AN: Thanks to everyone for the reviews!! You guys rock!!
Disclaimer: I do not own One Tree Hill or its characters they belong the Mark Schwahn and the CW. Neither do I own the song used for the title of this story it belongs to Gavin De Graw.
Chapter 24
Apologies
Nathan decided to head down to the gym hoping he'd catch a few of the guys while he was there. Walking into the state-of-the-art gym he saw the he was in luck. Skills was lifting weights, with Tim spotting him he headed in their direction.
"Nate man, when did you get back?" Tim asked as he saw Nathan walking towards him and Skills.
"I flew in this morning." Nathan told him.
"Nate good to see you man, how's the knee?" Skills asked sitting up and bumping fists with Nathan.
"It's getting there." Nathan told him.
"So how come you're back man?" Tim asked
"Coach wanted to see me." Nathan said and didn't miss the look between Skills and Tim.
"What?" Nathan asked there was obviously something he was missing.
"Umm, so what did he say?" An interested Tim asked
"What's going on?" Nathan asked
"I overheard Coach on the phone the other day. And let's just say you're not his favourite person at the moment." Skills told him.
"What? Why?" Nathan asked. 'What the hell was going on?'
"I have no idea who he was talking to, but he was saying something about not being happy about you about seeing Baby James." Skills told him.
"Who's Baby James?" Nathan asked, then realise it must be Haley he was talking about. 'Shit.' He thought wondering what the hell his Coach's connection to Haley was.
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"What the hell are you doing here?" Haley asked then dodging the broken glass she launched herself at her 'visitor' and was caught in two strong arms.
"I was nominated to come check on you." He told her as he lowered her back to her feet.
"And what give me a heart attack." She said slapping him on the chest.
"Sorry about that." He said sheepishly
"I think I can forgive you just this once. But just so you know you're cleaning up the broken glass." She told him.
"I expected nothing less." He told her with a grin.
"So how did you manage to get a key to my house, coz I know you didn't get it from me or Brooke?" She asked
"Oh I have my ways." He told her with a grin, earning another slap from her.
"So are you really alright?" He asked her.
"Yeah I really am. If you don't count the fact that you scared the shit out of me." She said.
"Jeeze I said I was sorry." He said rolling his eyes. "Do you forgive me?" He asked trying to look innocent.
"Please, do you take me for a fool? That 'I'm innocent and sweet' look only works on two people that I know of and I'm not one of them." She told him.
"How long are you in town for?" She asked
"Just a couple of days." He told her
"So I guess you'll be wanting to stay here. Will you?" Haley asked
"Yeah if that's alright, if not I could probably sweet talk a certain red head we both know and love, into letting me stay with her." He told her.
"No it's alright you can stay here." Haley assured him. "But just so you know if you break her heart again I will kick your ass."
"Is that any way to talk to your favourite brother?" He said
"Oh but your not my favourite brother Matt. That would be Mike." Haley told him sweetly.
After Matt cleaned up the broken glass they spent the next half an hour catching up on all the James family gossip, which was considerable seeing as there were six siblings, three in-laws and seven grand children.
"Shit." Haley said as she noticed the time, Nathan would be here shortly and not only had she not had her relaxing bath, but she hadn't even started dinner.
"What? You got a hot date?" Matt asked
"Yes I do actually. Are you going to hang around here tonight or do you have plans?" Haley asked.
"Trying to get rid of me are you?" Matt asked teasingly.
"Yes. And I need to start cooking dinner." Haley told him.
"Well you're in luck coz I too have a hot date tonight." Matt told her with a grin.
"With Rachel?" Haley asked
"Not that it's any of your business but yes as it happens with Rachel." Matt told her.
"Just remember what I said Matt." Haley warned him, referring to her earlier threat to kick his ass if he hurt Rachel again.
Matt who was twenty-seven, nearly seven years older than Haley, had dated Rachel Gatina, one of Haley's friends on and off over the past couple of years and it had been more off than on lately. Matt had recently moved back to Charlotte for work, leaving Rachel alone in New York heartbroken after telling her he didn't want her to follow him back home to Charlotte.
"Yeah I remember. And if I do hurt her again you have my permission to kick my ass for me." Matt said, "Well I'd bettergo and get ready." Matt said and Haley told him to dump his things in the guest room.
Haley made her way back into the kitchen and got out her earlier purchases and started to get everything ready for dinner. She had decided to cook chicken breasts wrapped in prosciutto with seasonal vegetables and roast potatoes. It was really the only thing, apart from Mac and Cheese that she could cook. Once she had the chicken wrapped and in a dish and the vegetable ready to cook, she opened a bottle of wine, pouring herself a glass.
She wandered back into the living room and set the dining table in the corner closest to the kitchen, after she had that sorted she lit a couple of candles and turned the CD player on.
Sitting back down on the couch she took a sip of her wine when the doorbell sounded, smiling she set her glass down and walked over and opened the front door, to a very pissed off Nathan Scott.
"Um hi." Haley said, moving slightly so he could come through the door. Haley could tell straight away that he was angry about something.
"Hi." Nathan said through clenched teeth.
"Umm would you like a drink?" Haley asked
"Haley how long have we known each other now?" Nathan asked her.
"Um nearly a month I guess." Haley asked confused.
"That's what I thought. So is there anything you'd like to tell me?" Nathan asked her.
"Nathan what's going on?" Haley asked worriedly.
"Hey Haley……." Matt said walking into the room, unaware that Haley's 'company' had arrived yet.
Nathan looked around at the sound of a male voice and when he saw a man standing in the doorway clad in only a towel, well it was fair to say his mood went from angry to furious.
"Sorry my mistake I thought we had plans." Nathan said angrily before heading for the door.
