Chap 6
Haley woke the next morning feeling like she hadn't slept a wink, which if truth were told was fairly accurate. What little sleep she'd had, had been fraught with dreams. Snapshots had flashed through her mind of intense blue eyes and a hard muscled body, followed by flashes of Luke's face and the look of immense pain she was sure would appear if he was ever to find out about her interactions with Nathan. If only I could control myself around him.
"What am I talking about of course I can control myself I'm not some horny cheerleader who will jump the first man who shows me the slightest bit of attention."
Yesterday was nothing more than a momentary lapse and there is no chance that it will ever be repeated she told herself fiercely.
The ringing of her cell phone distracted her from her thoughts and she smiled happily as she saw Lucas' name displayed on the caller ID.
"Hey handsome" she greeted him cheerfully all thoughts of Nathan temporarily banished from her mind.
"Hi Hales" Lucas' voice croaked in response.
"Oh Lucas you sound terrible" Haley gushed; Lucas couldn't help but smile at her obvious concern.
"I'll be fine" he reassured her "but I think I'm going to need at least one more day in bed before I can possibly come back to school."
"Oh" Haley said trying to cover up her disappointment. Haley what's wrong with you she silently berated herself your best friend is sick in bed and your only concern is for yourself. You just want him to come back to school so he can act as a buffer between you and Nathan. What sort of friend are you? "Luke I really better get going if I'm going to make it to school on time but I'll stop by after my shift at the café to see how you are" she promised.
"Uh no Hales", Lucas blurted out as soon as she stopped speaking "um what I mean is I don't want you to catch anything."
"Ok" Haley replied her confusion evident in her tone, "well I guess I'll see you tomorrow then".
"Yeah definitely" Lucas responded before hanging up the phone.
Haley stared quizzically at her phone for a moment as if waiting for it to explain Lucas' strange behaviour. Naturally no explanation was forthcoming and sighing she shoved her phone into her bag before racing around the room gathering the necessary belongings for a day at school. She had a long walk ahead of her.
"Do you think she bought it?" a sultry voice questioned Lucas from behind. Luke turned towards the bed unable to stop his grin as his gaze travelled up the length of Peyton's bare leg where it rested on top of her blood red silk sheets.
"Yeah she bought it" Lucas said simply "at least for now. But sooner or later I am going to have to tell her about us. Two months is a long time to have kept a secret like this from my best friend."
"Yes well" Peyton smiled wickedly "why don't we worry about that later. Right now I have other things I'd much rather be doing." Lucas smiled as she pulled him back down onto the bed kissing him passionately.
"Oh for Fucks sake" Nathan swore as he tried unsuccessfully for the fifth time to shove his books into his overflowing locker.
"Damn Nate chill out. Why don't ya?" Tim laughed placing a hand on Nathan's shoulder "you've been in a shitty mood all day. What the hell is your problem?"
"Nothing" Nate snapped glaring at Tim "I just didn't sleep very well last night" Nate added mostly truthfully.
The fact was Nathan had slept fine once he had finally gotten to sleep; it was the hours he had spent trying to get to sleep that had driven him to distraction. Nathan knew exactly whose fault that was and as far as he was concerned the blame lay squarely at Haley's feet.
Lying in bed hours after the incident in the tutoring centre he had been unable to get that moan out of his mind and it had nearly driven him crazy. Of course it didn't help that his ego had taken a battering when she rejected him. Rejection was not something that Nathan Scott was accustomed to and he didn't like the feeling one bit. His lack of sleep coupled with Haley's rejection and the fact that he hadn't laid eyes on her all day meant that by the time the last bell rang for the day he was almost ready to explode with anger.
"Come on Nate" Tim said "we better get to practice."
Nathan gave his books one last shove before slamming his locker shut and stalking off towards the gym knowing it was the best place for him to release some of his frustration.
Haley meanwhile was headed to the library figuring she could get a head start on her homework before she needed to leave for her shift at the café. She was feeling quite proud of herself for the way she had successfully managed to avoid Nathan all day. It had been a good day, no Nathan, an A on her latest History assignment and she didn't have any tutoring scheduled. What more could a girl ask for? she thought to herself. For the next 45 minutes she worked solidly on her English assignment before realising it was getting late and hurrying off to change into her uniform so she could leave for Karen's.
Walking to the door she was mortified to see fat raindrops splattering the ground. Damn it now what was she supposed to do?It wouldn't exactly be a good look to turn up to work half drowned. As she stood pondering her options a hand grasped her elbow.
