This was it; the night both Nathan and Haley had eagerly anticipated for the past twenty-four hours. Now, Nathan stood outside Haley's door clutching a bouquet of purple wild flowers he had strewn together outside of his mother's house after dropping Maddie there for the night.
He hated lying to both his daughter and his mother, but he knew he wasn't ready to tell them about his date with the teacher tonight. So instead, he had said a couple of his friends from work were getting together for the evening, and luckily, they seemed to believe it.
Nathan knocked on her door softly, fighting the urge to puke. He felt his stomach swirl with a sour pain, but deduced it as nerves.
It was just seconds later when the door swung open, revealing a beautiful yet casual Haley James.
Nathan had not seen her in a pair of jeans before, but the dark denim looked damn good on her. He particularly liked the way it fit so snugly around her smooth moon-like curves. Paired with the jeans was a loose, brown flowy v-neck top, displaying a perfect amount of cleavage. Nathan wanted to lick his lips when they dried at the mere sight of her. And finally, to top off the perfect look, Haley's light brown hair was curled softly, falling right past her shoulders. She truly was breathtaking.
"H-hi. You look … beautiful." Nathan smiled gently, unable to take his eyes off of her as he stumbled over his words.
Haley smiled, feeling her heart flutter - well, more like slam violently - against her chest. She nearly forgot to breathe. Nathan looked damn good in his light blue and white plaid button down, rolled at the elbows, matched with black jeans, making a very nice sight.
"Thank you," she beamed, "How are you?"
"Good. I'm really excited," he revealed with a nervous chuckle, "I've been waiting for this all day."
"Me too," she smiled.
"Oh, these are for you." Nathan jutted his arm out, holding out the flowers for Haley to take.
"These are beautiful! Thanks, Nathan."
He smirked, "You're welcome. Ready to go?"
"Yep, let me just put these in water." His eyes fell to her rear when she turned and walked into the kitchen. He remembered the first day her saw her. She was knelt down and all he could see was her backside. He didn't think he'd ever seen one so perfect, and now it had a brand new perspective painted to those slim jeans.
He didn't realize Haley turned around and was making her way back to him, for he was completely zoned out on where her bum was.
"Nathan?" Haley asked, lightly waving her hand in front of his eyes. "Are you okay?"
His eyes flickered away, and fell back on her beautiful face. "You have a serious ass, Haley James."
Haley's brown eyes widened, not expecting his lewd remark, but appreciating it nonetheless. Of course, if any other man had said that to her, it would have resulted in a firm slap across the cheek, but instead, Haley blushed, sure she'd turn into the skin of a tomato.
"Oh God, I just said that out loud, didn't I? Way to go, Nathan." He mumbled, wanting to hit himself for already blowing the date.
Haley giggled softly, "It's okay."
"No, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to degrade you like that, it's just… um… you're really attractive. Like, really, really beautiful and… damn, I can't even speak around you."
Haley bit back a smile, and placed her hand on his exposed tricep. "I'm flattered, really. Don't worry about it."
Nathan nodded, swallowing the scratchy lump in his esophagus. "Clearly I don't do this very often."
She winked, "Neither do I."
A relieved sigh emit from between his lips, "I don't want to screw this up, Haley."
"You're not going to." She gave him an encouraging smile, "Now c'mon, I'm starving."
Nathan nodded, another rush of cockiness coursing through his veins when he led Haley outside, waiting for her to lock up, then rushed over to his Range Rover so he could help her in.
Neither were able to remove the smile on their faces.
On the drive to the restaurant, they kept conversation light; discussing work and the weather, but by no means was it awkward. In fact, they talked as if they've known each other their whole life and it was quite comforting on both ends.
"So where exactly are we going to eat?" Haley asked when Nathan turned onto a different street. "I wasn't sure where you were taking me so I hope I've dressed okay."
Nathan's eyes turned from the road, and onto Haley. "Trust me, you look perfect."
