Hey, I'm back with another chapter! I am so very sorry for the very late update. Two reasons: one, I honestly have been so busy in my real life and two, this chapter kept giving me a hard time. I had such a clear vision for it when I outlined the timeline but when I actually started writing, nothing seemed to flow right for me. I wrote and rewrote the ending so many times that I finally just said "SCREW IT!" and gave up. I really hope the chapter is okay (maybe even enjoyable) for you guys. I will say, though - this chapter is basically where I feel like the story line has been done before (many times) by other authors. I just hope that you all still enjoy my direction with it. :)
Real quick - I changed the date in this chapter. In chapter one, Brooke says her fashion show is on February 11th but it's really on the 9th. I would go change that in the actual chapter one but I'm WAY TOO tired and lazy to do so. Please, just overlook that very minor detail. ;)
A big thanks to naleyhumor, rocklesson86, NaleyWriter23, saderia, 2naley, SPNALEY, Laura, jena23, thibbs65, ktlynrose, NALEY23alwaysforever, ScRuPuLoUs, deb025, NALEYAAF23, othfangirl, and all the guests for your reviews. I genuinely love to read what you guys have to say and know that you are enjoying this story so much. As always, thank you for all the story/author alerts I have received and continue to receive for this story.
Please forgive any spelling/grammar mistakes.
Disclaimer: I own nothing affiliated with One Tree Hill. The song and band I referenced in this chapter is Don't Upset The Rhythm by Noisettes. I also have no affiliation with Star Magazine.
February 9, 2013
After shrugging on his suit jacket, Nathan grabbed his wallet that was sitting on the nightstand in his bedroom and slipped it into the back pocket of his slacks. He also picked up his keys before leaving the room, flipping the light switch off along the way. Checking to make sure the rest of the lights in his place were out, he opened the door and stepped into the hallway, locking the door to his apartment then. Nathan strolled the few feet over to his neighbor's and knocked on the door.
"Come in!" He heard her holler in the distance.
Nathan turned the doorknob and fully entered her apartment, closing the door securely behind him. He walked a couple of steps and stopped short when she came into his view. His eyes traveled the length of her body slowly, taking in every inch of her as she stood before him wearing a strapless, mustard yellow dress that stopped at her mid-thighs with a black belt wrapped around the waist. Her hair was down and straight. God, she is breathtaking. Nathan thought as he stared at her.
"Wow, you look..." He was at a loss for words. "...wow!"
"Really? It's okay?" Haley asked, self-conscious, as she glanced down at herself. "I wasn't sure...I mean, this is a fashion show so I wanted to look...I thought it'd be a good idea if...after class I went shopping and..."
"Haley, Haley," Nathan jumped in, wanting to stop her nervous rambling, as he stepped closer to her, "you look amazing."
Haley smiled, knowing he was nothing but sincere, and her stomach fluttered when she noticed the intense way he was staring at her. She has been a little nervous about tonight - about being with Nathan. They haven't exactly talked about their unplanned and unexpected New Year's kiss. It wasn't as if their relationship has been strained or anything but Haley isn't one to just "let things go". She has wanted to bring it up but they have both been so busy - Nathan has been traveling a lot over the past few weeks for his games, and she has been really focussed on her school work. She doesn't want tonight to be awkward. And, she doesn't want that one kiss to ruin their friendship. That thought - it terrifies Haley. She loves having Nathan in her life. He has become so incredibly important to her, and Haley would be devastated if she lost him.
"Hey, are you okay?"
His voice broke her out of her thoughts and she looked up at him. "Yeah. Why do you ask?"
"It's just...you looked like you were about to cry." He told her, the concern evident on his face and in his tone. "Your eyes are tearing up."
"Oh." She replied lamely as she swiped at them, careful not to ruin her makeup. She didn't even realize she was on the cusp of crying. "I'm fine."
"Okay." He responded, trusting that she would tell him if something was in fact wrong.
"You look nice." She complimented, hoping to change the subject as she sauntered closer to him, fingering his tie. "You're very handsome, Nathan Scott."
"I know." He replied smugly, shrugging.
