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For everyone who read The Best Gift to receive & To Return a Small gift, I have two title options for the third story. I like them both a lot . 1- If it's Love That You Want… and 2-I Can Give No More to You

So I just need to figure it out from there.

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I knew that this was coming up. This night was going to be his night. Sadly, it was taken from him. I wanted Nathan to be happy, but the world knew that on Friday nights, it was no use.

We sat on his bed in silence. I shifted around a bit because I couldn't stand the uncomfortable silence. Nathan looked up to me as my eyes roamed the room.

"Are you okay?" He asked me.

I shot my head back to look at him. "I'm alright." I never felt so much tension between us. Usually we talked about anything and everything. "I think I should go home. Camilla's probably by herself because Kelsey went with Peyton to the game to watch Jake and well Whitey has to be there."

Nathan nodded. "It's okay. You don't need to stay here and keep me company. I should get used to the emptiness." He lied down on his bed.

I laid next him. "You never will be left in the quiet. I'll be here. You should come with me to see Camilla. She was the one who set my head straight with you."

"How is she doing? Coach said that she was sick."

"She's been fine since I was here. I don't want to worry about her. They are just so nice to me. I couldn't bear losing her. I can't even picture Whitey without her. I'm being stupid."

"Hey, you're not being stupid." His voice cracked as he spoke softly to me. "You care. It takes a lot to do that."

I smiled at him. "You care too Nathan. I know that you care about the team, but you can't live in your room forever. I'm supposed to be helping you through this."

He sighed deeply. "I know but I wanted to help you first. The whole situation with you and your sister's death is more important."

He just put me before the game. I kissed his lips sweetly to thank him for it. "I really should be going." I assured him.

He groaned as he sat up. "Fine I'll take you home. We have to be quiet or my dad might hear. He doesn't really know about the not playing part."

"Has he seen you on crutches?"

"Yeah, but he says I should stop being a weakling and just hide the pain. I'm trying to walk. You've seen me."

"You are not weak. Your father is."

"Do I really have to take you home? How can I after what you just said?" he complained.

"You'll see me again soon. You are such a baby sometimes."

"It's only when you're leaving. Can't blame me." He raised his hands in surrender. "I'll be serious." He got up from the bed and limped over to me.

"Nathan you should take it easy. You don't even see the doctor until Tuesday. How long have you walked today?"

"I don't know, a few hours?"

"I can let myself out."

"Not with me you're not."

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Lucas waited for Brooke. He hasn't really been focused on her because now that Nathan was gone, the entire team had to work a lot harder. Lucas was angry with that. Why should everyone else suffer because of Nathan? it always seemed that way.

Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Brooke coming closer to the gym foyer. "Hey, where have you been these past few days?"

"Practice," he mumbled.

"Yeah, Haley told me that the Coach has been pushing you guys since Nathan's accident."

"So are you and Haley like best friends now? Brenda's not going to like that."

"I guess you could call us BFF's. Brenda needs to get a clue. Nobody likes her."

"You sound just like Nathan. You used her too."

"What is with you? I know it's not my fault. Don't ever think about Nathan!"

"I wasn't going to! I will blame Haley!"

Brooke stood there shocked. "Out of all people, you becoming became friends with her. You were the first person to notice her and now you're blaming her for your pissy attitude?"

"If she never came, Nathan and I would still hate each other."

"Yeah everyone can see that. You're becoming brothers and Nathan's really trying to break his habits. She belongs here Lucas."

"No one truly belongs anywhere. We're just here." He said darkly. "The guy can't even show up to support us."

"Then call him. It's not that hard." She patted his shoulder. "I have to go warm up for the routine."

Lucas watched over his shoulder as Brooke was leaving him. He shook his head. Should he make the call?

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"Haley, come here." Nathan motioned to me to come downstairs. The coast was clear.

"This is scaring me Nathan. Why can't your dad get a night job?" I tried to make a joke.

"I do work at the dealership young lady." A tall man that looked sort of like Nathan appeared from the shadowed staircase. Busted! "So are trying to get some from my son? You really shouldn't be here. A baby would ruin his chances in succeeding in basketball."

"Dad…" Nathan warned.

"And you should be at the game. Nathan it has been over a week. Your knee should be fully recovered. I want those crutches gone."

"Nathan I should just go." I said shyly.

"Haley, its fine. I can take you home." He told me softly.

