Breakfast was a write off the next morning because Haley's head was pounding so hard the thought of food made her gag. Missing out on the college party years made her tolerance for alcohol low and her propensity for hangovers high. She made her excuses and went home to her own bed. Kate was no where to be found when she arrived home which she was grateful for. The only thing Haley wanted was a darkened room and more sleep. She finally hauled her ass out of bed for the second time that day at six thirty when she heard Kate come home. She wandered out to the kitchen in her pajamas rubbing her eyes.
"Are you seriously just getting out of bed?" Kate asked as she hung up her coat.
"Yes, but in my defense I was up this morning too."
"Are you hungover?" Kate was shocked. She was used to the quiet studious Haley, not the stay-out-all-night-come-home-hungover Haley.
"Maybe. It was an emotional roller coaster of a week. Give me a break."
"Well, not to burst your bubble but it's about to get worse. You should listen to the message on the machine." She suggested.
Haley looked at Kate through half open eyes, not really wanting to move from her chair, but her curiosity got the better of her so she walked across the room and pushed the red flashing button. "Hales, it's Luke. I just wanted to let you know that the trade has been finalized. I'm coming to Boston. I'll call you back later so we can talk."
"You don't seem shocked." Kate commented.
"I'm not. I heard about it last night."
"Was that the reason you got hammered?"
"Partly. I got together with a couple of friends from high school and we were having fun reminiscing and the drinks were flowing...and you know the rest." Haley explained.
"Did it involve sex?" Kate grinned.
"No...get your mind out of the gutter. They were friends from Tree Hill."
"Oh, that kind of reminiscing. Was it pick on Haley night?" Kate was protective of her friend. She didn't want anyone hurting Haley over her past. Lord knew Haley beat up on herself enough without any outside help.
"At first sort of, but it got better. You'll have to meet Peyton and Jake. They are really great people. You'll love them. I promise. So what are you up to tonight?" Haley asked.
"What do you feel like? Club? Dinner? Movie? Your pick. I think you've had enough catch up time with your old friends, it would do you good to hang out with someone who doesn't think you are the devil incarnate." Kate smiled.
"Kate, you are sweet but it really wasn't that bad. It was actually fun once the uncomfortable part was over. As for tonight, I don't think I'm really up for anything. I do have something to confess though," Haley said.
"What's that? I love juicy gossip and confessions."
"It's nothing like that. I was just looking in my closet last night and I realized that my wardrobe is entirely too conservative. I got my first real paycheck yesterday and I was thinking about hitting the mall tomorrow. Are you up for it?"
"Absolutely. How about I run out to Blockbuster and we'll have an at home night?" Kate suggested.
"You don't have to stay in on my account. Go out, have a good time. We'll shop together tomorrow." Haley replied.
"I have to fly out to New York on Monday and after working on a Saturday I don't really feel like getting crazy tonight. Popcorn and a cheesy chick flick is just what I need."
"All right, if you say so. You go get the movie and I'll make the popcorn."
Kate and Haley had a quiet girls night watching some brainless movie that didn't require any kind of thought. It was exactly what the doctor ordered. Haley had to admit, as happy as she was to reconnect with Luke, Peyton and Jake, the last few days had taken a lot out of her. Old wounds had been opened that had taken her the better part of five years to heal. She wasn't kidding herself, some wounds would never completely heal. That was a fact of life.
After a day full of shopping and spending nearly her entire paycheck on new clothes and shoes, Kate and Haley ordered in dinner. Neither one of them were great cooks but Haley was happy that for once she could pay for dinner instead of Kate.
"You know I think I like you having a real job." Kate smiled as she dished out her food.
"You are not the only one. And I am going to start paying you back with my next check." Haley promised.
"No, I wasn't talking about the cash, it's just you seemed more...I don't know adventurous today."
"I bought some skirts Kate. I didn't get implants."
"It's just so out of character for you to do something, well impulsive...and that dress you bought at Macy's was nothing if not impulsive."
"I'll have you know I got a tattoo once." Haley smiled.
"You? Haley Scott has a tattoo? Why have I never seen it?" Kate asked.
"I don't walk around broadcasting it."
"Can I see it?" Kate asked.
"Sure." Haley turned around and pulled her shirt out of the waistband of her jeans.
"23? What the hell does that mean?"
