AN: Hey everyone! Thanks as always for everything, your feedback means the
world to me. Hope you like this chapter, this is for the Naley lovers.
Disclaimer: Nope, still don't own anything.
Description: Haley and Ryan have a real heart to heart, and Haley talks with another certain someone that we all know and love.
Temptations: by grace
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Haley didn't know how long she had been sitting on the counter in her bathroom, but by the time she looked up, her face was pale and her eyes were bloodshot.
Come on, James. You are not going to let Nathan get to you. You go out there and have fun. Don't let some guy mess with your head. You've already learned that lesson.
Determined, she stood and got ready for her date. By the time she had showered, dressed (a cute pair of capris and a white halter, and adorable black stilettos), tousled her hair and did her makeup, Haley James was looking fabulous.
Which is exactly what Ryan said when he showed up on her doorstep with a bouquet of wildflowers for Haley. They stood there for a minute, like teenagers on a first date, until Haley remembered her manners and invited him in.
They had just reached the kitchen when someone knocked on the front door. Haley spun, an odd sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. Not now...
But there he stood, looking great in a white button-down that complemented his already great tan, his brown eyes were wide and hopeful.
"Hey Hales. Wow, you look great."
"Thanks," She said uncomfortably. There were footsteps behind her and she winced as she imagined how it must look. She turned to look at Ryan, who was surveying Nathan with somewhat of an apprehensive look. Nathan just looked confused, maybe a little defiant.
"Who's this, Haley?" Nathan asked.
"This is my date, Ryan." She watched Nathan, daring him to say something. When he opened his mouth again, though, Haley found that she didn't want to hear it. She pushed past Nathan and grabbed Ryan's hand on her way out.
"Haley..."Nathan called after her. Haley ignored him, and jumped in the front seat of her car. As soon as Ryan had shut the door she peeled out of the driveway, and raced down the road, not stopping until she had run three red lights and had come up to a great little hill. She stopped suddenly and pulled over to the side of the road, and laid her forehead on the steering wheel. Ryan watched her, looking concerned and somewhat scared.
"Haley, what's wrong? Who was that guy?"
Haley sighed.
"Remember that guy I told you about? The one I just got out of a really bad relationship with? Well that was him."
"Oh." It was quiet for a minute, in which time they both surveyed the sunset that was glowing over them, warming their skin. "What happened? If you don't mind me asking...?"
Haley sighed. She had mulled it over so many times that the words that poured from her mouth were robotic. As she told her story, she watched as Ryan listened carefully, his lean body outlined in the rising moonlight.
"...So then the next week I moved in with Peyton and Brooke, and here I am." She finished dully. Ryan gave her a small smile.
"Wow. Well, he's an ass," Said Ryan. "He's not worth your time."
Haley leaned back and let her head rest against the seat, feeling the breeze across her neck, and staring up at the stars. Ryan leaned back with her, reclining his seat too so that they were both on their backs, looking up at the starry sky.
"Ryan, why do guys do that sort of thing? I mean, it seems like everywhere I go now, there's a guy that's being an ass. It seems like the guys that are actually normal are few and far between." She looked over at Ryan. "Are you sure you don't have a girlfriend? Because you are too good to be true."
Ryan shook his head and chuckled.
"Nope, I'm a bonafide bachelor, as crazy as it is." There was a slight pause, as if he was unsure of how to continue. "Haley, I know you are hurt, but not all guys are bad. Sometimes the best kind of guys are the kind that you haven't really noticed before. Something that isn't as obvious but it worth the effort, you know? Don't let one guy make a bad name for the rest of us."
Haley nodded.
"And sometimes...I know it may seem impossible now...but sometimes you just need to forgive and forget. Some guys make mistakes, but are generally good guys. It's up to you to make that call." He saw the confused look on her face and smiled comfortingly. "Don't worry, you will work it out."
"You're not a bad guy." She said, just the hint of tears in her eyes. He reached out and wiped a stray tear away, a pained look on his face.
"Don't cry, Haley. You're too beautiful to cry."
"Thanks." She smiled. "You know what? You're right. I didn't get dressed up for nothing. Let's go have some fun."
Ryan smiled.
"Okay, but I'm driving."
