To anyone who has been waiting patiently for this chapter, I'm so sorry. It was painfully hard to write and the characters refused to do what I wanted them to! The good news is, because it went on for longer than I had planned, there'll be another chapter of Naley goodness after this. I hope you enjoy all the makeout scenes!
The song that Haley sings in this chapter is Supermarket Flowers by Ed Sheeran, which inspired chapter 15 of this story. If you haven't heard it before, I highly recommend checking it out while reading this; it's a beautiful song and I can just imagine how Haley would perform this.
I've borrowed some lines from the show, mainly from 2x07, and as always, all credit goes to Mark for them.
The small club was heaving with bodies, and a snaking line of people down the stairs and around the building proved that Tric was the place to be tonight. Tree Hill didn't have a lot of places like it, and Karen Roe had been thrilled to pass the management over to Jake to keep the business a successful one. Haley stood, stunned, as she took in her surroundings, knowing that Jake had certainly done a good job to draw a crowd on the re-opening night.
"I can't believe so many people are here!" she yelled over the noise of all the people and the thumping music playing on the loud speakers.
Peyton, who had been the one to help Karen open Tric back in high school, had come over with a clipboard and headset. "Karen said it's always pretty busy, especially with summer coming, but looks like you'll be singing to a full capacity tonight, foxy." She grinned proudly at the smaller woman, who was now twisting her hands nervously. "You're going to kill it!"
Haley looked up at Nathan, nervously, and he returned it with a reassuring smile. "You'll be great, Hales. You know you can do it."
Nathan's hand, which had been entwined with Haley's since they first arrived, squeezed tightly. Haley took a shaky breath as she felt her nerves and anxiety ease from the pressure of his hand.
"Better rest that voice until show time. You want a drink?"
Haley nodded, "Yes, please. A cranberry soda?"
"Sure."
Nathan had only been gone a few seconds before Brooke was pouncing on Haley, her raspy voice loud in her ear. "Ok, Tutor Girl, you have to tell me what's up!"
"What do you mean?"
"Between you and Nathan! Don't play dumb with me, missy, I've been watching you since we picked you up. You two are adorable!"
Brooke's squealing had attracted Lucas' attention, and he turned towards his best friend with raised eyebrows. "There's something up with you and Nathan?"
"Oh my God, Broody, have you not seem them tonight?The cute little glances, the smiles, the hand holding?"
Haley laughed, embarrassed at Lucas' shocked stare. "Honestly, there's nothing going on! It's ... it's a long story but he's pretending to be my boyfriend for the night."
Lucas raised his eyebrow and gave Haley a look. Their friendship had transcended the need for verbal language and Haley knew she had to explain. "Chris turned up at my parents place this afternoon, he was being such a jerk and Nathan pretended he was my boyfriend to get him to stop hassling me."
"Chris was hassling you?" Lucas frowned.
"No, well not really... he wanted to get back together, but he didn't mean it. And there's no way I'd go back to him," Haley continued in a rush, in case Lucas, or anyone else, thought she might. "Nathan was just coming to my rescue, giving me an excuse. You know, the way you did Freshman year to stop other guys from harassing me?" She looked pointedly at the blonde haired man beside her.
Peyton frowned, "Wait, so why are you guys still pretending?"
"Well, Chris was saying stuff about my music, like I'm not good enough to perform and my song writing is hopeless, not moving enough, stuff like that... Nathan told him to come tonight and see how good I am," Haley blushed at the implied compliment. "He was just trying to wind Chris up."
"What an asshole!" Peyton exclaimed.
"Aw, he's just trying to look out for Tutor Girl, P. Sawyer," Brooke interjected. "Her ex can't get her back if he thinks she's already taken. I think it's sweet!"
"No, I mean this Chris guy! How dare he insult you. Haley, your songs are incredible. You write from the heart. You're going to move mountains tonight."
Haley smiled gratefully at Peyton. Beside her, Luke's brows were furrowed in thought, creating a squinted look that he was known for. "Man, you and Nathan pretending you're a couple? That's just weird."
