Thicker Than Blood
Chapter 36
Sorry for the delay. Words can not express how sorry I am. I've been busy that's all I can say. So I'm proud to announce that this story has been nominated for Best Naley. My other story, Make it Work, was also nominated for the same category. I'm not too sure how these things work, I've never been nominated before for anything, but I'm really thrilled about it and just being nominated. Thank you for reading and check out the website listed below (take out the spaces):
www. onetreehillawards. this-paradise .com
Also check out my new story, "Make it Last" third and most likely last in the "Make it … " series.
I had a bit of a writer's block trying to transition to the next phase of the story. Just a quick recap, Jake and Peyton got back together but Nikki is back. Brooke and Lucas are also back together but Brooke is leaving at the end of the semester. As for Nathan and Haley, you'll find out this chapter. I hope you guys enjoy it. Let's not wait anymore, here it is. Please review!!
. . . .
Jake took sat down against a tree in the quad. He got back to campus late last night and for the first time in his life, he was actually excited to be back at school. This past holiday weekend with Peyton was something he wasn't expecting but everything he could've hoped for. He was looking forward to seeing her before he had to leave later that morning for a basketball game. He looked at his watch and realized just how early he was. He only had one quick class this morning before he and the team had to go on their away game. He had some time before she would arrive and he was eager to hear what happened to her when she went to Tree Hill. She only gave him a vague description of what happened.
Reaching into his bag, he pulled out his notebook and decided to read some notes before going to class. He figured he had nothing else to do other than day dream about Peyton. Damn, he cursed to himself. He really needed to get his mind off her. Smiling, he opened his notebook and started going over his notes.
A few moments later, the sound of leaves rustling distracted Jake from his reading. Glancing up, "Hey.. I've been waiting for you.." Jake smiled.
"I've been waiting too." Nikki said with her arms crossed.
"Nikki.." Jake gritted through his teeth.
"Expecting me huh?" Nikki questioned.
"What the hell are you doing here Nikki? You're stalking me now!" Jake said getting up.
"Jake . ."
"You know that I can call campus security on you for trespassing.."
"Jake, please don't be silly. Look, I just want to talk to you about our daughter."
"Then it should be a quick conversation since, we don't have a daughter but for your information.. me and my daughter are doing just fine."
"Jake.. I'm her mother."
"Ha.. don't remind me… you were never her mother so don't get it twisted." Jake shoved his notebook bag in his bag and was about to storm off but Nikki held his arm.
"She's still my daughter, Jake.. I have rights.."
"Stay away from us!"
"Fine." Nikki said simply.
Jake raised his eyebrow. "What're you pulling Nikki?" Jake as curiously.
"Look.. I said Jake.. as her mother, I have rights .." Nikki stated.
"You.. you wouldn't dare." Jake questioned.
"Look Jake, I'm trying here.. don't push me .. we both can get what we want." Nikki replied.
. . . . .
"You sure you can't come?"
"For the last time Luke, I can't I'm just too swamped." Brooke leaned in against Lucas' chest. They were saying their goodbyes before Lucas had to go away for his basketball game.
"You sure?" Lucas questioned again. "I mean, can't you do your sketches on the bus ride there?"
"You mean that bumpy bus ride with half the squad distracting me.. sorry Luke.. no can't do."
"But Brooke.." Lucas pouted.
"Luke, don't try to guilt me, believe me I want to go .. but I have to get all these sketches to do on top of all the stuff I have to do for school… I'm going to miss you though."
"You promise?"
Brooke laughed. "I promise .. I miss you already.." Brooke said as she leaned up and kissed her once more.
. . . .
"Babe.. I have to go." Nathan said, but it was no point since Haley was still on top of him.
"No.. you're not going anywhere." Haley said as she captured his lips onto hers and then resting her forehead against his.
"Jesus Hales.." Nathan said, as his hands roamed up and down her nude side. "You're wearing me out .. I might not have the strength for the game."
"Well you definitely brought your A-Game last night." Haley smirked as she rubbed her nose against his.
Nathan growled and grabbed her and flipped her around so now that he was on top of her. This past weekend with Haley was more than Nathan ever thought it would be. Not only did he get to profess his love, she loved him back. It also didn't hurt that the sex was hot and even hotter after Nathan gave his little performance.
"I guess I can be a few minutes late." Nathan whispered in her ears, as his mouth traveled down the nave of her neck.
. . . .
Peyton walked with an extra bounce in her step as she rounded the corner to meet up with Jake at the quad. She still couldn't believe everything that happened the past couple of days. Either way, she was glad that she was able to let go of her fears and doubt and tell Jake how she really felt. It was hard, harder than she thought it would be. She was never one to share and she was afraid of sharing Jake with anyone, even if it was with his daughter. It was selfish of her, yes, but she was also scared. She quickly realized that all that didn't matter. Jenny was the cutest little thing and the fact that Jake was there for his daughter endeared him even more. She hated that he had to go away, something that Haley and Brook were probably thinking of themselves.
"Earth to Jake." Peyton waved her hands in front of Jake, shaking him out of whatever daydream he was in.
