AN: Thanks for the reviews last chapter. I'm sorry about the wait. School is a bitch right now. I have so many exams and projects due at the moment. There are a few scenes from the show that I love in this chapter. I hope you enjoy!

Quote of the Day:

Peyton: If I came back for Lucas, then why did you come back?
Brooke: Duh, for Lucas. Game on, bitch!

Chapter Thirty Eight –The Trouble With Love Is

Nathan sat on the sofa next to Lucas playing NBA live. Chase was on the floor drumming his hands on the ground and Vegas was waiting for his turn to play. Skills was currently reading some magazine article out loud. He didn't know how tonight happened. One second he's kissing Haley and then the next the girls are planning a night out without them. That's right, NO men allowed. Tonight sucked. All he wanted was his girlfriend in his arms. It was bad enough that he had been busy with school lately. They had hardly spent time together all week. And since she had given her a key to his place last week he expected her to be here more not less.

"God, you guys are gay," Lucas muttered.

Skills smirked. "Peyton wasn't saying that last night!"

Tim laughed. "Yeah and she –"

"Shut up, Tim," Nathan stated while glaring at him. Lucas tossed the remote over at Skills for his comment about Peyton and all the guys laughed.

"This girl is fiiine," Skills commented as he held up the magazine.

"Just read the damn quiz!"

"Please, so he can shut up!" Chase demanded. He if had to listen to Tim Smith all night he was surely going to hurt someone. This is so not how this night was supposed to be. He was supposed to be with Lindsey right now but Brooke just had to open her mouth about a girl's night.

Lucas snorted. "Read, but it's totally gay."

"Nah," Tim smiled shaking his head. "Now ask me the next question."

"What the hell are you reading?" Nathan asked looking up from the TV. Skills held up the magazine in his hands. Nathan instantly knew that it was for Haley. "Dude, that's for my girlfriend."

"Haley reads Cosmo Girl?" Lucas chuckled.

"Yeah, dude, shut up," Nathan mumbled while glaring at him.

"When your boyfriend kisses you, he a: looks deeply into your eyes, b: closes his eyes, c: cradles your head softly, d: unhooks your bra."

Nathan chuckled. What the hell were these guys reading? He glanced over and noticed Tim with his eyes closed and thinking. All the guys started laughing while looking at him.

"It's D, it's definitely D. You go for the bra," Tim answered.

Chase busted out laughing. "Tim Smith, ladies and gentlemen."

"Now, Tim, you realize you're supposed to be answering as a girl?" Nathan questioned as he paused the game. Of course, Tim was Tim. He lived in his own little world. Nathan watched as Skills shook his head.

"That boy don't know where his heads at," Skills stated while flipping through the magazine. "Damn, this girl is fucking sexy."

"I know, and I'd want a boyfriend who isn't afraid to go under my shirt!" Tim explained.

"You would," Vegas mumbled.

"And hopefully someday you'll find him," Lucas declared while shaking his head.

"She's got to be a blonde, though," Tim smiled.

"Keep dreaming," Chase said looking back him.

Lucas nodded. "You'll be lucky if you can get any girl."

"With big boobs," Tim added with a dreamy smile.

"Seriously, dude, keep dreaming," Chase stated while standing up. "I need a beer."

"What about that girl Tiffany? Wasn't she into you?" Skills asked. "I saw her at that party last weekend trying to talk to you. Didn't you say you hooked up with her?"

"He did not," Vegas chuckled.

"Did, too!"

"She wanted Nathan's number," Vegas revealed.

"Dude," Nathan chuckled. "I never got that message!"

"Wait is this the brunette with the huge rack? The one that comes to all of the games and wears Nathan's jersey?" Lucas asked looking around.

Vegas nodded. "Yep, she was hitting Tim up for info on twenty three."

"And you said you hit it," Skills mumbled shaking his head.

"I'm –I'm still working on it," Tim stammered.

Nathan glanced at him. "Dude, that girl is gone. She's crazy. If I were you I'd stay the hell away from her."

"Or you can hit it then stay the hell away from her," Vegas suggested.

"There's always that," Skills nodded.

