Haley walked slowly, scanning the crowd for a familiar face. She had just arrived in LA and her bodyguards Rob and Joe were carrying her luggage and hovering close at the same time. Her face lit up when she finally saw a well-loved face. She ran forward.

"Luke" she shouted as she ran into his arms. Even though she had seen him less than two weeks ago, Haley found it so comforting to just be in the vicinity of her best friend.

"Hey Buddy" Lucas said as he swung Haley around. He put her down and gave her a quick kiss on the forehead before leading her out, his own bodyguards following.

"Where's Brooke?" Haley questioned. "She told me she was going to come"

Lucas laughed, "She's here. She just won't get out of the car"

"Okay I'll bite, why?"

"On the way here she decided she wanted to have a drink and when the driver braked at one point she managed to spill like a tiny drop of juice on her shoe. She freaked. Brooke refused to get out saying there's always paparazzi at the airport and the last thing she wants is to be a fashion don't"

Haley laughed along with Lucas knowing fully well how was about her clothes.

Lucas directed her to the car and once Rob and Joe had loaded her luggage, they were off.


"If you're done bonding with the boys, you might want to focus some of that energy on me" Brooke said to Haley with a disgruntled face. Brooke had been looking forward to this time with Haley but as soon as Lucas found out Haley was coming he had dropped everything to hang out with his best friend. Even Keith was being unco-operative. Instead of taking Lucas out like he promised, he had sat down and had spent the last hour reminiscing with Lucas and Haley. Karen was the only one on her side as far Brooke was concerned.

"I'm sorry Tigger. We'll go do whatever you have planned. We'll leave right now" Haley said as she got up from where she was sitting.

"Good. Now you men do… whatever it is that men do. We are going to go make ourselves even more beautiful than we currently are" Brooke said dimpling.

With that she dragged Haley and Karen into the waiting limousine.


It was six o'clock in the evening and Brooke, Haley and Karen were settled into Haley's suite at Hotel Bel Air. Even though at first Brooke had protested against Haley staying at a hotel, she had seized the idea of using the suite for their girls' night.

"That was some day" Karen said.

"Yeah it was" Haley agreed.

Brooke had taken them to the Beverly Hills Spa and they had spent the day having every treatment they could possibly fit into four hours. They all felt refreshed and rejuvenated. Now they were sitting in the living room of Haley's suite, the same suite she had had last trip. Just being there made Haley want to smile and cringe. Her memory of that day with Nathan was definitely bittersweet. She loved how they had given in to their passion and had thus formed a new friendship but she hated the thought of hurting anyone especially Matt. He was like the most wonderful guy she had ever been with but at the end of the day it always came down to one tiny detail. He wasn't Nathan.

"I've given you all day to stew in your own thoughts. Now spill superstar" Brooke said.

Haley sighed and looked at the carpet. "I don't know where to begin"

"Whatever you feel comfortable talking about, start with that. It might help to have a sympathetic ear or two" Karen encouraged.

"I don't want you to think any less of me. I love you so much. You were a like a second mother to me, more so than my actual mom. And Brooke you've stood by me through everything. I'm afraid you'll hate me"

"Okay, first, I could never hate you. No matter what. I swear. And I'm sure Karen will agree with me when I say that we will always be there for you. We're family" Brooke said as Karen nodded her agreement.

Haley refused to look into their eyes as she said in a small voice, "I slept with Nathan"

And then there was silence.

"What? When?" Karen questioned

"How was it?" Brooke wanted to know.

"Two weeks ago when I was here, he came over to see if we could try and be friends and uh, things kinda got outta hand"

"I'll say" Brooke muttered.

Karen gave her a look and then turned back to Haley, "Honey, what does this mean for the two of you?"

"Nothing, I don't know. I mean we talked, he asked if I wanted to be friends with him again. I told him I'd give it a shot and so we decided to just email each other for now" Haley said in a rush.

"Haley, do you honestly think you and Nathan can be just friends?"

"Yeh, I mean you guys did the nasty the first time you were alone with each other in six years" Brooke added.

"I guess, I hope we can" Haley said and then stopped, "I've spent so many years away from him, I just wanna get to know him again. He's Nathan, I just want him in my life again" Haley said trying to convince them and herself.

