Chapter 11

Haley sat in her bed staring up at the ceiling, bored and picking out random patterns. She didn't want to get up. She didn't want to face another day filled with the same old stuff. For the past three days she'd wake up, eat breakfast with her parents, talk on the phone with Millie and her designers for a few hours, have lunch with Brooke, draw some sketches for the new fall line, have dinner with her parents, talk to Millie again and sometimes an interviewer, call Andy, and then go to bed.

Aside from spending time with her parents and Brooke, her routine was almost that of the one she had in New York. Just substitute the phone conversations with actual face-to-face communication. Haley sometimes wondered why she was even in Tree Hill. She might as well be in New York. But then the thought of her impending divorce sprang into her mind, and she remembered why she was doing this.

It was for Nathan. He was being difficult and wanting her to stay in Tree Hill for two weeks before he'd sign the papers. Haley still didn't like the deal they'd made. Nathan had too much of an upper hand. But what other choice did she really have?

Haley had dreaded telling Andy about her extended trip. She'd already added a few days on before. Now she had to tell him that it would be two more weeks before she came home. It hadn't been easy. In a way, Haley hoped that he would put his foot down and tell her to come home. Maybe then Nathan would realize this big joke of his wasn't all that funny. Maybe he'd realize just how much he was messing with people's lives.

But Andy, being the sweet guy that he is, understood about her staying in Tree Hill for a little while longer. He told her to catch up with her parents and old friends. He'd be waiting for her when she got back. She couldn't argue with that either.

So here she was, still in Tree Hill and counting down the days until she could finally go home. Biding her time—that's all she was really doing. Haley sighed. It was going to feel like forever seeing as though the weekend had seemed to drag on. Nathan hadn't even been around. Not that she minded, since she was still angry with him about this whole thing.

Haley turned over in her bed just as a knock sounded on her bedroom door. "Come in," she called without moving.

"You're still in bed?"

At the sound of the male voice, she quickly sat up. "Nathan! How did you get in here?" Haley looked at her clock. "It's six o'clock in the morning."

"Your parents let me in. They said you'd probably be up by now," he stated. "And I know it's early, but that's the point. We've got a long day ahead of us."

"'We'?" she repeated.

He nodded, smiling. His eyes roamed over her, and it was then that Haley remembered the skimpy tank top was wearing. She quickly grabbed her blanket to cover herself and scowled when Nathan's grin transformed into a smirk. She was going to kill her parents for letting him in the house. They were such traitors.

"Eyes up here, Scott," Haley ordered. "What exactly will we be doing?"

"You're coming to work with me."

"What? Why?"

"You've had the weekend to relax. Now it's time to get to work."

"Relax? Are you kidding me? I've been on the phone nonstop with my assistant trying to manage Halo. You know, the multi-million dollar company that I own."

"No need to brag, Hales," he teased.

"I'm not bragging. It's a fact."

"Well, I'm gonna need your fashion expertise today. Now get dressed so we can go."

"Go where?"

"I told you. You're coming to work with me."

"At the high school?" He nodded. "How could you possibly need my fashion expertise? You coach high school basketball."

"You'll see. Now get up. Chop chop."

"What if I don't want to go?" she challenged.

"Then I'll spend the entire day here with you. I've got a couple of sick days I haven't used up yet. We can hang out with your parents and reminisce."

Haley huffed in annoyance. That option sounded even less appealing. "I haven't eaten breakfast yet."

"I've got muffins and coffee in the truck."

"I'll be ready in fifteen minutes," she said in defeat.

"Good."

He didn't move from his spot in the center of her room. She gestured towards the door. "I have to get dressed. Do you mind?"

His smirk widened. "Not at all."

"Get out!"

"Are you going to tell me now?" Haley questioned. They were in Nathan's truck on the way to the high school.

"You'll learn soon enough."

Haley shook her head. She hated when people were cryptic. She grabbed her coffee and took a sip before taking a bite of her muffin. She was just about to ask Nathan another question when her cell phone rang.

"Hello?" she answered.

"Haley, it's Millie. I've got your morning report. Is now a good time to talk?"

"Hi, Millie. I've got a few minutes. Go ahead."

"Who's Millie again?" Nathan interjected.

"My assistant."

"How many assistants do you have?"

"Just one."

"Oh, well, tell her I said hi."

"Haley, are you still there? Who says hi?"

Haley rolled her eyes in Nathan's direction before returning her attention to Millie. "I'm still here. And no one says hi."

"I thought I heard another voice. It sounded like a guy."

"It's no one," she dismissed.

"I wouldn't say I'm no one," Nathan muttered.