She obliged, and soon they were racing off into the darkness.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Thanks, Ryan, I had a great time." Said Haley a few hours later. She was carrying her stilettos in one hand, and was holding Ryan's hand with the other. They stopped if front of her door and she looked up at him. The space between them closed a bit, until they were almost touching. "I'm sure you don't get girls crying over their exes on a second date very often." She said, feeling quite stupid.
He shrugged.
"Don't worry about it, Haley, I don't mind. Just feel better, okay? Maybe we can meet up tomorrow afternoon? I'm thinking a game of beach volleyball. Good?"
"Great." She stood on tiptoe and kissed him softly. He pulled her swiftly into a more passionate kiss. Haley got shivers down her spine and her fingers were tingling. She stepped away from him a minute later, and slipped in her front door with one last sweet smile.
She leaned against her door, holding her shoes to her chest. What a great guy. Too bad it was only a fling. The house was quiet around her, and she knew that Peyton and Brooke must still be out.
She stepped into the kitchen and grabbed a Smirnoff from the fridge, not bothering to wonder whether she really felt like one or not. She downed it quickly. She looked up to see a lone figure sitting by the edge of her pool.
Her stomach dropped again. Nathan.
She quietly opened the door and slipped outside into the night air. He looked up at the sound of the door sliding shut behind her, and then looked at her.
"Sorry," He said. He sounded sorry. But he also sounded confused, and very lost. Haley felt a pang of sympathy for him. She sat by the water's edge with him, and dipped her feet in the water.
"So what brings you to my side of the fence?" She tried to joke. Only it sounded flat and lame, and entirely too forced to be funny. He looked at her silently for a moment, as if he hadn't heard her speak.
"So you're dating now?" his question surprised Haley. It sounded earnest, and disbelieving.
"Yeah. Have been."
"Oh."
"How's...oh what's her name...?"
"Jessica? She's okay, I guess. We're kinda broken up now."
"Oh?" A little thrill of hope shivered through her with the calm night air but she quieted it.
"Yeah." But Nathan didn't elaborate. Instead, he watched her toes as they made little patterns in the glowing pool. Haley just looked at him. It was quiet for a moment, the intensity and the honesty of the situation made everything mean so much more. Like how his eyes wouldn't leave hers, and how he was drumming his fingers like he always did when he got nervous.
"Hales, where did we go wrong?"
"Um, I think that was when I walked in on you and that hoe-bag going at it in my bed." Haley couldn't believe that she had said it, but she looked over at Nathan and he was wincing, and she felt a strong sense of triumph.
"I deserved that."
"Damn right you did. And a lot more than that."
"Is that the reason for the playgirl and the ben gay?" He asked her sweetly. Haley smirked.
"I didn't know you liked men, Nathan."
"You're such a bitch, you know that?" But his tone was light. Haley shrugged.
"You're a bastard."
It was quiet. There were a lot of feelings still up in the air, but neither was willing to address them yet.
"Did you take my jacket, too?" Nathan asked her finally.
"Yup."
"Were you ever planning on giving it back?"
"Nope."
"Bitch."
"Hey now, I will have none of that." She told him sternly, but with an airy tone. He shot a sidelong glance at her and she dived for her suddenly, and tossed her into the pool.
"N-n-n-n-n-n-nathan!" She shrieked. He chuckled at her and Haley determinedly pulled his ankle and her fell in beside her, sputtering. Then Haley started giggling. Nathan was soon laughing along with her as they surveyed each other. The balmy air surrounded them, and they were pressed in a sudden silence that shut out the rest of the world.
"I can see through your shirt," teased Haley. Nathan smirked.
"I can see through yours."
Haley folded her arms across her chest, trying to ignore the familiar shiver that was racing down her spine. Just being this close to him made her want to run away screaming, or jump him. And seeing as she couldn't do both at the same time, she compromised by standing still as Nathan treaded in the water.
"Listen, Hales. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you."
Haley opened her mouth to retort, but found that no words would come. Maybe she didn't need to say anything else. Just let it go, she told herself. So she merely shrugged.
Nathan swam closer to her until their legs were touching under water. She couldn't handle any physical contact. She couldn't. She could feel her barriers breaking down, surrendering to the comfort...
"You know what seeing you with other guys does to me Haley," Said Nathan huskily. "I can't take it."
Haley blushed, and willed her heart to back down from her throat. She closed her eyes, feeling the familiar calm she had always had with Nathan, and all of their good times together washed over her.
