Chapter 37

Advice From The People We Love

Her conversation with Rachel had not done much to dispel her worries, in fact it actually had made things worse. Could Rachel be right, was Nathan actually cheating on her and she was absolutely clueless about it. Haley felt like she was losing her mind, she was on the ledged and she needed someone to pull her to safety and quick and there was only one person who could make her think rationally at times like this. Wiping her face one again of the tears that wouldn't seem to stop she drove herself to Brooke's house knowing that she could help her through anything .

-

"Stop it Lucas!", Brooke screamed as he tickled her to death.

They were currently spending the afternoon getting to know each other better and just having a relaxed day enjoying each other's company.

"I'll stop if you admit that Batman can kick Spiderman's ass any day", he laughed.

"No she screamed. I'm telling you Spiderman would use his spidey senses and deadly webs to wrap batman up, besides isn't batman gay?"

"Gay?, he asked., why would you say that?"

"Because, she yelled while Luke continued to tickle her. What superhero do you know who needs a sidekick aka robin. I'm telling you Luke, their lovers", she laughed.

"Lovers? Ok you have official ruined my love for batman, he feigned upset. I can't like gay superheroes", he pouted.

"Why, I figured their just your type", she joked hopping from the bed away from the inevitable tickling attack Lucas was going to give her again.

Laughing at her behavior, Luke couldn't help but think how adorable she was with her childish antics, she had the ability to bring out a playfulness in him that he didn't even know he possessed. Getting up from the bed he pinned Brooke against the wall with his body threatening to tickle her again if she didn't take the gay batman comment back.

"Take it back", he said.

"And if I don't?", she staring him in his beautiful eyes.

"Well then I can't date you anymore", he threatened trying to hide his smile.

"You mean all I had to do to get you to leave me alone was call your favorite superhero gay?", she asked.

Lucas nodded his head.

"Damn it, she said. I should have thought of this weeks ago."

Lucas look at her hurt that she felt this way until he heard the laughter spilling from her lips.

"Oh my God!, she laughed. You should have seen your face."

"That's not funny Brooke", he said.

"It is, you're so easy."

"I'm easy?, he questioned.

"Yep", she said proudly.

"Let me show you how easy I am", he said crashing their lips together in a heated kiss.

Brooke pushed him away immediately looking him in the eye.

"Did I tell you to kiss me?", she smiled.

"I didn't think you needed to", he laughed once again connecting their lips in a slow sensual kiss.

Kissing Lucas was great, Brooke had kissed plenty of guys but none of them could even compare to the way Lucas kissed. The way he held her face with his hands and the soft caresses of his tongue massaging hers was enough to drive her crazy. Brooke and Lucas suddenly broke apart hearing a upset Haley calling out.

"Brooke!, she screamed. Where are you?"

"In here Hales", she called out.

Walking into the bedroom it was clear to Haley that she had interrupted something and she immediately apologized.

"I'm so sorry, she said. I had no idea you had company. Hey Lucas", she spoke.

"Hey Haley", he responded.

It was very clear to both Lucas and Brooke that Haley was upset and had been crying, they both wondered why she looked so unhappy in one of the most exciting periods in her life, it least it should have been. Her and Nathan were still newlyweds what could she possibly be sad about.

"Hey Luke, can I have a moment with her alone?, Brooke asked. You can just wait in the family room I'll be there soon."

Sensing Haley needed Brooke longer then a few minutes he decided to tell Brooke he would catch up with her later.

"Umm you know what Brooke, I have to run to the office for a while so I'll see you later."

"Are you sure?", she asked.

"Yeah, he said pecking her on the lips. I'll let you guys talk. See you Haley" ,he said leaving.

"Bye Lucas", she softly replied.

"Ok, what's wrong ?", Brooke asked walking them over to the bed.

"I don't know, she answered. It's Nathan, he's being so distant and I don't know what to do Brooke, he's different. "

"I don't understand sweetie, I thought things were going good, you were happy."

" It was ,we were happy, I was happy ,but now I don't know", she said.

"Did you try talking to him about it?"

"Yeah but that's the thing he won't tell me anything, he just acts like everything is perfectly fine and nothing's wrong", she cried.