"It was Nathan's jersey number in high school. When I first fell for him I had it done so that I would always remember that feeling. I wanted something tangible so that I would know it wasn't all some big dream." Haley explained.
"Well that is definitely not the Haley Scott that I know. So, really, how did things go the other night with your old friends?" Kate asked seriously.
"Peyton was mad at first...and she had every right to be." Haley replied.
"She was the blond one from the pictures right? She dated Luke and Nathan?" Kate confirmed.
"Yep. We were friends though, despite all the drama surrounding the men in our lives."
"Why did she have a right to be mad at you? It's not like you broke up with her," Kate pointed out.
"Didn't I? I left all of them Kate. Walked away without a second thought." Haley answered.
"You know what? I've known you for four years now and it really pisses me off when you talk like that."
"Like what? I'm just stating facts Kate."
"You are not a martyr Hales. You don't have to be a martyr. This thing you did for Nathan...you did it to yourself also. You seem to think you deserve their wrath but I refuse to accept that. I know you. Maybe I didn't know you back then, but you are entitled to your own anger about this. It was a shitty place Dan put you in, and you should be mad as hell that you had to give up the one thing that meant anything to you at the time. I'm not making judgements about your decision – you did what you thought you had to do, but don't take it all on yourself. Share some of that blame. Hell, pass it around if you'd like. But above all, try just for once to put your feelings ahead of Lucas's confusion or Peyton's resentment." Kate said.
"Easier said than done." Haley said ruefully.
"Listen, you are like the queen of projects." All through college Kate had harassed her about all her plans – for her classes, for her volunteer job, for her life. She often joked that if Haley was to do something spontaneous, that it would be a project she planned out first. "Your new official project is to give yourself a break. Plan it out, timelines...whatever it takes." Kate smiled.
"I'll work on that." Haley returned the smile.
Monday morning brought a new sense of dread to Haley's life. Despite the pep talk from Kate, Haley was only too aware that today was the day the trade would be announced. That meant that by the end of the week her and Lucas would be in the same building every day. She wondered if her reprieve was about to get shorter. If Lucas had a problem lying to Nathan, he certainly wouldn't want him to know that for a month he knew where Haley was and didn't tell him. Haley tried to put that out of her mind for the time being and get on with the job at hand.
The first two days were relatively quiet. All of the team was back and there was an exhibition game on Saturday night at home so Haley's office was busy. She was happy for the distraction. With Kate in New York, Haley seemed to have a lot of free time and found herself spending most of her evenings at the Fleet Center. Devon had shared the plan she made for him with a few of the other players and there were requests on her desk for similar routines. Because Haley was thorough, she first spent a few hours going over what the player was looking for, and then seeing their current routine. Once she had done her background research she devised a personalized approach to training for each of them. They took about two hours to draw up so her evenings were full too. It was becoming rare for her to get home before ten o'clock.
By Thursday Peyton and Jake had called a total of three times without her having the opportunity to call them back. She took a break from her current program at around seven that night to pick up the phone.
"Peyton, hey, sorry I haven't called sooner." Haley said after the hellos were out of the way.
"No problem. I get that you are busy. I just wanted to let you know that we are having a little get together here Saturday after the game and you are more than welcome to join us."
"By us you mean?" Haley had to ask.
"Me, Jake and Luke."
"I'd love to but I'm going to be pretty busy after the game." Haley admitted.
"You aren't just avoiding us are you?" she teased.
"No, I'm really not. Some of the guys may need a treatment after the game so I have to be available. Any other time and I'm free."
"What about tomorrow?" Peyton suggested.
"Friday night? Isn't that official date night?"
"For some couples maybe, but Jake and I have been together so long it really doesn't apply to us anymore." Peyton laughed.
"Well, my roommate Kate and I had plans to hit a club for a girls night. You are welcome to come."
"Sounds like a plan. You wanna meet at your place or pick me up?"
"Come on over to our place. That way I can introduce you before the noise of the bar." Haley said.
"Give me the address." Peyton replied. Once directions were given, they rang off. Haley spent another hour at her computer and then called it quits. She was tired and Kate was due home that night and she wanted to hear all about New York.