She blushed, turning to meet his gaze as they shared a sweet smile before Nathan's gaze settled back on the road.
"Have you ever eaten on Market Street? There's a bunch of little restaurants lined up, over looking the water. It's one of Maddie's favorite places."
Haley smiled genuinely at the mention of his daughter. She loved how easily he brought her name up in every little conversation, completely without thought. It was obvious how important Maddie was to him and she found it really sweet.
"It's one of my favorite's too," Haley gushed. "Maddie has excellent taste."
Nathan chuckled, "If by excellent taste you mean mac 'n' cheese, then she, she has a refined pallet."
"Hey! Mac 'n' cheese is food of the Gods!" She giggled.
Nathan playfully snorted, "Yeah, if the Gods are five year olds."
She laughed, slapping his arm softly, "Where is Maddie tonight?"
"She and my Mom are having a girls night. They usually have one about once a week. I feel guilty she doesn't have a mother figure in her life and I'm not cut out for most of it half the time, so my Mom helps out. They're pretty close. It's nice."
Haley smiled warmly, "That is nice."
Nathan pulled the car into an empty spot and got out, then rushed to Haley's side to help her out.
She took his hand and held it on the short walk to the restaurant. It was a fairly nice night out, even for early November, so they didn't mind sitting outside. Nathan had called ahead, anticipating the Friday night rush, and the hostess lead them to their reserved table overlooking the water. It was a beautiful scene.
After Nathan held out the chair for Haley, the couple took a seat and perused the menu, continuing their small talk. He ordered her a Cabernet and a beer for himself.
"So, tell me more about the famous Haley James," he smirked, leaning back in his chair.
"Famous?" She laughed, "Hardly. What do you want to know?"
"Everything," Nathan said easily. "I already know you like Cabernet. Your favorite ice cream is mint chocolate chip. You like purple - at least that's what Maddie said because that's why it's her favorite color - and you have a friend named Brooke. But I want to know everything else inbetween. Like what made you want to teach?"
She beamed at the way he remembered things about her, plus she loved the question regarding her passion for teaching. "I love education. I love learning. I tutored in high school and it was such a thrill seeing students who once didn't understand something finally get it, y'know? It's like I mattered, and I don't know... It felt good. Plus, I love kids. I babysat for years."
Nathan watched the light reflect and burst in her eyes, clearly passionate about education.
"That's great. You're great at what you do. You should know that."
She blushed, "Thank you."
"I wish I had a teacher like you. Maybe I would've gone to class more." He quipped.
"And why is that?" She flirted back, loving the banter they shared.
"Well, first of all, you care. Not many people in my life ever cared about me. I can tell you care about every single one of your students."
Her eyes widened - she certainly wasn't expecting that, nor was she expecting her heart to twist with an oozing warmth.
He continued, "If I had a teacher who cared, maybe I would have cared more about school and my future instead of just basketball. And well, it helps that you're hot. I'm sure I wouldn't have taken my eyes off of you."
The heat from Haley's cheek infused bright red. "I'm sorry no one was there for you, Nathan. I firmly believe teachers should put an effort in caring for students."
He shrugged, "I was close with my basketball coach. Sometimes I think he was the only one who believed in me."
"What about your mom? You seem close with her."
Nathan fiddled with the linen table cloth. "I wasn't when I was growing up. Actually, uh, I didn't see much of her. She worked a lot, so for the most part, it was me and my Dad."
"Oh. I take it you and your Dad aren't close then."
He shook his head, "No. We don't speak anymore. He was really hard on me as a kid and we rarely got along. When he found out about Maddie, and that I quit the NBA, he cut me off completely. Told me I was good for nothing."
Haley's heart broke, "I'm sorry to hear that. Maybe it's a good thing you don't talk to him anymore, though. He sounds like he doesn't deserve you."
Nathan smiled softly. He rarely ever talked about his father with anyone, but with Haley, everything came out so easily. She listened. She cared. It was nice.
"Thanks, Hales."
