I got back earlier than I anticipated, so I decided to update for you guys.
freefalling08: I'm so glad you're liking the story and thank you for reviewing. Well, Haley's reaction to the house comes in this chapter... And as for my updating so often, I hope that's a good thing:)
Sophie (Sw33t Lavender): Thank you for reviewing once again. You're such a faithful reader and I love it! And I'm glad you thought the chapter was cute. It was very reassuring. :)
daddyzangel108: Oh, I saw the notebook too. And yes, I cried. I couldn't help it. lol. I read A Walk to Remember also. Such a good book. I cried for that too. :) Anyway, well, I guess I'll just have to make a sequel then, right? lol. But actually, it is a good idea... we'll see. Thanks for complimenting the dreamhouse. And now that you mention it, it does remind me of the notebook. Wow, I didn't notice before. Thank you for reviewing for every chapter I wrote. :)
April (JLsNaley): Thank you so so so so so much for reviewing again and for saying the chapter was beautiful. And I'm so happy you liked the song. I love putting lyrics in my chapters. :)
Thank you so much to all of you. I'm smiling so much reading your reviews. For once, I actually get time to thank every single person. Wow, I feel so proud. :) lol. Well, here's the next part.
Chapter 17:
Please come now
I think I'm falling
Holding on to all I think is safe
Nathan had found the most respectable motel he could find and left Haley asleep in the car while he went inside to check in. As he entered, he noticed there were three couples ahead of him. The ones currently checking in could barely keep their hands off each other. They looked to be about 15 and 16. The couple behind them appeared to be in their early twenties and looked much calmer, much more composed. The couple in the front finally finished checking in and ran off, girl giggling, toward their hotel room.
Nathan rolled his eyes as the next couple checked in. The couple in front of him were screaming at each other. "What the f uck is this!" screamed the woman.
"What the hell are you talking about!"
The woman jammed her finger into his chest accusingly. "You said, 'This will be a romantic getaway weekend for us.' I didn't think that meant spending two days in a fuckin motel on the side of the road. Might as well camp out!"
Nathan's thoughts drifted as he tuned out their arguing. He and Haley had a sort of on again off again relationship. But he was convinced that was about to change. Without her, he'd felt almost as though he were dangling off a ledge, like if he made one wrong move, he would fall, fall into nonexistence.
It seems I've found the road to nowhere
And I'm trying to escape
I yelled back when I heard thunder
But I'm down to one last breath
And with it let me say
Let me say……
He knew Haley was the only one who could hold him up. But did he honestly want her to? He was so tired of trying to stay up, of being so careful for seemingly no good reason. What else did he have to hold on to?
Hold me now
I'm six feet from the edge
And I'm thinking
Maybe six feet ain't so far down
He felt someone tap his shoulder and looked behind him to see yet another couple itching to get inside. So maybe this wasn't quite the respectable place he'd thought it was. The young man looked impatient. "You're up," he grunted at Nathan.
Nathan realized he was right and quickly stepped up to the counter, checking in under his name and using his credit card. He knew Haley would probably insist on helping with the payment, but he didn't want her to have to. He thanked the man behind the counter, muttered a quick apology to the couple behind him and made his way back outside to his car. And to Haley.
He tapped on the window. Her head rested on the other side. She stirred, but didn't wake up. He tapped harder. It reminded him of when they were younger. She had always been such a sound sleeper; it would take him an hour just to get her up.
Loving her wasn't his mistake. Letting her go was.
I'm looking down
Now that it's over
Reflecting on all of my mistakes
I thought I found the road to somewhere
Somewhere in His grace
He opened the car door slowly, catching her head before it drooped far enough down to hit something. Sliding his hands gently underneath her, he lifted her into his arms and kicked the door shut, shifting her so she fit snugly in his embrace before walking toward their hotel room. He reached it fairly quickly and was pondering the dilemma of unlocking the door when Haley's eyes fluttered open. She smiled sleepily at him. "Did you carry me?"
He smiled back and leaned slightly forward to kiss her forehead. "Yes, I did. You wouldn't wake up."
"That's so sweet." She nestled farther into him.
He laughed. "Hey, could you grab the key from my pocket for me?"
She reached down and slid her hand into the pocket of his jeans. His eyes closed involuntarily at her touch. 'Damn it! I asked for this,' he thought. Haley noticed this and took her time, pretending to feel around for it.
His eyes opened and he looked down at her. She could see the lust burning in them. And she knew he needed her as much as she needed him. "Haley," he breathed. She slowly produced the card key with a flourish and kept her eyes on his as she slid it into the slit in the door, turning the handle as the small green light came on. She pushed the door open softly. Nathan set her down gently just over the threshold and she grabbed his jacket, pulling him inside. He reached behind him and closed the door as she pressed him against it, laying her body against his and kissing him.