Haley looked over and saw Matt in a towel and rolled her eyes.
"Nathan. Nathan wait….." Haley said moving quickly to stop him from leaving.
"No its fine Haley, I'll leave you and your 'friend' alone." Nathan bit out.
"Nathan, Matt is not my friend." Haley told him trying not to laugh.
"Whatever." Nathan said reaching for the door knob.
"Nathan. Matt is my brother." Haley told him.
"Oh." Nathan said his hand dropping away from the door knob.
"Nathan this is my brother Matt James. Matt this is my boyfriend Nathan Scott." Haley said the introductions, while Matt walked over and shook Nathan's hand.
"Uh hi. Sorry about that." Nathan said sheepishly.
"No problem man. Nice to meet the guy who's making my baby sister smile." Matt said.
"Did you need something Matt?" Haley asked with an arched eyebrow.
"Huh? Matt said then realised that he was standing there in a towel. "Oh yeah I just wanted to know which shirt I should wear for my hot date with Rachel." Matt said.
"I'll be back in a sec." Haley said following Matt out of the room.
Once they were in the spare room Haley slapped him on the arm.
"You did that on purpose." Haley said angrily.
"No I didn't. So Nathan Scott huh?" Matt said with a smirk
"Just behave Matt. Or I'll tell Mom about that time you..." Haley started
"Ok. Ok I promise not to tell him about Dad's shotgun. But I can't promise not to let it slip that Mike's a cop." Matt told her with a laugh.
"Did you want my help or not?" Haley asked.
Matt held up two shirts a black one and a navy blue one, Haley told him to go with the black one and headed back out to Nathan.
"Sorry about that. He just turned up earlier unannounced." Haley told him.
He looked up at her briefly and then away. He was obviously pissed at her over something.
"Would you like a drink?" Haley asked
"A beer would be good." Nathan said finally and Haley nodded and went into the kitchen to get him one.
While she was in there she put the chicken into the oven and turned the veggies on to cook, then went back into the living room to give Nathan his beer.
"Here you go." Haley said handing him the drink.
"Thanks." He said not quite meeting her eyes.
She was about to ask him what his problem was when Matt walked back into the room.
"See ya later Haley-bob. Nice to meet you Scott. Oh and don't wait up." He said with a grin and then they were alone.
"Nathan what's going on? What's wrong?" Haley asked.
"I had a meeting with my Coach this afternoon." Nathan finally told her.
"Oh ok. How'd it go?" Haley asked.
"Why don't you tell me?" Nathan said getting up from the couch and pacing back and forth.
"How would I know how you're meeting went?" Haley asked him
"Just cut the bull shit Haley. I know. I can't believe you didn't tell me. You've known right from the start who I play basketball for." Nathan said angrily.
"Nathan what the hell are you talking about?" Haley asked him.
"My Coach's name is Mike D'Antoni. Ring any bells?" Nathan asked
"Oh." Haley said.
"Shit Haley a little warning would have been nice. You've had nearly a month to tell me." Nathan said.
"I didn't think it was important." Haley said.
"Not important? You didn't hear how my meeting with Mike went. Well let me tell you that I am not his favourite person at the moment." Nathan told her angrily.
"What did he say?" Haley asked
"He told me to keep a low profile in the media and said I might want to be more discreet. But it wasn't what he said it was the way he said it." Nathan said
"Sorry. Do you want me to go talk to him?" Haley asked feeling awful, this was all her fault.
"No I do not want you to talk to him. I can fight my own battles thanks." Nathan said
"So did he tell you?" Haley asked.
"No I had to find out from my team mates that I'm dating my Coach's God Daughter. You could have told me Haley." Nathan said
"I know sorry. I didn't make the connection at first. And then there was so much else going on and I just never found the right time to mention it." Haley said looking down at her hands.
"All you had to say was 'oh by the way you're Coach is my father's best friend and my God Father." Nathan said and sighed dropping to sit down beside her on the couch.
"Sorry." Haley said.
"Is there anything else you forgot to mention? Like I don't know your grand-father owns the team?" Nathan asked.
"How did you know?" Haley gasped then started laughing at the look on his face.
"Not funny Hales." Nathan said with a scowl.
"Too soon?" Haley asked
"Yeah." Nathan replied.
"You know you really don't have anything to worry about Uncle Mike is a marshmallow." Haley told him
"Sure he is." Nathan said with a disbelieving snort.
"No he is." Haley told him.
"I'll have to take you're word for it." Nathan said.
"So do you forgive me?" Haley asked batting her eyelashes at him and giving him her best puppy dog eyes.
"You're stuck with me now James." Nathan said dragging her so she was sitting in his lap.
"Besides I can't dump you now. It would be career suicide." Nathan told her with a smirk.
"Oh very funny Scott." Haley said.
"I'm kidding." Nathan said.
"So how did you're appointment with the Doctor go?" Haley asked. It seemed like the storm was over.
"It went pretty well I'm on track to be right for the first game next season." Nathan told her.
"How about you, how was your day? Nathan asked.
"Not too bad. But I missed you." Haley said turning her head slightly.
"I missed you too." Nathan said and lowered his head and covered her mouth with his in a fierce kiss.
When air became an issue Haley pulled back slightly leaning her forehead against his as she fought to control her breathing and slow her rapid heartbeat.
"There is something else I need to tell you……" Haley said quietly.
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AN: Hey guys sorry about the delay! Things have been crazy!
Hope you liked this chapter.
Let me know what you thought.
Please Review and make me a happy girl!!
Thanks Laura.
TITLE SONG: Apologies By Grace Potter and The Nocturnals
I can't wait to see OTH tomorrow night it feels like forever since the last episode! And it looks like we might FINALLY get a Naley kiss!! YAY!!