Chapter 26 – Take Them Five

Still getting it together. Please excuse spelling errors! I reread my last one and realised it was full of them. Proof reading isn't my strength. Please review and let me know what you think guys. What you want to see more of. Lots are viewing but I didn't get one review for my last chapter. Let me know what you think and don't. I have general ideas for where this is all going but can always add stuff in if anyone suggests something that works! Thanks guys! Hope you're enjoying.

Just as I expected, as soon as I got into view of the River Court I could see someone shooting and knew it was Jason. I peddled towards him so fast my bike could barely keep up. I threw it down and jumped into his arms.

'I have missed you SO much!' I declared.

'Same! Weren't you away 'til tomorrow morning?' He looked slightly confused.

'Oh long story!' I said dramatically swatting the ball out of his hands and driving it to the basket. It feels like it has been forever! But it hasn't even been a week. Time moves so slowly when everything is crap I thought.

'How are you anyway?' I ask him, 'ready for tomorrow?'

'It was weird not having your brothers at training, so didn't feel like the team was there. So I guess we will see.'

I asked a few more basketball questions and Jason got as involved in his answers as he always does. Events of late made me realise how truly arbitrary basketball really is, but how much I love that about it, I guess. We shot a few hoops and had small chat for a while. I told him about all the drama at my grandparents house. He was blown away. It was nice to just talk to him again. I had certainly missed him a lot. As my best friend more than anything. As Jason was shooting a 3 pointer and I was pathetically attempting defence when I saw his watch. It was almost 4 o'clock!

'Shit!' I landed running towards my bike, 'I gotta get home! See you tomorrow!' I yelled as I raced off. Man, I was such an idiot. I was going to be at least 5 minutes late. I know that isn't a big deal but I really didn't want to do this. I pedaled as fast as I could and was home in record time. Peyton's car was in the driveway. I slammed the bike down and ran inside gasping for air. I got a drink and then went looking for everyone. I found Mom, Luke and Peyton in the lounge watching some music thing – standard. I panted in.

'Sorry!' I blurted out through heavy breathing, 'I lost track of time. I rode home as fast as I could once I realised the time.'

Lucas looked at his watch and looked at me perplexed, 'You're like 3 minutes late. Don't make us out to be ogres.' He smiled at me cheekily. I looked at Mom who laughed too. It was nice to hear her laugh.

'Hey Sam! You look like you're about to die!' laughed Peyton sitting cross-legged on the floor.

'Hi Peyton. Thanks!' I puffed. Man, I was worried about my game tomorrow now. My fitness didn't feel up to scratch all of the sudden.

'Why don't you have a quick shower, sweetheart and then come join us.' Mom smiled.

'It's rated NC 17, Ma. Lucas warned. I would have told him to shut up but it was more effort than it was worth oxygen wise at that stage.

'She lives a life surrounded by NC 17 crap!' Mom laughed, 'she can watch a rock band high!'

I was happy to see her lighthearted. I knew it was an act but it still made me feel better. I went and grabbed a quick shower, put my pajamas on and jumped on the couch to join Mom. I put my head on her legs and held her hand. I must have fallen asleep because next thing I know I was picked up by Luke. I was pretty much asleep but still knew I wanted to sleep in with Mom.

'Luke, put me in with Mommy please. I wanna sleep with Mom.' I mumbled best I could, with the effort I was willing to put in.

'Not tonight.' He whispered, 'Geez, kid – you're getting heavy!'

'Luke!' Peyton exclaimed, 'Never say that to a girl!'

'She isn't a girl, she is my sister!' Peyton laughed. I was too tired to care.

'Luke, I want to sleep with Mom!'

'Not tonight!' He put me down onto my bed just in time for Peyton to pull back the covers.'

'Why?' I ask hazily, 'Is Keith home?'

'No. But it would be nice to give her some space.' He tells he softly kissing my forehead, 'Night Sis.'

Peyton leaned over and kissed my cheek and whispered goodnight too. I did my best to mumble goodnight but was felt like I was already back to sleep.