"Look Haley, if you and Nate wanna get to know each other again that's cool. But you do remember your boyfriend right?" Brooke said, "And Peyton" she added.

"Yeah I remember them, all too well." Haley said. "But Nathan said he told her about us trying to be friends and she was fine with it"

"That's Peyton for you. Stupid and naïve till the end" Brooke said then seeing Haley's look, "Sorry, was speaking as Peyton's best friend. Give me a moment to switch back into Haley's best friend"

"Haley" Karen said ignoring Brooke's ramblings, "What about Matt? I thought you were happy with him. Atleast that's what Lucas got from you"

"I am happy with him. He loves me and I love him" Haley's breath caught in her throat as she said those words. She wondered if they could tell she was lying. "And I haven't told him about Nathan and I trying to be friends again simply because he doesn't know there was a 'Nathan and I'"

"You haven't told him you were married?" Karen asked the slight disapproval in her tone apparent.

"No. When Nate and I, umm, separated we added a non-disclosure statement to our paperwork. Basically, neither of us are to ever discuss our marriage with the press or anyone connected to the media. I guess I've become so paranoid over the years that I stopped talking about it. I never told Jordan either and we were together for fourteen months" Haley confided.

"So what are you going to do now?" Brooke asked.

"Nothing. I'm just so confused. I think I could be happy with Matt but that day with Nathan really messed with my head. At the same time both of us agreed we were not at a point in our lives where we could even think about giving us a chance again. Nathan loves Peyton, I could tell and he really doesn't want to hurt her and the same applies for me towards Matt"

"Oh kiddo, don't worry too much about it. You'll figure out what is right for you. And if you need me I'm here" Karen said as she hugged Haley.

"You know I always go your back right tutor girl?" Brook said.

"Thanks guys. I'm so glad you're here for me. I don't know what I'd do without you"

"Lucky for you, you'll never have to find out" Brooke said joining the hug.

"Okay girls, I thought you promised this old lady some fun" Karen said laughing as she ended the hug.

"Oh, we did, didn't we?" Brooke said smiling evilly.

"Oh no Tigger, whatever you're thinking, stop. I'm scared now"

"Oh no bestfriend and future mother-in-law, we're gonna have a night to remember. Let's go"


The next morning Haley woke up in her huge bed but she wasn't alone. She could feel the boy heat from the person lying next to her. She was almost afraid to wake up and see who it was.

'Oh God, Please tell me I didn't bring home a random last night'

She opened her eyes cautiously and then laughed. Tangled in her sheets were Brooke and Karen. Haley snickered as last night's events came rushing back.

Flashback

Previous Night

"Where are we going Brooke?" Karen asked for the millionth time. She smoothed down the front of her dress uncomfortably, "And why do I need to be dressed like this?"

"Oh Karen, live a little. We all have our men but where we're going will have you wishing you never got married." Brooke smiled mischievously, "And you have to wear that because you're a total MILF and you have to look the part"

"MILF?" Karen questioned confused.

Brooke just giggled and so Karen turned to Haley.

"Don't ask Karen, just go with it." Haley said. She had resigned herself to her fate and had stopped protesting after Brooke had made her squeeze into a corset that made her boobs spill out. She literally did not have the breath to argue.

They rode in the limo is silence for a while before Karen again spoke, "So will you tell me now?"

"My god, future mother-in-law, you need to relax. You're worse than a five year old. Here have a drink" Brooke said handing Karen one of her own concoctions.

Karen hesitantly accepted but seeing Haley and Broke sipping the same drink she decided, "Oh What the hell!" She took a big sip and nearly gagged from the burning feeling in her throat.

"What's in this Brooke?" Karen asked.

"Oh nothing, Vodka and blue lemonade"

"In what ratio?"

"Karen!" Haley called out. "Like I said before, don't ask. Just go with it" Hale giggled at the surprise on Brooke's face.

"What? I know how to have fun" Haley said defensively.

"I know superstar. I'm just starting to enjoy this side of you" Brooke said.

Karen shook her head slightly at the absurdity of the situation, "I'm too old for this" she mumbled to herself before making up her mind to just 'go with it' like Haley kept saying.

"Okay girls, here's to a night to remember" Karen said raising her glass.

"To tonight" Brooke and Haley echoed as the clinked their glasses with Karen's and took a sip.

