AN: Wow it has been forever and I send you my apologies...assuming people out there are reading. My new job has been overwhelming at times leaving little time for anything extra other than my normal day to day life with my family. I experienced a bit of difficulty writing this chapter for some reason as well which didn't help matters. The drama within the plot will be picking up in the next two chapters I'm predicting.
Honestly I'm not sure if anyone out there is reading this story still or is interested in me continuing to write it?
Please leave me a review if you're still out there and interesting :)
Thanks for reading!
~~~ "I'm Never Alone, I'm Alone All the Time" ~~~
* Chapter Twenty-Eight*
Haley sat in silence as she watched his eyes closely desperately trying to determine what he was going to say next. She'd taken a great leap of faith by coming clean and confessing the thing she feared the most to the man she loved the most. She had secretly said a prayer to herself before she admitted the truth to Nathan. She watched his posture stiffen as she recalled the details about the night she'd drank too much and when everything changed. She knew it would be uncomfortable and difficult for him to hear the words from her almost as hard as it was for her to say them out loud.
He sat looking back at his girlfriend who was trying her best to fight the tears from streaming down her face. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt her more than she'd already been. When she first alluded she had something to tell him he feared it wouldn't be good news but never expected this. He was fighting the urge pulsating through his body to let the anger truly set in and hunt down Damien West himself. He knew the correct response wasn't that and it required everything in him to remain calm and stay in the moment with her. He was brought back from his thoughts when Haley decided to break the silence and continue her story.
"I didn't know about the recording for a while, not until the relationship began to fall apart. When the media starting to buzz quickly about us splitting up and he was named as the "bad" guy in the situation rather quickly. Damien couldn't handle. He wanted nothing more than to literally destroy my image and was set on using the footage of me to do it. Peyton managed to work out a deal with Damien and she obtained the original video. Damien and I signed similar contracts restricting us from speak about any details about our relationship to the press. He walked away with a sum of money how much I'll never know. I hate that asshole got money out of the deal. I ended up with a more detailed contract than the rest of my band basically so Peyton could protect my image and keep tabs on me seeing as I couldn't do it myself in her opinion. At that point I didn't really care, I just wanted it to stop and go away. Peyton assured me she would make the problem go away and she did. That is until now." Haley concluded in a different tone than her previous one. She sounded timid and downright scared.
Nathan looked back at her with curious eyes now finally deciding to break his silence. Without thinking, he pulled her body close to his and wrapped his arms tightly around her. He felt her body soften once he placed a tender kiss on the top of her head. He could've sworn he felt her heart beating loudly against his.
"Haley, this changes absolutely nothing between us. Nothing! I love you no matter what! I want you to believe me." He assured her tenderly as he kept her body snuggled close to his while he spoke. Her body started to shake no doubt as her tears began to fall more freely with every word he spoke.
She pulled away and wiped her eyes then said, "How can it not change after what I've done?"
"Hey, you've done nothing wrong! Don't you dare take the blame for what that bastard did to you." He shot back this time sounding slightly heated compared to his previous soothing statement. He looked directly into her eyes hoping she wouldn't break his gaze. His eyes reflected compassion as Haley criticized herself.
She shook her head in dispute as she replied, "I have though Nathan. I saw him at the club the other night when we went out with Brooke and Lucas and I didn't do a thing. Then I found pictures when I got home last night that I know could've only come from him. Once again I'm being the stupid girl in the situation."
"Pictures? What pictures?" Nathan questioned quickly feeling the anger he start to rise again. He'd managed to suppress it fairly well when she placed blame on herself for what had happened.
Haley began to recall the details, "I threw on my robe after I got out of the shower so I could quickly check my phone incase you called before your flight. Then I found he'd left the pictures spread out all over my bed."
"He was in your house!" He shouted not being able to contain himself anymore. He pulled away from her and suddenly stood up. His body was immediately charged with emotions he'd never felt before. He took a few steps away from her his body immediately charged with pure rage. His wide eyes looked at her in shock as he tried desperately to gain control over himself.
"He wasn't there when I got home." Haley added almost defensively.
"Still? Please tell me you called the police." He replied then looked to her closer for her answer. She slowly shook her head and looked away from him no doubt with shame. Nathan rubbed his eyes in frustration with the heels of his hands forcefully. He couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"Why didn't you call the cops?"