Lucas arrived at the Fleet Centre on Friday. Haley knew that because the buzz level increased. Caroline even came down to see if Haley had caught a glimpse of the new kid. She had known him so long that it was lost to her that he was an attractive guy. Apparently, this fact was not lost on the rest of the female staff. Mike did bring him by for an introduction, but Haley was out for lunch at the time. She actually managed to go the whole day without seeing him which was a relief. He was not dressing for the exhibition game so it was possible that she would have another two days to prepare herself. When that thought crossed her mind, she realized how ridiculous that was, so she went to search him out before she left for the day. She found him in Coach Simmons office.
"Hey Coach," Haley nodded to him. "I just wanted to come by and welcome Lucas to the organization." She said as she peeked her head in the door.
"Thanks Haley. Are you coming by Jake's tomorrow night?" Lucas asked.
"Lucas, how do you know our Dr. Scott?" Coach interjected.
"We actually went to high school together." Lucas offered. She was relieved he didn't reveal the family connection.
"Really? Well, a familiar face should help you feel at home here." The coach smiled.
"It does. So are you coming Hales?" Lucas repeated.
"Can't. Got work to do here. But we'll catch up later. You know where my office is. I'm here all the time." She grinned. "Coach tortures the players on the court and then I get you after."
"They don't call her room the House of Pain for nothing," The coach teased. Haley headed back to her office, gathered up her stuff and went home.
Peyton was right on time and once introductions were out of the way, the girls headed off to a club together. There was no talk of the brothers Scott or any other painful high school experience. It was just three girls out together having a good time. Peyton and Kate hit it off right away.
"You know, your friend Kate is like a slightly muted Brooke," Peyton offered.
"What? She is nothing like Brooke."
"Sure she is. The only difference being she is blond and not as obnoxious." She grinned.
Haley thought about it for a moment. They were both up for anything as long as it was fun, and neither one of them took themselves too seriously. "OK, maybe you're right."
"I'm glad I came out tonight. Thanks for letting me tag along," Peyton said.
At that moment Kate came up carrying drinks. "We are not reminiscing are we? There is to be no talk of anything remotely depressing. Tomorrow is a big day for Doc here and tonight is all about fun." Kate said as she handed them each their drinks.
"Absolutely no depressing talk. I swear. So Kate, how did you hear about this club?" Peyton asked.
"I did PR for their opening a couple of months ago. Scored me a VIP pass for life. Sometimes there are perks to my job," She grinned.
"Like you ever stood in line in your life!" Haley joked.
"Ya well the pass means I can wear what I want." Kate shot back.
"What does that mean?" Peyton was confused.
"It means she didn't have to show some skin to get it. Our Kate here is not above using her god given assets to get what she wants." Haley explained.
Peyton and Haley looked at each other and started laughing. It was a totally Brooke thing to do.
"So Haley, do you get to sit on the bench with all the players?" Peyton asked after the giggles stopped.
"No. My boss Mike is on the bench. I have to be in the arena just in case. If he ever can't make a game then I get to be on the floor but otherwise I'm just the troll in the basement." Haley explained.
"Cool. Are you nervous about the game tomorrow?" she asked.
"No. It's just an exhibition game so I don't think anything big will happen. Plus the majority of my job is rehab and physio so game day is kind of irrelevant to me." Haley replied.
"You've done really well for yourself Hales. I'm proud of you." Peyton smiled.
"Thanks." She returned the smile.
The rest of the evening was a blast. Haley was careful about how much she drank, but the girls mostly danced and laughed. They were even home at a respectable hour.
The game went well the next day, Boston beating Chicago by a respectable 12 point margin. There were no injuries so Haley was finished up early. She debated about going to Jake and Peyton's but in the end decided against it. She had a busy week ahead of her and could use the time to rest. They team had a second exhibition game on Friday and Lucas would play in that one. Then it was a week until the season opener. The guys kept her busy in the two weeks before the opener but Haley really loved her job. Lucas had stopped by a couple of times to see her for professional reasons. They kept everything business which Haley liked. She had talked to Peyton and Jake on the phone a couple of times and everything seemed to be falling into a new sort of normal. There would always be some weirdness between them. Everyone was waiting for the Detroit game to see how it would play out. Until then, they had reached an unspoken understanding.
Haley watched a replay of Detroit's opening game on the dish Wednesday night at two am. She had to work the next day at eight but she really wanted to see it. Nathan was still fluid on the court. In the beginning of their relationship she knew virtually nothing about basketball, but she liked to watch him play just the same. It was like poetry in motion. He didn't play a lot of the game, but when he did, he made it count. He even made it onto the sheet with three rebounds and four baskets. It was a good debut for a rookie.