"Now that everyone's on board let the night begin" Brooke shouted.

……

Forty five minutes later, Brooke, Haley and surprisingly Karen were still having the time of their lives.

"Take it all off" Karen yelled drunkenly at the man on stage as Brooke backed her up with her own yells while Haley looked on amused. Brooke had taken them to, surprise surprise, a strip club! Karen who Brooke had successfully gotten tipsy on the ride over had forgotten all her inhibitions and was the loudest of them all.

"Haley!" Brooke shouted, "Get up here"

Haley looked up to see Brooke and Karen were on stage dancing with the strippers. The club owners and security obviously knew who they were because no one made an effort to have them stop.

Haley knew she shouldn't but as always when she had been drinking, her ideas of right and wrong disappeared. "Okay" she agreed and got up and started dancing along with her friends.

Hours later they collapsed into their limo and driven back to Haley hotel. They were met at the hotel by Haley's security personnel who were furious that she had disappeared alone. They were quickly ushered into Haley's suite where they had all passed out on her large bed.

End.

Haley grabbed the bottle of aspirin someone had placed conveniently on her bedside table and swallowed two. She got out of bed and then proceeded to wake her two companions.

Once Brooke and Karen were up they both accepted the offered aspirin before bolting. Brooke had screamed something about a hemline that needed to be altered by that night and Karen had wanted to go check on Keith. Once they left Haley got into her tub and lay there, hoping her hangover wouldn't be too bad. After her bath, Haley had returned to bed. She had climbed into the newly made bed, making a mental note to leave a large tip for the maids.

At around noon Haley's cell phone rang and jarred her back into reality.

"Hello?"

"Hey Buddy"

"Luke, hey. What's going on?" Haley said in her sleepy voice.

"Shit did I wake you?" Lucas asked, "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine" Haley said truthfully. The aspirin combined with her bath and nap had chased the hangover away.

"Good, then you'll join me for lunch. Brooke had a work emergency. Since you had your time with her yesterday I was hoping I could tempt you into some bonding time with Luke"

"Don't ever refer to yourself in third person again and you have a deal. What time should I get there?" Haley asked.

"I'll pick you up in half an hour. That enough time for you?" Lucas asked.

"Sure. See ya then"

"Bye"


Exactly thirty minutes later Haley walked into the lobby. She was dressed in a casual yet elegant way with her brown Prada skirt, a pale pink Gucci strapless top and her favourite Jimmy Choos. She also wore over sized Dolce and Gabbana sunglasses. Before coming down she had swallowed another aspirin and Haley felt like she was good to go.

She smiled as she saw Lucas get out of his car and come into the Lobby.

"Pink? Haley Ja- I mean Scott is actually wearing pink?" Lucas asked in way of a greeting.

"It's nice to see you too And yes, it's pink but it's also Gucci and it's so light it's practically white" Haley sais sulkily.

"Well you look great and it is nice to see you. We haven't been able to spend any time together. Just the two of us"

Haley softened, "Thanks Luke and I'm sorry. I know I should have made more of an effort but I promise I will"

"I know you will Hales. So, shall we?" Luke said grinning as he offered his arm.

"I would be delighted" Haley said properly before they both burst into laughter as they made their way back to the car.

"So where are we going?" Haley asked after they got into Luke's black Mercedes SLK convertible. "This car is so not what I pictured you driving"

"You'll see" Lucas said as he drove. "And the car is not mine. It's Brooke's. Mine's in the shop"

Some time later he pulled up and motioned for Haley to get out.

"Oh my god Luke, I can't believe you remembered"

Luke had brought her to Santa Monica. When Haley was about nine her whole family had come to California on a holiday. After much pleading, Karen had allowed Lucas to joins the James' on their vacation. There at the Santa Monica beach, Haley had spent the whole day with her three sisters, two brothers and Luke building sand castles and playing in the ocean. Years later she had always said that was her absolute favourite vacation because it was the last where the whole family were together and of course her best buddy.

"Of course I remember Hales. We had such a great time here, back when it was just you and me. Before Na- boyfriends and girlfriends entered our world."

"I miss that" Haley admitted quietly. She stared at the water longingly.

"I wish you'd told me. I would have brought my swimsuit" Haley said.