"Or you can get an actual girlfriend. Seriously, Tim, we're not kids anymore. It's time to grow up and get serious with someone. I'm sure that there is a nice girl out there somewhere for you. And no, not the one that is apparently stalking me," Nathan said looking at him.

"Dude, you're the only one in the room without a girlfriend," Lucas pointed out.

"More girls for me," Tim smiled brightly.

Nathan shook his head as his attention went back to the game. Tim was the only one in the room without a girlfriend. Skills had Bevin, Lucas had Peyton, Chase had Lindsey, and Vegas and Brooke were sort of dating. At least, that's what Haley told him a couple of days ago. Apparently his talk with Vegas worked and the guy went for it. He knew one thing. He had never seen Brooke so happy. It was really good to see her like that. It only made it better that Haley was really happy about it.

They continued to play the game and eventually he won. Lucas cursed him and tossed the controller to Vegas and they started another game. He glanced at the clock and noticed that it had only been an hour in a half. He sighed. It felt like forever ago that the girls left. It didn't help matters with what Haley was wearing when she left. He closed his eyes just thinking about her and when he opened them Vegas was suddenly beating him. He took a deep breath before focusing on the game.

"What do you think Brooke's doing?" Vegas asked.

"Or who?" Skills joked.

Vegas punched him in the arm. "Not funny!"

"Sorry, man," Skills chuckled.

"Their just dancing," Nathan explained while keeping his eyes focused on the TV.

Chase scoffed. "Lord knows what kinds of guys are all over them!"

"Bevin knows better," Skills announced.

Lucas chuckled. "I'm sure she does. I don't have to worry about Peyton. She hates dancing."

"Damn it, Lindsey loves to dance," Chase shouted while looking irritably at the TV.

Vegas looked like he was going to be sick. "What if –what if they are like dancing all over guys and stuff?"

"I told you girls night out was a bad idea!"

"Lucas, shut it. You're the one that was being all clingy on Peyton," Skills smiled. Vegas chuckled and Lucas glared at him.

"At least, I wasn't begging Brooke not to go," Lucas shot back at Vegas.

"This is why I don't have a girlfriend," Tim chimed in.

"Right," Lucas snarled.

"Guys, relax. They're just dancing," Nathan said smiling.

"You're right," Chase nodded. "You are right, right?"

"Yes," Nathan nodded. At least, he thought that he was right. This was the first night that Haley had gone out without him. She was just having fun with her friends. He didn't need to be worried. There was no way that she would let some idiot dance all over her. Haley wasn't like that. He had nothing to worry about. Still the thought of another guy dancing all over her made his stomachs do flip-flops. It was nothing. The guys were just making him anxious. Once he saw her then he would be fine.

"Yeah, I'm going to need to see," Vegas stated while standing up.

"I agree," Skills stood up as well.

"I guess this means were going out," Lucas chuckled while looking at the two of them.

"Sweet," Tim cheered.

Nathan glanced up at Lucas. "Dude, we can't go. They're going to think that we don't trust them and I trust Haley. I have nothing to worry about. Let's just relax and play the game."

"I trust Peyton, too," Lucas shrugged looking at the rest of the guys.

"I'll call you from the club," Chase said smiling at the two of them.

"Well if they're going, then I'm going. I miss Peyton," Lucas stated while standing up and walking over to the rest of the guys standing.

He looked up at all of the guys. Yeah, he wanted to go. He wanted to see Haley so bad at the moment. Without a second thought he stood up and watched as Tim started straying himself with something. Once he got close enough he glared at Tim.

"Dude, that's perfume," Vegas muttered walking away from him.

"This is Nathan's," Tim replied looking at the bottle.

Lucas covered his nose with his shirt. "Dim, you smell like a girl."

"That's for Haley you idiot," Nathan mumbled while snatching the bottle from his hands. He walked over to his room and placed her perfume on the dresser before changing his shirt. He checked himself in the mirror before walking out. He closed his room door before joining the rest of the guys in the living room.

"Where did they go?"

"Bevin told me," Skills smiled. "We'll take Nathan's car. Let's go!"

"Peyton's going to kick my ass," Lucas muttered under his breath as he followed Skills out. Nathan waited until all the guys were out before shutting off the lights and locking the door. Once he was done he walked towards the parking lot.

