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Nathan felt the beads of sweat on his forehead drip down as a couple of other cold, droplets glided down his neck. Some people hated days like this, where they were pushed to their limit and beyond. But not Nathan. No, he loved it. The constant yelling, running, and aches and pains; he took it as a reminder that this was just the beginning of something bigger and better. Every practice he finished was Nathan taking a step closer to a victory; a game that is. Since he joined the team the Lakers had made it to the playoffs every year but never further then that. Yet, they were always pretty close, making it once to the state championship but losing to the Seattle Sonics. So every year after that Nathan promised himself that if he could win state once, than nothing else mattered.
He had already finished practice, but to Nathan it never ended there. Usually, after every practice was over and everyone showered and gone home he would stay behind. Just him, the court, and the basketball. It was his favorite time; this was the time of his day were he knew exactly what to do and who to be. Like old times, this was Nathan's game.
"Scott! You ready to get your ass whooped."
Nathan swung his head around to see his teammate Matt Powers throw the basketball his way. Catching it with grace Nathan leisurely walked to him. Nathan had invited him to stay, a way to unwind after today's gruesome practice. "You know Powers I'm going to school you on your free throws they were looking pretty shitty at practice today." He said as he jumped, throwing the basketball into the basket without touching the rim.
"Whatever Scott, come on. I'll play you one on one."
Nathan grinned making another basketball, almost effortlessly. "It's your funeral." The two made their way to the half court line, yet stopped in their tracks when the gym doors opened with a bang. Nathan's and Matt's heads turned, expecting their coach.
"After today's practice, you looked like no basketball star. A joke is more accurate. I suggest you learn a thing or two from Power's here." Dan smirked as he grabbed a ball from the rack and turned from the boys to shoot. It went in without a doubt. "Or your old man can school you."
Matt looked at Nathan, who had his head hanging low and jaw clenched, and then back at Dan who was smiling with pride from his basket. "Well, I'm going to get going. See you at practice tomorrow Scott." Patting Nathan on the shoulder he made his way to the locker room. Neither Scott said a word; Nathan twirled the ball between his hands as the silence hung in the air. "Find I'll be the first one to speak," Dan walked closer to Nathan stopping only a few feet away from him. "When are you going to come around and start speaking to your old man? And your mother; she's been crying and has barely had anything to eat. She says you only call her once a week? Now is that what you want? This family to fall apart?"
Nathan shook his head at Dan. How he had the nerve to turn this all on Nathan. "Dad this family fell apart long before all this. Besides weren't you the one who said I didn't deserve the name Scott, funny how you tried to make peace with me right after my NBA contract." Nathan smiled in astonishment. "Nice one Dan, very nice." Nathan dropped the ball as he began to clap in his fake praise towards Dan.
"Son, I didn't come here to argue. I came here to make things right, and for your mother too, which means she would like you to come to dinner. Tonight that is." Dan walked closer, in arms reach of Nathan; he placed his hand on his shoulder. "Now come on Nathan, let's put this all behind us. You can even invite your one friend, what is it Pucas?"
Nathan brushed Dan's hand off his shoulder. "Don't do that dad; you know who the hell you're talking about. Lucas, your son, yet I can understand if you can't remember with all the woman you knock up." Nathan began to walk past Dan and to the locker room.
"Nathan," Not wanting to yet couldn't help himself, Nathan stopped; curiosity taking the best of him. "Please come tonight."
Nathan turned to Dan, facing him. "Fine, but I swear if you start anything…we're done."
Dan nodded. "You have my word son."
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Haley sat at the edge of Lucas's bed, as she bit her bottom lip in deep thought. Since he had come home in a frenzy, Haley had been doing her best to help him a make a decision on the invitation Nathan had presented to him. At first, her answer for him was to say no; turn them down. But as she thought about it more, maybe this wasn't such a bad idea. Of course it didn't mean she didn't have her doubts about Dan, she still was unsure on whether he was a changed man.
"What about this shirt?" Coming out of her thoughts, Haley refocused her attention on Luke who had come out of the bathroom. Since Nathan told him of the invite he had spent the next few hours deciding on what he should wear.