"Try again, Brooke told her. Don't give me any excuses tutorgirl, you're strong, you can get through anything. Make him talk to you even if you have to yell to get your point across, make sure he understands that your marriage depends on honesty and if he can't be honest with you, you guys marriage doesn't stand a chance, because without honesty sweetie you have nothing."

"I'm scared to hear the truth, Haley admitted. What if he says he realized he doesn't love me or he's cheating on me. I had this conversation with some girl I met earlier and she said that he probably was."

"Ok first, Nathan does love you, second ,he would not cheat on you and third, I don't care what that girl said, she doesn't know you or Nathan so she hardly can say what either of you would do, do you understand me?", Brooke asked wiping tears from Haley's eyes.

"Yes, Haley whispered. I'm just really tired, can I stay here for a while and rest?", she asked Brooke.

"You know you can sweetie, Brooke told her helping her lay in the bed. Hales you can stay but you have to talk to him soon ok."

"Ok", she agreed closing her eyes sleep coming to her easily.

Covering Haley's small frame with a blanket, Brooke looked worriedly at her friend praying that things would workout and her and Nathan could resolve things. Haley deserved some peace and security for once in her life and she hoped with all of her heart that Nathan could provide it for her.

-

Lucas knocked on his brother's office door for a minute receiving no answer. He knew he was in there because Nate's secretary had informed him that he was. Opening the door Lucas saw his brother staring blankly at the wall looking zombie like.

"Nate?", he called.

Turning to Lucas with the same blank expression he remained absolutely silent.

"What's going on little brother?, he asked concerned. First Haley, now you. What happened?"

"You've seen Haley?", Nathan asked.

"Yeah, she came to see Brooke and she was upset, she looked like she had been crying", he told his brother.

"We had an argument", Nathan said looking back at the wall.

"About?"

"Nothing, he answered, just me being asshole to my wife".

"Stop being an asshole then!", Lucas scolded his brother.

Nathan was already upset enough with himself for mistreating Haley, the last thing he needed now was Lucas telling him what to do.

"I'm handling it, he snapped at Luke. When I get home from work tonight I'll apologize, grovel ,whatever I have to do to get her to forgive me , alright. I love her man, I don't want to ruin things."

"I hope you mean that Nate. I know I'm the last person who should be giving relationship advice but I know she's the best thing that ever happened to you, don't blow it because of something stupid. If there is something going on, tell her or you'll live to regret it", Lucas said.

"What if the thing I have to tell her could potentially destroy her, destroy us, then what?", he looked sadly to his brother.

Nate what happened?, I've never seen you like this man."

"If I tell you what's wrong it stays between us , got it."

"Nate", he blew out a frustrated breath.

"No Lucas, do you get it. This doesn't leave the room."

"Fine , he agreed. What did you do?"

"I slept with Rachel", he choked out to Luke his own words making him sick.

"What!", Lucas yelled. What do you mean you slept with Rachel, your ex girlfriend Rachel. What the hell is wrong with you Nate!?"

"I know, I fucked up, I was drunk man. I swear I don't even remember."

"Nate, Haley's not going to forgive this", he sadly told his brother.

"I know, I'm going to lose her". That's not even all of it, he told a surprised looking Luke.

"There's more?"

"Yeah, Dad knows and he's using it to blackmail me."

"Blackmail you?"

"Yeah, there's a tape of Rachel and I when we were together, he has it."

" How did that happen?, Luke questioned more to himself then Nathan.What does he want?", Luke asked.

"The company. Apparently as Haley's husband I stand to inherit some shares of the company, he wants them so he can have majority shares and control, he can have that if I give him my shares."

"Don't do it Nate, Luke said shocking his brother. We'll find a way around it so you can keep the shares and Haley ,but Nate you have to tell your wife the entire truth."

"I'll lose her, I'm scared", he admitted.

"Nate I know this scares you, but if you lose Haley could you really live with costing her the company as well?"

"No, he spoke softly. I can't do that to her."

"Look at me Nate, he ordered. We'll get through this together as brothers. I'll try to help you make Haley understand, I got your back for life little bro, ok."

"Thanks Luke, he answered. It's nice to have my brother back", he smiled.

The two brothers sat together peacefully not a word spoken ,for the first time in years finally learning to co exist and realize all they had in this world was each other and the ones they loved, things would work out for the best.