"Dude, smell me," Tim smiled as he walked next to Nathan. He held out his shirt and sniffed it before moving closer to Nathan.

"Dude, kiss my ass," Nathan mumbled before walking away. He made it to the car and got in and waited for everyone else. He drove off slowly. The girls did want a night out for themselves and here they were about to ruin it. He prayed the whole way there that Haley wouldn't be pissed at him. The last thing he wanted her to think was that he didn't trust her. He didn't trust any guy around her, but he did trust her.

Haley relaxed herself as she stood at the bar with all the girls. Brooke ordered a round of shots and it was a few seconds later that the shot glass was pushed in front of her. What the heck, she did promise to come and have a good time. She held the shot glass in her hands before turning her attention to Brooke.

"All right, Ladies, bring it in," Brooke announced. "It's been way too long since we've been out like this. First it was Haley attached to Jake's hip and then it was Lindsey to Chase and now its Peyton attached to Lucas and Haley to Nathan and –"

"Brooke to Vegas," Lindsey retorted.

"Correct," Brooke smiled. "Here's to fun with friends and to me!"

"Why to you?" Peyton asked.

"Because," Brooke answered as she held up her shot glass.

"Because why?"

"Because I said so," Brooke smiled sweetly at Peyton. "Now, drink up, Goldilocks."

"I guess one shot won't kill us, huh?" Haley mumbled over to Lindsey. They looked at each other before downing the shot. Haley quickly made a face. It wasn't good. "Maybe it will. Brooke, what was that?"

"Freakin' gross," Peyton said placing the shot glass down hard.

Bevin smiled. "I like it!"

"I wanted something that would remind everyone of me, so they mixed their most popular liquor with their sweetest. The bartender did name it a "Brooke Davis". Isn't that right?" Brooke asked smiling sweetly at the bartender.

"Actually, I think you named it that. I call it tequila and grenadine."

"Whatever," Brooke smiled before looking away. "Let's dance."

"Actually, I'm going to find us a seat," Haley objected as she pointed to the tables in the back. The place was packed and people were dancing everywhere. The music was loud and she could barely hear over it.

"No way," Lindsey shook her head. "You can't leave me with her."

"B. Davis, slow down," Peyton giggled as Brooke started dancing in front of her. Brooke laughed before shaking her head.

"You know you want me, P. Sawyer," Brooke smiled wickedly.

"Maybe, after a few more drinks! We'll see."

"Your loss," Brooke shrugged. "Tutor girl, you can not just go and sit down. You have to dance with me! Get your ass on the dance floor now!"

Haley pouted. "But I want to –"

"Don't you dare say it," Brooke warned her. "I don't care if you miss him and want to go home. Let's have some fun for once. It's been forever since we did this just us. Gosh, live for once."

"Fine," Haley muttered reaching for Lindsey's hand. "Don't leave me." She missed Nathan and wanted to go home to him. It was Brooke's idea to come out tonight. She had been so busy with school that she felt like her and Nathan hadn't really spent that much time together in the last week. She sighed as Lindsey pulled on her arm.

"Don't leave me," Lindsey giggled as they made their way through the dance floor. People parted as they passed and Brooke didn't stop until they made it to the center of the dance floor. Before Haley knew it they were dancing and having a good time.

Nathan followed the guys inside of the club that Skills had dragged them to. He glanced around and noticed full of people. Some of them he recognized and some of them he didn't. It was the first time he had been here, so he took a good look around. He didn't see her and he glanced at the guys to see if any of them noticed their girls.

"They have to be here," Skills shouted over the music.

Tim started to walk off. "I'm gonna mingle."

"You do that," Chase chuckled.

"Idiot," Lucas muttered. "Good luck!"

"I don't need it," Tim smiled before walking off onto the dance floor.

Nathan shook his head as he watched him go. He glanced around again. Still no Haley. He didn't like this place. Guys were everywhere he looked. A lot of girls were there too but that didn't matter. Just the thought of these guys watching her dance had his blood boiling. He noticed the bar and tapped on Lucas shoulder.

"I'm going to get a drink."

"I'll come with."

"Me, too."

"I'm going find my Shorty. Look at all the guys in here. Girls night out my ass," Skills mumbled as he took off. He glanced both ways before taking off to the right.