Peyton showed them to a booth on the side that was slightly quieter, and as everyone shuffled into a seat, Lucas pulled Haley aside. "Are you sure you're ok, Hales? With Chris?"
Once again, the look told Haley that Lucas wanted to know more. She realized that it wouldn't have been out of her usual character to have forgiven Chris and taken him back, and her best friend knew how forgiving she typically was."Honestly, Luke, I am. I've known for a long time that Chris and I weren't right for each other and it was so good standing up for myself today. I can't believe I spent so long with someone who would say something like that about my music. He knows how much it means to me."
Lucas' stare searched hers before he gave her a satisfied grin. "I'm proud of you, Hales. All of it. Standing up for Chris, performing tonight... You should be proud of yourself, too. You've come a long way."
Haley's reply grin was bashful. "Thanks, Luke. I couldn't have done it without Nathan's help, though."
"Yeah ... you and Nathan pretending to be a couple tonight," Lucas frowned. "That's going to be strange seeing that."
"Well, you better get used to it," Nathan's voice spoke up as he materialized beside Haley with a beer and her requested drink in hand. "Look who just walked in."
The three heads swiveled towards the door, where Chris' lanky frame was entering. Haley didn't have the chance to blink before Nathan's face descended towards her as he buried his nose in her curly dark blonde hair, planting kisses on the skin exposed where her jaw and neck met her ear. His free hand snaked around her waist to pull her closer as his beer-dampened lips gently followed her jawline and then up to her mouth. Haley felt goosebumps break over her skin and her body shook. It was far from cold in the busy club and it certainly wasn't repulsion that her body was reacting to. One thing was clear to her - Nathan Scott was one hell of a seducer. Although she knew that not everything printed in the tabloids about the famous basketball player was true, his reputation with women had certainly grown since she knew him at high school - and even back in high school, Haley had read a fair bit about him on the bathroom stalls. The way he was making her body react when they weren't even a real couple was astounding; Haley's brain couldn't even let her think what it must be like to be someone he was physically attracted to and actually dating.
The kiss he had captured her lips in was surprisingly short and tender before he pulled away, but its simplicity had a hoard of butterflies in her stomach fluttering and, like their earlier kiss, Haley craved more. She hadn't been lying when she'd told Chris she couldn't remember the last time they'd made love; sex simply hadn't been anywhere on Haley's mind for a long time and she had been perfectly fine with that. She had slept with two guys in her entire life - a long-term boyfriend in college with whom she'd lost her virginity to, and Chris - and she'd never experienced the earth-shattering, toe-curling feelings that other girls boasted about. She simply assumed she wasn't someone with a huge sexual appetite. But Nathan's kisses made her feel a stirring in her stomach and a twinging between her legs that she had never felt to that degree before.
If that's how he kisses, imagine what he's like in bed.
The unbidden thought flew into Haley's mind, and like she had earlier in the day, a feeling of hysteria came over her. It was like all of her emotions were too much to process and she just wanted to giggle. Where on earth had that thought come from?
Haley could see the smug, satisfied grin on his face and she wasn't sure if it was because Chris had seen them or her own reaction to the little show they were putting on. When she dared to look up, Lucas had a puzzled expression on his face.
"Ok, that was gross. Really gross... yet, not as strange as I thought it would be."
Nathan's laugh drowned out Haley's embarrassed chuckle. "See, Hales? Even Lucas thinks make a good couple."
Haley was still pressed tightly against Nathan's body, and she buried her flaming face into the dark grey dress shirt he was wearing to try and calm her speeding heart and hide her acute embarrassment. She didn't even hear Lucas' response, because her hiding wasn't having the intended effect; the smell of Nathan's fresh, masculine cologne and the warmth and hardness she could feel against her face was causing her breath to shallow and her blush to ripen. His whole body radiated the smirk he wore on his face, and she only looked up when she heard him say, "Keller, so glad you could make it."
