Sorry about the delay! I've been so busy with work and by the time I get home I just fall asleep lol- Anyway this is just a shorter version of what this chapter was going to be. But I thought I'd post it and you can all decide whether you like it. And I will carry on where I leave next chapter.
I would just like to say Thank You soooo much to everyone who commented on the last chapter. Seriously guys- I never knew that many people liked this story, and to hear all your reviews etc made me very happy. I was and still am so shocked at the reactions!
So I shall be carrying on- Also, just wanted to let people know I am focusing mainly on this story for the time being and when I have this progressed a bit more I will carry on with the others. I haven't given up or abandoned the stories or the readers.
I hope you like it and please review.
Chapter 21.
"He's breaking up with me." Haley sobbed through a whisper.
Rachel and Peyton, both forgetting about the topic they'd been cackling about previously, gasped and leant forward.
"That's not true Hales..." Peyton said, grasping at Haley's hand and squeezing it slightly.
"If it is, I'll cut his balls off!" Rachel spat, gaining a glare from Rachel.
Haley shook her head rapidly; jumping up from her seat in the café they were eating at and grabbing her bag. "I..I.. I can't do this right now. I just need to go home. I'm sorry."
She fled the café before Rachel or Peyton could say anything to stop her. "For goodness sake Rachel! Why did you have to say that?"
"Look I am a realist! If he's going to break up with her, you won't stop him. But I will hurt him!"
Nathan's keys rattled in the locks of his apartment, as Haley, after waiting for him to come home for over an hour, tried to plan her escape route. Balcony maybe?
"Haley?" Nathan called, finally coming into view, dropping his bag down next to Henry.
"...Hey." Haley whispered her throat hurting as she spoke after crying for some time.
"Hales... Look I'm sorry. I just, I need to tell you –"
"Can you just get it over with." Haley interrupted him, desperate for him to end her misery of waiting. "You don't really need to tell me; I know already."
Nathan felt physically sick. How did she know? Did that mean everyone knew? Did everyone know that no one wanted him?
"How... How do you know?" He let out after a couple of beats, his hand coming up to cover his face before pushing his hair back a bit.
Haley let out a scornful laugh. "Come on Nathan!" She shouted. "It doesn't take a genius to figure it out!"
"I don't understand how you know. Who told you?"
"How many people have you told? God Nathan, I can't believe you!" She shouted, tears coming to her eyes. "When I met you, I thought you were this playboy rich guy who doesn't care about anyone. And after a while I thought I was wrong, and that you are this genuine caring loving guy. But you're not! You are the playboy; you've been playing me for months! You knew I didn't want to sleep with you! Is this why you're doing this? Because you've become bored... because you can find it somewhere else?"
Haley couldn't stop herself; she'd had all this emotion inside her for a couple of days now, eating away at her.
Nathan stood listening to her, the pain of hearing her words hitting him hard. He couldn't understand how she knew; they'd told him it was all confidential- well at least until it was official.
"Please, Hales. You have to understand, I do really really like you. Like I've never felt this way about anyone before. When I think of you, my chest hurts. Like... like my heart is just getting bigger and I can't understand it. This thing has been burning my insides, I've wanted to tell you but I just haven't been able to face it."
Haley grabbed her bag, the emotions taking over her thoughts. "Well you have to face it now, Nathan. I'll tell you what I'll do what you've been too coward to do all along. We are over!"
Nathan watched as Haley broke up with him, storming towards his front door.
"What?" Nathan rushed over, slamming the door back shut as soon as she had opened it. "I'm not breaking up with you Haley. Why? I don't understand what you're talking about! I just told you how much you mean to me... And you think I'm breaking up with you?"
The tears were now rolling down Haley's face. "I... I thought you were. I don't understand, you've been so distant. You're not talking to me, about anything..."
"I can't Hales." He whispered, walking away from the door- Trying to walk away from the problem too.
"Nathan! Stop walking away from me!" Haley shouted, losing her patience again. She was worried about what he was keeping from her, but she could also see the hurt he was going through and couldn't understand why he had to keep everything bottled up and to himself.
"No one wants me, ok?" Nathan screamed, turning round to face Haley. "The Lakers aren't renewing my contract, and no one else wants me!"
"Wh- what?" Haley stuttered out.
"My contract for The Lakers is up for renewal- except they don't want to renew. Clay has been negotiating with them but they keep saying 'no'. He's trying to get me in with The Knicks." Nathan finally admitted, bringing his hands up to his face and rubbing his eyes in exhaustion.
"New... New York?" Haley whispered, finally understanding Nathan.
"Yes, Haley. New York!" Nathan said, raising his voice in frustration again. He knew this would happen. That she'd become distant, that she wouldn't want to go to New York with him, ending their relationship.
"I'm sorry." He mumbled, after seeing Haley's surprise at his volume. He took his hands away from his face, but kept his head down.
Haley stayed silent, trying to understand his emotions. She slowly walked closer to him, stretching out her arms to embrace him. She paused quickly when Nathan made no effort to move or contribute to the hug.
Slowly, Haley positioned herself round him, gasping softly as his arms automatically tightened round her waist, and his head sunk into the curve of her neck.
"It's ok Nathan." She whispered as she stroked the hair on his nape. Her heart broke as she felt the dampness of his tears touching her neck, realising that he was hiding his face because he was crying.
"Nathan..." She said quietly, still stroking his hair. "It's going to be Ok."
"How Hales? This is my dream; to play in the NBA. I've been training for this and playing basketball since I was a kid... And now... Now I'm finally here and no one wants me. It's all been for nothing."
To be continued- Please review. x