"I left my patio door open so technically he didn't really break in. The last thing I needed was for Peyton to have to explain to the press why the police were sent to my house late at night." She tried to reason with him only to be interrupted.
"Who cares about Peyton? It's about your safety. That mutant was in your fucking house!" He snapped back at her in anger.
"You think I don't know that Nathan! I was scared as hell last night. That's why I showed up at your house in the middle of the night. I knew I'd feel safe there." She shot back as more tears rolled down her cheeks.
Nathan turned around from the place he'd been pacing at the sound of her voice. She looked terrified and the thought she'd been alone in the house did not sit well with him. He rushed over and enveloped her into a protective hug once more.
"I'm sorry I yelled it's just….if something had happened to you. If he'd have…. I don't want you staying at your house for a while. You can stay with me at least until you've beefed up the security there." Nathan suggested in a calm voice again. Haley pulled back from his embrace and gave him a questioning look.
"Are you sure about that? I know you've got a lot going on with your game schedule and stuff. I don't want to get in your way or be a bother. I could just stay here with Chris for a while. It's really not that big of a deal." She replied.
Nathan quickly shook his head no and then said, "You are not a bother and you won't be in my way. I want you there with me now after hearing what that creep Damien is capable. You're my girlfriend and you're staying with me end of discussion."
She let out a soft chuckle as her heart warmed with Nathan's declaration. "Alright, I'll stay with you." He smiled at her clearly pleased with her response. The energy in the room instantly shifted as they both shared a laugh. "Can we please change the subject for a while?" Haley added hopefully.
"Whatever you want." He answered and then placed a peck on her lips.
Haley took the opportunity to show Nathan around Chris' recording studio and played a few clips of songs they wrote back for him. Chris joined them after he returned from his "lunch break" and was pleased his instincts had been right with contacting Nathan on his own. Haley looked visibly more settled and calm compared to earlier in the day. A weight had been lifted off her shoulders now that she'd come completely clean with Nathan. After a lengthy discussion with both Nathan and Chris, it was agreed it would be in Haley's best interest to inform Peyton of the recent developments. It was a call she dreaded making but felt stronger this time around dealing with Damien.
"I want to see the photographs immediately. I can't believe that little shit is even thinking of messing with you. I really thought I put the fear of God in him before. Who'd have thought Damien would grow a pair? " Peyton exclaimed loudly into her phone. She tapped her long fingernails on top of her desk.
"Don't give him too much credit yet. I'd never seen these photos before last night so I'm thinking he snapped a few pictures either before or after he shot the video. Dammit, I wished I remembered the night more clearly." Haley said as she remembered the amount of alcohol she'd consumed that night and how hung over she was the next morning. She glanced awkwardly over at Chris and Nathan who were seated across the living room from where she was.
"OK, I'm going to revisit the contract and make sure there isn't something else there. Don't answer for any numbers you don't recognize. Meanwhile, I'm going to book you a room at a hotel downtown for you to stay at. I want you as far away from Damien as possible. We do not need any more run ins with him right now!" Peyton lectured.
Haley interjected bluntly, "I don't need a hotel room. I'm staying with Nathan for the time being."
Peyton's eyebrow rose in an arch as she slowly sat erect in her desk chair, "Oh really? You guys are playing house already? Isn't it a little too soon for that?" she questioned in a snotty tone.
Haley suddenly regretted agreeing to Chris' suggestion of conducting her phone call with Peyton over her speakerphone. She shot a glance at Nathan after Peyton's last comment expecting to see his gaze waver but he held it strong.
"I'm going to stay with him until my house is more secure. You don't need to make this into a bigger issue than it needs to be." Haley snapped back her tone of voice more serious than before.
"Haley, don't be stupid yet again. If anything you should probably take a step back from this thing with Nathan until everything quiets down again. You know, I really thought you would have learned from what happened with Damien so you wouldn't make the same mistake again." Peyton countered harshly hoping this might finally do the trick and rid Nathan from Haley's life. Peyton remained on edge since her communication with Dan Scott had decreased to practically nothing over the last few days.
"I did learn something after what happened with Damien. And that is to trust my gut. My relationship with Nathan is not up for discussion." Haley responded quickly.