She tossed her head back and laughed. "Of course you know it."
Nathan grinned at her.
"New cologne?" Haley asked, glancing up at him with raised eyebrows. "Is that for all those hot models tonight?"
"Of course." He smirked. "You think it'll work?"
"Absolutely." She smiled and nodded before adding, "Nathan, you could go in there smelling terrible and looking terrible, and you still wouldn't have any problem nabbin' yourself some groupies."
"What about you?" Nathan inquired, a mix between teasing and serious. "Does this cologne work on you?"
Haley inhaled a deep breath as he moved an inch closer to her. Yes. She mentally answered when the scent of his cologne wafted past her nostrils, causing her to close her eyes for a brief moment. Her thighs clamped shut and her fingers curled. That was when she realized her hands were still laying flat against his chest. She pulled them back as if she had been burned. Her cheeks flushed in embarrassment. Feigning that she had to get something from her bedroom, Haley told him she would be right back before hastily walking away.
Nathan couldn't help but smirk at her reaction as he watched her retreat from him as if she were on fire. He enjoyed knowing how much of an effect he can have on her. He has always had this...attraction to her, even knowing it would never go anywhere beyond friendship. But ever since since their kiss over a month ago, that attraction was shifting towards something more. Now, Nathan sees her and his desire to kiss her again increases greatly. Can you blame him - Haley is a kind, smart, beautiful woman and any guy would be lucky to have her. Having Haley in his life has meant so much to him, and he doesn't want to do anything to ruin that. Lately, though, Nathan can't help but wonder if...there might be something more to them one day - a thought that doesn't sound too unappealing to him.
Ridding himself of those thoughts, Nathan glanced at all of the pictures in her living room. He has seen the pictures many times before, of course - he just needed to do something to keep his mind occupied as she took her sweet time. There were so many pictures - everywhere, of everyone in her life she clearly loved. Nathan smiled as he stared at them - smiled at how beautiful she was in each and every one of them.
"Sorry about that." Haley apologized, returning to the living room. "You ready to go?"
Nathan turned to face her and asked, "How long have we known each other, Haley?"
"Umm, eighteen months." She answered, confused by the randomness of his question. "Quite a while."
"Yeah." He agreed, nodding. "So, I have a question for you."
"Shoot."
"There aren't any pictures of us around here." He pointed out, glancing around her living room once again. "I mean, look at that." He gestured to a picture of Haley with Brooke and Peyton. "I know you like me better than those two girls."
"Is that right?" She replied with a smirk.
"I'm just saying, there aren't any pictures of us - you and me."
"No, I guess there aren't. But, that wasn't a question."
"Okay, smart ass." Nathan said, causing her to laugh. "My question is...don't you think we should change that?"
"I don't know." Haley shrugged and then countered, "What about your place? I don't remember seeing any pictures of us over there either."
"You've got a point." He agreed.
"So, we should change that then, too." She reiterated his words.
He nodded. "We should."
"Okay!" Haley chirped, skipping over to the kitchen island where her purse was sitting; she reached inside for her iPhone. "Let's take a picture!"
"Just one?" Nathan replied.
She rolled her eyes while skipping back to him. "One for right now."
"That's a start."
"Yeah." She nodded, smiling. "Now, I really suck at these self...picture type...things."
He chuckled at her words and the look on her face as she stared down at her phone - her tongue was peeking out between her lips as her fingers fumbled with trying to figure things out. He asked her if she needed any help.
"I'm just...trying to find that button that..." She paused, glancing up at him, "you know, the one where you can actually see yourself while taking a picture."
Grinning, he stepped closer to her and pointed to her phone. "Right there."
"That thing?" She questioned, wrinkling her forehead.
"Yup." He confirmed, smirking. "That...thing."
Haley looked at him, pouting. "Don't make fun of me, Nathan."
Nathan laughed as he wrapped his arms around her shoulders and pulled her into him. The scent of whatever perfume or body wash or shampoo, maybe a mix of everything, she was wearing practically impaled him, and he closed his eyes. She smelled incredible - it was intoxicating. Then again, she always smelled this good. Nathan smiled, content with having her in his arms like this.