At the bar he ordered a beer and waited while the guy turned and got it. He waited until they all had their drinks before handing the guy the money and turning around to face the dance floor. It was full of girls dancing. He quickly looked over them to see if any of them were Haley.

"We can still leave," Nathan suggested.

Lucas nodded. "We could."

"But we won't," Chase smiled before pointing. "Found them. Well, Vegas found them."

Nathan looked in the direction that Chase was pointing in. Sure enough, Vegas was dancing all over Brooke and the two seemed happy. To the side of them were Lindsey and Peyton dancing with each other. It was only then that he noticed Haley. She was just a few feet away from them dancing with some guy. He felt his jaw tighten and his fists clench. Who the fuck was this guy?

The little black haired punk was facing the other way and Haley was laughing. The song changed and it was then that the guy put his hands on Haley's waist before moving closer to her. They were dancing close together and it was putting him on edge. Their bodies were practically grinding into each others. Well, they weren't that close. He would have done stormed the dance floor if that was the case. His eyes stayed glued to them watching her have fun with another man. It was killing him.

Chase and Lucas started talking about some stupid baseball game. He could barely hear them he was so focused on watching Haley and that jerk dancing. Of course, they were laughing and talking. Their girlfriends weren't grinding up on some idiot that was about to get his ass kicked.

"So the guy pitches a no hitter," Chase finished.

"Wow."

"I can't believe you missed it. It was amazing. It was like the perfect game," Chase continued.

"I'm sure I'll catch the highlights," Lucas muttered.

"I taped it if you want to watch it."

"Cool."

"You want to go dance with the girls?"

"Sure."

"Coming, Nate?"

"No," Nathan answered while still glaring at the dance floor.

"See ya later, dude."

"You guys can find another ride home, right?" Nathan asked tearing his eyes away from Haley. He looked at Lucas who nodded. "Good."

"You leaving?" Chase asked.

He nodded before looking back at the dance floor with a scowl on his face. They were still dancing together and every part of him wanted to hurt the guy. He took his beer and drank the remainder of it before placing it on the bar.

"You want another one, man?"

"I'm good thanks," Nathan muttered before facing the dance floor again. His eyes found her body and he watched as she swayed with that other guy. He noticed his hands still hadn't moved from her waist and he clenched his fists. She was his. Nobody else should be touching her. He knew how possessive that sounded but hell he didn't care. His hands should be the one holding her hips as they danced. That should be him out there with her.

He should be the one making her laugh.

If he went out there now he knew that he would just say something smart and be angry with her. He didn't want that. He didn't want to fight. Going home was the best thing. He could cool off before he talked to her. That way he wouldn't say something that he would regret.

It was then that her eyes finally found his and she smiled. She smiled. He kept his eyes on her for a second before looking down and walking away. He couldn't talk to her now that she had seen him. He made his way towards the exist of the club. Before he made it to the door she pulled on his elbow until he turned to face her.

"What was that about?"

"I could ask you the same thing," Nathan stated while looking at her.

"What are you doing here?" Haley asked while locking eyes with him. "I thought you said it was ok that I go out with the girls."

"Who the hell was that guy dancing all over you?" Nathan asked angrily.

"What," Haley asked shaking her head, "…are you talking about?"

"The guy with his fucking hands all over you! All the guys were freaking out and I was cool because there was no fucking way that you would let some idiot put his hands on you! Guess the jokes on me!" Nathan seethed.

"Randy?" Haley asked.

"Whatever, I'm leaving. I'm sure you'll have fun with Randolph," Nathan muttered.

"It's Randy," Haley corrected. "And what the hell is your problem? Why are you being like this? We were just dancing!"

"Looked like a hell of a lot more than dancing to me," Nathan retorted.

"Then you're an idiot," Haley stated while crossing her arms over her chest.

"Me?" Nathan laughed. "Don't think you'd be saying that if you found me dancing with some random girl! A girl asked me to dance when we got here. If I had known that you were practically having sex with Randall then I would have gladly taken the offer."

"Maybe you can still catch her," Haley said looking away.

He grimaced. "Maybe I will."

"You're a jerk," Haley stated while glaring up at him.