I was in the middle of a dream about going fishing with my Dad (which is weird being I am a vegetarian and therefore don't fish), when I was woken up by someone coming in my room. I jumped awake quickly, frightened.

'Sorry to scare you, Sweetie.' It was the unmistakable voice of my Mom, 'I can't sleep in my bed. It feels too weird without Keith at the moment.' I felt her pull back my blankets and I moved over, as I knew that meant she was getting in with me. It was pretty squishy, being a single bed but I nuzzled into her and it felt pretty comfortable to me.

'Keith will probably come home tomorrow, right Mom?' I whispered.

'I don't think so, baby.' She was obviously wide awake, 'I don't know when Keith will come home.'

That didn't sound like my Mom at all. She was always reassuring, even in the worst of times.

'He will, Mom.' I told her, certain. 'It was all just a big confused mess and it will be ok.' It went silent for a few minutes.

'It was a confused mess alright, but I just don't know who was the most confused.' She whispered almost to herself though. I would have responded or thought about her words more but I was too far gone. Maybe I even dreamt it.

The delicious smell of pancakes roused me early Saturday morning – it was game day. I loved game day. Even more so when grounded because it means I get to leave the house, see my friends and have play a game I love. I got dressed quickly and headed to the kitchen for Mom's game day pancakes. Surprisingly, Dad and Nathan were at the table.

'Morning, Sunshine.' Dad smiled.

'Are you two here to scab pancakes?' I laugh grabbing a plate and heading over to Mom at the stove.

'Pretty much!' Nathan followed me.

We all sat quietly and gorged on pancakes with maple syrup and Nathan gave me a run down on his plans for my game today. He went and saw Whitey yesterday afternoon, such a dedicated captain and coach. All five of us sat around the table and laughed and talked and it was nice. But I felt such a surge of guilt for enjoying the family Grandpa had made Keith feel he wasn't apart of. I knew Mom and Dad were uneasy as they weren't themselves, no matter how hard they tried. And what I think Mom said last night when I think she thought I was asleep was niggling at me.

'Ok, let's roll!' Nath jumped up eagerly, 'Sam – we gotta get there early!'

'I'll come with you guys, I want to get warmed up a fair bit today after missing practice this week.' Lucas stacked all of the dishes and put them in the sick, 'Mom, I'll clean them when I get home if that is ok? Thank you for breakfast. It was delicious.' No wonder he was her favorite I thought. Such a suck.

The three of us got into Nathan's car where his usual terrible rap music blared from the speakers and he speed all the way to school. Driving with him is often scary. Lucas lectured him the whole way, screaming over the music. When he parked, he turned off the ignition and then paused, obviously.

'What?' I asked cautiously.

'Do you think your Mom and our Dad are bucking?'

'Bucking?' I asked, innocently.

'No! Nath! Don't even start that crap. That's a serious rumor to start.' Lucas was annoyed.

'I'm not starting any rumors you idiot, I am just asking!'

'What is bucking?' I say again to myself quietly, 'ohhhh fucking?' I quickly realise. 'Ewwww Nathan!'

'Samantha, watch your mouth!' Lucas was certainly in Dad mode these last 24 hours. 'No! Not a chance. Don't even think about it!' Lucas was strangely so defensive.

'Stop being so defensive Lucas, it wouldn't be the first time they have! God forbid someone question your perfect parents. Maybe they do have something there and maybe Grandpa was right. Could be like your thing with Peyton that you can't let go of!' I wasn't sure if Nathan was serious now or just trying to stir him up. He certainly achieved the later part.

'Shut up Nathan! You're such a dick!' Lucas yelled and got out of the car, slamming the door hard and storming towards the gym.

I called after him, 'What if the baby is Dad's, Luke? Another me!' I called out to tease him.

Suddenly he spun and stormed towards me and grabbed me by the arm harshly, 'if I ever hear you speak that way about our Mom again, I will slap you so hard across the face – your teeth will fly out!' Then he stormed off leaving me shocked.