Except - he had a strong desire to kiss her.
Nathan settled for dropping a quick kiss on the top of her head before leaning back slightly and saying, "Let's take that picture."
Haley smiled instantly and held her phone out in front of them. "Ready?" She asked as she positioned the camera so they could see themselves.
"I'm ready."
Smiling, she snapped the picture and brought her phone to her to take a look. That smile dropped, though, when she realized that her hand had moved so the picture was only of their blurry foreheads.
"Great pic, Hales." He teased her.
"Shut up." She whined. "I told you I'm bad at this."
"Yes, you are." He didn't hesitate to agree, nodding his head and then laughed when she playfully backhanded him on the chest. "Give it here."
Huffing, she begrudgingly handed over her phone.
"How about we try that again, shall we? Only - better." He asked her, smirking when she glared at him. "Come on now, Hales, show me that beautiful smile of yours."
She did and the two leaned in together once more. He snapped the picture - a picture that turned out perfectly centered.
"I'm good, aren't I?"
Haley rolled her eyes at his smugness and mumbled, "Well, I'm sure you have lots of practice taking photos of yourself."
"Maybe." Nathan grinned as she stared at him. "I'd rather take more photos of us, though. I may be very photogenic but the two of us together...it's even better."
"So, are you this charming with all the girls or..."
"Just you." He finished for her.
Haley smiled as he winked at her.
OTHOTHOTH
Standing closely beside her neighbor at the bar, Haley silently observed her surroundings. There had to be hundreds of people here tonight which was kind of overwhelming. Bright, blinding lights flashed all around her. Loud, incessant chatter filled the room. She felt a gentle tapping on her shoulder and looked over to see Nathan holding out a glass of champagne for her. She took it, thanking him as they shared a soft smile. Haley didn't hesitate to take a sip, needing some alcohol in her system right at this very moment.
Nathan leaned forward and down and whispered in her ear, "Are you okay?"
"Yeah." She answered. "Just...a little nervous for some reason."
"Nervous?" He questioned, confused. She simply nodded, offering no further explanation - most likely because like she said, she wasn't sure. "There's nothing to be nervous about. It's just an ordinary night with your friends."
"Ordinary." Haley snorted. "Ordinary for me doesn't include all of...this, Nathan."
Nathan watched as she gestured in front of her. He reached for her hands and brought them up to his lips, kissing her knuckles lightly. "You'll get used to it." He reassured her.
"Am I gonna be doing this type of thing frequently or something?" She asked him.
He only shrugged in response.
"This isn't...me." She began quietly, stepping closer to him without even realizing it. "I mean, it doesn't bother me. Honestly, it doesn't. But, the cameras and everything...I've never been anywhere quite like this before."
"You went to my opening game this season." He pointed out.
"Yeah but that was different." She countered. "That was...behind the scenes, so to speak. There were no cameras up in that room."
Nathan smiled softly as he raised her hand to her cheek where he cupped it lightly, rubbing his thumb in a gentle back-and-forth motion against her skin. It was moments like this one that reminded him of who Haley James is - she is a simple girl from a small town who never craved this type of lifestyle. That is what draws Nathan to her.
Of course, those aren't the only things.
"Just stick by me, Hales." He said. "You don't have anything to worry about."
"Famous last words." Haley teased, grinning when he chuckled. Then, she grew more serious once again. "I will, you know. Be sticking by you tonight. I hope you don't mind."
Nathan shook his head. "No, I'll never mind that."
They smiled at one another until noticing others were starting to find their seats.
Nathan clasped his right hand with her left one and led Haley to their seats, already saved by Lucas, Jake, and Peyton. Haley sat in the empty chair next to her blonde girlfriend while Nathan took the one beside her, keeping their fingers linked together as they sat closely to each other.
A minute later, the lights dimmed and a spotlight shined on Brooke who was standing on the stage. The dimpled beauty spoke so eloquently and efficiently. Her words held such a deep passion as her voice caught in her throat slightly. After a short and appropriate introduction, Brooke introduced the band. The Noisettes hit the stage, singing Don't Upset The Rhythm as model after model came waltzing down the runway like they owned it.