"Its okay, yet it sort of makes you look…" Haley squinted her eyes as she tried to say it nicely as possible. "On the feminine side." Quickly she ducked to avoid the shirt Lucas had thrown off his back. "Sorry, but you said you wanted my help!"
Lucas, out of frustration, buried his face in his hands and let out a sigh. "I know…I know." Haley watched her best friend. His whole life he heard about this man who abandoned him as an infant and now after years of silence an invitation to come into his home. She sighed.
"Haley what am I doing?" Lucas asked in a small, strangled whisper. Bringing her attention to Lucas who was now making his way to the edge of the bed where she sat. "I mean I'm all stressed over how I look for a man who abandoned my mom and I. Why? I shouldn't even be going, it's just-"
"Luke stop." Haley placed her hand on his knee. "What your feeling is understandable but, maybe this is good. You know? Finally facing him."
Nodding at her answer, he stared distantly off. Haley sat in silence with Luke, over the years she had found Luke to be the type of man who asked for advice, take it, process it, and decide what he would do. Now all she had to do was wait. Getting up from the bed, she walked into his closet, rummaging through the hangers as she pulled a light blue shirt from the rack. She handed almost carefully to Luke. "This one will do."
Giving a faint smile, Lucas took it. Putting the shirt on, he looked up at Haley. "Thanks buddy."
Shrugging slightly she smiled. "That's what I'm here for." Making her way out the room she was stopped by Luke's voice.
"Will you do me one last favor?"
-- -- -- -- -- --
Pulling into the driveway, Nathan took a deep breath. Earlier today as he told Luke about the situation he wasn't sure how he would take it. Though Dan had been in his life, he wasn't exactly the father of the year material. So he understood if Lucas said no to the invite, but he was surprised when he said yes. In all honesty, he wasn't sure why. Whether it was for closure or curiosity of this man who had abandoned him, Luke had decided to come.
Ringing the bell to the house he slowly did a look over at himself. Though he didn't put much care into having dinner with his parents and his brother he still wanted to look presentable. Tucking a loose end of his dress shirt he turned his head when he heard the door open.
"Ready Lu…ugh, hey Haley." Nathan quickly straightened himself up as he walked in the house. "So where's Luke, is he ready?"
"He'll be out in a minute or so. He's pretty nervous."
"I understand." Since he arrived Nathan finally looked at Haley and nearly felt his jaw drop to the floor. Her dark, brown hair was in soft curls as she wore an ivory, strapless dress that was put together by a gold, silk ribbon that wrapped just above her ribcage. As Nathan found himself lost in the other tiny details of her ensemble he heard Haley laugh.
"What?"
"Nothing, just…why you dressed up?"
"Oh," Haley bit down on her bottom lip as she felt slightly embarrassed. "Well, Luke's really nervous and he just needed someone around, I mean not that you don't count but someone who…well, me." She said with a nervous laugh as she continued to explain. "I know I should've asked you first and all but I kind of lost track of time and just thought of getting ready, so…ya."
Nathan nodded. "Well you still should've asked me Haley. I thought you were brought up better than that."
Haley's mouth opened slightly in a small O as she tried to think of what to say. "Nate...I...Im sorry-" But as she began to think of what to say back Nathan let out a chuckle stopping Haley. First confused she took a second to register it all and suddenly understanding, Haley joined in as she hit Nathan on the arm. "That wasn't funny, I seriously felt bad."
"Sorry, I couldn't help it." Placing his hand on her shoulder Nathan suddenly came back to his seriousness. "Its fine Haley, Luke's needs you and I have a bad feeling by the end of tonight I might need you too."
A smile spread across her lips. "You can count on me too." She whispered to Nathan not breaking eye contact. But the moment ended when Luke came out. "Okay let's get this over with."
The three of them walked out to the car. "So Nathan, what's it like?"
Sitting in the driver's seat, Nathan looked at Luke, who took the seat on the passenger side. "What's what like?"
"Having dinner with the devil?"
Okay so that's it. Sorry for the delay but I hope you guys at least enjoyed it. So its short for a reason, I'm having the dinner take place in the next chapter.