Boston's season opener was on a Friday night and the excitement in the arena was tangible. Even Haley was swept up in it. The great thing about the Celtics organization was that most people weren't just employees – they were fans first and foremost. They worked hard and took pride in their team. Haley was preparing the treatment room for the after game onslaught when Mike came in.
"Haley...getting ready for tonight?" he asked.
"Yep. I think I might be busy after this one." She replied.
"I need another favor."
"What's that?" Haley asked as she was folding some towels.
"I have to be somewhere tonight...can you be on the bench?" Mike asked.
"Where could you have to be that is more important than the opener?" Haley replied.
"It's a long story...can you do it?"
"I'll need to go home and change. I don't have any suitable clothes here." She explained.
"I'll finish up here for you. You can go change now." Mike suggested.
"Are you sure Mike?"
"Definitely. It can't be avoided."
"All right then. Hey, something isn't up with Carmel?" Haley inquired. Carmel was Mike's very pregnant wife.
"Nope, nothing like that. I'll explain later, I promise. I just need you to do this tonight." He said.
"Well, then I guess I'm off for home. I'll be back in an hour." Haley put down her towel and headed for her car.
It was a quick shower and change at home to rush back to the arena. Mike was gone when she got back but the treatment room was done. She then went to the floor to set up whatever she might need through the course of the game. She had butterflies in her stomach but no time to acknowledge how nervous she was. Before she knew it she was watching the team be announced as she took her seat on the end of the bench.
In a hotel across town Mike was taking care of his unavoidable appointment.
"Do you mind if I have the game on while we do this?" Mike asked.
"No, I was hoping you might say that." the stranger replied. ESPN was panning across the bench showing the faces of the players. The screen was filled with Lucas's face.
"How's the new guy doing?" the man asked with a smirk.
"Seems like a good kid." Mike replied.
"A little bit of a show off if you ask..." the man's voice faded away as the camera panned past Haley.
A/N I know – an awful place to end a chapter but...what can I say. Had to be done. So for a while I thought I was being a little over eager, posting everyday but there have been nineteen reviews so far and they just keep inspiring me. Thank you so very much. As always – thoughts? Suggestions? If you like what you read, please let me know - I am officially addicted to reviews. It is my fondest wish to break twenty five.
"Are you seriously just getting out of bed?" Kate asked as she hung up her coat.
"Yes, but in my defense I was up this morning too."
"Are you hungover?" Kate was shocked. She was used to the quiet studious Haley, not the stay-out-all-night-come-home-hungover Haley.
"Maybe. It was an emotional roller coaster of a week. Give me a break."
"Well, not to burst your bubble but it's about to get worse. You should listen to the message on the machine." She suggested.
Haley looked at Kate through half open eyes, not really wanting to move from her chair, but her curiosity got the better of her so she walked across the room and pushed the red flashing button. "Hales, it's Luke. I just wanted to let you know that the trade has been finalized. I'm coming to Boston. I'll call you back later so we can talk."
"You don't seem shocked." Kate commented.
"I'm not. I heard about it last night."
"Was that the reason you got hammered?"
"Partly. I got together with a couple of friends from high school and we were having fun reminiscing and the drinks were flowing...and you know the rest." Haley explained.
"Did it involve sex?" Kate grinned.
"No...get your mind out of the gutter. They were friends from Tree Hill."
"Oh, that kind of reminiscing. Was it pick on Haley night?" Kate was protective of her friend. She didn't want anyone hurting Haley over her past. Lord knew Haley beat up on herself enough without any outside help.
"At first sort of, but it got better. You'll have to meet Peyton and Jake. They are really great people. You'll love them. I promise. So what are you up to tonight?" Haley asked.
"What do you feel like? Club? Dinner? Movie? Your pick. I think you've had enough catch up time with your old friends, it would do you good to hang out with someone who doesn't think you are the devil incarnate." Kate smiled.
"Kate, you are sweet but it really wasn't that bad. It was actually fun once the uncomfortable part was over. As for tonight, I don't think I'm really up for anything. I do have something to confess though," Haley said.
"What's that? I love juicy gossip and confessions."