Haley, forgetting about all of her previous nervousness, watched with wide eyes that sparkled with fascination. She was hardly a "high fashion" type of girl but she was beginning to understand the appeal. So many different outfits and shoes and accessories. Most of them were amazing - things she would probably never buy in her "real" life as they weren't her but could at least imagine herself in them if they were. The music from the band had a perfect flow with the models and created such a fun, entertaining atmosphere. Watching this...Haley found herself amazed by her friend's talent.
Brooke clearly loves what she does.
A reception immediatey followed the fashion show where interviews were conducted and guests mingled while dining on delicious appetizers and drinking alcoholic beverages.
After congratulating Brooke on a successful evening and hugging both her and Lucas goodbye, Nathan walked through the crowd that was slowly beginning to disperse. He headed towards the bar, knowing Haley was waiting for him there. Along the way, not really paying attention, Nathan bumped into someone and apologized.
Rachel Gattina.
"Nathan!" Rachel exclaimed, eyeing him. "Just the guy I was looking for."
Nathan sighed, not in the mood for her tonight. "Rachel." He greeted with a tight smile.
"Did you enjoy the show?"
"Yes, I did." He answered, nodding. "Brooke is very talented, and I'm very proud of her."
"How did I look up there?" She asked huskily, stepping closer to him.
"You looked as great as ever, Rachel." He complimented politely. Heck, it was the truth.
Rachel grinned. "So, I was thinking about getting a drink with some friends but...we could go somewhere instead. Just the two of us. What do you say?"
There it is.
"Listen, Rachel," Nathan began gently, "if this were...a couple years ago, I may have said yes."
"What changed?" She prodded.
"Nothing. I just...I'm not interested." He told her and then apologized. "Sorry."
"I figured." She shrugged. "Had to give it a shot, though, right?"
He chuckled, nodding. "You wouldn't be you if you didn't."
She laughed as well.
Nathan smiled at her and then moved to leave when she stopped him.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"Is this about Haley?"
"What?" Nathan stared at her, confused by what she was asking him.
"Do you...you and Haley...you like her, don't you?" Rachel inquired bluntly.
"I, umm...no...I mean, yes, of course I like her." He stammered, caught off guard by her question. "She's one of my best friends."
"Yeah, okay, friends." She smirked. "At least my reasons for being such a bitch to her all the time were sound."
Nathan felt himself go into instant protection mode over his neighbor at the red-head's words. "Why were you being a bitch to Haley?"
"It doesn't matter. Rachel smiled, shrugging. "Besides, Haley didn't take - that girl...she may be half my size but she can definitely dish it right back."
Nathan laughed at that and nodded. "Yes, she can."
"Well, goodnight, Nathan."
"Night, Rachel." He replied. "For what it's worth, you were the hottest model up there."
Rachel smirked. "Tell me something I don't know."
Laughing, Nathan watched as she winked at him before walking away. He then resumed with his previous destination towards the bar. There were still some reporters with their cameras there and he has been successful in dodging them all night; he was trying his hardest to do the same now as he carefully meandered through the people until arriving at the bar. Haley was sitting on a stool - not alone. There was a guy on the stool next to her, very clearly hitting on her. Nathan felt what he could only describe as jealousy pass through him as he stood frozen in place while staring at them.
Haley laughed.
Nathan smiled - that was her fake laugh.
Surging forward, Nathan placed his hand on her shoulder when reaching them. "Hey."
"Hey, you're back!" Haley exclaimed happily, sending her neighbor a bright, exuberant smile. She immediately sprang up from her seat and threw her arms around his shoulders and whispered in his ear, "Thank God you're here."
He smirked at her words as she pulled away from their embrace. He didn't let her go completely as he wrapped his left arm around her, his hands resting on her waist. He tucked her into his side and left a lingering kiss against her hair.
"You're Nathan Scott." The guy she was talking to acknowledged, staring at the NBA player in admiration.