After he was out of sight, Nath and I looked at each other and laughed, 'the guy cannot take a joke! Seriously!' That was weird. I love Mom and Dad too but didn't see why it was such a big deal to have a joke about the past.

My team got smashed by 28 points. It was horrible. Whitey was so mad he stormed off with 10 minutes left after telling me I was playing pathetically. It was a nice touch to a crushing defeat. I always feel pretty gutted after a loss, but a loss as big as this, when I also played so badly – 10 times worse. Nathan tried to give us all a big prep talk after the game but after such a bad effort by us, his speech had about as much heart as our game. I hit the showers quickly to avoid everyone that was watching. I sat deflated against my locker, knowing I had let my team down and Whitey was going to kill me for being so crap. The vice captain, Sandy sat next to me and leaned back against my locker too.

'Don't worry about it, Sam.' She offered, 'you have a lot on your plate at the moment.'

'Ha, yeah I guess. Thanks.' I wasn't sure what she meant, maybe the suspension and stuff? Everyone in Tree Hill knows my family on some level and all the basketball players at school know what a hard arse my Dad is so I guess she meant that.

'How are you feeling?' she looked at me sympathetically.

'About the suspension?' I was now a bit sketchy she was so seriously concerned about me over a 3 day suspension. 'I feel fine about that, thanks. I am back to school on Monday. I am pretty gutted about the game though…' I tried to change the subject to avoid taking this conversation any deeper. Although I was curious to see what Sandy was on about too.

'I meant your family stuff, not the school stuff.' Her eyes wouldn't leave me. I knew Sandy's Mom was friends with Deb so it came to me that she meant the Deb stuff. This was awkward.

'Oh, Deb is doing good. Thanks.' I lie. I have no idea how she is really doing. Everyone just keeps telling me good to ease my guilt. I certainly didn't want to discuss it with Sandy, right now…in a locker room after getting rolled in a game.

'Oh, I didn't mean Deb. I mean Keith and your parents baby?' She looked sincere enough that I didn't think she was prying for information but I was confused.

'What do you mean? Keith and Mom's baby?'

She finally moved her eyes from me and looked at her feet, I'm really sorry. I heard Keith realised the baby wasn't his, it was your Dad's and that is why he left…' she trailed off.

'What?!' I was gobsmacked. 'Where did you hear that?' I could feel anger rising up in me. Closely followed by fear hoping no one had heard Nathan and I joking around about that in the car park earlier. We would actually get killed if we started that rumor. First by Luke, then by my parents if he didn't finish the job.

'I'm really sorry Sam, I didn't realise it wasn't true or wasn't like… known…' she whispered scared.

'Where did you hear it?' I demanded.

She hesitated and I grabbed her arm, 'seriously, Sandy. Where did you hear it? I need to know who is talking shit about my family?'

'I think Deb told my Mom when she visited this morning. And I am really sorry but I think Keith told her…' she looked like she was about to cry.

I got up quickly and grabbed my things. Shit. My family are the ones talking shit about my family. 'Great!' I thought. I knew I couldn't tell Nath or Luke as they were about to play their game. But I knew the waiting to share this information was going to be agonizing. And Lucas was going to flip it and blame me, I bet. And I certainly couldn't tell my parents. Especially my Mom, it would break her heart. And I didn't know it was true yet, Keith might not think that. It might be a rumor. Tree Hill is famous for them. But it sure explained why he is so upset/furious and why he hasn't come back or won't answer our calls. Fuck. This is a nightmare.

I went outside the stadium and took a few deep breaths. I told myself I needed to relax, as rumors about our family weren't a new thing. And it would all sort itself out. I needed to go sit with my parents and watch my brother's game and hope they didn't suspect anything beyond my shit game was bothering me.

'Hey sissy Scott!' a voice yelled from the distance. I thought to myself that I don't seem to get much uninterrupted thinking time lately. But turned and saw Brooke and was relieved it wasn't someone else bringing up rumors.

'You ok?' She looked skeptical already.

'Yeah! Played terribly. Basketball career over but ok otherwise.' I smiled and turned to the gym. She put her arm around me and walked with me.