"It's nothing like that. I was just looking in my closet last night and I realized that my wardrobe is entirely too conservative. I got my first real paycheck yesterday and I was thinking about hitting the mall tomorrow. Are you up for it?"
"Absolutely. How about I run out to Blockbuster and we'll have an at home night?" Kate suggested.
"You don't have to stay in on my account. Go out, have a good time. We'll shop together tomorrow." Haley replied.
"I have to fly out to New York on Monday and after working on a Saturday I don't really feel like getting crazy tonight. Popcorn and a cheesy chick flick is just what I need."
"All right, if you say so. You go get the movie and I'll make the popcorn."
Kate and Haley had a quiet girls night watching some brainless movie that didn't require any kind of thought. It was exactly what the doctor ordered. Haley had to admit, as happy as she was to reconnect with Luke, Peyton and Jake, the last few days had taken a lot out of her. Old wounds had been opened that had taken her the better part of five years to heal. She wasn't kidding herself, some wounds would never completely heal. That was a fact of life.
After a day full of shopping and spending nearly her entire paycheck on new clothes and shoes, Kate and Haley ordered in dinner. Neither one of them were great cooks but Haley was happy that for once she could pay for dinner instead of Kate.
"You know I think I like you having a real job." Kate smiled as she dished out her food.
"You are not the only one. And I am going to start paying you back with my next check." Haley promised.
"No, I wasn't talking about the cash, it's just you seemed more...I don't know adventurous today."
"I bought some skirts Kate. I didn't get implants."
"It's just so out of character for you to do something, well impulsive...and that dress you bought at Macy's was nothing if not impulsive."
"I'll have you know I got a tattoo once." Haley smiled.
"You? Haley Scott has a tattoo? Why have I never seen it?" Kate asked.
"I don't walk around broadcasting it."
"Can I see it?" Kate asked.
"Sure." Haley turned around and pulled her shirt out of the waistband of her jeans.
"23? What the hell does that mean?"
"It was Nathan's jersey number in high school. When I first fell for him I had it done so that I would always remember that feeling. I wanted something tangible so that I would know it wasn't all some big dream." Haley explained.
"Well that is definitely not the Haley Scott that I know. So, really, how did things go the other night with your old friends?" Kate asked seriously.
"Peyton was mad at first...and she had every right to be." Haley replied.
"She was the blond one from the pictures right? She dated Luke and Nathan?" Kate confirmed.
"Yep. We were friends though, despite all the drama surrounding the men in our lives."
"Why did she have a right to be mad at you? It's not like you broke up with her," Kate pointed out.
"Didn't I? I left all of them Kate. Walked away without a second thought." Haley answered.
"You know what? I've known you for four years now and it really pisses me off when you talk like that."
"Like what? I'm just stating facts Kate."
"You are not a martyr Hales. You don't have to be a martyr. This thing you did for Nathan...you did it to yourself also. You seem to think you deserve their wrath but I refuse to accept that. I know you. Maybe I didn't know you back then, but you are entitled to your own anger about this. It was a shitty place Dan put you in, and you should be mad as hell that you had to give up the one thing that meant anything to you at the time. I'm not making judgements about your decision – you did what you thought you had to do, but don't take it all on yourself. Share some of that blame. Hell, pass it around if you'd like. But above all, try just for once to put your feelings ahead of Lucas's confusion or Peyton's resentment." Kate said.
"Easier said than done." Haley said ruefully.
"Listen, you are like the queen of projects." All through college Kate had harassed her about all her plans – for her classes, for her volunteer job, for her life. She often joked that if Haley was to do something spontaneous, that it would be a project she planned out first. "Your new official project is to give yourself a break. Plan it out, timelines...whatever it takes." Kate smiled.
"I'll work on that." Haley returned the smile.
Monday morning brought a new sense of dread to Haley's life. Despite the pep talk from Kate, Haley was only too aware that today was the day the trade would be announced. That meant that by the end of the week her and Lucas would be in the same building every day. She wondered if her reprieve was about to get shorter. If Lucas had a problem lying to Nathan, he certainly wouldn't want him to know that for a month he knew where Haley was and didn't tell him. Haley tried to put that out of her mind for the time being and get on with the job at hand.
