Chapter 5

Arriving at the café, Haley mumbled her thanks to Nathan and rushed inside. Still a bit shocked and confused about the intense ride she didn't notice a tall blonde guy smiling down at her until she bumped into him.

"Aww shit!" feeling like she just hit a hard wall Haley felt a bit dizzy

Automatically reaching for her and steadying her Lucas softly laughed.

"Watch where you're going Hales….you wouldn't be so lucky the next time coz I might not be there"

"Luke!"

"Hales!" he answered mimicking her surprised expression

"Not funny Scott" pulling him closer to her, she kissed him on the lips.

She's not much of a PDA person so the kiss lasted for only a few seconds leaving a very dissatisfied Lucas.

"Why do you keep doing that?!?! You're such a tease!"

"Because…..we're in your mom's café with about a dozen people watching." Leaning close she whispered something to his ear causing him to grin from ear to ear.

"I'll look forward to that"

"Stop grinning like that!" blushing she turned her back to him hoping that he wont see the grin she too had on her face. Taking her apron and tying it around her waist she asked "Aren't you supposed to be in rivercourt?"

"Mom asked me to help around since Jake couldn't come tonight" gesturing to the apron around his waist he said "See"

"I'm not blind okay?" sighing Haley wiped some tables with Lucas in tow. "You know, helping means doing some work and not just following me around"

"Mom also told me that we're supposed to close earlier at around 7 tonight"

"Really? Why?"

"She has a date...with Keith" happiness radiated on Lucas' face when he told Haley the news.

"That's great….finally I knew those two had something going on"

"So, do you want to come watch me play at rivercourt? " he asked. He was a bit disturbed that Nathan was the one who drove Haley to the café but he didn't want her to think that he did not fully trust her

"Of course… um, Nathan offered to drive me here and he was pretty insistent that's why I said yes." A bit uncomfortable about the topic she gestured to Lucas to follow her inside the storage room.

"I was wondering about it….."

"Well I already gave you an explanation, now what I'm about to give you is a confession"

A sickening feeling came over his stomach when he heard the word 'confession' come out of her mouth. He wasn't really sure if he wanted to hear it but Haley looked as if she already made up her mind.

Taking a deep breath Lucas asked "What is it Hales?"

"I love you Luke, I want you to know that before…."

He cut her saying "I know that and I love you too. What's wrong Hales?"

"A month ago, Nathan..he,um he kissed me."

"WHAT?! Why didn't you tell me sooner Haley?" Fury and rage went through his body "I told him to stay away from you"

Seeing Lucas' anger Haley embraced him "It's okay now. I mean, I told him that there was no chance we'd get together because I love you"

"I want you to stop tutoring him"

"I can't do that Luke."

"Why the hell not huh, Hales?" he broke away from her embrace to look at her face.

"Because I like tutoring, and it's unfair to Nathan."

Lucas stayed silent, afraid that he might say something he'll eventually regret. He didn't know what to tell Haley anymore. All he could think about was the pain he felt when she defended Nathan.

Haley saw the hurt in Lucas' eyes but she knew she couldn't stop tutoring Nathan. He was already doing so well at school. Unable to take the silence

"You know that I will always choose you over Nathan, but what you're asking me is unfair."

"Unfair?! Why is it unfair? I'm you're boyfriend Haley, and from where I stand I think it's unfair to me that you're spending time with a guy who plans to steal you from me. Oh not to mention that he's my brother who I just developed a friendship with a few months ago!" Drawing a harsh breath, he slumped down on one of the crates inside the storage room. He felt exhausted and defeated.

Chewing her bottom lip, Haley thought of things to say to him.

"Its unfair because Nathan needs me right now, to be his tutor and friend. Just his tutor and friend…"

God! How it hurt her to see Lucas in pain. Hoping to ease some out, she sat on his lap and buried her face in the crook of his neck.

Lucas felt his heart slowly return to its normal beating. He heard the sincerity in her voice. He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and said

"What about me Hales? I need you."

"You'll always have me" her voice was a little muffled because her face was still at his neck.

"I hope so…I really hope so."

"I'll never leave you Lucas Scott. You might leave me, but I'll never leave you."

Laughing a little because for him what Haley just said was funny and ironic he said

"Why would you think that I'll leave you?"

"Hey it's not funny!" a bit ticked off because he did not take her seriously, Haley got up.

"Don't go Hales" pulling her onto his lap he said "I laughed because I know that I will never ever leave you, no matter what happens I will still be here with you, the world may end tomorrow but I wont care coz I have you."

"So you won't leave me?" she asked in a small voice. "Even for basketball?"

"I don't love basketball enough to leave you."

"Promise?"

"I promise" crossing his heart and kissing her on her forehead

"Good!" feeling happy that she had finally got her insecurities soothed, she buried her face into his neck once more.

"You know, I could stay like this forever" mentally taking a picture of her in his arms. He felt so happy and alive. Only Haley could make him feel like this.

"Me too" she answered softly.

Every prayer has been answered
Every dream I have's come true
And right here in this moment is right
where I'm meant to be
Here with you here with me
These are the moments I thank God that
I'm alive
These are the moments I'll remember all
my life
I've got all I've waited for
And I could not ask for more