"Whatever, I'm going home. Have fun with the girls and Rudolph."

"Fine," Haley muttered. "Just so you know Randy came with his boyfriend Michael. If you had asked instead of jumping to conclusions, then I would have told you. But you go ahead and be a jerk. I'm going to go dance and have fun."

"Whatever." He turned and walked away with his fists still clenched. He stormed out of the club as fast as he could. He made his way through the parking lot in a fury. He wasn't that guy. He couldn't believe that he had talked to her like that. She should have slapped him. She should have told him to go to hell. What if she leaves you?

The thought alone had his whole being enraged.

He was such an idiot. The guy was barely touching her and they weren't even that close. His mouth was in a hard line by the time he made it to his car. He stood next to it for minutes just thinking about what an idiot he had been. He knew coming was a bad idea.

Before he knew it his fists were slamming into the side of his car hard. All of his anger and frustration coming out with each punch. After a few hits his hand started to really hurt and he pulled it into the other one. Pain was shooting through him. He glanced down and noticed his knuckles red.

It was a second later that he felt her soft hand on his. She pulled his hand to her examining it. Her eyes looked over it before she brought it to her mouth and kissed his palm. She then turned it over and kissed each of his red knuckles before looking up at him. She had tears in her eyes and that hurt him more than his hand at the moment.

"I'm sorry," Nathan mumbled before leaning down and crushing his lips into hers. It was a fiery kiss and he brought his hands up to hold her face to his. He shoved his tongue into her mouth needing to feel her. Their kiss only grew more heated and he quickly pulled away before he lost himself in her. "I didn't mean it."

"I know," Haley nodded.

"The guys were just talking about guys dancing all over you and I just lost it when I seen him touching you, ok. I'm sorry that I came," Nathan muttered before looking down.

"Let's go home," Haley stated while opening the car door.

"No," Nathan shook his head. "You stay. Go have fun. I didn't mean to ruin your night."

"You didn't."

"Well, I know I'm a world-class jerk but go enjoy your night out with your friends," Nathan said with a half smile.

"You're not a jerk, Nathan. You're the sweetest guy I've ever known," Haley smiled as she laced their fingers together. "And I love you."

"Even though I'm an idiot?" Nathan asked.

"Yep," Haley nodded with a playful smile. "He's one of Brooke's friends that she met in one of her designing classes. Didn't you see the way he was dressed?"

Nathan frowned. "I was more worried about his hands on your hips."

"Right," Haley laughed. "Are we ok?"

"Of course," Nathan nodded. "I really am sorry. I shouldn't have come, I know that."

"I'm glad you did."

"Even with the whole argument back there?"

"Well…I didn't like that," Haley muttered shaking her head. "But I did miss you."

"Yeah?"

"Uh-huh," Haley nodded. "You know, seeing you jealous like that is kind of a turn on. I'm a little hot right now."

"Really?" Nathan asked smirking.

"Yep," Haley smiled seductively. She licked her lips as she tugged on his shirt to bring him closer to her. "I think you should take me home now." His mouth was just inches away from hers.

He swallowed the lump in his throat. "Uh-huh." She kissed him hard before pulling away and getting into the car quickly. He stood there for a second dazed before jumping into the car and taking off. He drove home as fast as he could without breaking the law. Once they reached the apartment door he quickly opened it and let her inside. She smiled over her shoulder as she made it down the hall and turned the corner. He smiled as he started following her. He couldn't believe that after acting like an idiot towards her, she still wanted him. He wasn't going to complain. He wanted her just as much as he wanted him.

His heart was nearly leaping out of his chest as he made it to his room. He walked inside and noticed her sitting at the edge of the bed. One look at her and everything inside of him was melting. Without a second thought he lifted his shirt over his head before tossing it to the ground. He took a few steps closer to her.

"I want you."

"God, I love you," Haley said breathlessly. His lips met hers a second later as he pushed her body fully onto the bed. They moved until her head hit the pillow. He kissed her tenderly as his hand came up to her cheek and caressed it. His anger from early was completely gone. Dissolved. It was as of nothing happened. He kissed her with everything in him and before he knew it he was falling again. Being with Haley had always been an amazing experience. He didn't know how, but each time he fell more in love her.