Chris watched Nathan's knee begin to bounce up and down as Peyton no doubt growing angrier by the second. Chris had experience dealing with Peyton and being stuck in between Peyton and Haley during disagreements. He fought the urge to interject and protect Haley knowing it was now his job to keep Nathan quiet.
He leaned over and spoke quietly in Nathan's ear, "Whatever you're thinking right now just don't do it Nate."
Nathan turned his head and looked back at Chris with a puzzled look. He had been fighting the urge to speak up and make his presence to Peyton known.
"How can you just sit back and do nothing?" Nathan asked back in a gruff voice. He was losing his patience quickly.
Chris simply said, "She's stronger than people give her credit for. She's not going to let Peyton push her around this time."
Nathan nodded in response and the two men focused their attention back on the woman they had in common.
"Peyton, there's nothing more we need to discuss right now. I'll stop over and see you sometime tomorrow. You know how to reach me when you get more information before tomorrow. I'll talk to you later." Haley said into her phone and then promptly ended the call. She let out a big sigh and then tossed her phone beside her on the couch. She looked towards Chris and Nathan.
"God, Peyton can be such a bitch sometimes!" She exclaimed in anger.
"Don't I know it." Chris added with a smile.
"How can she make this out to be like it's your fault?" Nathan asked both of them.
"That's just how Peyton is." Chris answered automatically.
Haley stood up from the couch after a few moments of silence and looked directly at Nathan with conviction.
"I'm not going to let this bullshit consume my whole day and neither should both of you. Do you think Brooke and Lucas are still up to getting together with us tonight?" Haley declared out of the blue referring back to the information Nathan had shared with her earlier.
Nathan decided to follow Haley back to her house so she could pack a bag her for while she stayed with him. He didn't want her alone incase Damien showed up again. There was no saying what he might do and Nathan wasn't taking that chance. Nathan kept himself busy raiding her refrigerator while Haley quickly managed to pack items she thought she'd need over the next week or so. After double checking her bathroom for miscellaneous stuff, she felt satisfied with her packing skills and headed downstairs to retrieve Nathan. Haley turned the corner just in the nick of time to watch Nathan shove entire chocolate chip cookie into his mouth at once.
"Did you leave any food in the cupboards Nathan?"
Nathan's head shot up from the cupboard he'd been digging in and looked right at Haley in surprise.
"Yuuummmpp. I'm sowwrrry I got huungwwry." He mumbled back desperately trying to clear his mouth of food. His embarrassment subsided as Haley's giggles filled the air. He quickly took a swig of the water bottle on the counter to help him finish his bite. It was good to see her smile again after the last 24 hours.
Haley dropped her bag at her feet and sauntered into the kitchen, stopping directly in front of Nathan. She ran her hands up his arms and rested on top of his shoulders. She looked at his boyish grin and then pulled his lips down to hers. He returned her kiss tentatively at first before his hands found their way to Haley's curvy waist.
Reluctantly he pulled away just enough to rest his forehead against hers. He looked deeply into her eyes.
"God, I love you Hales."
"I love you too…even though you just ate my last chocolate chip cookie." She said with a wink.
Dan Scott sat in his living room in his over-sized leather chair contemplating his next move. His heart felt full as he reflected on happy memories while he flipped the page again. He wasn't sure what compelled him to pull out the old photo album when he got home from the office that day. He was surprised by the cracking sounds the book made when he initially opened it. He found himself smiling as he looked at photographs of Nathan as a young boy playing high school basketball. He marveled at how young and innocent Nathan looked in comparison to the aged man he'd grown in to. His eyes ran over a few pages mostly photographs from Nathan's basketball games, shooting around in the driveway at home, and an assortment of shots with Nathan, Lucas and Brooke.
Dan felt his breath catch in his throat when he turned the page again to find his wife's eyes looking back at him. It was the same photograph he'd recently seen at Nathan's house. He found himself thinking back to the months before Deb had killed herself and was instantly lost in his own thoughts. He'd made a point to keep their marital problems from Nathan as best as he could but he knew his son wasn't stupid. Nathan's career in the NBA was the focus and the most important thing in the Scott household. According to Dan at least. Dan would stop at nothing to keep Nathan focused and disciplined to never lose sight of the prize. He was glad Deb had resumed traveling more for her job because the less she was home the less arguments they seemed to have. While she was away on business trips, they communicated mostly through text messages and emails which seemed to be the glue that held their relationship together.