"I am." Nathan smiled smugly, extending his hand out. "Hey, thanks for keeping my girlfriend company while she was waiting for me."
Haley blushed at his girlfriend comment.
The guy stared between the two. "Oh, umm...yeah, of course." He stammered, accepting Nathan's handshake.
"Thanks for the drink, Dillon." Haley said graciously. "It was really nice talking to you."
The guy simply nodded, red tinting his cheeks rapidly as he smiled tightly at the "couple" before hightailing it away from them.
Nathan and Haley couldn't help but laugh as they watched him, and then they turned to face each other.
"Jeez, Hales, I'm gone for fifteen minutes and you find yourself an admirer." Nathan teased.
"What can I say?" Haley shrugged, smiling. "Thank you for the save. He was a nice guy and all but...yeah, let's just say he wasn't my type. And, thank you for not going all...caveman on him."
"What would be the point in that?" He asked rhetorically. "He got the message - no need to pile it on. Besides, he knew he wouldn't stand a chance against me."
She raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"
"Come on, Haley, don't even try to go there." He replied with a scoff.
She rolled her eyes but also laughed.
"You ready to go?" Nathan then asked her.
Haley nodded. "I am."
He shed out of his jacket and handed it to her. "Here. It's chilly outside, and someone didn't bring her own jacket."
She blushed at the pointed look he sent her way and defended herself, "I didn't realize it would get so cold tonight. It's not like I had to stand outside for long or anything."
"Uh huh." He mumbled, waiting as she slipped one of her arms through the sleeve before helping her with the other one. "You're just lucky I'm a gentleman."
She cuddled into the warmth of his jacket that smelled so much like him.
Seeing Haley in his jacket had Nathan's mind going crazy. He wanted to see her in his clothes more often, especially a t-shirt. God, she would look incredible wearing just his shirt - a shirt with his name and Knicks number definitely wouldn't be a bad thing to look at either. At all. That thought had all of his blood practically running south on him. He knew, on some level, how inappropriate it was to fantasize about her - about his friend and next-door neighbor. But, Nathan also couldn't deny how unbelievably attractive Haley is.
Her yawning snapping him out of his inappropriate thoughts. "Well, that is my cue to get you home."
Haley nodded tiredly and smiled as he wrapped his arm around her while leading her outside so they could both go home.
Nathan lounged back on his couch, his feet stretched out in front of him on the coffee table, as he flicked through the channels. There seemed to be nothing of any interest on at the moment. Over four hundred channels and nothing. Figures - he has a completely free day to do nothing, no games or practices or...anything, and there isn't even a damn thing worth while to watch on the television. Boring. Boring. Boring. He mentally thought with each push of his remote control. Just then, the door to his apartment thrust open, and Nathan saw Clay dragging a clearly just woken Haley inside.
"Hey, what's going on you guys?" He asked, confused.
"Nathan, sweetie, would you please tell your dear agent that I am not a morning person?" Haley said as she plopped down beside him on the couch, curling into his side and resting her head on his shoulder while closing her eyes. "I don't appreciate it when someone pounds on my door so early in the morning."
"It's 9:00." Clay pointed out.
"Exactly." She huffed.
Nathan chuckled and looked at his agent. "That's early for Haley."
Haley nodded while yawning.
"What are you doing here, Clay?" Nathan inquired. "And why did you bring Haley over here with you?" He looked down at his neighbor. "Not that I'm complaining about seeing you, though."
She kept her eyes closed and her head resting on his shoulder but smiled at his words.
"A coworker of mine sent me a message this morning - early this morning, telling me to go out and buy the newest issue of Star Magazine." Clay began to explain. "I did."
"Good for you." Nathan mumbled, not getting where his friend was going with this.
"No, not good for me." Clay argued before tossing the same magazine at the two sitting on the couch. "Take a look at that."
Haley yawned again, opening her eyes so she could see what has Clay so bent out of shape. Peering over her neighbor's shoulder to get a better look, she saw herself and Nathan plastered on the cover. It was a picture of them that was clearly taken at the fashion show two days prior - she was wrapped in his arms and he was kissing the top of her head. Haley definitely wasn't expecting to see that.
