Chapter 7: Another Way...
The team practice has finally come to an end and the guys all ran to hit the showers. Meanwhile, Peyton and Jenny just kept playing while waiting for the guys. While her eyes remained glued to her doll, Jenny suddenly popped up an unexpected question, "Auntie Peyton, are Auntie Haley and Uncle Nate ever 'gonna be friends again?"
Peyton was surprised by the question the 4-year old girl had just asked. "She's a pretty keen observer," she thought as she figured out how to answer the question in a way that Jenny could understand. She realized, however, that Haley and Nathan's situation were just too complicated. She tried to let out a surprised laugh, "How do you know they're not friends anyway?"
Young Jenny looked at her with serious eyes, "I saw Aunt Haley crying while Uncle Nate tried to talk to her. Then, she left...she was supposed to play with me too, right? Uncle Nathan made her run away."
"Boy, this girl sure is smart!" she impressively thought as she found herself beaming at her niece with pride. Taking a deep breath, she began to give the child an idea of what is really going on, "Actually Jenny, Aunt Haley is pretty upset with something Uncle Nathan did."
Jenny nodded, "And Uncle Nathan really feels bad about that too..."
Peyton gave her an intriguing look, "Why do you say that sweetie?"
Jenny let out a heavy sigh, "He would come over a lot and talk to daddy. Sometimes, he would take too much beer so daddy would just tell him to stay over."
Peyton was shocked upon learning how Nathan is dealing with his break-up. However, she's not sure whether she should tell Haley about this. "How often does he do that sweetie?" she asked while hoping inside that it had only happened once or twice since the break-up.
Jenny thought for awhile, "Umm, I just know he shows up whenever he's really upset."
"And where would Uncle Lucas be?" Peyton found herself asking. "Please don't tell me he does that too!" she thought as she waited for Jenny to answer.
"I know Uncle Lucas is usually with Mommy Karen during those times. He helps in the café when he's not playing basketball or hanging out with us." Jenny answered as she fixed her doll's hair.
Peyton just smiled. She was so relieved. "Thank God he's not doing anything...stupid," she thought.
Suddenly, she heard a familiar husky voice come up to her. "Hey, how are you two doing?" Lucas asked smilingly as he got near them.
Peyton smiled at him, "We're pretty good. I learned a lot of things from Jenny today."
Jenny nodded, "Yep, I taught Aunt Peyton the games you taught me before!"
Lucas just laughed as he turned to Jenny, "You did?"
Jenny smiled proudly, "Uhuh, I told you I was a good student."
Lucas just smiled at her. Suddenly, Jenny saw his dad walking over to them. "Daddy!" she screamed as she ran towards her dad who was anticipating from his daughter with open arms. Peyton and Lucas intently watched Jake and Jenny for awhile. Peyton suddenly sighed, "I wish my dad and I were that close."
Lucas turned to her, "Hey, at least you and your dad have a really good relationship. I only know my dad as the big man who makes my life a living hell!"
Peyton just laughed, "Some things never do change, huh?"
Lucas nodded as he smiled slyly at her, "Yeah.." He suddenly looked down as he said to her in his mind, "I really wish I could say the same thing about us."
Suddenly, Nathan joined them. "Hey, so...what's the plan now?"
Lucas turned to his brother, "We're 'gonna go have sundae with Jenny and Brooke..." Suddenly, he felt hesitant to continue, but he did anyway, "And Haley."
Nathan became quite bothered about meeting up with Haley considering what had just happened earlier. "Oh..."Nathan just nodded. He didn't know what else to say.
Lucas felt sorry for his brother. He gave him a pat on the back, "Look man, maybe this will turn out better than what happened earlier."
Sadness suddenly swept all over Nathan's face. He shook his head as he looked down, "Damn, I just 'wanna say I'm sorry..."
Peyton couldn't help but feel really sorry for Nathan. She could see how much being apart from Haley was killing him. Finally, she decided to speak up, "Nate, I think Lucas is right. You should come along. After all, it's another chance to give her an apology."
Nathan gave him a sly smile, "I hope she hears me out this time. Thanks Peyt!"
Peyton just nodded. The three have gone into comfortable silence when Jenny suddenly joined them. The little girl turned to one of her uncles. "Uncle Luke, carry me!"
Lucas just laughed as he gave in to his niece's request, "Alright. I 'gotta say though, you're getting pretty heavy for me!" Together, Luke and Jenny went to the court where Luke took the grinning girl for a swing in his arms.
Both Nathan and Peyton just laughed. Nathan suddenly turned to Peyton, "You and my brother really make quite a pair. You're both good people, you know...you deserve each other."