"I heard it again."

"H-he's just my…" She searched for a word to describe him in a way that wouldn't cause suspicion. "cousin."

Nathan's eyebrows shot up at that. "Cousin?" he mouthed. She ignored the amused look he was sending her.

"Oh. Well, that's nice."

"Yeah, so what was it you had to tell me?" she reminded.

"Oh, right. So…" Haley listened as Millie gave her updates on the doings in the company. As she talked, Haley pulled out a small notepad from her purse to write some things down.

"Do you want me to reschedule that interview?" Millie finished.

"Yes, that'd be good. I don't know if I'll have time today. But if you want to send some outfits for that Good Morning America segment, then that's fine. Janine from PR said it would be good publicity."

"Okay, sure."

Haley watched as Nathan pulled into the parking lot of the high school. "I've got to run, Millie. Was that all?"

"Yes. That's it."

"Okay, great. If anything else pops up, just email it to my phone."

"Will do."

"Thank you, Millie. Bye."

"Your assistant seems to be on top of things."

"Well, it is her job. And lucky for me she happens to be good at it."

"I have an assistant," Nathan declared.

"You do?" The disbelief was evident in her tone.

"Yup. You'll meet him. Come on."

He led her through the parking lot and into the school. As soon as they were in the main hallway, Haley felt a wave of nostalgia hit her. The color of the walls and linoleum floor were the same. Students were walking between lockers laughing and talking to their friends. She noticed posters hung up announcing basketball games and student council meetings. Haley actually recognized her old locker. She'd been right next to Nathan and Lucas during senior year due to their last names being the same. The rest of their friends would hang out there in the mornings with them.

"I've got Whitey's old office, so we'll be heading to the boy's locker room," Nathan informed her, shirking her out of her reminiscing.

"Oh, um, there won't be…I mean, the guys will be fully clothed, right?" she asked hesitantly.

Nathan laughed out loud. "Basketball season is already over. And most gym classes are in the afternoon so you should be okay."

"Great," Haley muttered. They finally made it to the boy's locker room. She was relieved that Nathan was right. The room was empty.

"Here it is," Nathan announced as they entered his office.

Haley glanced around. It still kind of looked the same. There were some plaques on the wall with Nathan's name and a few trophies. A set of pictures were on the bookcase behind Nathan's desk. Whitey had put his things in the same spots when he was coach. It threw Haley off a little bit. She couldn't figure out if she was stuck in her past or back in the present.

Nathan took a seat in his chair behind the desk. "So, what do you think?" He'd been watching Haley carefully ever since they set foot into the school. He could tell that she was a little overwhelmed by everything. But that's exactly how he wanted it.

"It's nice. Now can you tell me why you brought me here?"

He gestured to the chair opposite him on the other side of the desk. "One second. My assistant will be here any minute."

Haley frowned, curious. The way Nathan kept talking about his assistant made her feel like she was missing something important. Then again, everything with him seemed to be games.

"Sorry I'm late," a voice declared. "I had to finish a chapter I was working on."

Haley whipped around in surprise. "Lucas?"

"Oh, hey, Haley," he greeted, just as startled.

"You're Nathan's assistant?"

"I'm the assistant coach, yes."

"Assistant. Assistant coach. It's pretty much the same."

Lucas shot a dry look to his brother. "Not really."

"Wow. I didn't know."

"Nathan didn't tell you?"

"I figured it'd be a nice surprise," Nathan replied.

"It is. I think it's great that you're helping to coach the Ravens," Haley said to Lucas. He and Nathan were the best basketball players in high school. She could only imagine how good they'd be as coaches.

Lucas nodded. "It's a good side job. It doesn't take up all my time so I can still get some writing in."

"It also gives him some extra money until the book comes out. This way he's not poor."

"Dude, shut up."

"Did you seriously just call me 'dude'?"

Sensing the beginning of one of their brotherly squabbles, Haley intervened. "Now that Lucas has arrived can someone please tell me why I'm here?"

Lucas looked from Haley to Nathan. "I have no idea."

"I figured that since Haley will be staying in Tree Hill for a couple of weeks that she could help us with the Junior Leagues' uniforms."

"What's Junior Leagues?" Haley questioned.

"It's the children's basketball league that Lucas and I used to play for when we were young," Nathan stated. "Lucas and I are running a summer program. It starts in a couple of weeks, and we need some uniforms. I thought with your design background that maybe you could come up with something good for the kids."

"Well, Brooke is a designer. Why not ask her?"

"I did, and she suggested that I ask you," he explained. "So, will you do it?"