"Come on" Nathan's voice sounded beside her "I'll drive you."
From the tone of his voice Haley knew he wasn't offering he was telling her what was going to happen. For a moment she considered arguing, she was not the sort of person to allow others to order her around. But looking at him out of the corner of her eye she saw the rigid lines of his face and knew it would be pointless, besides her only other option at this stage was a long wet walk to the café which did not appeal to her at all.
"Whatever" Haley said coldly she may be going with him but that didn't mean she had to be happy about it.
Retaining his grip on her elbow he manoeuvred her towards the door. As soon as they stepped outside he broke into a run, his hand leaving her elbow to grab her hand, pulling her along behind him as he crossed the school grounds making his way towards the car park. When they reached his car he dropped her hand and slid into the drivers seat waiting impatiently for her to join him. Haley's hair was dripping and she was amazed at how wet she had gotten in the few minutes it had taken to reach the car. His curt voice cut through the silence enveloping the car "What's your address?" Haley didn't answer immediately as she fought to regain her breath after their run. I really need to take up a sport she thought laughing at her lack of fitness. Nathan was startled by the sound of her laughter, turning to look at her and immediately wishing he hadn't. For the first time since he had known her she had let down the guard on her emotions and was smiling with genuine happiness and he was struck by how different she looked when she wasn't on the defensive.
She's beautiful he admitted to himself he had always known that she was attractive but seeing her smile he knew just how beautiful she really was. Haley's laughter died in her throat as she felt his eyes on her He must think I'm a complete idiot laughing like that with no reason. But as she met his eyes she didn't see the mockery she had expected, instead she wasn't sure what that look in his eyes was but for once she wasn't uncomfortable in his presence.
Watching the smile leave her face Nathan became aware of the water running down her face, travelling down her neck. He lowered his gaze following the rivulets down and lust darkened his eyes as he took in her white t-shirt now drenched from the rain. Haley saw his gaze move and glanced down at herself trying to see what had garnered his attention. Damn why does my uniform have to be black and white? she inwardly cursed as she realised how the cotton of her top was now clinging to her skin. She couldn't help but feel a certain excitement course through her veins as she saw the look in his eyes. Oh why does he have to look so good wet? she thought noticing the way his hair stuck to his forehead.Nathan moved slightly towards her and she moved too meeting him halfway. His lips crashed onto hers the kiss almost punishing before he changed the tempo and his lips became almost coaxing begging for access. Haley couldn't deny him any longer and she parted her lips allowing his tongue to slide into her mouth exploring every crevice before meeting her own in a carnal battle for dominance. As her tongue moved against his he couldn't suppress the groan that erupted from his mouth and Haley's own excitement grew at the sound emitting from him. He cupped her head pulling her even closer. A sudden tapping on the window broke the spell that had overtaken them and Nathan pulled back not bothering to hide his frustration at the interruption.
Winding
down the window he glared at Tim's smiling face
"Hey Nate just
wanted to know if you want to go grab a bite to eat? How come the
windows are all fogged up?"
Haley was blocked from Tim's view by Nathan's large frame.
"Not now" Nathan grated at his best friend.
"Alright Gees I was just asking" Tim replied "Ok well I guess I'll catch you later."
Nathan turned back to Haley but Tim's mention of food had reminded her of where she was supposed to be.
"Nathan I really have to get to work" she pleaded still trying to process how she felt about what had just happened. Nathan could see the conflicting emotions in her eyes and knew it would take very little effort on his part to convince her to continue what they had started but he also knew if he pushed her too hard she was likely to retreat. The only way that this was going to work was if she came to him willingly.
"Ok" he conceded grudgingly"where to?"
Haley directed him to the café the ride completed in silence as they were each lost in their own thoughts. As soon as he pulled into the parking lot in front of the café she moved towards the door eager to escape so she could try to get her thoughts together. She couldn't think with him sitting so close to her. His hand grasped her wrist preventing her escape
"what time do you finish? I'll pick you up."
"That's ok Nathan. I'm sure the rain will have stopped by then"
"I'll pick you up" he repeated his tone leaving no room for argument.
"I'll be finished by eight" Haley answered practically jumping out of the car as soon as he released her arm.
"I'll be here," he said before driving off. Haley walked into the café having no idea how she was possibly going to be able to concentrate on her work after that.