Deb had always been good at keeping up appearances whenever Nathan came home and down playing what turmoil was actually going on between the two of them. Dan blinked quickly hoping the moisture that had pooled in his eyes would go away without a tear actually falling. He had always been jealous of the bond Deb had with Nathan. She connected with him on a level Dan was never able to reach no matter how hard he tried. It seemed the more involved Dan became with Nathan's career the further apart they drifted. He turned the page in the album and found the trip down memory lane come to an abrupt end. It was evident Deb had still been working on collecting memories to store away judging from the empty slots in the back. She'd even designated a page for Nathan's next championship win at Duke never having lost faith in her son. A championship she'd never see him accomplish.
Lucas made his way back to the living room with two cold beers in his hands.
"Another one Nate?" He asked as he held the bottle within Nathan's reach.
Nathan had been watching Brooke and Haley converse back and forth most likely brainstorming Haley's next red carpet dress. Haley made an honest effort to keep Brooke from "working" since she and Nathan arrived at their house for dinner. Once they cleaned up the dining room table Nathan knew it was all over. That's just how Brooke was. Somehow or another she always seemed to get her way when it came to designing clothing. Clearly it was her passion and her gift.
"Thanks man. She's still maintaining a crazy work ethic huh?" Nathan asked trying his best to keep to a tone only Lucas could hear.
Lucas chuckled softly as he nodded his head, "She just never stops. I keep trying to tell her to rest since she's heading overseas in a few days but does she ever listen?"
"Not the Brooke Davis I know and love."
"Roe." Lucas added with a smile making reference to Brooke's married last name as Nathan teased him yet again.
Nathan was grateful for Brooke and Lucas and how spending time with them instantly put his life in perspective. They humbled him and were his connection to his childhood in spite of their similarly successful careers. A life that was honest, pure, care-free and fun.
Brooke's attention shifted from the dress details she'd just recited to Haley to her husband and old friend.
"Are you guys talking about me?" She questioned while raising her right eye brow slightly clearly catching them off guard.
"Only good stuff Pretty Girl." Lucas said using his pet name for her in hopes to keep her happy.
"Don't worry Brooke. You forget I know all your secrets anyhow." Nathan teased before he took a swig of his beer.
Haley chuckled genuinely feeling the weight from earlier in the day lighten. She'd given herself a pep talk while she got ready for dinner earlier. She knew going out was her suggestion and she pushed Nathan to make the plans. She continued to have moments when a wave of panic would hit her and her chest tightened and she felt like she might suffocate. The thought of Damien and what might develop became overwhelming and almost too much to take. Thankfully she'd been able to get through drinks, dinner and dessert without one hitting her. She enjoyed spending time with Lucas and Brooke especially in the comfort of their home. Nathan was relaxed there and she could easily tell how close the trio really was. Surprisingly she hadn't felt like a fourth wheel at all and was touched at how quickly Brooke and Lucas had embraced her as a part of Nathan's life. She knew they were fiercely protective of Nathan's heart.
"Pipe down Scott. I know your dirty secrets too and I've got the pictures to prove it so don't forget!" Brooke shot back at Nathan with a playful grin.
Brooke's laughter matched Lucas as she waited for Nathan's reply. She knew he'd have one however she wasn't used to such delay. Nathan's eyes shot over to Haley with concern. Haley abruptly got up from her spot on the sofa and set her glass on the coaster set out on the table.
"Excuse me." Haley muttered and then took off towards the bathroom down the hall.
Brooke's head turned as she followed Haley's figure flying past her in a rush. She looked back at Nathan with a clear look of confusion on her face.
"Is she ok?" She questioned Nathan with worried eyes.
Nathan sat up from his lounging position on the couch after Haley raced out of the room.
"Yeah she's fine." He answered praying he sounded and looked convincing. It wasn't easy to fool Brooke.
She studied his eyes as she assessed what he'd said. Nathan looked towards Lucas once Brooke turned again to look towards the closed bathroom door with pleading eyes. He offered Nathan a slight head nod in response he understood what he'd been asking.