The first two days were relatively quiet. All of the team was back and there was an exhibition game on Saturday night at home so Haley's office was busy. She was happy for the distraction. With Kate in New York, Haley seemed to have a lot of free time and found herself spending most of her evenings at the Fleet Center. Devon had shared the plan she made for him with a few of the other players and there were requests on her desk for similar routines. Because Haley was thorough, she first spent a few hours going over what the player was looking for, and then seeing their current routine. Once she had done her background research she devised a personalized approach to training for each of them. They took about two hours to draw up so her evenings were full too. It was becoming rare for her to get home before ten o'clock.
By Thursday Peyton and Jake had called a total of three times without her having the opportunity to call them back. She took a break from her current program at around seven that night to pick up the phone.
"Peyton, hey, sorry I haven't called sooner." Haley said after the hellos were out of the way.
"No problem. I get that you are busy. I just wanted to let you know that we are having a little get together here Saturday after the game and you are more than welcome to join us."
"By us you mean?" Haley had to ask.
"Me, Jake and Luke."
"I'd love to but I'm going to be pretty busy after the game." Haley admitted.
"You aren't just avoiding us are you?" she teased.
"No, I'm really not. Some of the guys may need a treatment after the game so I have to be available. Any other time and I'm free."
"What about tomorrow?" Peyton suggested.
"Friday night? Isn't that official date night?"
"For some couples maybe, but Jake and I have been together so long it really doesn't apply to us anymore." Peyton laughed.
"Well, my roommate Kate and I had plans to hit a club for a girls night. You are welcome to come."
"Sounds like a plan. You wanna meet at your place or pick me up?"
"Come on over to our place. That way I can introduce you before the noise of the bar." Haley said.
"Give me the address." Peyton replied. Once directions were given, they rang off. Haley spent another hour at her computer and then called it quits. She was tired and Kate was due home that night and she wanted to hear all about New York.
Lucas arrived at the Fleet Centre on Friday. Haley knew that because the buzz level increased. Caroline even came down to see if Haley had caught a glimpse of the new kid. She had known him so long that it was lost to her that he was an attractive guy. Apparently, this fact was not lost on the rest of the female staff. Mike did bring him by for an introduction, but Haley was out for lunch at the time. She actually managed to go the whole day without seeing him which was a relief. He was not dressing for the exhibition game so it was possible that she would have another two days to prepare herself. When that thought crossed her mind, she realized how ridiculous that was, so she went to search him out before she left for the day. She found him in Coach Simmons office.
"Hey Coach," Haley nodded to him. "I just wanted to come by and welcome Lucas to the organization." She said as she peeked her head in the door.
"Thanks Haley. Are you coming by Jake's tomorrow night?" Lucas asked.
"Lucas, how do you know our Dr. Scott?" Coach interjected.
"We actually went to high school together." Lucas offered. She was relieved he didn't reveal the family connection.
"Really? Well, a familiar face should help you feel at home here." The coach smiled.
"It does. So are you coming Hales?" Lucas repeated.
"Can't. Got work to do here. But we'll catch up later. You know where my office is. I'm here all the time." She grinned. "Coach tortures the players on the court and then I get you after."
"They don't call her room the House of Pain for nothing," The coach teased. Haley headed back to her office, gathered up her stuff and went home.
Peyton was right on time and once introductions were out of the way, the girls headed off to a club together. There was no talk of the brothers Scott or any other painful high school experience. It was just three girls out together having a good time. Peyton and Kate hit it off right away.
"You know, your friend Kate is like a slightly muted Brooke," Peyton offered.
"What? She is nothing like Brooke."
"Sure she is. The only difference being she is blond and not as obnoxious." She grinned.
Haley thought about it for a moment. They were both up for anything as long as it was fun, and neither one of them took themselves too seriously. "OK, maybe you're right."
"I'm glad I came out tonight. Thanks for letting me tag along," Peyton said.
At that moment Kate came up carrying drinks. "We are not reminiscing are we? There is to be no talk of anything remotely depressing. Tomorrow is a big day for Doc here and tonight is all about fun." Kate said as she handed them each their drinks.
"Absolutely no depressing talk. I swear. So Kate, how did you hear about this club?" Peyton asked.
"I did PR for their opening a couple of months ago. Scored me a VIP pass for life. Sometimes there are perks to my job," She grinned.
"Like you ever stood in line in your life!" Haley joked.
"Ya well the pass means I can wear what I want." Kate shot back.
"What does that mean?" Peyton was confused.