She melted at his use of her nickname. "If you don't mind me asking, what happened with your parents? Are they not together?"
"They got divorced when I was at Duke. My mom actually had a drinking problem and had to go to rehab. When she got back, she realized how much of a Dick my dad was and divorced him. Our relationship was always strained but when she broke things off with him, we got a lot closer. Then when I had Maddie, she told me she wanted to do things right this time and we moved to Tree Hill."
"You mentioned you have a brother," Haley said after sipping on her wine.
Nathan nodded, "Yeah, Lucas. It's funny actually. When I was at Duke, I became friends with a guy named Lucas. I never knew Dan, my Dad, had another kid but one night Luke and I got drunk and he told he about how his father abandoned him and he thought we were brothers."
"Wow, that's huge! How'd you take it?"
Nathan blew out a deep breath, "I was pissed. Not at Lucas, but at my Dad. I mean, how could he not tell me I had a brother."
"Yeah, I can't imagine that."
"It was tough for the both of us, but it brought us closer. Luke has been there for me in ways no one else could. He battled with the idea of not having a Dad but once I told him all the shit Dan did to me, he realized he was better off. Besides, his mom remarried a great guy and practically raised Lucas."
Haley listened quietly, taking in the emotions of Nathan's voice. "Well, it seems like a shitty situation turned into a great one. You gained a brother and now your Mom seems wonderful."
Nathan nodded, "And I have Maddie."
"And you have Maddie," she repeated, mirroring his smile.
"Thanks for listening to me, Haley."
She noticed the vulnerability in his eyes and squeezed his hand softly, "Anytime."
"So what was your family like?"
Haley laughed, "Gosh, where do I start? It was pretty insane in the James household like 24/7. I'm the youngest of seven-"
"What! Seriously?"
She laughed at his awestruck expression, "Yup. Seven."
"Damn, you're not kidding. Your house must have been crazy."
Haley giggled again, "Yeah, it definitely was. My one sister, Taylor, she's two years older than me is a wild child so my parents had their hands filled with her. By the time they had me, they were burnt out so I pretty much raised myself."
"I'd say you turned out just fine," he grinned, loving the fact he could make her blush so easily.
"Try telling my mom that," she joked. "No, in all seriousness, I love my family. We're all really close. Well, Taylor and I don't always see eye-to-eye but my other two sisters, Vivian and Quinn, they're my rocks. Unfortunately Viv lives in Florida and Quinn travels everywhere so I don't see them much. Brooke is like my other sister though. We live together now and grew up together. My parents always called her the 8th James."
Nathan smiled, "That's nice you had them growing up. I wish I had Lucas."
She nodded, "Yeah, I don't know what I'd do without them. I don't see my brother's as often as I'd like either, but I know they're always there for me."
"You grew up here right?"
"Born and raised," Haley beamed proudly. "I only lasted four years in California then came right back here. I was home sick the whole time."
"Are your parents still in Tree Hill?"
He noticed Haley's smile falter for a moment, "Actually, my Dad passed away a few years ago and my Mom has really struggled with his death so she's kind of all over the place. She said she couldn't live in Tree Hill without him. Too many memories."
"I'm so sorry, Hales," Nathan muttered. "I can't imagine how hard that must have been."
"Yeah, it was a dark time in my life but I leaned on my siblings and we got through it. I still miss him, everyday, but I know he's still with me." She smiled, teary-eyed.
"He is. And I know he must be so proud of you," Nathan swore.
Haley bit her lip, blinking to keep her tears at bay. "Thank you, and ugh, I'm sorry for getting all emotional. I just can't help it-"
"Hey, it's cool. I understand." Nathan gave her a soft, yet warm smile, trying to ease her pain.
"Thank you." She whispered.
At that moment, the waiter came to take their orders. Nathan asking for the prime rib, and Haley asking for the grilled chicken with a side of mac 'n' cheese. After scribbling the order down, the waiter promptly rushed to the next table, once again leaving the couple alone.
"You know I was serious before, right?" Nathan spoke.
