Cody came in as quietly as he could. It was 6 am and he wanted to make sure
that the Scott boy did not need to be killed. Cody found the club sitting
next to the door and got confused. What had he missed last night? He ran
upstairs thinking the worst to find them both asleep almost in the same
exact position as they were the night before. A smile crept across his
face. Maybe this kid was not as bad as he thought he was. Cody went to his
room to sleep he was so tiered he had stayed up so he could sober up and
come home and make sure that there was nothing bad going on in the house.
Haley woke up for some reason. She looked at the door and watched Cody walk towards his room. She smiled at him and gave a small laugh. She loved her crazy brother almost as much as she loved waking up in Nathan's arms. She laid there happily for a while until she heard snoring coming from down the hall. She laughed again. She and Cody always argued about weather or not he snored.
Haley slide over so she was straddling Nathan and leaned down kissed him. He woke up immediately. "Dam you sure know how to wake a guy up lady." Haley smiled down at him. "What time is it anyways?"
Haley glanced over at the clock "6."
"Six why on earth are you awake at six you don't have to work till 12 right?"
"Who said this is about work?" The 'I'm in the mood to cause trouble' smile appeared on her face. Nathan could not take it. He groaned quietly as he pulled her down to him and started to kiss her. Before she knew what happened she was on the bottom and he was on top. She laughed as she said, "Happy to see you are awake now."
He was too every part of him was on fire for this funny girl with the best smile he had ever seen. That smile was going to be his undoing. "Awake is not the word. You never cease to surprise me Haley James. Every time I think that I have you all figured out you go and do something so totally beyond anything I have ever expected."
"So you didn't like the bath tub?" She tried to look hurt but could not help but smiling up at him.
"No way, I didn't like it I loved it. Can we go back into it right now?" He wiggled his eyebrows at her.
"Sure, but I hope you are really willing to die for me though because if you listen closely you can here something that sounds like a lawn mower? That would be Cody. He is the reason I woke up."
"Umm . . . .never mind then I am happy enough right here with you." He smiled his devilish smile at her, and leaned down and kissed her again. Haley pulled him close to her as she giggled. Nathan finally pulls back just enough that he can talk to her. Their lips brush as he says, "I really do love your crazy a $ s."
Haley smiled and kissed him quickly and said "I noticed you always stare at it."
Nathan laughed. "Can you blame a guy for enjoying the view?" They both laughed. Haley stretched up and caught his mouth with hers. She pulled him back down to her. Nathan's hands start to roam her body as he kisses down her neck.
Haley laughed and pulled him back up to her. "The door is open, and my brother could see us d-."
Before she could finish her sentence Nathan pushed himself up and off of her, and jumped quietly from the bed. He shut the door softly and turned back with a big grin on his face. "So now that we are alone where were we?"
Haley who has sat up fell back to the bed laughing. He was just too cute sometimes.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Peyton woke up and looked around. She tried to remember why she was sleeping in her car. She remembered some of it but everything was a little fuzzy. The memory of what she had done the night before like a car crash. She laid back down and covered her face. She wanted to cry but was unable to. So instead she sat back up and tried to start the car. It would not turn over. The battery was dead or something. She picked up her cell phone and started to dial Brooke's number and realized that she couldn't.
Peyton hit the end button. Who was she going to cal now? She went through everyone she knew and finally came up with Luke if he was home. She pulled up his number and hit send.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Brooke rolled over with a smile on her face. It vanished when she saw that Luke was not lying next to her. She looked around the room and saw that his clothes were gone too. The hurt was evident on her face. She was upset that he would leave with out saying good bye to her. She looked back to where he was supposed to be and saw the folded up piece of paper. On the outside he had written Mornin Sunshine. The smile reappeared on her face. She picked it up and opened it up and read.
Cheery,
Sorry I had to bail on you, but with last night Keith would have thrown me out of the house. I wanted to wake you up and say good bye in a proper fashion, but I decided not to because of two things. One you looked so cute sleeping there and two you looked so cute sleeping there. A real good bye might have taken another hour or so. Any ways I have work today and then I am supposed to go out with Haley. I will try and catch you sometime today though I still need my goodbye/good morning kiss. Call me if you need me or just want to talk.
Sexy
Brooke held the note to her chest as she fell back to the bed with a smile that stretched from ear to ear.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Luke did not even bother to look at the caller id on his phone he just -assume-d it was Brooke. "Hey your up early sexy."
There was a silence "Umm - Luke it's me. I know that I am the last person you want to talk to, but um -well I am stuck. My car won't start I think it is the battery or maybe I ran out of gas. I don't know."
Luke was already getting up, and pulling on his paints. "Where are you?"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Luke pulled up next to Peyton's car. She looked like hell he thought as he got out of the tow truck. He walked around and grabbed the gallon gas can and went to hr gas tank. He opened it and poured the can in. He told Peyton to try it again. The car still did not turn over. Luke grabbed the jumper cables and Peyton popped the hood. This time the car started.
Peyton stood looking at anything but him as she said, "Umm thanks I appreciate it especially after what I did last night."
"Peyton I am not mad at you for last night." He walked over and stood in front of her so she had to look at him. "I understand why you did it he11 I have wanted to do it on occasion myself. Kiss you when I am not supposed to that is. Remember me chasing you around when you were with Nathan? I was kind of pathetic."
Peyton finally smiled finally and chuckled to herself. "You are right it was a little. We really do have a messed up relationship don't we?"
"See it is a good thing we figured this out before we started dating," Luke joked back. The joke fell flat because it hit too close to home. They both stood in the awkward silence.
Peyton finally said "Well thanks I had better go." As she turned to leave Luke grabbed her arm and pulled her back around to face him. They looked deeply into each others eyes.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Nathan went in the back door hoping to avoid meeting up with anyone. He had just taken Haley to work. His mom had called and asked her to come in early because the café was busy. Unfortunately for Nathan Dan was standing in the kitchen making a protein shake. Nathan stopped and tried to go back with out being scene but it was too late.