"Oh hey.." He said quickly and gave her a quick peck on the lips.
"You okay there? You looked zoned out."
"Oh.. a lot on my mind .. with Jenny, school, and the game later." He lied.
"And me?" Peyton tease.
"Oh.. you're always on my mind." He replied with a smile, trying to shake off the bad vibes he got from Nikki.
"Good answer." Peyton replied as she leaned forward and gave him another kiss.
He wrapped his arm around her and the two started to walk.
"So you never did tell me how your little trip to Tree Hill went?"
"Do you think if this whole basketball thing doesn't work out, you can go into dancing?"
"Dancing, what're you talking about?" Jake questioned.
"You like Run DMC right?"
"Yeah.. they're okay.. I'm confused here."
"That's okay.. because I have pictures.." Peyton said as she took out her cell phone.
"Is that… is that Nathan?!"
"Uh hu." Peyton pursed her lips.
"You're cheating on me with Nathan!!"
"What.. no you idiot.. he did this for Haley.. are you okay this morning?"
"Huh.. I'm.. I'm sorry.. I guess I didn't get much sleep last night…. Wait so what happened with Nathan?"
. . . . .
Haley giggled from the bed as she watched Nathan in the mirror.
"What?" He asked.
"You're hopeless, you know that?"
"What, I can tie one of these things." Nathan defended himself.
"That's why it's crooked right?" Haley mocked, as she got up from Nathan's bed. She walked up to him and started to undo his tie. It had been a tradition at Duke that whenever the team had a game either at home or away, the players would get dressed up, wearing shirts and ties. Nathan tried to keep focus, but all he could think about was how sexy his girlfriend looked wearing just one of his Duke basketball shirts. On him, it fit fine but on her petite form, it fell down around the thighs, leaving Nathan to his imagination as to what was underneath.
"Didn't anyone teach you how to put a tie on?" Haley asked, as Nathan tried to take his mind out of the gutter.
"Yeah.. I did."
"I can tell." Haley said sarcastically.
"Hey!" Nathan exclaimed. "But … usually I have Lucas do it for me." He reluctantly admitted.
"Hehe.. figures." Haley joked as she finished tying his tie. "All done… perfect." She proclaimed, straightening it out, then looking up at Nathan who was watching her intently. Damn blue eyes, she cursed to herself.
"No.. you're perfect." Nathan responded, wrapping his arms around her.
"With talk like that.. you might just really be late.." Haley replied as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
Nathan inwardly groaned as he placed his forehead against hers.
"I'm going to miss you, you know." Haley softly whispered.
"Oh I know." Nathan cockily replied back.
"Gee.. I'll miss you too girlfriend."
Nathan laughed. "You know .. I'm going to miss you.."
"Really.. I doubt that."
"Tell you what.. to show how much I'll miss you .. every time I have the ball, I'm going to dribble the ball, that'll let you know I'm thinking about you."
"Aww.. really.." Haley blushed. "Wait.. hold up.. don't you dribble the ball anyway?" Haley broke away from Nathan and gently slapped his shoulder. Nathan laughed harder.
"Fine fine.. everytime I make I basket, it'll be for you."
"That sounds better.. it better be like one of those big points .. don't you get like 7 for a touchdown?"
Nathan shook his head, "Wrong sport Hales.. but for you I'll make a touchdown… I'd do anything for you." He said sincerely as he kissed her once more.
. . . .
"Ohh.. how about Florida?" Peyton asked.
"That's fine." Haley replied. The two were currently at the health clinic on campus. With the semester almost winding down, things weren't that busy. They were in the back lounge, where Peyton was on the computer looking for a vacation spot for the end of the semester while Haley was sprawled out on one of the couches.
"Oh wait.. Jamaica." Peyton said excitedly.
"That's fine." Haley replied again.
"No.. I got it Me-hi-co." Peyton said doing a little dance.
"That's fine.." Haley replied in a monotone voice.
Peyton turned around to her friend and realized that she probably was not listening to a word she was saying.
"Oh look a deal in Anchorage, I'm sure we'll come back with killer tans."
"That's fine.." Haley replied once more.
"Haley! What the hell is wrong with you?"
"Huh, what?"
"Here I am, planning our trip and you're not even listening."
"What.. I'm listening.. Jamaica right."
Peyton shook her head. "That's why you agreed to go to Alaska."
"Alaska?.. I'm sorry.. I'm just distracted.."
"With what? Finals coming up.."
"Nope.. it's that fine boyfriend of hers." Marianne said walking inside the room.
"Aww, Haley.. you miss Nathan.."
"Shut up!" Haley said defensively as she sat up. "Of course I miss Nathan .. I don't miss him."
"That's why you were all mopey yesterday, checking your phone every five seconds to hear from him and when he finally did call, you practically did somersaults in the waiting area." Marianne was quick to point out.
"She was on the phone with him last night, too." Peyton added.
Haley glared at Marianne and then turned to Peyton. "Whatever dude, you were also on the phone with Jake as I recall."
"I was but we weren't making kissy noises on the phone for twenty minutes."
"We were not!"