Peyton smiled at him, "Thanks Nate, but we're not seeing each other. I actually told him we should just be friends."
Nathan now understood the disappointment he saw on his brother's face when he walked into the gym earlier. "Peyt, if you're worried that it won't work out...just like us...I can tell you, it's not 'gonna happen. Luke really loves you, you know. He loves you the way...I love Haley."
Peyton nodded and smiled at him gratefully, "Thanks for the advice, Nate. Now, can I give you mine? Downing cans and cans of beer will not solve your problem. Besides, the last thing you want is for Haley to see you wasted."
Nathan was surprised for Peyton to learn about his drinking, but he didn't say anything and just smiled, "Actually, I think I can deal with Haley more when I'm drunk. I have more guts to tell her how I feel."
Peyton just laughed, "Guys and beer still remain inseparable."
Peyton's cel. phone suddenly rang. "Hello..."she answered as she picked the call up.
"Hey Peyt, we were just 'gonna go to the ice cream shop. Are you on your way?" Haley asked. She sounded better than she did a little earlier.
"Hi Hales. Yeah, we're on our way. See you there!" she said as she hung up.
Jake suddenly joined them. "You guys ready to go?" he asked as he saw Lucas and Jenny walking back towards them.
Nathan took a deep breath, "Yeah, let's get 'outta here."
Ethan joined Brooke and Haley in the mall. They settled into a cozy corner in the ice cream shop while waiting for their friends. Haley tried to avoid looking at Brooke and Ethan as they kept kissing each other. After awhile, Haley couldn't stand them any longer, "Uh...would you guys do that...some other time?"
The two immediately stopped. Brooke smiled at her friend apologetically, "Sorry Hales, we didn't mean to..."
Haley laughed as she interrupted Brooke, "You don't have to explain, Brooke. I was just like that with...." She suddenly stopped, not wanting to remember that part of her life anymore.
Brooke put a hand on her friend's arm, "It will get better soon Hales, you'll see."
Haley gave her friend a sly smile. "I hope so, "she said to herself.
It didn't take long before Peyton and the rest of the group reached the mall. Peyton was the first to walk into the ice cream shop as the rest followed behind her. She scanned the place for her friends and found them seated into a cozy corner. She met Brooke's eyes and waved at her. Brooke waved back as she saw them approach. "Hey!" Peyton greeted as soon as she reached the table.
Brooke and Haley both looked up and smiled at her. "Hey Peyt!" Haley greeted as she came near.
"Hello girlfriend, looks like you brought a whole gang with you," Brooke commented as she noticed 3 basketball players and little girl following behind her friend.
Peyton just smiled. She felt quite uneasy, not knowing how Haley will react to Nathan this time. The guys finally reached the table and Jake was the first one to greet them along with Jenny. "Hey, you all looking pretty comfy out there!" he remarked as he reached the table alongside Jenny.
Jenny squealed as she saw her two aunts again. "Auntie Brooke, Auntie Hales!" she cheerfully greeted as she rushed over to Brooke to give her a kiss on the cheek then went to give her Aunt Haley a hug.
Haley was laughing as the four-year old girl gave her a comforting hug, "Oh sweetie, it's so good to see you!"
Not pulling away from Haley, Jenny looked up, "Promise you won't cry anymore? Uncle Nathan's really, really, really, really sorry....right, Uncle Nathan?" Jenny turned her head around to Nathan who was already standing beside Jenny and Haley.
Nathan fought tears from streaming down his face as he choked out a reply to Jenny, "That's right. I'm so sorry, Hales."
Haley's heart went out to Nathan as she saw his teary eyes. Still, she cannot forget what had happened. Nevertheless, she felt that renewing her friendship with Nathan was the right thing to do. She turned to him and gave him a smile. "Friends?" she asked as she extended a hand to him.
Nathan's face somewhat lit up upon Haley's gesture. He gladly shook her hand, "Friends."
Haley smiled as she stood up and gave Nathan a hug. It felt good to feel his arms around her again, but she would not dare take their renewed relationship to the next level, at least not at this time. Still, she whispered in his ear, "It's good to see you again."
Nathan laughed and just whispered back, "Yeah, you too." He knew it was going to take quite some time before him and Haley would ever date again. At that moment, he was just happy to know that she is finally talking to him. She may not be his girlfriend but at least, she has once again become his friend.
Haley just gave him the same smile she would give Lucas. Clearly, she wasn't after pursuing an intimate relationship with him...not for now.
A/N: Thank you so much for all the reviews, it's been really encouraging. I hope you enjoy this and the upcoming ones too! =)