"Nathan" Dan ran around the counter and followed him out the door. Dan closed the door behind him to keep anyone in the house from hearing. "Stop we need to talk."
"See that is where you are wrong dad I have nothing to say to you." Nathan started to walk away again.
Dan grabbed his arm, and turned him around. Nathan quickly pulled his arm out of Dan's grasp. "It's not what you think."
"Oh I think it is exactly what I think and in fact it is pretty much impossible for it to be anything else."
"You don't understand though Nathan. These last couple weeks have been hard on me--."
"Hard on you? That is a laugh and a half. You don't know what hard is dad, but you are about to find out because if you don't tell mom the truth and I mean everything I am going to."
"Nathan? Come on can't this be between the guys think of how many things I have not told your mom for you?"
"Who asked you not to? Sure as he11 was not me. I mean tell her or I will." Nathan started to walk away and realized the reason he had come home in the first place. He needed to change; he still had on the outfit from last night. Haley had dried it for him. He turned around and shouldered past Dan and went into the house.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Peyton I don't want us to be like this. I like having you around. Can we put all of this weird attraction we have aside and just work on the friendship side of it? Who knows maybe in the future we can find a time and place when we are both ready and willing?" Peyton just stared at him. Luke searched her face trying to figure out what was going on behind the mask that she always had on.
Just as he was about to say something else Peyton nodded, and said quietly "I would like that." She hugged him and then quickly pulled back and climbed into her car, and drove away.
Luke stood watching her leave. That may have been one of the hardest things he had ever done. He had had to resist the temptation of kissing her. Every time he had thought about it he thought of Brooke asleep in her bed and the urge to kiss Peyton subsided.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Nathan pulled up to the court. He had no idea why he had come here, but he had needed to get away from the house and be alone. He had thought about the school gym, but that had too many memories. Besides he was pretty sure Haley had said Luke had to work today so the court would probably be empty. He started to shoot the ball and lost himself in the rhythm of the game and the sound of the bouncing ball.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Cody sat talking with Haley as Luke walked by the café bouncing his basketball. Haley had told him to come in and she would buy him launch. "I swear that friend of yours has a one tract mind Hales." Cody joked as they both waved to Luke.
"Nope two tract now Cody." Cody looked back over to Haley. "He is a male Cody. What do you think about more than sports?"
A grin came across his face "Girls!"
Haley rolled her eyes. That smile was going to break hundreds of girls' hearts and thank god he did not know it. "Yep. He found the opposite sex this year."
"I hate to tell you this, I mean I don't want to ruin your perfect image of the golden boy, but he probably found girls along time ago. He just never told you about it and they just are giving him the time of day." Haley just shook her head at him. "Besides it is not Luke's love life I am worried about. It is yours that concerns me."
"Well it is none of your concern so lets not talk about it."
"Are you sure about this guy," he asked ignoring her?
"Yes I am. Look I have had the 'be careful' lecture about 500 too many times. Cody you know me."
Cody stopped her there, "You are right I do know you and I know that though you don't show it you are the biggest kind hearted person I have ever known. That you hid behind you sarcasm and insults, but you care more for the people around you than you do for yourself." Haley started to talk again, but Cody spoke over her. "I am not saying that he is a bad guy Hales he just comes with a lot of trauma, and I would not want to see you get drag down with him."
"So you are saying that I should dump him because he does not have the perfect home life? Sorry Cody not going to happen."
"I know it won't. I saw you with him. I have only seen you look at one other person like you looked at Nathan and that guy just walked by the window, and shares Nathan's last name."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Lucas saw someone on the court and got excited he was a half an hour early. He had gotten done with the work Keith had left for him as quick as he could. It was a warm day out and he wanted to enjoy it. As he got closer the guy on the court took a shot and Luke stopped in his tracks. He knew that jump shot. He had seen it a hundred times in the last month or so. Lucas thought about turning around and leaving. He watched Nathan take another shot. Man that guy was good. He really could back up all of his talk. Now Lucas was wondering why he came here to play and did not just play at his house, or at the gym. Curiosity got the better of him. He walked up behind Nathan pulling his head phones out of his ears as he walked.
Nathan took another shot and Lucas shot after him. Both balls went in the hoop one after the other. Nathan spun around quickly to find Luke standing behind him. Sh!t he thought he knew he should not have come here. So much for peace and quiet.
Lucas acted like Nathan's presence was not a big deal and went and got the balls. Nathan turned watching him waiting for Lucas to tell him to get off the court. Instead Lucas got both balls and threw one back to Nathan. Nathan caught it and looked at it in bewilderment. What was up? This was Lucas's home turf and he acted like Nathan's presence was not a new thing. Lucas started to shoot. He ignored the dumbfounded look on Nathan's face. Nathan finally started to shoot again. They went on like this for a while when Nathan finally said, "You should be happy that our father left your mom when he did."
Lucas turned to look at him. He wanted to make sure Nathan was not being an a $ s hole. Nathan just kept shooting. The anger was evident on his face though. Lucas turned and took a shoot. He would let Nathan get it out in his own time. Nathan did not say anything more so Lucas finally asked, "Why should I be happy that he broke my mom's heart?"
Nathan gave a cynical laugh. "So she would not have to put up with him and all of the stupid things he does." Nathan took another shot. "Plus he is an idiot. He was dumb enough to bring that woman into the beach house when Haley and I were there."
Lucas's brain went in two separate directions. He thought about what Nathan was saying about Dan and a woman. Though Nathan had not said it Lucas was sure that Dan was cheating on Deb. The other direction was the fact that Haley and Nathan had been alone in the beach house. He was trying hard to not imagine all of the things they could have been doing. He was hoping that Haley was not that dumb. Then it occurred to him what he had been doing to Brooke last night and he felt bad for getting angry with Haley.
They both shot for a while in silence. Nathan was the one to break it again. "Do you want to play a game?" Lucas looked at him skeptically. "No points just to play?"
Lucas shrugged what could one game hurt. It was not like they were going to jeopardize some friendship. "Sure why not."
Nathan threw Lucas the ball and said, "Here you take it."
