I said feeling slightly bad. It wasn't like anything would actually change though once it was on paper. It was basically what we were doing now.
"It's fine, whatever," he said in an offhand tone.
"Are you ok?" I asked. Even though we weren't together now I could still sense when something was bothering him.
"It's not a big deal," he said.
"If I can help, I want to," I told him.
"The thing is Brooke, you don't really have to anymore," he said and I was speechless. He didn't say it in a mean way, he said it like it was a fact. And it was. The thing was though; it didn't make hearing it hurt any less. I didn't blame Nathan, he was right, it wasn't really my place to step in with Nathan's problems anymore.
"I'll just see you tomorrow," he said.
"Bye," I responded reluctantly.
I couldn't help but stand by the door and watch him walk back to the car. For some reason I wanted to call out to him but I didn't know why or what I wanted to say.
We'd been apart for a while now but formalising it tomorrow would make it real. I know it was my idea, and it was necessary but it didn't make it any easier. Getting a divorce didn't take away all the memories and love.
"Mommy!" I heard Cody yell from upstairs.
"I'm coming," I called, closing the door slowly, allowing myself one last look at Nathan.
Xxxxxx
Flashback
Brooke POV
The door burst open, and I sat up in a panic, mentally registering the whereabouts of the kids, and the easiest way to get to them.
"Nathan?" I asked, seeing a shadow come through the door.
I leaned over and turned on the lamp. A warm glow came over the room, and as I turned around, I felt Nathan's weight on the bed.
He pulled me down with him, and gripped me around the waist tightly, putting his head on my chest and breathing heavily.
"Baby, what's going on? Are you ok?" I asked, worried.
"I'm sorry," he said.
I sighed, and settled into the covers. He made no mood to let go. My first thought was that he was drunk, but I didn't think he was.
"Nathan-"
"I love you," he said quickly.
"I love you too," I replied automatically. This was becoming a sort of pattern with us. I was getting used to it. Normally I'd wake up in the morning to find him beside me, and then after a tense morning we'd both act like it didn't happen until again when the routine began again at night. It didn't normally happen like this, with Nathan waking me up when he came home and apologising. He seemed to actually be sorry.
Nathan cuddled into me, and I closed my eyes, falling back into a deep sleep, wondering what brought on the change.
xxxxxx
A/N: Ok, I'm trying to get back on track with this updating! Please do let me what you think.