Lucas grinned, "Ah, but I came prepared" He passed Haley a bad and she saw a green bikini in it. She looked up at him strangely.

"Ok, so I told Brooke what I was planning and she gave me this. There's a note in there"

'Super-star, this is a Brooke Davis original so don't you dare complain about it. Just march your cute little butt into the change rooms and put it on. Luv ya. Tigger'

Haley laughed as she read the note. She pulled the bikini out of the bag and looked at it.

"I'm gonna go change. Meet you back here in five?" Haley said to Luke and without waiting for his answer she left in the direction of the change rooms.

She loved what Luke was doing for her. Giving her a day to just be Haley James regular Jane, not Haley Scott recording artist. Normally she would never have gone into a public change room but she just wanted to be today. So she ducked in making sure no one saw her and quickly changed. Brooke had thoughtfully also provided a sarong which matched the bikini perfectly. She tied it in a perfect knot and then hurried back to the car to toss her stuff back in. She saw Lucas standing there in his board shorts.

"Race you" she suddenly screamed and took off to the water leaving Lucas to carry their towels, sunscreen and water.

Luke laughed as he ran to catch up with her. Haley stopped for a moment to take off her sarong and in that moment Lucas dropped everything he was holding and caught up with her and swung her into his arms.

"Luke No" She shouted as he carried her into the water.

"Hales Yes" he said and then dropped her straight in.

"Oh you're so gonna pay for that mister" Haley shouted as she ran after Lucas who pretended to be scared. When she got close she jumped onto his back and Lucas immediately supported her legs with his arms.

They spent an hour just playing in the water and having a good time.

After a while they got out of the water and went back to where they had left their stuff. After spreading their huge beach towels out Haley collapsed on to one. Then she shot up.

"Sunscreen! I forgot. Damn, I can't handle cancer on top of everything else" she wailed.

Lucas laughed. "You're such a drama queen. Just lay back, I got you"

Haley did as she was told and lay down on her tummy. As Lucas massaged sunscreen into her back she giggled.

"What?" Lucas asked.

"Nothing, I just remembered this one letter I got from a fan. He said he dreamt of taking me to the beach and rubbing sunscreen into my back" Haley giggled again, "You are basically living out the fantasy of a million boys"

"Well, if they all had seen you in that ugly ass poncho and dopey hat, I'm sure those fantasies would turn into nightmares" Lucas said pinching her slightly.

"Shut up" Haley laughed as she got up to swat Lucas. She grabbed the sunscreen from him and rubbed some on her legs, arms, shoulders and tummy.

"Now turn around" Haley ordered Luke who was watching her routine amused.

"Yes ma'am" he said and let Haley rub the lotion into his wide back.

When she finished, he saw her look and quietly did the rest of his body before lying back next to her.

"I miss you" Luke said softly.

"I'm right here Luke" Haley said.

"You know what I mean. This" he said waving his hand around, "just makes me feel your absence even more when you're not around. I hate that you live so far away. I hate that our careers make it impossible for us to just spend time together whenever we want. I wish things could be like they used to"

"Oh Luke" Haley whispered as she rolled over to hug him. "I feel the same way. I wish I could be here more. I've actually been thinking about spending more time here."

Luke's face lit up, "That would be awesome Hales" He tucked his arms around her as they just lay there on the sand.

"You've always been my best friend. And you always will be. No matter what" Lucas promised her again.

Haley felt tears rush to her eyes and before she could stop a few tears rolled down her face and fell on Lucas.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Lucas asked the moment he noticed she was upset.

Haley brushed the tears away and said, "Sometimes I don't think I deserve people like you in my life. Promise me you'll always be there"

"I promise. I love you Hales"

"I love you too" And this time Haley meant it.


"So what now BFF?" Haley asked as they got back into Luke's car. It was half past four in the afternoon and she wasn't the least bit tired.

They had eaten a light lunch at one of the beachside cafes where they had immediately been recognised. After both were approached by fans for autographs, they had decided to hightail it out of there.

"You'll see" Lucas smiled mysteriously.

"Well aren't you full of surprises today" Haley remarked, "But if you actually remembered you'd know I hate surprises so just spill already"

"Did you enjoy yourself earlier?" Luke asked

"Yes" Haley admitted.