Luke did a jump shot and sunk the ball. "How about we don't play you make it you take it. If this is for fun who cares who made the last basket?"
"Works for me." Nathan took the ball and did a lay up. The guys played for a while both being aggressive but laughing at each other and themselves as they made and missed shots. Both thought to themselves that it felt good not to have to fight every time they were together.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Haley was sitting working on her work when two people walked into the café. They were the first people in nearly an hour. It had been busy at first but died off after the lunch rush. She put a book mark in her book and went over to where the people were standing by the counter. They were holding hands and Haley had to stop herself from laughing. The one was a woman a little older than Haley, with short dirty blonde hair, and the other was a dark haired guy. The reason Haley was trying so hard not to laugh was the fact that the guy was maybe 3 feet tall. "What can I get for you," she asked the couple. She noticed they had on wedding rings.
"Give me something with lots of caffeine and sugar I need some extra zeal today. It's mine and Brittney's anniversary," the man said as we winked at Haley and slapped what Haley was now a$suming was his wife's butt. The woman laughed, and ordered too. Haley got their stuff for them and took their money. As they walked out Haley heard the man talking "Come on babe you and me have an appointment with our bed." As the door shut Haley burst out laughing. It was nice to see that love crossed all boundaries even height. She was trying hard not to think of the guy as a midget but that was all that came to her mind.
Before she could contemplate this too far Jake walked in. He was looking over his shoulder. Haley guessed that he was looking at the couple that had just left. "Wow the things I have seen today," he said as he turned towards her. Haley laughed and nodded. Jake shook his head to clear it. "Speaking of interesting I have to show you something. Can you leave the café for a little bit."
"No I am working," she said with a laugh. Curiosity got the better of her though, "Why what do you have to show me?"
"I can't tell you. You won't believe it until you see it with your own eyes. Come on the café is dead just put up the closed sign for a couple of minutes. I know you can."
"No not until I know what I am getting into here."
Jake got impatient and grabbed her arm and dragged her around the counter. "Come on. No time for being silly."
Haley grabbed her coat as she went around the corner. "Ok I am coming." They left and Haley flipped the closed sign and locked the door. They got into Jake's car and started towards the river court. "So where are we going any ways and where is Emma?"
"You have to wait and see and with my mom."
They pulled up to the court. Haley looked at the scene in front of them. Her mouth was open in shock. She looked at Jake as if to say something, but turned back to look at the court. Nathan was pointing at Luke and laughing. Haley finally said "What, I mean how..why."
"No idea for any of those questions. I was driving by and saw Luke playing and thought I would join him for a while, but then I saw who he was playing with."
They sat in silence and watched the guys play ball. Nathan was going for a lay up when his and Luke's feet got tangled up. Nathan went down hard. Haley said "Oh no."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Nathan hit the cement and gave a grunt. He smashed his elbow into the ground and felt the blood start to run. Lucas stood over Nathan unsure of what to do. Nathan sat up and looked at his elbow and up at Lucas. He shook his head and started to laugh. Lucas finally breathed out. He had not even realized he was holding it.
Nathan said, "It's a good thing we are on the same team." Nathan laughed and so did Lucas. Lucas reached down to him and helped him up. Lucas ran and grabbed the ball and threw it to Nathan.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Haley and Jake looked at each other in amazement. They both started to laugh, and looked back at the court. Haley finally said, "Thanks Jake. You were right I did need to see this."
"So you are not mad at me for dragging you out of the café literally."
"Not at all, in fact thanks. You are right I needed to see this for myself because I am not sure that I would have believed you." They both sat in silence for a couple of minutes more. Haley reluctantly said "Though I would love to sit here and watch these two I had better get back to the café."
"Yeah you're right, and I need to get home." They drove back to the café. As Haley started to get out Jake laid a hand on her arm. She turned back to see what was up. "You know that you are the reason for what we just saw right?"
"Me? I was not even there."
"Yeah, but through you the two of them have found one thing that they both have in common and share. Plus I know that you have forced them to be together many times on purpose and not. You should be proud of yourself. You have done something that would have taken years to do. Well if it ever happened at all. You had better go now before Deb finds out you were gone."
Haley sat there for several seconds longer and just looked at Jake. He really had been serious. She liked to think that Nathan and Luke had done all of this on their own but like Jake she had her doubts. Finally she leaned over and kissed him on the cheek and said, "Thanks for everything Jake, and not just this but for everything you have done for Luke." She got out of the car with that and went to the front steps. She turned around after unlocking the door and waved to Jake as he drove off.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Skills, Fergeson, Junk, Mouth, Edwards and Cody all walked up to the court together joking and laughing. Skills was in the middle of saying something to Cody when he saw who was playing on the court. "What the he11?" Everyone else looked to see what he was looking at. "Is this another rematch? Did Luke tell any of you about there being another rematch?" Skills looked around at the stunned faces. Everyone shook their head. Skills turned back to see Nathan laughing as Luke made a basket. He was trying to decide weather or not they were all having a mass hallucination. The group walked up to the court. Skills did his and Luke's hand shake as he eyed Nathan. Nathan stood off to the side awkwardly dribbling the ball.
"Hey guys, where you been," Luke asked as he shook hands with Fergi. "Cody you decided to slum it with us today?"
"Yeah I decided that you all needed a lesson in playing real ball." He and Luke shook hands.
"So who's on whose team," Luke asked all of the guys.
Before anyone could say anything Cody grabbed the ball that Skills had. "Oh no I choose the teams. I need a good match up. Let's put the Scotts and Skills, against me Fergi and Junk. I need to work out while I am down here." Cody had done this more to keep the brotherly love going than for the work out. He almost laughed at that thought.
Nathan stood there shocked. Haley's brother actually wanted him to play. He had thought that with this new group of players he was going to be out of the game. Now not only were they including him they had him playing on a team with Luke.
They started to play. Nathan stole the ball from Cody and dribbled down the court. Without looking he threw the ball to Lucas. Luke dunked the ball. As he landed he turned towards Cody and said, "Come on big college boy. I thought you needed some competition. Everyone laughed and relaxed.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Deb stood in the kitchen fixing dinner. She was not sure who was going to be there and who was not. She had not seen Nathan all day and was not even sure if he had come home yet. Dan walked into the kitchen. "Dan had Nathan been home?"