'Lucky you're smart enough that you'll find success wherever you go then.' She smiled.

'Ha. Thanks Brooke.'

'Rough few days, eh? Your poor family is going through the ringer at the moment!'

'Yeah, it is only going to get worse too. I think.' Or based on the information presented to me 5 minutes ago, I know.

She stopped and looked at me curious but concerned, 'What do you mean?'

'A teammate just apologized to me for the news Dad got my Mom pregnant again and Keith disappearing as a result.' I told her blankly.

'Wow. Tree Hill never ceases to amaze me.' She looked away. 'Shit!'

'I know.'

'This isn't what your poor Mom needs. Has she heard from Keith?'

'Nope. Apparently he is the one telling people Dad is the…the dad.'

'Wow. No way? He wouldn't ever.'

'How else would anyone know about an event that occurred 24 hours ago?' I didn't want to believe it either, but it made sense. I didn't even realise it was common knowledge that my Mom was pregnant but apparently it is! Tree Hill is the worst.

Brooke hesitated with a frown for a few seconds, 'I don't know.' She finally said, slowly. 'Maybe your neighbours just saw him come home early and leave and started talking. You never know in Tree Hill. Some of the rumors I have heard about myself – it is amazing what people can turn things into.'

'Seems like a long stretch. I think Keith is just likely caught up in this whole confusion and just needs to talk to Mom and he will realise how silly it all is. It's like when you want to see something, you see it all the time. You know what I mean?'

'Yes, I get you. Like when you suspect your boyfriend is cheating or something and then suddenly everything he does looks suspicious. Even things you would have never questioned before.'

I nodded. 'I just don't want this to get back to Mom. She's already devastated Keith won't talk to her and is upset. She will be so hurt if she hears this crap. But at the same time I want to tell her just so she knows? So she can kind of approach it as she needs to? I don't know.'

'Yeah, tough spot. Life is such a mess eh? I was hoping it got easier when we got older but doesn't look like it!' She broke the doom and gloom, as always.

'I reckon if you live a normal love life and stick with the one you should be fine! Anymore than one, confusing things!' I laugh too. My parents are normal people but their choices and our current family situation certainly isn't. You'd have to be stupid not to recognise that.

She linked my arm and we walked into the stadium together. I spotted my parents sitting together and cringed. Usually there was the four of them there. It was down to two and suddenly to me it seemed everyone around them was looking at them and whispering and they had no idea. Brooke told me she was going to try and sneak in to see Luke before his game so I made my way to my parents on the bleachers.

'Hey Sweetie!' Mom smiles, 'great game!'

I pause and look at her skeptically, 'were you watching my game?'

'Of course! I think you did lots of wonderful things. It wasn't your best but relative to all the basketball I have watched in my life, any game my daughter plays is great.'

'Thanks.' I shake my head and sit between them. My Dad kissed my head and spared me any encouraging lies. I like his silent honesty. I knew my feelings of being worried about this stupid rumor situation could easily be masked by my disappointment in my game and the whole Keith/Deb crap. So I knew they wouldn't bug me about what was wrong. I sat and watched the game in pretty much silence. Jason and Nathan stole the show and the Ravens won by 19 points. This was becoming a common theme. My Dad even commented that Jason might be the best player Tree Hill has ever seen. The three of us waited around until the boys came out of the locker rooms. Many of the Raven's players Mom's came and spoke to my Mom. She commented it was sweet they showing such an interest in her pregnancy. But I knew they were just fishing for more gossip and couldn't take it. I challenged Dad to some one on one to get away from them and their crap.

Lucas came out first and joined us. He looked really happy. Nathan took another 10 minutes or so. And Mom came down and met us at the top of the key. After the standard congratulations and quick summary of the highlights by my Dad, Nathan informed us of the party he intended to throw at our beach house – to celebrate his 100th goal of the season. Something that has always been celebrated. My Mom rolled her eyes at Dad and Nathan's lame basketball rewards system. Me or Lucas have never got to 100 goals, I got to 82 goals last season but it isn't looking good for this one.

