A/N:Thanks for all the reviews! Enjoy!

To Wish Impossible Things

"Alright guys, good practice. That's it for today."

Nathan sighed, rubbing his hand over his buzzed head as he took a seat on the bleachers. He watched as his promising varsity team made their way out of the gym and into the locker rooms. The past week had been nothing short of pure hell; getting his head back in the game, teaching, and above all, avoiding any kind of real human contact.
He knew she would find him sooner or later, seeking his advice or simply just missing him and wanting to hear his voice. Peyton had so kindly informed him that she had taken a job at the hospital, again caring for cancer patients and it was taking up a lot of her time. She also told him that she was worried about how pale and tired she looked.

Of course he knew the real reason for that and he hated and loved that he had that knowledge all at the same time. It wasn't fair to Lucas that he didn't know, that she wouldn't tell him. He contemplated what he would've felt like had Haley not told him but he doubted that she would keep that from him. She had no reason to. On the other hand, it made him feel good that through everything that had happened, he was still the keeper of her secrets.

Sitting there now though, it was almost as if he was in high school all over again. It reminded him of all the times he'd sit and wait for Haley to get down with tutoring or cheerleading, whichever she had done that day. She would walk through the double doors and smile at him, and together, along with Lucas would usually walk home.

It was ironic how inseparable the three had been in those days. The twins, the brothers, the best friends who shared everything; including the love of a game and the love of the same girl. The girl who loved both of them. And the bond that connected them throughout their lives.

He hadn't talked to his brother in two and a half weeks. It amazed him that he had only been back in such a short period of time and already so much had happened. So much had changed. He hadn't expected everything to be so screwed up when he returned. Now, he just had to deal with the consequences of his previous actions.

"Nathan!" Mouth called out to Nathan as the double doors behind him slammed shut.
"What's up Mouth?" Nathan came up to him and shook his hand.

"I'm hearing great things about what you're doing with the team. And from what I understand, you're like the hottest teacher to ever grace these halls." Mouth explained with a chuckle.

"Yeah, yeah." Nathan blushed looking at the floor briefly. "You've got a solid varsity team this year Mouth. With the right conditioning-"

"And the right coach…"

"I think we've got a good chance of going to state."

"That's good to hear. I'm sure Whitey would be proud of you. But listen, that's not actually what I'm hear to talk to you about."

"Oh?"

Mouth looked down at his shoes and looked up sheepishly. This was going to be touch to sell to Nathan, he knew, but he also figured it to be the only opportunity to get the two brothers next to each other without fighting and possibly able to mend the mess they had made.

"I need a favor. I huge favor. You remember Jimmy Edwards?"

"You're best friend from high school?" Nathan asked searching for a face in his memory bank.

"Yep, that's him. He's still my best friend. Actually, he was supposed to be my best man."

"But now he can't." Nathan assumed as Mouth nodded. "I dunno Mouth…"

"Look, Rachel's hell bent on making this the picture perfect day. And if I don't have the perfect amount of groomsmen to match her perfect amount of bridesmaids, she'll have my head. And not in a good way." Mouth frowned before shaking his head.

"What happened to Jimmy?"

"He's on the road with the Bobcats, announcing the games through a pod cast for their website. He was supposed to be off that weekend but a charity game came up and now he can't make it."

"We haven't talked in seven years Mouth. You sure you want me to be your best man?"

"No, I don't want you to be my best man." Mouth corrected quickly, giving Nathan a confused look. "Whitey's going to be my best man. You're just going to one of the groomsmen. You get to walk a pretty lady down the aisle."

"Sure Mouth." Nathan laughed, clapping his friend on the back of his shoulder. "Just tell me when I need to get fitted for my tux."

X-x-X

Whoever said being a bachelor was living the life, seriously never had a good woman cook a made from scratch meal. Nathan didn't know what to do with himself or his time or a pot since he had been living on the road and out of a suitcase for the last seven years. Staring at the TV dinner in front of him and looking around his empty apartment, he wondered what he was doing.

College was one thing. He got a four year degree in two and a half, trying desperately to get out there as soon as possible. He went to school, studied, ate, and slept. After that, he was never in one place for more than a month. He had more jobs than he could count on all of his digits and learned more than had ever thought possible.