"He came home this morning," Dan said avoiding her eyes as he went to the fridge.
"Did he say if he would be back for dinner and for that matter where he was going?"
Dan turned around quickly he did not like the tone in her voice. "No he did not to either of those. He was in one of his moods and I thought that he needed his space not me badgering him."
"Asking where he is going and when he will be back is not badgering it is being a parent. Did you at least try and find out why he was mad? He was at Haley's last night maybe they had a fight?"
"You have been home what 5, maybe 6 weeks and now you all of a sudden you are supper mom? I have been here the entire time Deb he is my son I know what I am doing."
"Sure you do. That is why he took drugs to be a better ball player. That is why he started drinking."
"Did you ever notice that his troubles did not start until you came back home? Maybe you should take a good look in the mirror Deb and stop staring down at the rest of us from that pedestal you have put yourself on."
"I am not doing this Dan. I already told you Friday night. We are through. I am going to the lawyers on Monday as soon as your parents leave. I am not doing this anymore. I am tired of it. We are both unhappy and the only thing we are doing by staying together is hurting Nat. You can have everything the house, the beach house, the cars, and everything else all I want is Nat."
"And I told you no deal Deb. He is my son. I am not giving him up. It has been me and him for so long. You are just a visitor to our life. Besides what makes you think he would want to be with you?"
"Visitor? Visitor that is nice Dan and you wonder why I want a divorce. You can stop hiding the fact that you are having an affair too I know Dan."
"When did you talk to Nathan," he asked before he even thought about the argument he had with Deb on Friday night.
"Nathan? He knows? What did you do now Dan?"
"He didn't talk to you did he?" Dan realized how stupid he had just been.
"No he didn't why would he have?"
"It's not a big deal. He and Haley were at the beach house last night when I got there."
Before Dan could go on Deb interrupted him. "You were at the beach house last night? When was this you were with either me or your parents all night till we went to bed--." Deb said this last part in an enlightened voice. "You left the house last night after we all went to bed. Why? To be with her?"
"Nice that you are so worried about me being there, and do not even bother to ask why our son and his girlfriend were there alone at night."
"I trust them and not you. That is why I did not ask about them. Now answer the question Dan."
Fine Deb you want to know everything here it is then. Yes I left here last night after you all were in bed. I met Sara at the beach house to have the best sex of my life. She is incredible. No talking all action and she can do things that most people only dream of. Are you happy?"
Deb looked as if he had just punched her. She regained enough of her composure and asked "Nathan saw you two?"
"He saw us on the couch we were not doing anything."
"Not doing anything? For some reason I doubt that. Like Nathan did not have enough problems already without you having to go and pull a stunt like this."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Peyton picked up the phone and punched Brooke's number in. She listened to it ring. She knew Brooke was just not answering because it was her. The voice mail came on. Peyton started to hang up and thought better of it and left a message "Brooke it's me. You can't ignore me forever. Please call me. We need to talk. I was drunk and stupid. I don't know why I did that and I don't want this happen. Please call me." Peyton hung the phone up and tossed it back into the cradle. She could not believe how messed up things were. That she was the reason for it. She looked down at her sketch book. She had drawn a little strip starting with her kissing the Luke while Brooke watched, next one had Luke saying Sorry, and the last had Brooke saying bytch. She was writing in stupidity as the title.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Nathan walked into the house from the front this time. He was not going to chance running into his dad alone again. He still could not figure out how he was going to tell his mom everything he had seen last night. He knew his dad would not do it. He started down the hall past the kitchen.
Deb saw Nathan and called to him, "Hey Nate, come keep me company while I finish dinner."
Nate started to protest, but decided this was as good of a time as any. He took a beep breath and went into the kitchen. He sat down on the stool and watched as his mom cut vegetables up. There was one good thing about her working in the café and that was they had never eaten so well.
They both sat in silence for several minutes. They were both lost in thought. Deb finally asked, "So how was your day?"
"Actually it turned out better than I thought it would. I played ball most of it."
"With Tim? How is he?"
"No not with Tim. Actually you may not believe this, but I played ball with Lucas and his friends down at the riverside court."
Deb almost dropped the cutting board she was carrying out of shock. She hide the shock and went to the stove. She asked Nathan "And how did this come about" with out turning around.
"I went down there thinking that no one was going to be around. I needed some time alone. Couldn't get that here so I went down there and Lucas showed up."
"I am happy to hear it. I have been wondering how long it would take you two to get past this whole brother thing and see that neither of you are that bad of guys." Nathan sat quietly for a minute. "Hey make yourself use full and mix that stuff up for me." She pointed to a bowl that had brownie mix in it.
Nathan laughed as he got up and walked around the corner, and started mixing. "In case I have not told you this you are getting to be a good cook."
"Thanks Nate." They both worked on in silence. Deb finally got her nerve up and said, "Nate we need to talk about last night."
Nathan was in the middle of pouring the batter into the pan and the bowl slipped out of his hands. It bounced on the table. Deb looked over to him. She was not surprised by this shock. "What do you mean last night?"
"Nate your dad already told me about it."
"So you know about that woman then?"
"I already did know Nate. What we need to talk about is what is going to happen next."
Nathan thought about what he would like to happen next. He did not want to say it though so instead he asked "Next?"
"I asked him for a divorce."
Nathan almost smiled at this, but stopped himself. He figured joy at his parents getting a divorce was not a normal emotion. He turned and slid the pan into the oven where he allowed himself a small smile.
Deb continued, "I asked him for custody of you. Is that ok with you?"
Nathan spun around at this he could hear the fear in his mother's voice. Was she really afraid that he would pick his dad over her? "That's what I want mom."
"Good because I offered him everything if he will let you live with me without a fight."
"Everything? What do you mean by that?"
Deb looked around as she said, "Everything. I would rather start out new, and have you with me with out a dirty fight, than fighting over you and all of this stuff. It does not matter your happiness is the only thing that I care about."