I came down the rest of the way, meeting with Dan Scott's evil eyes that showed nothing but regret. People were not kidding. He really had no respect for anyone.

Nathan led me out the door. "I'm sorry you had to deal with him. Does your offer still stand? I mean can I still stay with you tonight? I really don't want to go back in there."

I was going to answer, but I was interrupted by his cell phone.

"Hold that thought for one second." He looked at the caller number. "It's an unknown number. Hello? Hey, man… I don't know if I can do that. It's just too weird going into that gym and not being able to play… Of course, the guys know that I care about it. Lucas…I….just leave me alone like before. I don't need help from you anymore." He looked up at me as he slammed his phone shut. "Sorry about that. Lucas wanted me to go to the school tonight."

"Then maybe you should. I'm not going to hold you back."

"You're pulling me forward."

"I really think you should go. It could help you. I can go too."

"I know that you really want to back and see how Camilla is."

"Well so far nothing has happened. I don't think one night will make her any worse."

"Okay then we'll go."

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The gym was crowded. We missed the first half. It was half time ad I smiled at Brooke. I looked up at the board and we were down by twelve points. I turned to see Nathan's reaction. I knew that this wasn't going to be good when he got back into gear. His face showed anger. "Hey, they just miss you, that is all."

"Just as bad as their shots." Whitey greeted us. "Haley, does Camilla know you're here?"

"She only knows that I'm with Nathan."

He nodded. "How would you like a bench seat?"

Nathan smiled and walked me over to the bleachers. "Now Hales, if the guys talk smack it's because they think they're going to get lucky after the game."

The buzzer sounded. It was time for the second half. The teams were coming out of the locker chambers.

"Nate, you're back!" Tim said. "And Haley's here too. Nice!"

I looked around for Jake. He was talking to someone in the stands. I met the eyes of the girl. I blinked once to see if it really was Kelsey. I thought back to what Nathan said about the guys wanting to get some after the game. Even if it was Jake, Kelsey would never have sex before marriage. I wonder how Peyton felt about all of this. She was sitting next to Kelsey and I swore she was actually laughing.

"Earth to Haley," I faintly heard. I turned my attention back to Nathan. "Were you talking?"

"No, you kept staring into the crowd. Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, I just thought I saw someone familiar, that's all. I'm fine really. So um is Jake single?"

"Are you interested in him?"

"No, I love you remember?" I kissed him quickly. "He keeps staring at this girl sitting next to Peyton."

"Jake doesn't want to fall in love again. He had this girl but she died along woth their daughter."

"Poor Jake."

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The other teams offensive player went for a pass and the ball ended up with Lucas. Lucas went back to the free throw line at the other end of the court so that the teams had a change in possession. Lucas dribbled the ball as he ran to the hoop. He went for a lay up and the ball went in.

"Alright Luke!" Nathan cheered.

The Ravens were now down by ten points. Lucas ran to receive a pass form Jake. As the ball went to Lucas's hands the ball was hit by the other team and went out of the boundary lines. Lucas threw the ball in to Tim, who dropped it, giving the ball back to the other team.

"Pay attention would you!" Lucas shoved Tim.

"It's not my fault, you threw it to me!" Tim pushed back.,

"Only because Keller is the only person who wants to cover you!"

"YOU GO LUCAS!" Chris shouted.

The ref blew his whistle. "Number three and fifty five, out for five minutes." The ref told Whitey.

Nathan was stunned. Lucas was never the person to yell at the guys when the made mistake. It had always been Nathan.

Lucas sat on the bench next to Nathan. "So you decided to watch me lead the Ravens? Smart choice if you ask me. I don't know why you brought your girlfriend though. She'll probably leave you for a real champion."

"What the Hell is up with you? We both know that Tin couldn't take that pass."

"I'm just playing my game."

Nathan took his crutches from the side of the bench and walked out.

"Walking out on us again Nathan?" Lucas yelled.

I hit Lucas on the shoulder. "I thought you were better than this."

"That's what everyone thinks. Aren't you going to go follow your Boyfriend?" He put fifty cents in my hand. "Why don't you go get him a tampon from the girl's room? It's his time of the month."

I threw it back at him and went to go look for Nathan. He was sitting at a bench in front of the foyer. "Is there something wrong?"

"I used to be that guy Haley. It never seemed that bad until I saw it for myself."

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