A knock interrupted his thoughts and he threw away the nuked food on his way to answer the door. He threw up the door, knowing it could only be one of three people. His mother, forever coming to check up on him. Peyton, always keeping him informed of Haley's activities, whether he wanted to know or not. Or Haley herself, maybe coming over to drop yet another bomb in his life.

"Lucas?" Nathan asked, almost confirming to himself that in fact his brother was not standing in front of him. "What are you doing here?"

"You don't know how to invite someone in your home now?" Lucas grumbled, shoving his way past Nathan and taking a seat on the sofa.

"Sure come right on in." Nathan gestured to the empty space in front of him, shutting the door. He walked into the living room and remained standing, his arms crossed firmly over his chest. "What do you want Lucas?"

"You need to get a phone. No one can ever get in touch with you."

"Why do you need to get in touch with me?"

"I don't." Lucas snapped, mimicking Nathan's tone and stature by crossing his arms over his chest too. "But Mom does."

"What does Mom need?" Nathan amended in a softer tone.

"Apparently Dad revised his will before he died. We have to go to a reading of the will on Monday." Lucas explained, dropping his hands to his sides.

"What time?"

"4:30. At Dad's house." Lucas answered as he began to leave.

"Why did you come?" Nathan inquired, stopping Lucas just as he was about to turn the handle.

"I just told you."

"No, why did you come?" Nathan asked once more rolling his eyes.

Lucas debated whether or not to answer or just simply walk out of the door. His head was screaming to just leave; to walk out of the sticky situation and let things blow over. It was important anyway; his mom had practically forced him out the house and Haley had encouraged him to make things better even though he didn't really care at the moment.

His heart though, was a different matter. It would be a lie to say he hadn't missed his brother, hadn't needed him at one point or another over the past seven years. Even though he loved his wife and never regretted marrying her for a second, a part of him still and always would feel guilty for doing so. Nobody would ever capture Nathan's heart quite like Haley had and Lucas had took that away from him.

"I've got a twelve pack and a basketball in the car. The rivercourt's been calling me for weeks now." Lucas answered walking out the door, but leaving it open. He waited five minutes in his car, sighing and starting up the engine when he saw no sign of Nathan.

"The rivercourt's been calling you for weeks now? It's been calling me for years bro." Nathan said climbing into the passenger seat and buckling up. He looked at his brother for a moment before nodding his head. "Let's go."

X-x-X

"That weak ass fade away!" Nathan laughed as he caught the rebound from Lucas's shot.

"Oh and yours is so much better?" Lucas retorted stepping up to Nathan and holding his hands over his head, blocking Nathan's shot.

"Dude, mine's always been better." Nathan grinned faking left and then stepping to the right, shooting the ball and watching as it landed in the basket for a perfect three pointer. "Nothing but net baby."

"Yeah, whatever. I'm out of shape."

"Dude, you just suck. Admit it." Nathan chuckled as he jogged over to get the ball and walked to the table where Lucas was sitting down. He took a beer out for himself and chucked one to Nathan.

"It's been a long time." Lucas panted, rubbing his face with the hem of his shirt. Nathan didn't respond, instead nodding his head taking a long sip out of his can. "So how's coaching going?"

"It's good. It's different then being on the other end of it." Nathan answered, thankful that the subject of the two of them was being dropped. It was one thing to sit there and pretend that nothing was going on between them. That was fairly easy. Talking about it, airing it out, it just wasn't something he was ready to do yet.

"I wish I had had the time to do it. Somehow I always thought I would end up the teacher and the coach and you would end up being in the sports industry."

"Did you ever get tested for HCM Luke?" Lucas shook his head no and Nathan finished the rest of his beer, tossing it effortlessly into the trashcan.

"Why would I get tested for a heart condition?"

"Because I have it. I'm thinking Dad did too. It's genetic, I'm sure you know that."

"Yeah, I'm aware of it. Most scouts nowadays won't sign anyone with them being tested out for it. I had no idea it ran in our family though." Lucas shook his head in disappointment. Nathan would've made one hell of a ball player.

Nathan cleared his throat. "So when you and Haley have children, you need to keep an eye on it. It's a fifty/fifty chance."

"Do you think we'll ever get back to the way it used to be?"

"I dunno Luke." Nathan told him honestly. "I hope so."