Nathan just stood there for a moment letting what she had said absorb in. He did not know what to say. He looked at the woman before him that had become a stranger the last couple of years, but yet loved him so much she would give up everything for him without thinking twice.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Haley woke up for some reason. She looked at the door and watched Cody walk towards his room. She smiled at him and gave a small laugh. She loved her crazy brother almost as much as she loved waking up in Nathan's arms. She laid there happily for a while until she heard snoring coming from down the hall. She laughed again. She and Cody always argued about weather or not he snored.
Haley slide over so she was straddling Nathan and leaned down kissed him. He woke up immediately. "Dam you sure know how to wake a guy up lady." Haley smiled down at him. "What time is it anyways?"
Haley glanced over at the clock "6."
"Six why on earth are you awake at six you don't have to work till 12 right?"
"Who said this is about work?" The 'I'm in the mood to cause trouble' smile appeared on her face. Nathan could not take it. He groaned quietly as he pulled her down to him and started to kiss her. Before she knew what happened she was on the bottom and he was on top. She laughed as she said, "Happy to see you are awake now."
He was too every part of him was on fire for this funny girl with the best smile he had ever seen. That smile was going to be his undoing. "Awake is not the word. You never cease to surprise me Haley James. Every time I think that I have you all figured out you go and do something so totally beyond anything I have ever expected."
"So you didn't like the bath tub?" She tried to look hurt but could not help but smiling up at him.
"No way, I didn't like it I loved it. Can we go back into it right now?" He wiggled his eyebrows at her.
"Sure, but I hope you are really willing to die for me though because if you listen closely you can here something that sounds like a lawn mower? That would be Cody. He is the reason I woke up."
"Umm . . . .never mind then I am happy enough right here with you." He smiled his devilish smile at her, and leaned down and kissed her again. Haley pulled him close to her as she giggled. Nathan finally pulls back just enough that he can talk to her. Their lips brush as he says, "I really do love your crazy a $ s."
Haley smiled and kissed him quickly and said "I noticed you always stare at it."
Nathan laughed. "Can you blame a guy for enjoying the view?" They both laughed. Haley stretched up and caught his mouth with hers. She pulled him back down to her. Nathan's hands start to roam her body as he kisses down her neck.
Haley laughed and pulled him back up to her. "The door is open, and my brother could see us d-."
Before she could finish her sentence Nathan pushed himself up and off of her, and jumped quietly from the bed. He shut the door softly and turned back with a big grin on his face. "So now that we are alone where were we?"
Haley who has sat up fell back to the bed laughing. He was just too cute sometimes.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Peyton woke up and looked around. She tried to remember why she was sleeping in her car. She remembered some of it but everything was a little fuzzy. The memory of what she had done the night before like a car crash. She laid back down and covered her face. She wanted to cry but was unable to. So instead she sat back up and tried to start the car. It would not turn over. The battery was dead or something. She picked up her cell phone and started to dial Brooke's number and realized that she couldn't.
Peyton hit the end button. Who was she going to cal now? She went through everyone she knew and finally came up with Luke if he was home. She pulled up his number and hit send.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Brooke rolled over with a smile on her face. It vanished when she saw that Luke was not lying next to her. She looked around the room and saw that his clothes were gone too. The hurt was evident on her face. She was upset that he would leave with out saying good bye to her. She looked back to where he was supposed to be and saw the folded up piece of paper. On the outside he had written Mornin Sunshine. The smile reappeared on her face. She picked it up and opened it up and read.
Cheery,
Sorry I had to bail on you, but with last night Keith would have thrown me out of the house. I wanted to wake you up and say good bye in a proper fashion, but I decided not to because of two things. One you looked so cute sleeping there and two you looked so cute sleeping there. A real good bye might have taken another hour or so. Any ways I have work today and then I am supposed to go out with Haley. I will try and catch you sometime today though I still need my goodbye/good morning kiss. Call me if you need me or just want to talk.
Sexy
Brooke held the note to her chest as she fell back to the bed with a smile that stretched from ear to ear.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Luke did not even bother to look at the caller id on his phone he just -assume-d it was Brooke. "Hey your up early sexy."
There was a silence "Umm - Luke it's me. I know that I am the last person you want to talk to, but um -well I am stuck. My car won't start I think it is the battery or maybe I ran out of gas. I don't know."
Luke was already getting up, and pulling on his paints. "Where are you?"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Luke pulled up next to Peyton's car. She looked like hell he thought as he got out of the tow truck. He walked around and grabbed the gallon gas can and went to hr gas tank. He opened it and poured the can in. He told Peyton to try it again. The car still did not turn over. Luke grabbed the jumper cables and Peyton popped the hood. This time the car started.
Peyton stood looking at anything but him as she said, "Umm thanks I appreciate it especially after what I did last night."
"Peyton I am not mad at you for last night." He walked over and stood in front of her so she had to look at him. "I understand why you did it he11 I have wanted to do it on occasion myself. Kiss you when I am not supposed to that is. Remember me chasing you around when you were with Nathan? I was kind of pathetic."
Peyton finally smiled finally and chuckled to herself. "You are right it was a little. We really do have a messed up relationship don't we?"
"See it is a good thing we figured this out before we started dating," Luke joked back. The joke fell flat because it hit too close to home. They both stood in the awkward silence.
Peyton finally said "Well thanks I had better go." As she turned to leave Luke grabbed her arm and pulled her back around to face him. They looked deeply into each others eyes.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Nathan went in the back door hoping to avoid meeting up with anyone. He had just taken Haley to work. His mom had called and asked her to come in early because the café was busy. Unfortunately for Nathan Dan was standing in the kitchen making a protein shake. Nathan stopped and tried to go back with out being scene but it was too late.
"Nathan" Dan ran around the counter and followed him out the door. Dan closed the door behind him to keep anyone in the house from hearing. "Stop we need to talk."
"See that is where you are wrong dad I have nothing to say to you." Nathan started to walk away again.
Dan grabbed his arm, and turned him around. Nathan quickly pulled his arm out of Dan's grasp. "It's not what you think."