Haley was a little caught off guard at that. She and Brooke had begun to hang out a lot lately, and she had never mentioned anything to her about the uniforms or summer program. "When would you need the design by?"

"Probably next week at the latest," Lucas answered.

"I don't know anything about the program," she added.

"I've got an informational packet you can have. It'll give you some insight," Nathan said. "That is if you're accepting the task."

Haley stared between Lucas and Nathan and shrugged. It would be a chance to do something productive while she was stuck in Tree Hill. She needed to keep busy. "Okay. I'll do it for the kids."

"Great," Nathan replied, grinning. He opened his desk drawer and pulled out a folder. "Here's the stuff you need. Lucas and I will go over it with you."

Haley listened intently as Nathan and Lucas told her about the summer basketball camp. She could tell by their animated voices and descriptions how excited they were to work with the kids. It wasn't hard to see that they were reliving some of their own memories.

"I think I've got enough to work with. I'll see what I can come up with," she said once they were finished. She reached into her bag and pulled out a sketchpad. "In fact, I'll start right now."

"Here. Use my desk." Nathan stood up.

"Don't you need it?"

"Lucas and I have a faculty meeting in ten minutes. I won't need it for a little while."

"All right." She walked around and took Nathan's seat. The desk was a lot higher than the chair, making it level with her chest. She felt like she was sinking. Haley heard Nathan and Lucas chuckle. She was sure the whole thing looked ridiculous.

"I've got it," Lucas announced. He walked over and readjusted the seat so it rose higher.

"Thanks. That's a lot better."

"We'll see you later, Hales," Nathan called.

She watched them leave before glancing once more around the room. It was odd enough just being back in Whitey's, now Nathan's, office again. Actually sitting behind the desk was even weirder. But Haley pushed that feeling aside and focused on the colors and images in her head. She became so absorbed in her drawings that she barely even heard the knock on the door sometime later.

"You're not Coach Scott."

Haley jumped slightly, startled, and surveyed the tall, dark-skinned boy standing in the doorway. "He's in a faculty meeting."

"That's okay." His eyes seemed to be taking her in. "My name's Quentin. But my friend's call me Q."

"Well, Quentin, I can tell him you stopped by when he gets back."

He smiled and sat in one of the chairs. "That's okay. I can wait."

"Don't you have class?"

"I have a free period. And since school is ending this week, I don't have that much to do. Sometimes Coach Scott lets me come in here and hang out."

"Why?"

"We're tight. Plus, I'm the best player on the basketball team. We usually go over plays and stuff."

"Oh."

"Are you a new teacher?"

"No."

"His girlfriend?"

Haley shifted uncomfortably in the seat. "No."

"Who are you then?"

"I'm not sure that's any of your business."

Quentin smirked, and it irked her. This kid's level of confidence and overall boldness was a spot-on impression of Nathan. Figures, she thought.

"You must be someone important if you're dodging the question." Haley didn't respond. "You at least got a name?"

She hesitated a moment before answering. "Haley."

"Nice. So what are you doing in his office? Coach Scott doesn't let just anyone sit at his desk."

"I'm designing some uniforms for him."

"For the Ravens?"

"No, for the Junior Leagues summer training camp."

"You come up with anything good?"

"Yes and no. I'm just getting started."

"Can I see?"

"No."

"No need to be embarrassed. I promise I won't laugh."

"Oh, I'm not worried about that."

"Then why can't I see them?"

"Because I don't want to show them to you," Haley countered.

"You're kind of feisty. Anyone ever tell you that?"

Her gaze never wavered from his. "You're kind of cocky. Anyone ever tell you that?"

Quentin chuckled. "Now that right there is hot."

This time, Haley did roll her eyes. "I really think you should get back to your study hall."

"Free period," he corrected.

"Whatever. It's the same thing."

"How do you know?"

"I used to go here."

His interest piqued. "Really? When?"

"I graduated the same year as your coaches."

"You know Coach Lucas, too?"

"Coach Lucas?"

"The coach and assistant coach both have the same last name. It can get confusing, so sometimes we call him Coach Lucas."

Haley nodded in understanding. "I guess that makes sense."

"So you know them personally?"

"Yes."

"What were they like back then?"

"Um…they were kind of like how they are now. They were great basketball players—really devoted to the game. Nathan was a bit more outgoing while Lucas tended to be quieter."

"I can see that." He leaned forward. "What about you?"

"I was more like Lucas."

"You don't seem quiet to me," Quentin observed.

"Well, I've changed since high school. Like all people do." Haley looked down at her sketches, hoping Quentin would drop the subject. She'd had enough flashbacks already for one day.

"You ever play basketball?"