'Not tonight, Nathan.' Dad shook his head. He just looked exhausted.

'Nah, c'mon Dad. It's been a rough few weeks. I want to let off some steam! Just the team and like 10 others!' He tried.

'Nathan, I just can't be bothered with a party. I can't be bothered with the cleaning, the worrying or the responsibility of it.' Dad started walking towards the door and we all followed.

'Dad!' Nathan was annoyed. He is used to getting his own way with Dad, like I am too. 'You won't have to clean or worry – I will clean and it will be mellow. I promise. Not a huge blow out. Just like 15 of us. Quiet, chilled night.'

He shook his head.

'Lucas will be there, Dad! And we all know nothing goes wrong when your precious angel Lucas is around!'

Lucas and Mom laughed. But then Lucas spoke up, 'I don't think I feel like partying tonight anyway, Nath.' I knew that was because he wanted to look after Mom.

'Oh, Dan – I think it might be a good idea.' My Mom all spoke up and blew our minds.

'What?!' All four of us asked at the same time.

'I just think everything has been so heavy lately and it would be nice for the kids to have a night to just relax and chill with their friends.'

'Me too?' She did say kids.

'No way!' Nathan and Dad said at the same time.

'Nice try.' She smiled, 'the boys I meant.'

I groaned loudly and my Dad scooped me up and laughed, 'you get another night in!' I gave him a look so he knew I wasn't impressed.

'Karen is right, Dad.' Nathan tried again.

He signed loudly. 'I guess you can have something small. As long as Lucas does go and you keep it to these 15 people AND you promise to behave.'

'YES!' He fist pumped and almost ran to his car, 'see you guys later!' Lucas rolled his eyes and climbed into the back of Dad's car. Nathan was obviously going to Hayley's. I followed Lucas, even more sulky than I already was – missing out on a party. Great! Dad dropped Mom, Luke and I home and Lucas and I raced for the two left over pancakes we left this morning. He got there first but gave me one. Lucas always shares. Nathan would have scoffed them both and gloated about it. He sat at the table and tried to make small talk about the game. I looked at the kitchen window and saw Mom and Dad still talking on the lawn. And just like I explained to Brooke earlier, everything I saw was starting to convince me something weird was going on between them. I couldn't hold back.

'Luke, I have to talk to you about something. Don't be mad. But don't ask questions because it has to be quick.'

He looked at me intrigued and I fired away with the whole after game thing with Sandy and the rumors. He looked so angry when I finished talking.

'Man, I hate Tree Hill!' He exclaimed. 'Don't tell Mom. I'll deal with it.' He got up and left.

I had no idea how on earth he would deal with it. And had no chance to ask because Mom came in as soon as he left the room. I hoped that he could. Lucas always saved the day. But I thought this was likely a bit big even for him.

'So party tonight, Mom?' I asked cheekily. Even if I wasn't grounded I knew Nathan wouldn't let me enter even if I showed up. He hated me around his friends. Especially if drinking is involved and now 10 times worse since the Tim Smith incident.

'Dad suggested the three of us get dinner and see a movie?' she smiled thinking it would make me happy but it made me feel sick to the stomach. People would see us. We'd look like a little happy family. No Deb and no Keith and we were happy about it. The worst part was I knew Mom was doing this for me and she was putting on a brave face, but it was the last thing I wanted too!

I hesitated and she looked at me strangely, 'I thought you'd jump at the chance to leave the house on a Saturday night?'

'I just don't feel great.' I looked at the ground and felt grab for rejecting her happy suggestion.

'I understand.' She said, almost like that upset her. She went to her room and closed the door. I followed her and waited at the door. I heard her sobbing a few seconds later. I knew it was all an act.

'Mom!' I took a few steps back and yelled.

No response so I yelled again.

'Yes?' she replied, obviously after she had got herself together.

"I'll go tonight! We should go!' I yelled back.

'Ok Sweetie.' Came the response. I just wanted her to stop crying. Maybe a night out would distract us all.