"Oh I think it is exactly what I think and in fact it is pretty much impossible for it to be anything else."
"You don't understand though Nathan. These last couple weeks have been hard on me--."
"Hard on you? That is a laugh and a half. You don't know what hard is dad, but you are about to find out because if you don't tell mom the truth and I mean everything I am going to."
"Nathan? Come on can't this be between the guys think of how many things I have not told your mom for you?"
"Who asked you not to? Sure as he11 was not me. I mean tell her or I will." Nathan started to walk away and realized the reason he had come home in the first place. He needed to change; he still had on the outfit from last night. Haley had dried it for him. He turned around and shouldered past Dan and went into the house.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Peyton I don't want us to be like this. I like having you around. Can we put all of this weird attraction we have aside and just work on the friendship side of it? Who knows maybe in the future we can find a time and place when we are both ready and willing?" Peyton just stared at him. Luke searched her face trying to figure out what was going on behind the mask that she always had on.
Just as he was about to say something else Peyton nodded, and said quietly "I would like that." She hugged him and then quickly pulled back and climbed into her car, and drove away.
Luke stood watching her leave. That may have been one of the hardest things he had ever done. He had had to resist the temptation of kissing her. Every time he had thought about it he thought of Brooke asleep in her bed and the urge to kiss Peyton subsided.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Nathan pulled up to the court. He had no idea why he had come here, but he had needed to get away from the house and be alone. He had thought about the school gym, but that had too many memories. Besides he was pretty sure Haley had said Luke had to work today so the court would probably be empty. He started to shoot the ball and lost himself in the rhythm of the game and the sound of the bouncing ball.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Cody sat talking with Haley as Luke walked by the café bouncing his basketball. Haley had told him to come in and she would buy him launch. "I swear that friend of yours has a one tract mind Hales." Cody joked as they both waved to Luke.
"Nope two tract now Cody." Cody looked back over to Haley. "He is a male Cody. What do you think about more than sports?"
A grin came across his face "Girls!"
Haley rolled her eyes. That smile was going to break hundreds of girls' hearts and thank god he did not know it. "Yep. He found the opposite sex this year."
"I hate to tell you this, I mean I don't want to ruin your perfect image of the golden boy, but he probably found girls along time ago. He just never told you about it and they just are giving him the time of day." Haley just shook her head at him. "Besides it is not Luke's love life I am worried about. It is yours that concerns me."
"Well it is none of your concern so lets not talk about it."
"Are you sure about this guy," he asked ignoring her?
"Yes I am. Look I have had the 'be careful' lecture about 500 too many times. Cody you know me."
Cody stopped her there, "You are right I do know you and I know that though you don't show it you are the biggest kind hearted person I have ever known. That you hid behind you sarcasm and insults, but you care more for the people around you than you do for yourself." Haley started to talk again, but Cody spoke over her. "I am not saying that he is a bad guy Hales he just comes with a lot of trauma, and I would not want to see you get drag down with him."
"So you are saying that I should dump him because he does not have the perfect home life? Sorry Cody not going to happen."
"I know it won't. I saw you with him. I have only seen you look at one other person like you looked at Nathan and that guy just walked by the window, and shares Nathan's last name."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Lucas saw someone on the court and got excited he was a half an hour early. He had gotten done with the work Keith had left for him as quick as he could. It was a warm day out and he wanted to enjoy it. As he got closer the guy on the court took a shot and Luke stopped in his tracks. He knew that jump shot. He had seen it a hundred times in the last month or so. Lucas thought about turning around and leaving. He watched Nathan take another shot. Man that guy was good. He really could back up all of his talk. Now Lucas was wondering why he came here to play and did not just play at his house, or at the gym. Curiosity got the better of him. He walked up behind Nathan pulling his head phones out of his ears as he walked.
Nathan took another shot and Lucas shot after him. Both balls went in the hoop one after the other. Nathan spun around quickly to find Luke standing behind him. Sh!t he thought he knew he should not have come here. So much for peace and quiet.
Lucas acted like Nathan's presence was not a big deal and went and got the balls. Nathan turned watching him waiting for Lucas to tell him to get off the court. Instead Lucas got both balls and threw one back to Nathan. Nathan caught it and looked at it in bewilderment. What was up? This was Lucas's home turf and he acted like Nathan's presence was not a new thing. Lucas started to shoot. He ignored the dumbfounded look on Nathan's face. Nathan finally started to shoot again. They went on like this for a while when Nathan finally said, "You should be happy that our father left your mom when he did."
Lucas turned to look at him. He wanted to make sure Nathan was not being an a $ s hole. Nathan just kept shooting. The anger was evident on his face though. Lucas turned and took a shoot. He would let Nathan get it out in his own time. Nathan did not say anything more so Lucas finally asked, "Why should I be happy that he broke my mom's heart?"
Nathan gave a cynical laugh. "So she would not have to put up with him and all of the stupid things he does." Nathan took another shot. "Plus he is an idiot. He was dumb enough to bring that woman into the beach house when Haley and I were there."
Lucas's brain went in two separate directions. He thought about what Nathan was saying about Dan and a woman. Though Nathan had not said it Lucas was sure that Dan was cheating on Deb. The other direction was the fact that Haley and Nathan had been alone in the beach house. He was trying hard to not imagine all of the things they could have been doing. He was hoping that Haley was not that dumb. Then it occurred to him what he had been doing to Brooke last night and he felt bad for getting angry with Haley.
They both shot for a while in silence. Nathan was the one to break it again. "Do you want to play a game?" Lucas looked at him skeptically. "No points just to play?"
Lucas shrugged what could one game hurt. It was not like they were going to jeopardize some friendship. "Sure why not."
Nathan threw Lucas the ball and said, "Here you take it."
Luke did a jump shot and sunk the ball. "How about we don't play you make it you take it. If this is for fun who cares who made the last basket?"