"No," Haley answered. "I was never coordinated enough to be good at sports."

"That's too bad. I was thinking about playing a little ball and thought that maybe you'd like to join me."

Haley laughed out loud. "That's so not going to happen."

"It looks like I'm winning."

"You don't have to rub it in." Haley couldn't believe it. She didn't know how it happened. One minute she was sitting in Nathan's office refusing to leave and the next she was entering the gym with Quentin. She'd never been good at anything involving a ball. Now she was losing a game of HORSE, which wasn't a surprise considering her lack of skill.

"You're not as awful as I thought you'd be."

"Gee, thanks," Haley muttered.

"You've at least got the right stance. Your shoulders are back and squared to the basket. And your knees are bent."

"Maybe so. But trust me, I didn't come up with that on my own."

"Did Coach Scott teach you?"

Haley threw the basketball in her hands and watched as it tragically sailed past the basket. She couldn't believe that a person with a GPA as high as hers could be failing gym. It was completely stupid and totally unacceptable. She couldn't let this defeat her. She wouldn't. Haley was going to learn to make a free throw if it killed her.

She grabbed the ball once more and bounced it a few times. She ignored the fact that the bounce was so high that it nearly hit her in the face and threw the ball. Again it sailed past the basket. Only this time someone else was there to catch it.

"Is that your jump shot?" a grinning Nathan questioned, walking towards her. "Because if that was your jump shot, then I can't date you anymore."

Haley scoffed before laughing.

"Your mom said you'd be here. Something about a grade."

"Yeah, you cannot be here right now," she replied. Haley had come to the River Court because she knew that none of the guys would be around. She knew they'd die laughing if they ever saw her pathetic attempts at shooting a ball.

"Why not?"

"Because I look stupid."

"You realize that I've seen you in that crocheted poncho thing you wear, right?" he teased and handed her back the ball.

Her face reddened. "Come on, this is embarrassing. I want you to think I'm…not embarrassing."

"You don't embarrass me, Haley."

"Oh, yeah, okay…" She cleared her throat and shot the ball. It didn't even make it to the basket as Nathan caught it easily in his hands.

He sighed. "Okay, I take that back."

"I can't do it," Haley declared.

He went to stand beside her. "Yes, you can. Just square your shoulders to the basket. You gotta bring the ball right up past your nose like this. Okay? Bend your knees a little." He positioned himself behind her and placed his hands on her waist. "Just relax your hips. And just shoot."

Haley felt her whole body tingle at his touch. His breath on her ear made goose bumps form on her skin. It was like he was all around her. She could feel the strength and confidence emanating from him and into her. She finally shot the ball and watched as it hit the rim of the basket before falling off.

"Okay, now that wasn't perfect, but it also wasn't embarrassing," Nathan stated and smiled. "It was actually kind of sexy."

Haley felt the heat in her cheeks rise as it had back then.

"Are you okay?"

She suddenly remembered that Quentin was watching her. "Huh?"

"I asked if you were okay. You look kind of…flushed."

"I'm fine," she quickly assured him.

"You sure?"

"It's hot in here. That's all."

"What's are you guys doing in here?"

Haley's eyes closed for a second when she saw Nathan and Lucas walk into the gym. She had to get that damn memory out of her head and focus on the present.

"I was just playing a good old game of HORSE with Haley here while I waited for you guys," Quentin replied. "How was your meeting?"

"Boring—as usual," Lucas answered.

Haley noticed Nathan watching her. He knew that she was blushing. She could tell by the way he was staring at her. It only seemed to unnerve her more.

"Who's winning?" he asked.

Luckily, she found her voice without difficulty. "Um, Quentin. Apparently after all these years I still suck."

"Well, there is one move you're good at," Nathan reminded her. "Why don't you try that?"

"What move?" Quentin interjected as Lucas snickered.

"Go ahead and show him, Hales. If you still can."

Haley narrowed her eyes at Nathan. As usual, he was unaffected by her wrath. He took the ball from Quentin and tossed it to her. She almost dropped it, causing them to laugh. "Fine," she huffed. She'd show him. Haley bent her knees and tossed the ball underhanded. It went perfectly through the net.

"Granny style? Now that's old school," Quentin declared, looking highly entertained.

Haley's gaze returned to Nathan's as she remembered the day he gave up trying to teach her the regular way to make a jump shot. She hadn't improved that much. He'd said that desperate times called for desperate measures. That's when he taught her to shoot granny style. Even though she felt utterly ridiculous, Nathan had still told her that she looked sexy no matter what.

Haley felt herself involuntarily flush all over again and took a deep breath. She needed to get a freaking grip.