"About what?" She asked, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear.
"If you were my teacher I wouldn't have been able to take my eyes off of you. Hell, they haven't left you all night."
She blushed, "You're just filled with lines aren't you?"
"You haven't even seen my A game yet, Haley James," He said with a giant smirk.
"Lord help me if that's true," she giggled, running her heel along his leg playfully underneath the table.
He chuckled along with her, but was interrupted when a tall, blonde woman with a disapproving snarl stopped in front of their table.
" , hello."
Haley pulled her hand away from Nathan's, and cleared her throat. "Hi, Mrs. Rhoads. How are you?"
She ignored the question, "You're Maddie's father, right?" The older woman asked, peeling her eyes at Nathan.
He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, "Uh, yeah. Nathan Scott."
"I'm Elizabeth's mother, Rebecca. I didn't know you two were dating." She sneered with pure disdain.
Haley fidgeted, unsure of what to say. She looked at the panicked expression on Nathan's face and inhaled deeply.
"We're just, uhm-"
Rebecca clacked her lips together, "No wonder Maddie always receives special attention. You're sleeping with her father!"
Nathan's jaw clenched as he stood up abruptly, "Listen Rebecca, you don't know anything, so I suggest you keep your mouth shut-"
"Nathan!" Haley pleaded, "It's okay."
Rebecca rolled her eyes, "Just wait until the PTA hears about this," she snit.
"Mrs. Rhoads-" Haley began, but stopped when the mother of one of her students shook her head and walked away.
Haley watched and sunk low in her chair, "I'm so sorry-"
Nathan sighed, "Me too. We should have went somewhere more private."
"No, no, it's okay. I'm having a great time." She tried to reassure him.
"I don't want you to get in trouble."
Haley blew out a deep breath, "I'll deal with it," she mumbled, inwardly fretting what this would do to her reputation. She was really enjoying her time with Nathan, but of course one of the parent's had to see them together and now she didn't know what to do.
"Should I take you home?"
She remained silent for several seconds before answering; "I think that'd be best."
Nathan's face fell momentarily but recovered when the waiter came with the check. He promptly paid for their meal and lead Haley back to the car, silently. The drive to her house was also quiet as the two processed their thoughts.
When they pulled up in front of her building, Nathan once again helped her out of the car and walked her to the door. They stood, fidgeting, outside her apartment neither knowing what to say.
"I really did have a nice time tonight, Nathan. Thank you for everything," Haley said softly, unable to hide her smile.
"So did I," he grinned, "And I'd love to go out again sometime."
Her heart ceased with a stab of regret, "I don't know if that's a good idea."
Nathan's burning eyes looked up from the ground and stared into her avoiding eyes. "What?"
She nipped at her lower lip, trying to locate the right words. "Nathan, I like you, a lot-"
"I like you a lot too so I don't see why I can't take you out again-"
She closed her eyes, not wanting to see the look of dejection in his eyes, "One date, Nathan. That's all I could give you right now. I'm sorry. I had the best time, and that's what scares me. Until Maddie is no longer my student, nothing more can happen between us."
He sighed, "Is this what that Rebecca woman said?"
"No. Okay, maybe a little, but seriously Nathan… I can feel myself falling for you and that just can't happen right now. I know how much Maddie means to you and I'm trying to keep her best interest in mind. Please try to understand that."
He nodded after swallowing the coal sized lump lodged in the back of his throat, "I understand."
"I'm sorry. I really wish things were different." She whispered, clutching her chest.
"Me too," Nathan frowned. "Goodnight, Haley."
She smiled sadly before pressing a soft kiss against his stubble lined cheek, "You're a good man, Nathan Scott."
He merely nodded, before turning away, utterly disheartened, wondering how one great night could turn to ruins.
I promise this is not the end of Naley… it's only the beginning.
Next chapter will pick up the following day and don't worry, it'll make up for the end of this crappy date. Stay tuned, and enjoy Thanksgiving!