"Right.. Haley.. we room together and Jake was rooming with Nathan last night.. believe me, we both had trouble sleeping last night." Peyton joked.
"But uhh.. alright fine .. I miss him.. God.. what's wrong with me?" Haley threw her hands up and slunk down on the couch. "I .. I can't breath when I'm around him and when I'm not with him I want to be.. the other day I zoned out in class and all I could do was think about him.." Haley sighed to herself. "God, is this what love is.. messes you up in the head."
"I'd say that's about right." Marianne nodded her head.
"Aww.. my lil Haley is in love." Peyton mocked.
"No.. she's just going through her very first symptom of sex withdrawal." Brooke chimed in from the doorway.
Haley rolled her eyes and blushed.
"Hey Brooke." Peyton called out.
"Hey Brooke.." Marianne greeted.
"Hey guys…" Brooke said, taking a seat next to Haley. "Haley isn't missing Nathan.. Haley's just missing the sex.. believe me.."
"Uh hu.." Both Peyton and Marianne nodded their head.
"Marianne!" Haley exclaimed.
"What? I've been married 25 years.. I've been missing it for .. I don't know.. 25 years.. " Marianne joked and the girls laughed.
"Ew.. ew ew.." Haley got up and covered her ears. "Hey Brooke.. you ready to get going? I think that's my cue to leave."
"Yeah.. let's go.. bye girls." Brooke said getting up.
"I'll see you guys later." Haley said quickly, wanting to get out of there as soon as possible.
"Cold showers Haley.. that's what I do!!" Peyton called out as her and Marianne continued to laugh.
. . . .
Brooke waited at the lobby while Haley went to the lockers to gather her things.
"Can I help you?" A voice called out.
"Oh .. no I'm fine.. I'm just waiting for my friend Haley… speaking of which.. there she is."
"Let's go." Haley said. "Oh hey.. Julie.. I'll see you later." Haley waved off.
"Bye." Julie called out.
"She's new?" Brooke asked as the two stepped outside the building.
"Yeah.. she came in a couple of days ago .. most of the volunteers already left because of finals.. I think she's coming into Duke as a grad student next semester.. either way.. she's been great."
"That's why you and Peyton were slacking off in the back."
"What?.. We weren't slacking.. we were.. hanging out." Haley laughed.
"Yeah.. yeah.. anyways.. you said you needed a favor from me."
"Yeah.." Haley said nervously. "Look.. you can't tell anyone.."
"Oh.. I'm already liking it already."
"Well.. when Nathan gets back.. I want to do something special for him.. I was wondering if you can help me out."
"No problem.. may I ask what's the occasion?"
"This.." Haley said, taking out the day's edition of Duke's newspaper.
Brooke read the section that Haley pointed to:
. . . . Rising star, sophomore Nathan Scott delivered yet another strong performance. One of the highlights of last night's game came when Scott tied the score with a three pointer. Just as quickly, he stole the ball and went for another three and got fouled. All in all, in about twenty seconds of play, Scott managed to score an amazing seven points alone. When asked about the power play, Scott shrugged it off and replied, "Just trying to score a touchdown." . . . .
"Umm I don't get it."
"Nevermind.. give me that back." Haley took the paper from Brooke.
"Well, what did you have in mind?"
"Um.. that's where you come in."
Brooke rubbed her hands excitedly. "Oh, this is going to be fun."
What did I get myself into? Haley thought to herself.
. . . .
"Cold showers Haley.. that's what I do!!" Peyton called out as her and Marianne continued to laugh. Marianne waited until Haley was out of earshot. She turned to Peyton.
"So I got some news for you.. I'll need your help."
"Oh what happened?"
"I spoke to Lydia.. Haley's mother .. apparently she feels bad about the whole mess with Thanksgiving so her and Haley's dad are taking a detour to Duke."
"Wait, so Haley's parents are coming here?"
"Yep.. they wanted it to be a surprise.. so I gave them your number.. and they're going to call you."
"Aww.. that's nice.. Haley will like that, I knew she was looking forward to seeing her folks."
"Great.. anyways.. I gotta get going." Marianne got up and headed back to the front.
"Is there anything else you need?" Julie asked.
"No, Julie .. thanks.. you've been a great."
"You're welcome.. I really enjoy working here."
"And we're happy to have you." Marianne gave the young woman a smile. "It's not busy.. why don't you go.. Peyton and I can close up."
"Sure?"
"Yeah."
".. okay thanks." Julie said taking off. A short time later, Julie gathered her things and stepped outside the building.
Ring Ring
"Hello." Julie said picking up her phone.
"Jules.. how are things going?"
"Everything is good, Mr. Scott.. I'm on top of it."
"Good.. keep me posted." Dan Scott smirked as he put his cell phone back in his pocket.
To Be Continued . . . .
Like I said in previous chapters, there is a little drama ahead for Naley and I hope this chapter shows you the true villain in all this, like it wasn't a surprise, hehe. Now that the cloud has been lifted and this chapter is over, I can get this story going once more. Next chapter should be fun, I've had it on my mind for months now. i'll try to update again this Sunday, depending on feedback. Please vote and please review!!