"Hey, maybe it was your cooking?" Lucas suggested in a teasing tone of voice hoping it'd be enough to distract Brooke's attention. She whipped her head back around and stared her husband down.
Her hands gripped the side of the porcelain sink to steady herself as she stared into the empty wash bowl. Her cheeks slightly dripping from the cold water she'd splashed on her face. Her cheeks felt flushed and instantly she felt beads of sweat along her hair line. Slowly she looked up and studied her face in the mirror. She watched her chest rise and fall rapidly as she fought to regain control of her breathing. She knew if she didn't she might go into a full blown panic attack something she didn't want to do at Brooke and Lucas' house. She reached for a Kleenex and dabbed under her eyes to fix any make up that had run.
"Stop it. You're fine." She said to herself and then took a deep breath allowing her lungs to fully fill with oxygen. She slowly exhaled and began to feel the pounding in her chest soften.
"There was absolutely nothing wrong with my cooking!" Brooke exclaimed.
"I don't know that chicken looked a little funny if you ask me." Lucas added laughing at how easy it was to get his wife riled up.
Brooke tossed a decorative pillow towards her husband, "Shut up!" she said trying her best not to laugh. It was a known fact Brooke wasn't the most accomplished in the kitchen.
"Actually I think it was a margarita Lucas made!" said a new voice out of nowhere.
Nathan eyes widened in surprise as Haley walked back into the room and sat right next to him. He studied her face and waited for a sign as to what had happened to make her rush out of the room. She placed her hand on his knee and gave it a tiny squeeze however couldn't bring herself to look him directly in his eyes.
"What? I make a killer margarita! They're consumed by the pitchers!" Lucas replied somewhat defensively.
"Which is why I had to literally rush to the bathroom to pee." Haley bluntly said in reference to the two glasses she'd consumed causing Brooke and Lucas to break into laughter. It was then she finally looked towards Nathan knowing his crystal blue eyes hadn't left her since she walked into the room. They held each other's gaze for a few seconds as she tried to convince him she was ok. Brooke had begun to tease Lucas about his bartending abilities and Nathan took the open opportunity.
"Hales, you ok?" He whispered in a hushed tone.
"I'm ok for now." was all she said hoping he'd settle for the moment.
Nathan and Haley finally decided to head home around midnight after a fun filled night with Brooke and Lucas. It warmed his heart Haley was able to get along with his best friends so easily. It still amazed him how she fit right into all aspects of his life. Well almost all of them. She had yet to meet Dan Scott something he would put off as long as possible. He definitely didn't even want to think about them meeting until things settled down with Haley knowing she had more than enough to deal with for the moment. He worried one more thing might be the straw that broke the camel's back.
Haley didn't realize how tired she was until she finally crawled into Nathan's bed for the night. It had been an emotionally exhausting day for her and she was glad it was over. As she snuggled into Nathan's chest she reminded herself that he was still there. After confessing her past with Damien, she was scared to death he might up and leave her. But he surprised her yet again. She closed her eyes with contentment as he wrapped his arm around her torso pulling her even closer. The last thing she remembered before drifting off to sleep was Nathan placing a kiss on top of her head.
The next morning Haley woke fairly early and was content with just watching Nathan sleep. She rolled on her side and faced him. Her eyes moved over his muscular upper body as she stopped when she reached his face. She studied the mark underneath his eye…was it a freckle or a birth mark? Before she knew it, her fingers reached out to trace it inevitably waking Nathan from his slumber. He made a groaning sound as he slowly opened his eyes to greet the day.
"I'm sorry I woke you up." Haley said softly as she looked into his sleepy eyes.
A smile spread across his face as she came into focus and then he replied, "I'm not."
Haley leaned forward touched her lips to his gently. Nathan quickly wrapped his right arm around her body and pulled her tighter intensifying their kiss. His tongue flicked her lips begging for entrance several times before she finally gave in. He had no idea what time it was or if either of them would be late for their appointments that day. All he could think of was Haley and making love to her as his lips continued to devour hers. Nathan pulled her body on top of his with ease and moved quickly to rid her of her thin tank top she'd worn to bed. He felt a surge of emotion as her bare skin connected with his chest and he knew right then they'd be busy for a least the next hour making love.
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