"Then trust me. You know I would never steer you wrong" Lucas said.

"Oh no, now I'm worried" Haley said.

"Don't be"

When Lucas finally pulled up Haley noticed that they were in Beverley Hills. A valet stepped up immediately and took the keys from Lucas. Haley waited for him to walk up to her and they both entered the Backstage Café.

"Wow" Haley said as she looked around the place. "I've heard about this place. Always meant to come here but I never did"

Luke smiled, "Well I'm glad I got to bring you"

"I'm glad you got to bring me too" Haley said and reached up to kiss him on the cheek sweetly.

They were directed to the VIP lounge where Haley could see a few familiar faces but since this was Haley and Luke Day she didn't bother to say hello.

Haley ordered a martini and Lucas ordered a beer and they just sat there catching up. Neither had more than that one drink since they both had to be at the training session the next day and more importantly, Haley had been drunk the night before and Lucas was driving home.

"So how are things? I know everything is wonderful with Brooke" Haley said rolling her eyes, "but the other stuff"

"Things are good. I've been getting a lot of offers for endorsement deals. The one's with just me are a lot easier to close than the ones where they want both Scott brothers. Mike is crazy"

"Mike?"

"He's Nate's agent. Whenever we want our contracts re-negotiated we have them double team whoever we're dealing with. Seems smarter to have two people working for us rather than one, atleast that's what Dad said. The man is a son of a bitch but he is pretty smart when it comes to these things" Lucas said smiling.

Haley laughed, "So why is Mike crazy?"

"He isn't. He just drives Peter, that's my agent, up the wall. They work for the same company, are the exact same age, they even like the same sports but nothing on god's great earth can make them get along"

"Well my agent is an ass" Haley said, "You'd think since I've been doing this since I was 17 I would know what to do but NO. Alanna is the most irritating person alive"

"Then why do you keep her around?" Lucas asked

"Cos even though she annoys me she's awesome at what she does" Haley smiled. "Have you seen the ads I get to do? I have like the best picks. And it's easy work. Easy money. So no reason to complain"

"Yet you do" Luke pointed out.

Haley stuck her tongue out at him, "You don't count. You're my best buddy. I am obliged to tell you how miserable my life is so you can make it better"

"True that. Well if I'm needed to make your life better for one we're gonna have to stop talking about our careers. And two, we're gonna dance"

Haley allowed herself to be pulled up by an enthusiastic Lucas and she had the best time just dancing and having fun with him.

When Lucas finally took her back to her hotel, it was late and they both knew they had to get home and get some rest.

"You sure you don't wanna come back to mine?" Lucas asked as he walked her to the lobby.

"I'm sure. If I come back with you then I'll end up staying up with Brooke and when she's around alcohol cannot be far away"

"Fine, but I'm only letting you off the hook tonight cos I know you're spending the morning with me training and in the evening we're having dinner. We're still on for dinner right?"

"Yup. Now go home and sleep. I'll cya bright and early tomorrow."

"Bye Hales" Lucas said as he gave her a quick hug.

"Bye Lukey" Haley teased.


The next morning, Haley was up and ready by 7.45am. Her car was supposed to pick her up at any moment so she could make it to the gym by 8.30am.

Haley was dressed similarly to last time. She wore another one of her monogrammed trackie pants with a matching sports bra. A tight singlet finished her look and she had on a thin sweatshirt that bore the logo NYU.

As soon as her car arrived, Haley was off and when she entered the gym she realised she was the last one to arrive.

"Finally. Did you oversleep?" Lucas asked, his tone friendly but not too. Haley immediately realised the cameras were back and they were taping this session too for the promotions and publicity for the event.

"Sorry. I didn't realise I was late" Haley said as she took a seat next to Kelly.

She looked up and saw Nathan looking at her and she smiled slightly and was happy to see him smile back. She pulled her sweatshirt off and watched as Nathan's eyes looked at her exposed tummy. Knowing he was watching her made Haley feel that familiar tingly feeling she always felt when Nathan was around.

"Okay, I hope all of you went over your evaluations" Lucas said loudly. "We're going to split into our teams today and see how well we work together. As you know I'm Captain of Team A and Nathan is Captain of Team B. So Team A, follow me, Team B, follow him"

Once the teams were separated, Haley turned her full attention to Lucas. He gave them pointers and had them play two on two with Kwame being the fourth person. Since Mischa was tall she had a clear advantage over Haley as they played. Tobey had played ball growing up so he caught on fairly quickly.