"Works for me." Nathan took the ball and did a lay up. The guys played for a while both being aggressive but laughing at each other and themselves as they made and missed shots. Both thought to themselves that it felt good not to have to fight every time they were together.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Haley was sitting working on her work when two people walked into the café. They were the first people in nearly an hour. It had been busy at first but died off after the lunch rush. She put a book mark in her book and went over to where the people were standing by the counter. They were holding hands and Haley had to stop herself from laughing. The one was a woman a little older than Haley, with short dirty blonde hair, and the other was a dark haired guy. The reason Haley was trying so hard not to laugh was the fact that the guy was maybe 3 feet tall. "What can I get for you," she asked the couple. She noticed they had on wedding rings.
"Give me something with lots of caffeine and sugar I need some extra zeal today. It's mine and Brittney's anniversary," the man said as we winked at Haley and slapped what Haley was now a$suming was his wife's butt. The woman laughed, and ordered too. Haley got their stuff for them and took their money. As they walked out Haley heard the man talking "Come on babe you and me have an appointment with our bed." As the door shut Haley burst out laughing. It was nice to see that love crossed all boundaries even height. She was trying hard not to think of the guy as a midget but that was all that came to her mind.
Before she could contemplate this too far Jake walked in. He was looking over his shoulder. Haley guessed that he was looking at the couple that had just left. "Wow the things I have seen today," he said as he turned towards her. Haley laughed and nodded. Jake shook his head to clear it. "Speaking of interesting I have to show you something. Can you leave the café for a little bit."
"No I am working," she said with a laugh. Curiosity got the better of her though, "Why what do you have to show me?"
"I can't tell you. You won't believe it until you see it with your own eyes. Come on the café is dead just put up the closed sign for a couple of minutes. I know you can."
"No not until I know what I am getting into here."
Jake got impatient and grabbed her arm and dragged her around the counter. "Come on. No time for being silly."
Haley grabbed her coat as she went around the corner. "Ok I am coming." They left and Haley flipped the closed sign and locked the door. They got into Jake's car and started towards the river court. "So where are we going any ways and where is Emma?"
"You have to wait and see and with my mom."
They pulled up to the court. Haley looked at the scene in front of them. Her mouth was open in shock. She looked at Jake as if to say something, but turned back to look at the court. Nathan was pointing at Luke and laughing. Haley finally said "What, I mean how..why."
"No idea for any of those questions. I was driving by and saw Luke playing and thought I would join him for a while, but then I saw who he was playing with."
They sat in silence and watched the guys play ball. Nathan was going for a lay up when his and Luke's feet got tangled up. Nathan went down hard. Haley said "Oh no."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Nathan hit the cement and gave a grunt. He smashed his elbow into the ground and felt the blood start to run. Lucas stood over Nathan unsure of what to do. Nathan sat up and looked at his elbow and up at Lucas. He shook his head and started to laugh. Lucas finally breathed out. He had not even realized he was holding it.
Nathan said, "It's a good thing we are on the same team." Nathan laughed and so did Lucas. Lucas reached down to him and helped him up. Lucas ran and grabbed the ball and threw it to Nathan.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Haley and Jake looked at each other in amazement. They both started to laugh, and looked back at the court. Haley finally said, "Thanks Jake. You were right I did need to see this."
"So you are not mad at me for dragging you out of the café literally."
"Not at all, in fact thanks. You are right I needed to see this for myself because I am not sure that I would have believed you." They both sat in silence for a couple of minutes more. Haley reluctantly said "Though I would love to sit here and watch these two I had better get back to the café."
"Yeah you're right, and I need to get home." They drove back to the café. As Haley started to get out Jake laid a hand on her arm. She turned back to see what was up. "You know that you are the reason for what we just saw right?"
"Me? I was not even there."
"Yeah, but through you the two of them have found one thing that they both have in common and share. Plus I know that you have forced them to be together many times on purpose and not. You should be proud of yourself. You have done something that would have taken years to do. Well if it ever happened at all. You had better go now before Deb finds out you were gone."
Haley sat there for several seconds longer and just looked at Jake. He really had been serious. She liked to think that Nathan and Luke had done all of this on their own but like Jake she had her doubts. Finally she leaned over and kissed him on the cheek and said, "Thanks for everything Jake, and not just this but for everything you have done for Luke." She got out of the car with that and went to the front steps. She turned around after unlocking the door and waved to Jake as he drove off.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Skills, Fergeson, Junk, Mouth, Edwards and Cody all walked up to the court together joking and laughing. Skills was in the middle of saying something to Cody when he saw who was playing on the court. "What the he11?" Everyone else looked to see what he was looking at. "Is this another rematch? Did Luke tell any of you about there being another rematch?" Skills looked around at the stunned faces. Everyone shook their head. Skills turned back to see Nathan laughing as Luke made a basket. He was trying to decide weather or not they were all having a mass hallucination. The group walked up to the court. Skills did his and Luke's hand shake as he eyed Nathan. Nathan stood off to the side awkwardly dribbling the ball.
"Hey guys, where you been," Luke asked as he shook hands with Fergi. "Cody you decided to slum it with us today?"
"Yeah I decided that you all needed a lesson in playing real ball." He and Luke shook hands.
"So who's on whose team," Luke asked all of the guys.
Before anyone could say anything Cody grabbed the ball that Skills had. "Oh no I choose the teams. I need a good match up. Let's put the Scotts and Skills, against me Fergi and Junk. I need to work out while I am down here." Cody had done this more to keep the brotherly love going than for the work out. He almost laughed at that thought.
Nathan stood there shocked. Haley's brother actually wanted him to play. He had thought that with this new group of players he was going to be out of the game. Now not only were they including him they had him playing on a team with Luke.
They started to play. Nathan stole the ball from Cody and dribbled down the court. Without looking he threw the ball to Lucas. Luke dunked the ball. As he landed he turned towards Cody and said, "Come on big college boy. I thought you needed some competition. Everyone laughed and relaxed.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Deb stood in the kitchen fixing dinner. She was not sure who was going to be there and who was not. She had not seen Nathan all day and was not even sure if he had come home yet. Dan walked into the kitchen. "Dan had Nathan been home?"
"He came home this morning," Dan said avoiding her eyes as he went to the fridge.