Chris' eyes watched them warily, and Haley sensed that Nathan's affectionate performance was affecting him more than he let on. He may not have had the most noble of reasons for reconciling when he turned up at her parents' house, but it couldn't be that easy seeing someone who had been an important part of your life for two years making out with someone else.
"I didn't want to come because I didn't want to see you embarrass yourself, but frankly, if you're not going to listen to the honest truth, then I deserve to be here to say 'I told you so.'"
Haley rolled her eyes, any sense of sympathy dissipating immediately, but before she could reply, Peyton appeared again with Brooke by her side.
"Come on, Haley, it's time to get you backstage."
"Since your last public performance in Clothes over Bros didn't quite have the sort of publicity I was looking for, we're going to try again." Brooke held up two garment bags. "Strapless or backless?"
It was Chris who answered. "Strapless. Your tits have always been your best feature."
Nathan had launched himself at the skinny musician before Haley had the chance to process Chris' response, and it took both her and Lucas to pull him away before he could land a punch.
Chris stepped back and held up his hands. "Whoah dude, I was just being honest. If you want to keep the crowd's interest tonight, you have to show off your best assets - and your songwriting ain't one of them. Just listen to Chris Keller."
"You're going to listen to my fist hit your face if you don't shut up," Nathan barked.
"Alright, Nate, calm down." Lucas hissed, keeping his hand on Nathan's arm until he could be sure Nathan wasn't about to throw a punch. Haley looked at her roommate, she hadn't seen anger in him like this since she caught one of his early NBA games on TV.
"Come on, Haley, let's go."
She turned to follow Brooke and Peyton backstage, until she felt a hand on her arm. Nathan was looking at her, his eyes blazing blue like the hottest part of a flame. He pulled her towards him until she was against his chest and speared the hand not restricted by his brother into her dark blonde hair.
Their kiss this time was urgent and passionate, and before Haley closed her eyes, she saw the way Nathan's eyebrows had drawn together, creating deep creases in his forehead as he kissed her like it was with the last breath he'd ever take. He sucked her lips in between his own, making sure to pay equal attention to both her top and bottom lip.
The kiss may have been for her ex-boyfriend's benefit, but Haley forgot about Chris as Nathan held her stare when they pulled away, his gaze strong and sincere. "Good luck, Hales. You're going to be amazing, ok?"
Haley's return smile was as unsteady as her feet, and all she could do was nod in reply. Half of Nathan's mouth curved up as he gave her a wink, before turning back to Chris. "Stick around, Keller. That was just the pre-show entertainment."
Peyton caught Haley's eye as the three women headed towards the backstage area, and raised her eyebrows. "For someone who feels unlovable, that was some kiss."
"Yeah, Tutor Girl. And did you see how totally caveman he went on your ex? Wow," Brooke chimed in.
Haley's face, which hadn't fully recovered from Nathan's kiss, flamed further. "It's just pretend. He's just trying to help and get to Chris."
"Hmm..." Peyton sounded unconvinced. "All I know is that I actually went out with the guy and he never kissed me like that."
Haley was silent as Peyton shut the door behind them and Brooke started to hang up dresses and unpack makeup from the oversized bag she was carrying. Truthfully, the way her body was reacting to Nathan's act was rattling her, but she didn't have time to think about it now. She had another performance to focus on.
It hadn't taken long before Brooke had curled Haley's long hair, applied a light dusting of makeup and zipped her into an intricately beaded silver and black strapless dress ("He may be a jerk who refers to himself in the third person, but your ex is right, Tutor Girl, you do have a great rack. You should show it off a little!"). Haley was now waiting nervously at the side of the stage as Peyton went out to welcome the crowd to Tric.
"It wouldn't be Tric without some great live music, and tonight we have a special treat for ya'll. Ladies and gentleman, it's my honor to introduce to you Tree Hill's own Haley James!"