"That was good. I can see some real improvement. Now I want you to try doing a few lay ups" Lucas said as he demonstrated one. "Watch the footwork"

After what seemed like endless hours of torture to Haley, Lucas finally announced a break. Haley jogged over to where her bag was and she saw Nathan there grabbing something from his own bag.

"Hey" she said shyly.

"Hey" Nathan replied.

Nathan watched as Haley bent over to grab her bottle that was in her bag. As she did her singlet rode up and he saw the tattoo.

'Shit' he cursed as he felt lust course through him. To see that Haley still had the tattoo turned him on so bad. He felt this primal joy that she was still marked as his.

'I need my head checked' Nathan thought.

"Are you okay?" Haley's worried voice broke into the fog of lust surrounding his brain.

"What? Oh, I'm fine. I just was thinking"

A knowing smile played on Haley's lips and for a moment Nathan was afraid she could see what he was thinking.

"Up late partying?" she asked and Nathan was confused.

"No" he answered.

"Then what's with the blank stares. I just assumed you got trashed last night and you were still hungover"

Nathan smirked, "Sorry to disappoint but I actually went to bed early last night. Since you were too busy to join us for dinner, Peyt and I just ordered take out and watched a movie."

Haley felt her heart clench at the picture of domesticity he had just painted for her.

"Sorry about that. It's just Luke and I kinda wanted to spend some time together, just me and him."

"You were with Luke?" Nathan asked surprised.

"Uh, Yeh. It was Haley and Lucas Day yesterday. We just hung out, went to the beach, had lunch and then went dancing."

Nathan felt a small pang of jealousy at her words. Even though he knew it was stupid, he couldn't help but envy her easy relationship with and obvious affection for Lucas.

"Sounds like fun" he remarked casually.

"It was" Haley said.

"So what are you doing tonight?" Nathan asked abruptly. "Maybe we could have dinner? My parents are here from Tree Hill and although I can't speak for my dad, I know my mum would love to see you. And-"

Haley cut him off quickly, "I'd love to Nate but I already have plans I can't cancel."

Nathan was cut by her rejection but then he dismissed it.

"After the shit my dad pulled last year I'm not surprised" Nathan said. "Maybe next time you come into town you can make some time for your friend" A slightly angry tone crept into his voice as he turned away.

"It's not that Nate" Haley said putting her hand on his arm to stop him.

The moment contact was made they both jerked away as if they had been shocked. It was like their skin touching sent a bolt of electricity through the two of them.

"Then what is it Hales?" Nathan asked still not turning around.

"It's just that I promised Karen and Keith I would have dinner with them at Lucas's and Brooke's. I can't cancel now"

Since Nathan had his back turned to Haley, she couldn't see the smile that spread across his face. Wiping the happy of his face he carefully schooled his expression into a slightly disappointed look.

"That's fine Hales. Hopefully I'll see you before you leave"

"I'd like that" Haley said softly.

"Good" and with that Nathan jogged back on to the court shouting for his team mates to join him.

'It sure will be fun tonight' Nathan thought as he smiled again.


Haley was beyond tired when she opened her suite door which is why she failed to notice the coat lying on her sofa. She wandered into her bedroom aimlessly but stopped short when she saw the person sitting on her bed.

"Matt!" she said joyfully. "You came"

Haley walked up to give him a kiss hello and that was when she noticed the expression on his face.

"Is something wrong?" she asked tentatively.

Matt threw the papers he was holding in his hand on her face.

"That's what wrong Haley" he said as he stormed out of the bedroom and into the sitting room.

Haley bent down to gather the papers and saw that they were tabloids and some actually newspapers but the one thing they had in common was her name splashed on the front page.

'Scott and Scott, a match made in heaven'

'Playing with a player, Haley Scott returns to her first love, basketball players'

The headlines got dumber as she went through them.

Horrified that they must have found out about her and Nathan, Haley anxiously opened one of the magazines and then almost fell over.

There, printed were pictures of Lucas picking her up at the airport, from them at the beach the day before and of them exiting Backstage Café.