He deepened the kiss, sliding her jacket off and tossing it on the floor. His lips moved to her neck, laying small butterfly kisses and sucking on the sensitive flesh, tongue flicking out to sweep over her pulse point. She moaned, hands threading through his hair, pulling him harder against her. He pulled back slightly, breathing heavily.""I should probably go get the bags from the car."
She pressed herself back against him, her voice husky. "What if I don't want you to go?" She pressed her lips back to his and ground against him.
He groaned as her hips slammed into his. "I really should."
She looked up at him seductively, her eyes showing how much she needed him. He wanted so badly to take her right then and there. He wanted to carry her to the bed and stay there with her forever. But something told him it was too soon. "You can get them later," she whispered into his ear, nibbling on the lobe, then taking it into her mouth and sucking lightly on it. She was driving him crazy.
I cried out
Heaven save me
But I'm down to one last breathAnd with it let me say
Let me say……
Her hand traveled along his shoulder, down his chest, resting on his abs for a few moments before reaching its final destination. "Haley," he groaned as her small hand splayed over his arousal, massaging it. She gasped as he grabbed her in his arms, bringing her against him, thrusting his hardness against the inside of her thigh. She pushed herself against him, moving her lips back to his in a heated kiss. Her legs wrapped around his waist, pressing her center against his. His hands slid to cup her ass and she moaned.
He was jolted back to reality by the sound. "Haley, we have to stop," he moaned. Her finger circled his belt, dipping below it to outline his boxers as her mouth moved to his neck. "Haley!"
She quickly released him, going to sit on the bed and looking anywhere but at him. Her eyes squeezed shut. "Why don't you want me?"
He moved to sit next to her, grabbing her chin and moving her head to face him. "Are you kidding? Baby, I want you so much right now. This is killing me."
She shook her head, but he grabbed her hand and held it to his arousal. She gave a small smile, but he could tell she was still hurt. "Haley, this is what got us in trouble the first time. I just, I don't want us to screw up again."
"I understand," she said quietly. But he could tell she didn't. All she understood was that she wanted him. And he rejected her. 'I'm such a dick,' he thought. He pressed his lips against her cheek. "I'm gonna go get the bags now." She nodded, eyes filling with tears. She turned away, hoping he wouldn't see. He did.
He sighed and left the room. What the hell had he just done?
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Nathan returned a few minutes later and Haley was nowhere in sight. He dropped their bags on the floor in the corner and ran a hand over his face, hearing the shower starting. He dropped onto the bed, kicking his shoes off and grabbing the TV remote.
He couldn't believe he'd hurt Haley. And so soon after they'd agreed to live together. Sex had messed them up the last time, but there was no Tim or Michelle in their way. So, what was stopping him?
Hold me now
I'm six feet from the edge
And I'm thinking
Maybe six feet ain't so far down
He wanted to take things slow this time, but he wasn't sure if they could. He didn't want to rush into anything because relationships that begin that way often don''t amount to anything. But they'd already been together once. So, did that stereotype technically apply here?
I'm so far down
It didn't matter whether or not it applied though. It was just a stereotype. Whoever the couple, whatever the age, it was ultimately their choice. He'd made his and Haley's choice. Now, he wasn't so sure if it was the right one. He loved her so much. He needed her so much. He just wanted to make love to her all night long. So, why had he refused her?
The only answer he could come up with was that he was scared. Nathan Scott, the Great Player was afraid to sleep with a girl. He was afraid of falling.
Sad eyes follow me
But I still believe there'' something left for me
So please come stay with me
Cause I still believe there's something left for you and me
For you and me
For you and me
He knew there was still something left for him and Haley. He knew they still had their love and that was a good enough foundation to build on.
But was he ready to fall yet or not? He'd fallen once before, once when he thought he and Haley were falling together. But she'd risen back up and left him to fall on his own. Was he prepared to take that risk again?
Hold me now
I'm six feet from the edge
And I'm thinking
He clicked the TV off and tossed the remote onto the night stand. He could hear Haley humming some slow, melancholy tune in the shower and knew she was just trying to hid her sobs. She was putting up a front for him, trying to be strong.
His heart broke at the thought. He'd hurt her and he didn't know how to fix it. He knew she didn't need an apology, she just needed to know that he still needed her. But he felt he had to do something for her.
Hold me now
I'm six feet from the edge
And I'm thinking
Maybe six feet ain't so far down……
He looked at the closed bathroom door and couldn't remember the last time they were together and she closed him out of the bathroom when taking a shower. He knew she hadn't meant it to have as much of a weighty meaning as he was taking it to be, but he couldn't help feeling it was symbolic. Of what he wasn't quite sure. Of their future maybe? He certainly hoped not.
He stood and tip toed to that closed door, pressing his ear against it to hear more clearly her voice, humming. He had to show her she was still the one he wanted.
