Chapter 9
Lucas couldn't react to what he saw. There was Jake and Haley in the elevator, they were hugging and he became violently jealous. Jake was his friend or at least they used to be. Lucas didn't think, he just pulled Haley into his arms when he realized that Haley was crying uncontrollably.
He embraced her so tight and with all the love he felt for her. He could see Jake dialing on his cellphone, talking to someone. He couldn't understand what Jake was saying, all he could think of was Haley, now in his arms.
Haley couldn't stop crying, she was so happy that she saw Lucas.
"Oh God! This is not happening again…" vainly she tried to get away from Lucas' embrace "Let me go, damn it. Just let me go Luke" All the anger and rage inside her were surfacing.
"Why Hales? Why are you crying?"
"I'm crying because…I don't know why!" she said. She couldn't tell him the truth not today and not ever. She will not be reduced to that lovesick lapdog again.
"Is it Jake?" Lucas' voice was tinged with jealousy. He couldn't imagine Haley with Jake or someone else for that matter.
Haley finally pulled herself free of him. "Yeah it's Jake. Why do you even care Luke?"
Jake knew why Haley was doing this; he didn't want to be in the middle so he tried to cut in.
"Shut up Jake!" the two bit out at him
"I care because I love you Haley. I've always love you!" Lucas shouted. Guests of the hotel came out of their rooms; Jake knew he had to do something. With much effort Jake managed to drag Haley and push Lucas inside the room.
"Jake, please take me home"
"Sure"
"You are not going anywhere until we work this out Hales."
"I'm sorry Luke, but you're just years too late" Haley's heart was breaking again. She could hear the cracks giving in, she knew her resolve was weakening. Haley acted on impulse and this was what cost her.
Lucas saw sorrow and anguish in her. This is what I did to her, he thought.
"Do you know how many nights I cried myself to sleep? Do you know how many times I broke down just hearing someone utter your name? Do you know how many times I stood by the phone waiting for you to call?"
"You said you didn't want to see me Hales. You told me we were through."
"So maybe I did Luke, but did you ever think for a second that maybe….maybe if you said goodbye to me I would have come with you. You left without a word Luke, I was ready to give us a chance but you just gave up"
"I didn't give up Haley, you said you wanted to be free of me." saying those words almost destroyed Lucas right then and there but he wanted her to understand the reason for his actions.
Haley knew Lucas was right, it was what she said she wanted. She knew she was wrong but her pride wouldn't let her tell the truth. She didn't want to be vulnerable and open to any possible hurt.
"So Luke, did you it? Did you let me go?"
"No. I'll never let go of the one thing I believe is real in this world. I love you Hales, and I'm sorry if I didn't give you what you wanted"
She had to be cold and unfeeling. Haley wanted to hurt Lucas and lash out at him, instead she said calmly "I'm sorry too Luke."
"Sorry about what?"
"I'm sorry that nothing real ever stays the same. Things change, even people do."
"And did you change Haley?"
"I did. I grew up. I was able to pick up the broken pieces of my heart on my own."
"I'm sorry Hales."
"Stop apologizing Lucas" she said with a bitter smile "You followed your heart right? Basketball is important to you."
"Basketball was never more important than you Hales"
"Really? Because that's not what your eyes told me when I asked you."
Lucas couldn't move nor speak. Once again he showed what a coward he is. He didn't follow Haley as she walked out of his room and out of his life.