The applause was thunderous in Haley's ears as she stepped on stage and made her way to the electric keyboard Peyton had set up earlier in the day. The sea of bodies in the club was so deep that faces blurred into one, but glancing up, Haley could make out the tall heads of Nathan and Lucas standing beside where Jake was serving at the bar. Taking a deep breath, she positioned her fingers on the keys in front of her and closed her eyes.
"Don't think. Just play."
I took the supermarket flowers from the windowsill
I threw the day old tea from the cup
Packed up the photo album Matthew had made
Memories of a life that's been loved
Took the get well soon cards and stuffed animals
Poured the old ginger beer down the sink
Dad always told me, "don't you cry when you're down"
But Mum, there's a tear every time that I blink
Oh I'm in pieces, it's tearing me up, but I know
A heart that's broke is a heart that's been loved
So I'll sing Hallelujah
You were an angel in the shape of my mum
When I fell down you'd be there holding me up
Spread your wings as you go
And when God takes you back he'll say Hallelujah
You're home
"You did a really good thing for her, Nate."
His brother's voice jolted Nathan from the trance he'd been in, focused on the small, lone figure onstage and her angelic voice. The audience had fallen silent, in a simliar hypnotic state as he had been in as Haley's heartfelt, emotional words floated around them
"No," he replied, shaking his head. "She did it all by herself."
Lucas watched him silently for a moment before he spoke again. "You've changed. She's changed you."
"What are you talking about? You've known that since our first day of college."
"No, I mean since then. Since I saw you last, you're different."
Nathan didn't reply and kept his gaze ahead of him.
"You know, there are worse things in life than my best friend and my brother being together."
Nathan snapped his head towards his brother at those words. "Luke..."
"I see how you are with her, Nate. I know you've always cared about her."
Nathan shook his head again, at a loss for words. In between trying to deny the feelings that he had refused to acknowledge and then letting them out in a way that enabled him to face Haley each day without repercussion, he hadn't thought about how his brother would react. Lucas had always been overprotective with Haley. Even in college, by the time the two half-brothers had become friends, Nathan had always felt that their brotherly relationship was second to Haley's best-friendship.
"I mean, not that I want to see the two of you making out all the time, even if it is just pretending, but you're good for her, Nate... I hope..." Lucas paused, thoughtfully. "I hope she feels the same way. Someday."
Nathan's brain clouded over. He didn't need Lucas, or even Jake, to tell him that Haley wasn't on the same page as he was in regards to their blooming friendship. It wasn't even because of Haley's depression; Nathan knew he had never been good enough for Haley James. He still wasn't.
Still, it hadn't stopped him from taking advantage of the charade he had started, pretending to be Haley's boyfriend in front of the skinny, pathetic musician who wanted her back. Nathan couldn't blame Chris - he couldn't believe anyone could be such a fool as to let Haley go, but he could certainly understand how hard it would be to be without her. Now that he had actually held Haley and kissed her, let his lips slide over hers, he never wanted it to end. Regardless of how things turned out at the end of the night when the act inevitably had to end, Nathan wanted to forget everything and pretend until then that he was the adoring and supportive lucky bastard that got to be Haley's boyfriend. That he was good enough. Just for one night.
He looked at his brother and gave him a small, appreciative nod. Letting out a breath he didn't even realize he had been holding, he turned back to Haley onstage.
I hope that I see the world as you did cause I know
A life with love is a life that's been lived
So I'll sing Hallelujah
You were an angel in the shape of my mum
When I fell down you'd be there holding me up
Spread your wings as you go
When God takes you back he'll say Hallelujah
You're home
Hallelujah
You were an angel in the shape of my mum
Spread your wings and I know
That when God took you back he said Hallelujah
You're home
The stunned silence in the club didn't last long before it was broken by the deafening applause. The two Scott brothers clapped their hands together as hard as possible, yelling and whistling over the noise.
"Alright!"
Haley's chocolate brown eyes met with Nathan's and her face contorted into a mixture of disbelief and embarrassment as the cheers grew louder. She drew her shoulders up in a helpless shrug as Nathan's grin overtook his face. In that moment, he knew, no matter how she felt or what she wanted, he could never live without her.