"I don't want to hurt you," said Nathan, this time closer. Haley gulped. He was so close she could smell his minty breath... "I never wanted to hurt you. I need you so bad, Hales..."
Noooo! Noooooooo! A voice was screaming at Haley in her head. No, no don't do it! He will hurt you again! Haley, don't! But, for the first time, she waved her sensible side off and brought her lips to Nathan's with all of the energy she could muster.
Like Ryan said, sometimes you need to forgive and forget.
She melted into him, feeling the familiar warmth and comfort she had always had around him. The days they used to have together...going for coffee in the morning before class, late night conversations...other late night things...
Her shirt had somehow come off, and her capris were now open at the button. She wasn't aware of the moment that Nathan took his shirt off, only that his bare skin against hers made her feel so alive, so loved and wanted...
She had wanted this...needed this for so long.
She knew that she couldn't have resisted him if she wanted to. He was just...Nathan. Girls fawned over him. But he never bent to them. He had always been faithful...always...
Wait. Her eyes flew open and she saw Nathan. Nathan, being straddled by a tall blonde. Nathan, looking shocked and scared, laying in her bed. Nathan, unable to admit to the whore that Haley was his girlfriend. Of four years.
The pain hit her suddenly and fully, as if someone had just dumped a cold bucket of water on her. She pushed him off of her, disappointment and anger welling inside her.
"You may not have meant to hurt me, Nathan, but you did." She said softly and curtly, pain shooting through both of them at her words.
With that, she grabbed her shirt that was floating in the water, jumped out of the pool with as much dignity as she could, and ran inside. She didn't look back until she had the door safely locked behind her, and had built her mental walls up again. She was safe, for now.
But as she saw the lone figure standing, mute in the pool, looking slightly lost and disheveled, she knew that his game had only started, and that it was far from over.
She touched her lips gingerly as she walked away, wishing more than ever they were still with his.
And hating herself for it.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
AN: Okay guys, I hope you liked it. I know that it wasn't great for the Laley lovers, but be patient. I haven't forgotten you! Hehehe. Well, did you like? Let me know, as always!
(There's always NEXT chapter...hmmm...)
Much luv!
Disclaimer: Nope, still don't own anything.
Description: Haley and Ryan have a real heart to heart, and Haley talks with another certain someone that we all know and love.
Temptations: by grace
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Haley didn't know how long she had been sitting on the counter in her bathroom, but by the time she looked up, her face was pale and her eyes were bloodshot.
Come on, James. You are not going to let Nathan get to you. You go out there and have fun. Don't let some guy mess with your head. You've already learned that lesson.
Determined, she stood and got ready for her date. By the time she had showered, dressed (a cute pair of capris and a white halter, and adorable black stilettos), tousled her hair and did her makeup, Haley James was looking fabulous.
Which is exactly what Ryan said when he showed up on her doorstep with a bouquet of wildflowers for Haley. They stood there for a minute, like teenagers on a first date, until Haley remembered her manners and invited him in.
They had just reached the kitchen when someone knocked on the front door. Haley spun, an odd sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. Not now...
But there he stood, looking great in a white button-down that complemented his already great tan, his brown eyes were wide and hopeful.
"Hey Hales. Wow, you look great."
"Thanks," She said uncomfortably. There were footsteps behind her and she winced as she imagined how it must look. She turned to look at Ryan, who was surveying Nathan with somewhat of an apprehensive look. Nathan just looked confused, maybe a little defiant.
"Who's this, Haley?" Nathan asked.
"This is my date, Ryan." She watched Nathan, daring him to say something. When he opened his mouth again, though, Haley found that she didn't want to hear it. She pushed past Nathan and grabbed Ryan's hand on her way out.
"Haley..."Nathan called after her. Haley ignored him, and jumped in the front seat of her car. As soon as Ryan had shut the door she peeled out of the driveway, and raced down the road, not stopping until she had run three red lights and had come up to a great little hill. She stopped suddenly and pulled over to the side of the road, and laid her forehead on the steering wheel. Ryan watched her, looking concerned and somewhat scared.
"Haley, what's wrong? Who was that guy?"
Haley sighed.
"Remember that guy I told you about? The one I just got out of a really bad relationship with? Well that was him."
