A/N: Okay, guys, I know this chapter is short too but I couldn't combine this chapter and the last chapter, they would clash. Oh, and I didn't do the news report at the end of this one or the last one, because nothing really happened that the media would have taken notice of, if you know what I'm saying. So usually, chapters that consist of Naley in private probably won't have those blurbs.
Chapter 10: Just When You Thought...
Four months into marriage...
Sitting on the push white couch in the living room, Haley and Peyton were watching some random movie on pay-per-view. Well, Haley was at least trying to, but the tabloid sitting on the glass coffee table was mocking her. Nathan walked in the front door and into the living room. "Hey, ladies", he said, smiling charmingly. Both girls looked up, a solemn look marring Haley's beautiful features.
"I need to talk to you." she stated, calmly. If anything scared Nathan about Haley, it's when she acted calm because he knew that inside she was a loose cannon.
"That's my que." voiced Peyton as she gave a tense Haley a quick kiss on the cheek and headed for the door. Passing Nathan, she gave him a sorrowful smile and a pat on his forearm.
Hearing the front door click shut, Haley stood up, waving the tabloid in front of Nathan's face. "What is this?!" she shouted and he snatched it out of her hands. Looking down at the glossy paper, he saw a picture of himself, drunkenly yelling at someone in the shadows. The headline read: B-ball Brawl: A Drunken Scott Bashes Ex-teammate, O'Neal.
"That's a bunch of bullshit!" Nathan scoffed, throwing the magazine back on the coffee table.
"I don't care if it said that you screwed a fucking unicorn, anything those assholes print in those shit rags", she yelled, pointing at the not-so-innocent periodical, "the God damn public is gonna believe it, you know that and I know that!"
"Its nothing! The public won't even bat an eyelash." he retorted, looking away.
"Really? Nothing?" Haley asked, sarcastically, picking up the tabloid. "Look in the corner." she commanded, pointing at the page. It was a tiny picture of Haley, under the picture it said: James' Good Cause. "This little stunt that you pulled erases five of these charity events or benefit dinners"
"You're just jealous because I got more press time than you." Nathan said, now standing akimbo, mocking her.
"You stubborn dick, don't you understand that this marriage is to generate good publicity together, this isn't a competition." she determined, motioning between the two of them.
"Well, it definitely a marriage, that's for sure." he breathed, plopping down on the couch.
Haley gave him such a look, she couldn't remember when she put so much digust behind a gaze."Unbelievable", she huffed as she headed towards the grand staircase in the foyer.
Nathan grabbed the remote and switched on the ball game as he heard her Haley stomp up the stairs and slam the door.
With her back against the closed door, Haley slid to floor, tears cascading down her cheeks, as she was left gasing for breath.
I know, another short one, I promise they get longer, I should have the next one up in the next couple of days.