Haley grabbed all the papers in her hand and walked out to where Matt was pacing. Seeing his face, she couldn't stop herself. She started laughing.

"You think this is funny?" Matt thundered making Haley laugh even harder. "You told me you were gonna shop and hang out with some old friends. Two days after you leave I see your face splashed across nearly every newspaper with some basketball player rubbing his hands all over you"

Sensing his anger Haley stopped laughing but she couldn't stop smiling.

"Matt, calm down. Trust me when you hear what I have to say you'll be laughing too. Yes Lucas did pick me up from the airport and yes I spent the day with him yesterday but I was doing exactly what I told you I would be doing, hanging out with old friends"

Matt stopped pacing and looked at Haley.

"How come I've never heard you mention him before then?" He asked still angry.

"Lucas and I have been best friends since we were six. We have never been more than friends. If anything, he has been like a big brother to me my whole life" Seeing that Matt was about to say something Haley interrupted.

"It's a long story. Why don't we sit down?" Haley said and reluctantly Matt took a seat on the couch across from her.

"Okay, where was I? Uh Yeh, Luke and I grew up together. When we were in high school our twosome expanded and it included Brooke, who happens to be Luke's fiancée and Nathan, his brother and another friend Peyton"

"Why haven't I ever met them before?"

"See the thing is, Nathan and I dated before I went on my first tour and it ended badly. I never wanted Luke to have to choose between his brother and his best friend so I backed off. Only Luke wouldn't let me. We stayed in touch and when this UNICEF game came up I took it as a chance to get to know my best friend again. I swear to you nothing is going on between me and Lucas"

Matt stared at Haley for a full minute before smiling.

"Fine. I believe you. But now I'm worried about the other brother" he said jokingly.

Haley panicked but forced herself to reply in a steady tone, "Nathan and I ended a long time ago. He actually started dating one of our other best friends after I left. Peyton, the girl I mentioned before. They are still together"

Matt laughed, "Wow, you have some history with these people"

Haley went willingly as Matt pulled her into a hug.

"I'm sorry I never told you about them" Haley whispered.

"I'm sorry I overreacted and flew across the country because of some tabloids"

Haley giggled, "I'm glad you did. Now you can meet them"

Haley pulled away from Matt. "I'm gonna call Brooke and give them the heads up about the news and of you joining us for dinner tonight"

"Are you sure? I don't want to impose" Matt said.

"Nonsense. We're family and they will want to meet you. Lucas already told me he's been meaning to have the 'talk' with you"

Haley found her phone in her room and saw several missed calls. Some from Matt and others from Alanna and her PR person George. Ignoring them, Haley dialled Brooke's number.

"Hello? Brooke's phone" A male voice answered.

"Luke? Why are you answering Brooke's phone?"

"Haley, hi. She's in the bathroom. I hope you're not calling to cancel tonight" Luke asked.

"No, I was just wondering if you have place for one more" Haley quickly filled Lucas in on what had happened and once she did she couldn't get him to listen to another word, he was so busy laughing.

"Stop acting like a hyena for a moment and listen to me. Don't tell Brooke about this little mess. I kinda want to myself" Haley said smiling. "Now tell me, is it okay if I bring Matt?"

"Sure Hales." Luke said through snickers. "I'll just tell Brooke it's ten people for dinner instead of nine"

"Ten?" Haley asked. "I thought it was just your parents, you two and I"

"Yes, but remember, my parents come with their own partners and how could you forget my little brother?" Lucas said.

"Nathan is gonna be there tonight?"

"And I thought you would be pissed about Dan being there"

"That too. Lucas, how could you not tell me?" Haley whined and then she noticed Matt walking to the room.

"Look, I have to go but this is not over" Haley whispered.

"Be here by 7" Lucas answered.

"Fine" Haley said and hung up.

She turned to Matt with a big smile. "It's all set"


I don't own OTH or any other place or person mentioned except Matt. I like him.

Thank you so much for the reviews.

This extra long chapter is my way of showing my appreciation to the readers and also because I'm going away for a wedding this weekend and won't be able to update. But I combined two chapters and am posting them together so you can't complain. If I have enough reviews when I come back I will post the next bit and if you love NALEY drama, hopefully you'll love that. So make my week and tell me what you think. PLEASE!