"Oh." It was quiet for a minute, in which time they both surveyed the sunset that was glowing over them, warming their skin. "What happened? If you don't mind me asking...?"
Haley sighed. She had mulled it over so many times that the words that poured from her mouth were robotic. As she told her story, she watched as Ryan listened carefully, his lean body outlined in the rising moonlight.
"...So then the next week I moved in with Peyton and Brooke, and here I am." She finished dully. Ryan gave her a small smile.
"Wow. Well, he's an ass," Said Ryan. "He's not worth your time."
Haley leaned back and let her head rest against the seat, feeling the breeze across her neck, and staring up at the stars. Ryan leaned back with her, reclining his seat too so that they were both on their backs, looking up at the starry sky.
"Ryan, why do guys do that sort of thing? I mean, it seems like everywhere I go now, there's a guy that's being an ass. It seems like the guys that are actually normal are few and far between." She looked over at Ryan. "Are you sure you don't have a girlfriend? Because you are too good to be true."
Ryan shook his head and chuckled.
"Nope, I'm a bonafide bachelor, as crazy as it is." There was a slight pause, as if he was unsure of how to continue. "Haley, I know you are hurt, but not all guys are bad. Sometimes the best kind of guys are the kind that you haven't really noticed before. Something that isn't as obvious but it worth the effort, you know? Don't let one guy make a bad name for the rest of us."
Haley nodded.
"And sometimes...I know it may seem impossible now...but sometimes you just need to forgive and forget. Some guys make mistakes, but are generally good guys. It's up to you to make that call." He saw the confused look on her face and smiled comfortingly. "Don't worry, you will work it out."
"You're not a bad guy." She said, just the hint of tears in her eyes. He reached out and wiped a stray tear away, a pained look on his face.
"Don't cry, Haley. You're too beautiful to cry."
"Thanks." She smiled. "You know what? You're right. I didn't get dressed up for nothing. Let's go have some fun."
Ryan smiled.
"Okay, but I'm driving."
She obliged, and soon they were racing off into the darkness.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Thanks, Ryan, I had a great time." Said Haley a few hours later. She was carrying her stilettos in one hand, and was holding Ryan's hand with the other. They stopped if front of her door and she looked up at him. The space between them closed a bit, until they were almost touching. "I'm sure you don't get girls crying over their exes on a second date very often." She said, feeling quite stupid.
He shrugged.
"Don't worry about it, Haley, I don't mind. Just feel better, okay? Maybe we can meet up tomorrow afternoon? I'm thinking a game of beach volleyball. Good?"
"Great." She stood on tiptoe and kissed him softly. He pulled her swiftly into a more passionate kiss. Haley got shivers down her spine and her fingers were tingling. She stepped away from him a minute later, and slipped in her front door with one last sweet smile.
She leaned against her door, holding her shoes to her chest. What a great guy. Too bad it was only a fling. The house was quiet around her, and she knew that Peyton and Brooke must still be out.
She stepped into the kitchen and grabbed a Smirnoff from the fridge, not bothering to wonder whether she really felt like one or not. She downed it quickly. She looked up to see a lone figure sitting by the edge of her pool.
Her stomach dropped again. Nathan.
She quietly opened the door and slipped outside into the night air. He looked up at the sound of the door sliding shut behind her, and then looked at her.
"Sorry," He said. He sounded sorry. But he also sounded confused, and very lost. Haley felt a pang of sympathy for him. She sat by the water's edge with him, and dipped her feet in the water.
"So what brings you to my side of the fence?" She tried to joke. Only it sounded flat and lame, and entirely too forced to be funny. He looked at her silently for a moment, as if he hadn't heard her speak.
"So you're dating now?" his question surprised Haley. It sounded earnest, and disbelieving.
"Yeah. Have been."
"Oh."
"How's...oh what's her name...?"
"Jessica? She's okay, I guess. We're kinda broken up now."
"Oh?" A little thrill of hope shivered through her with the calm night air but she quieted it.
"Yeah." But Nathan didn't elaborate. Instead, he watched her toes as they made little patterns in the glowing pool. Haley just looked at him. It was quiet for a moment, the intensity and the honesty of the situation made everything mean so much more. Like how his eyes wouldn't leave hers, and how he was drumming his fingers like he always did when he got nervous.