"Aww...what a cute picture!" She gushed and then patted Nathan on the shoulder. "You said you wanted more pictures of us."
"Touche." Nathan replied smirking. "I have to say, Haley James, you looked sexy as hell in that dress."
"Thank you." She smiled and immediately returned the compliment. "You didn't look so bad yourself."
He smirked, chuckling under his breath, as he gazed over the magazine cover. "Oh, there's more inside!"
"Hurry up!" She demanded impatiently while watching him flip to the pages.
In the dead center of the magazine were more pictures of the two of them: hugging and smiling at one another, holding hands, outside waiting for the valet. There was also an article, New Romance for Nathan Scott as the headliner. They read through the printed words aloud, laughing at what the media had to report about their so-called relationship.
"Can you guys please take this seriously?" Clay grumbled, annoyed.
"Oh, come on, Clay, it's not a big deal." Nathan responded, chuckling.
"Yeah." Haley quickly joined in. "So they snapped a few pictures of us. Okay, the pictures do look a little...incriminating?" She glanced at her neighbor. "Is that the right word?"
"Sounds right." Nathan responded with a shrug.
"But that's all." She continued. "They were completely innocent moments that the press manipulated. Shocking." She mumbled, rolling her eyes. "It doesn't bother me. On the contrary, I'm kind of flattered."
"You should be." He said, smiling at her. "It's not everyday you get to be photographed with a hot, NBA player such as myself."
"Guys!" Clay shouted in impatient irritation.
"Clay," Nathan groaned, dropping his feet to the carpet and tossing the magazine onto the coffee table, "believe us when we say this isn't a big deal. Pretty soon there will be something else the media will find to spin. We appreciate the concern and the warning but you could have just called me."
"That's not why I came by." Clay informed the two.
"Then, I'm here why?" Haley asked, annoyed. "Why did you wake me up? I have a class in three hours - I need my sleep."
"Listen," Clay started hesitantly while glancing between the two, "these rumors...they aren't exactly new."
"What do you mean?" Nathan questioned, confused.
"There was a small rumor circulating around New Year's." Clay revealed before expanding. "Apparently, someone mentioned a kiss between the two of you."
Nathan and Haley glanced at one another, blushing at that recent memory. Smiling, they both quickly averted eye contact.
"Okay, so I'm guessing it was true." Clay deduced after witnessing their reactions.
"That was nothing." Nathan quickly dismissed. "Just embracing a classic New Year's tradition."
"Yeah, Clay." Haley added. "That whole thing...it was completely innocent."
Clay held up his hand in mock defense. "Hey, personally, I don't care what you guys do or why you do it." He told them honestly. "Fuck each other senseless for all I care."
Haley blushed at his crude and callous words.
"Then what's your problem?" Nathan asked, his own irritation setting in. "If you don't care and we don't care...what's with the morning wake up call?"
"Nate, a big part of my job is protecting you. I've been doing it for years." Clay stated and watched as his client nodded his understanding and agreement. He sighed before continuing. "There's been some...negativity surrounding your name lately."
"What?" Nathan replied, laughing. "No, there hasn't. I haven't heard anything."
"That's because I've kept it to myself. I'm very good at my job, Nate." Clay wasn't ashamed to admit. "But it's not that bad."
"Not that bad?" Nathan repeated incredulously. "You tell me there's negativity surrounding my name lately but it's not bad. What the hell does that even mean? And, how?" He stared at the guy imploringly. "I haven't done anything that would warrant any negativity. I haven't been getting drunk in any clubs or bars. I haven't been involved in any fights or even any verbal arguments. And I haven't been with anyone since Carrie."
"You haven't?" Haley asked, surprised. "Not even while on the road?"
His facial features and his tone softened as he looked at her, shaking his head. "No, no one."
"That's what this is about?" Clay quickly jumped in, causing both Nathan and Haley to turn their attention back on him. "Carrie."
"Carrie?" Nathan stated, confused. "I haven't talked to the girl in months."
"Yeah, well she has certainly been talking about you."