"It means she didn't have to show some skin to get it. Our Kate here is not above using her god given assets to get what she wants." Haley explained.
Peyton and Haley looked at each other and started laughing. It was a totally Brooke thing to do.
"So Haley, do you get to sit on the bench with all the players?" Peyton asked after the giggles stopped.
"No. My boss Mike is on the bench. I have to be in the arena just in case. If he ever can't make a game then I get to be on the floor but otherwise I'm just the troll in the basement." Haley explained.
"Cool. Are you nervous about the game tomorrow?" she asked.
"No. It's just an exhibition game so I don't think anything big will happen. Plus the majority of my job is rehab and physio so game day is kind of irrelevant to me." Haley replied.
"You've done really well for yourself Hales. I'm proud of you." Peyton smiled.
"Thanks." She returned the smile.
The rest of the evening was a blast. Haley was careful about how much she drank, but the girls mostly danced and laughed. They were even home at a respectable hour.
The game went well the next day, Boston beating Chicago by a respectable 12 point margin. There were no injuries so Haley was finished up early. She debated about going to Jake and Peyton's but in the end decided against it. She had a busy week ahead of her and could use the time to rest. They team had a second exhibition game on Friday and Lucas would play in that one. Then it was a week until the season opener. The guys kept her busy in the two weeks before the opener but Haley really loved her job. Lucas had stopped by a couple of times to see her for professional reasons. They kept everything business which Haley liked. She had talked to Peyton and Jake on the phone a couple of times and everything seemed to be falling into a new sort of normal. There would always be some weirdness between them. Everyone was waiting for the Detroit game to see how it would play out. Until then, they had reached an unspoken understanding.
Haley watched a replay of Detroit's opening game on the dish Wednesday night at two am. She had to work the next day at eight but she really wanted to see it. Nathan was still fluid on the court. In the beginning of their relationship she knew virtually nothing about basketball, but she liked to watch him play just the same. It was like poetry in motion. He didn't play a lot of the game, but when he did, he made it count. He even made it onto the sheet with three rebounds and four baskets. It was a good debut for a rookie.
Boston's season opener was on a Friday night and the excitement in the arena was tangible. Even Haley was swept up in it. The great thing about the Celtics organization was that most people weren't just employees – they were fans first and foremost. They worked hard and took pride in their team. Haley was preparing the treatment room for the after game onslaught when Mike came in.
"Haley...getting ready for tonight?" he asked.
"Yep. I think I might be busy after this one." She replied.
"I need another favor."
"What's that?" Haley asked as she was folding some towels.
"I have to be somewhere tonight...can you be on the bench?" Mike asked.
"Where could you have to be that is more important than the opener?" Haley replied.
"It's a long story...can you do it?"
"I'll need to go home and change. I don't have any suitable clothes here." She explained.
"I'll finish up here for you. You can go change now." Mike suggested.
"Are you sure Mike?"
"Definitely. It can't be avoided."
"All right then. Hey, something isn't up with Carmel?" Haley inquired. Carmel was Mike's very pregnant wife.
"Nope, nothing like that. I'll explain later, I promise. I just need you to do this tonight." He said.
"Well, then I guess I'm off for home. I'll be back in an hour." Haley put down her towel and headed for her car.
It was a quick shower and change at home to rush back to the arena. Mike was gone when she got back but the treatment room was done. She then went to the floor to set up whatever she might need through the course of the game. She had butterflies in her stomach but no time to acknowledge how nervous she was. Before she knew it she was watching the team be announced as she took her seat on the end of the bench.
In a hotel across town Mike was taking care of his unavoidable appointment.
"Do you mind if I have the game on while we do this?" Mike asked.
"No, I was hoping you might say that." the stranger replied. ESPN was panning across the bench showing the faces of the players. The screen was filled with Lucas's face.
"How's the new guy doing?" the man asked with a smirk.
"Seems like a good kid." Mike replied.
"A little bit of a show off if you ask..." the man's voice faded away as the camera panned past Haley.
A/N I know – an awful place to end a chapter but...what can I say. Had to be done. So for a while I thought I was being a little over eager, posting everyday but there have been nineteen reviews so far and they just keep inspiring me. Thank you so very much. As always – thoughts? Suggestions? If you like what you read, please let me know - I am officially addicted to reviews. It is my fondest wish to break twenty five.