"Hales, where did we go wrong?"
"Um, I think that was when I walked in on you and that hoe-bag going at it in my bed." Haley couldn't believe that she had said it, but she looked over at Nathan and he was wincing, and she felt a strong sense of triumph.
"I deserved that."
"Damn right you did. And a lot more than that."
"Is that the reason for the playgirl and the ben gay?" He asked her sweetly. Haley smirked.
"I didn't know you liked men, Nathan."
"You're such a bitch, you know that?" But his tone was light. Haley shrugged.
"You're a bastard."
It was quiet. There were a lot of feelings still up in the air, but neither was willing to address them yet.
"Did you take my jacket, too?" Nathan asked her finally.
"Yup."
"Were you ever planning on giving it back?"
"Nope."
"Bitch."
"Hey now, I will have none of that." She told him sternly, but with an airy tone. He shot a sidelong glance at her and she dived for her suddenly, and tossed her into the pool.
"N-n-n-n-n-n-nathan!" She shrieked. He chuckled at her and Haley determinedly pulled his ankle and her fell in beside her, sputtering. Then Haley started giggling. Nathan was soon laughing along with her as they surveyed each other. The balmy air surrounded them, and they were pressed in a sudden silence that shut out the rest of the world.
"I can see through your shirt," teased Haley. Nathan smirked.
"I can see through yours."
Haley folded her arms across her chest, trying to ignore the familiar shiver that was racing down her spine. Just being this close to him made her want to run away screaming, or jump him. And seeing as she couldn't do both at the same time, she compromised by standing still as Nathan treaded in the water.
"Listen, Hales. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you."
Haley opened her mouth to retort, but found that no words would come. Maybe she didn't need to say anything else. Just let it go, she told herself. So she merely shrugged.
Nathan swam closer to her until their legs were touching under water. She couldn't handle any physical contact. She couldn't. She could feel her barriers breaking down, surrendering to the comfort...
"You know what seeing you with other guys does to me Haley," Said Nathan huskily. "I can't take it."
Haley blushed, and willed her heart to back down from her throat. She closed her eyes, feeling the familiar calm she had always had with Nathan, and all of their good times together washed over her.
"I don't want to hurt you," said Nathan, this time closer. Haley gulped. He was so close she could smell his minty breath... "I never wanted to hurt you. I need you so bad, Hales..."
Noooo! Noooooooo! A voice was screaming at Haley in her head. No, no don't do it! He will hurt you again! Haley, don't! But, for the first time, she waved her sensible side off and brought her lips to Nathan's with all of the energy she could muster.
Like Ryan said, sometimes you need to forgive and forget.
She melted into him, feeling the familiar warmth and comfort she had always had around him. The days they used to have together...going for coffee in the morning before class, late night conversations...other late night things...
Her shirt had somehow come off, and her capris were now open at the button. She wasn't aware of the moment that Nathan took his shirt off, only that his bare skin against hers made her feel so alive, so loved and wanted...
She had wanted this...needed this for so long.
She knew that she couldn't have resisted him if she wanted to. He was just...Nathan. Girls fawned over him. But he never bent to them. He had always been faithful...always...
Wait. Her eyes flew open and she saw Nathan. Nathan, being straddled by a tall blonde. Nathan, looking shocked and scared, laying in her bed. Nathan, unable to admit to the whore that Haley was his girlfriend. Of four years.
The pain hit her suddenly and fully, as if someone had just dumped a cold bucket of water on her. She pushed him off of her, disappointment and anger welling inside her.
"You may not have meant to hurt me, Nathan, but you did." She said softly and curtly, pain shooting through both of them at her words.
With that, she grabbed her shirt that was floating in the water, jumped out of the pool with as much dignity as she could, and ran inside. She didn't look back until she had the door safely locked behind her, and had built her mental walls up again. She was safe, for now.
But as she saw the lone figure standing, mute in the pool, looking slightly lost and disheveled, she knew that his game had only started, and that it was far from over.
She touched her lips gingerly as she walked away, wishing more than ever they were still with his.
And hating herself for it.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
AN: Okay guys, I hope you liked it. I know that it wasn't great for the Laley lovers, but be patient. I haven't forgotten you! Hehehe. Well, did you like? Let me know, as always!
(There's always NEXT chapter...hmmm...)
Much luv!