"What does that mean?" Nathan questioned when his agent muttered those words.
"Carrie...she has..."
"Oh, just spit it out, Clay!" Haley shouted, shocking the guys who stared at her for a moment. "What?"
Nathan let out a small laugh at her miniature outburst as she then encouraged, in a calmer tone, his agent to continue with whatever it is he has to say.
"Ever since you broke up with Carrie, she has kind of been slamming you in the media." Clay revealed, waiting for his client's reaction.
"What a bitch." Haley muttered under her breath. "Although, not surprising."
"Okay." Nathan said slowly. "So...is this something I need to worry about?"
"I don't think so." Clay answered honestly. "Carrie...she's angry and venting. Her words aren't having a great impact on your career - at all really. But, she is generating some negativity." He explained before expanding. "Look, we all know that Carrie is one meltdown away from a mental institution..even some media coverage on her has alluded to that...but it's not fair that her crazy antics could effect you. I just want to try to turn that around."
"How?" Nathan inquired.
"Well, I have...a proposal for you guys. Something to generate some positivity to counteract the negativity."
"What kind of proposal?" Nathan asked his agent.
Haley stared at the blonde guy, waiting for him to continue with whatever he may want. What could he possibly want that includes the two of them?
"Well," Clay cleared his throat, "I was thinking that...maybe the two of you could be...a real couple. A fake real couple." He saw the wide-eyed confusion between the other two. "Just for a little while. The media already thinks there's something going on between you guys so..."
"So...what?" Nathan asked lowly, glaring at his agent. "You want us to...pretend we're a couple?"
"Yea." Clay answered simply with a casual shrug. "Nothing major. You know just...go out in public together occasionally - holding hands, maybe share a kiss or two. Confirm your relationship. At least for a few months, until the negativity dies down."
"Clay, this is rid..."
"Wait!" Haley exclaimed, interrupting her neighbor as she sprang up suddenly from her spot on the couch. "That's perfect!"
Nathan and Clay stared at the girl like she was crazy.
"What is?" Nathan asked.
"Along with helping you, you can help me." She told him, smiling broadly.
"How?" Nathan continued to prod, still confused.
"Nathan, this could help get my family...well, more importantly, my mom off my back." She began to explain. "The reporters will report their stories and snap their pictures - my face with yours, plastered all over the magazines. It'll be great! No longer will I have to hear 'Haley Bob, when are you gonna find yourself a husband? You're not getting any younger.' anymore."
"Wait, your middle name is Bob?" Clay asked, looking at her with amused, squinted eyes.
"That's not the point." Haley dismissed, shaking her head.
"It would piss my parents off. Especially my dad." Nathan stated, laughing slightly. "That could be fun."
"I don't know about that. I've met your parents." She countered, raising her eyebrow. "But then again, a part of me wouldn't mind ticking off your parents considering...well, you know."
He chuckled, nodding. "Yes, I know."
"You can be my date to my sister's wedding." Haley said, her eyes brightening at the thought. She could tell that he seemed weary by this whole idea but couldn't figure out why - this was good for them both. "We can help each other, Nathan."
Nathan smiled at her, amazed that she was so willing and eager to enter into this...charade with him - even if it was for her benefit just as much as his. Could he let her do this, though? He immediately thought back to the night of the fashion show, back to how uncomfortable she was - and that wasn't anything close to what was going on now. Haley was already on the cover of a magazine and they aren't even dating - for real or pretend. He could only imagine what it may be like if they came out as a "couple". He didn't care about the things Carrie was spreading about him - he did, however, care a lot about Haley. Nathan wanted nothing more than to protect her - he wasn't so sure this was a good idea.
This was something they both needed to think about...and more importantly, talk about.
So, there you go! Please let me know what you think.
Okay, honest time! I am going to be super busy for the rest of the week and weekend. I am really hoping to get some writing in between so I can get a chapter up for you guys as quickly as I can. If not, I am at least pushing for next Friday. I know, I know - it's nine days away! I will work really hard to make it sooner, but I can't make any promises. Please just bear with me.
Have a great day/week/weekend! :)