"Did he say if he would be back for dinner and for that matter where he was going?"
Dan turned around quickly he did not like the tone in her voice. "No he did not to either of those. He was in one of his moods and I thought that he needed his space not me badgering him."
"Asking where he is going and when he will be back is not badgering it is being a parent. Did you at least try and find out why he was mad? He was at Haley's last night maybe they had a fight?"
"You have been home what 5, maybe 6 weeks and now you all of a sudden you are supper mom? I have been here the entire time Deb he is my son I know what I am doing."
"Sure you do. That is why he took drugs to be a better ball player. That is why he started drinking."
"Did you ever notice that his troubles did not start until you came back home? Maybe you should take a good look in the mirror Deb and stop staring down at the rest of us from that pedestal you have put yourself on."
"I am not doing this Dan. I already told you Friday night. We are through. I am going to the lawyers on Monday as soon as your parents leave. I am not doing this anymore. I am tired of it. We are both unhappy and the only thing we are doing by staying together is hurting Nat. You can have everything the house, the beach house, the cars, and everything else all I want is Nat."
"And I told you no deal Deb. He is my son. I am not giving him up. It has been me and him for so long. You are just a visitor to our life. Besides what makes you think he would want to be with you?"
"Visitor? Visitor that is nice Dan and you wonder why I want a divorce. You can stop hiding the fact that you are having an affair too I know Dan."
"When did you talk to Nathan," he asked before he even thought about the argument he had with Deb on Friday night.
"Nathan? He knows? What did you do now Dan?"
"He didn't talk to you did he?" Dan realized how stupid he had just been.
"No he didn't why would he have?"
"It's not a big deal. He and Haley were at the beach house last night when I got there."
Before Dan could go on Deb interrupted him. "You were at the beach house last night? When was this you were with either me or your parents all night till we went to bed--." Deb said this last part in an enlightened voice. "You left the house last night after we all went to bed. Why? To be with her?"
"Nice that you are so worried about me being there, and do not even bother to ask why our son and his girlfriend were there alone at night."
"I trust them and not you. That is why I did not ask about them. Now answer the question Dan."
Fine Deb you want to know everything here it is then. Yes I left here last night after you all were in bed. I met Sara at the beach house to have the best sex of my life. She is incredible. No talking all action and she can do things that most people only dream of. Are you happy?"
Deb looked as if he had just punched her. She regained enough of her composure and asked "Nathan saw you two?"
"He saw us on the couch we were not doing anything."
"Not doing anything? For some reason I doubt that. Like Nathan did not have enough problems already without you having to go and pull a stunt like this."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Peyton picked up the phone and punched Brooke's number in. She listened to it ring. She knew Brooke was just not answering because it was her. The voice mail came on. Peyton started to hang up and thought better of it and left a message "Brooke it's me. You can't ignore me forever. Please call me. We need to talk. I was drunk and stupid. I don't know why I did that and I don't want this happen. Please call me." Peyton hung the phone up and tossed it back into the cradle. She could not believe how messed up things were. That she was the reason for it. She looked down at her sketch book. She had drawn a little strip starting with her kissing the Luke while Brooke watched, next one had Luke saying Sorry, and the last had Brooke saying bytch. She was writing in stupidity as the title.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Nathan walked into the house from the front this time. He was not going to chance running into his dad alone again. He still could not figure out how he was going to tell his mom everything he had seen last night. He knew his dad would not do it. He started down the hall past the kitchen.
Deb saw Nathan and called to him, "Hey Nate, come keep me company while I finish dinner."
Nate started to protest, but decided this was as good of a time as any. He took a beep breath and went into the kitchen. He sat down on the stool and watched as his mom cut vegetables up. There was one good thing about her working in the café and that was they had never eaten so well.
They both sat in silence for several minutes. They were both lost in thought. Deb finally asked, "So how was your day?"
"Actually it turned out better than I thought it would. I played ball most of it."
"With Tim? How is he?"
"No not with Tim. Actually you may not believe this, but I played ball with Lucas and his friends down at the riverside court."
Deb almost dropped the cutting board she was carrying out of shock. She hide the shock and went to the stove. She asked Nathan "And how did this come about" with out turning around.
"I went down there thinking that no one was going to be around. I needed some time alone. Couldn't get that here so I went down there and Lucas showed up."
"I am happy to hear it. I have been wondering how long it would take you two to get past this whole brother thing and see that neither of you are that bad of guys." Nathan sat quietly for a minute. "Hey make yourself use full and mix that stuff up for me." She pointed to a bowl that had brownie mix in it.
Nathan laughed as he got up and walked around the corner, and started mixing. "In case I have not told you this you are getting to be a good cook."
"Thanks Nate." They both worked on in silence. Deb finally got her nerve up and said, "Nate we need to talk about last night."
Nathan was in the middle of pouring the batter into the pan and the bowl slipped out of his hands. It bounced on the table. Deb looked over to him. She was not surprised by this shock. "What do you mean last night?"
"Nate your dad already told me about it."
"So you know about that woman then?"
"I already did know Nate. What we need to talk about is what is going to happen next."
Nathan thought about what he would like to happen next. He did not want to say it though so instead he asked "Next?"
"I asked him for a divorce."
Nathan almost smiled at this, but stopped himself. He figured joy at his parents getting a divorce was not a normal emotion. He turned and slid the pan into the oven where he allowed himself a small smile.
Deb continued, "I asked him for custody of you. Is that ok with you?"
Nathan spun around at this he could hear the fear in his mother's voice. Was she really afraid that he would pick his dad over her? "That's what I want mom."
"Good because I offered him everything if he will let you live with me without a fight."
"Everything? What do you mean by that?"
Deb looked around as she said, "Everything. I would rather start out new, and have you with me with out a dirty fight, than fighting over you and all of this stuff. It does not matter your happiness is the only thing that I care about."
Nathan just stood there for a moment letting what she had said absorb in. He did not know what to say. He looked at the woman before him that had become a stranger the last couple of years, but yet loved him so much she would give up everything for him without thinking twice.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~