Hold me now
I'm six feet from the edge
And I'm thinking
Maybe six feet ain't so far down
The door creaked open with the lightest of pushes, but she didn't notice. The humming continued. He crept into the bathroom and to the shower, pulling back the shower curtain. Her voice died abruptly as she looked into his eyes, questioning, craving the answer she was hoping for, searching for the reassurance she so desperately needed.
His eyes roamed her body, the hot water running in rivulets that followed her every curve, heated steam rising from the temperature of it. And he knew this was right.
Slowly, he raised his shirt over his head and discarded it on the floor. He continued stripping until he stood before her, clothe-less. Then, he stepped into the shower with her and searched her eyes for the love he knew she felt. Finding it, he crushed her to him.
She lifted her lips to his, both knowing it would be a long night. They only hoped it would bring them closer together, not drive them farther apart.
Please come now
I think I'm falling
Holding on to all I think is real
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Haley woke up the next morning to Nathan's closed eyes and even breaths. She smiled, remembering their night together. He'd hurt her at first when he turned her down, but he'd more than made up for it. She felt like they'd gotten somewhere last night, like maybe, for the first time, they were able to let a part of themselves go. And maybe it was exactly what they needed.
She only wished things could stay this wonderful forever. But she knew it was too good to last. They still had a lot to work through and somehow, they kept managing to find ways to put it off.
Nathan's eyes slowly opened and once his vision cleared, he saw Haley's beautifully angelic face smiling back at him. "Morning, beautiful," he whispered, leaning slightly forward to kiss her softly. She deepened it, arms moving around his neck. He slid on top of her, his warm body pressing hers into the mattress.
They pulled apart. And she smiled. "Morning."
He leaned down to kiss her again as his hands crept down to explore her body. She pulled her lips away from his. He took the opportunity to attack her neck with kisses. "Baby," she moaned. He lifted his eyes to hers and she smiled at him. He smiled back hesitantly at her, waiting for her to continue. "I know we have all the time in the world to stay in this room and be together and I would love to do this forever, but we have to leave eventually. And do you really want to pay to stay here any longer when you have a house waiting for us in California?"
"We," he said softly. "We have a house waiting for us."
Her smile widened and she leaned up to kiss him. He pulled away and sighed. "But I guess you're right. I mean, this place is cheap, but wouldn't want to waste my money." He pushed himself off of her and stood from the bed, grabbing some clothes and disappearing into the bathroom.
She rolled her eyes, deciding she would take the bait just this once and followed him in. He had just started the water and was about to step in when she entered. He looked up and their eyes met. He smirked as the sheet fell from her body and she walked slowly to where he stood. She stepped in the shower, pulling him in with her and bringing him to her for a long, deep kiss. Pulling slightly away, she smirked. "A few more hours won't hurt, right?" He just laughed, bringing her back to him.
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It was three hours later when Nathan and Haley were finally packed and ready to go. Haley waited in the car while Nathan checked out. She smiled thinking of their time spent here. She would never forget this little hotel. It held a lot of good memories for her and Nathan now.
She reached over and turned on the radio, searching for a good station. Not finding one, she sighed and flicked the off button, leaning back and fidgeting restlessly in her seat. She looked out the window, unconsciously beginning to tap her foot impatiently. Where was he?
Her eyes landed on someone exiting one of the rooms and she froze. 'S hit! What's she doing here?' thought Haley, stepping quickly out of the car. "Michelle!" she called.
Michelle heard Haley and looked at her, confused, before slowly sauntering over. "Hey, Haley!" The two shared a quick hug and pulled apart, Michelle smiling awkwardly.
"So……. what are you doing here?" Haley questioned, looking nervously to the exit Nathan would be coming through any moment.
"Oh, well I was just way too tired to drive last night, so I stopped here to rest. What about you?"
"Oh, you know, just passing through."
Michelle noticed Nathan's car and immediately assessed the situation. "Right…… well I should head out. Nice talking to you though."
Haley smiled gratefully. "Yeah, you too. Oh, do you want my cell number so we can keep in touch?"
Michelle gave her own warm smile. "Yeah, here let me get you something to write with." She dug through her purse, pulling out a crumpled business card and a pen. Haley quickly scribbled her number. They said their goodbyes and Michelle quickly walked to her car, getting in and driving off.
Haley breathed out in relief, turning to find Nathan behind her. She smiled weakly at him. He just shook his head. "What were you doing with Michelle?" he asked coldly.
Haley flinched, recognizing his angry tone of voice. "We were just exchanging numbers," she responded softly.
He shook his head, grabbing her arm and pulling her to the car. He opened the passenger door for her, closing it roughly after she'd gotten situated. She winced, watching him walk around, getting in the other side. There was tension in the air between them as the car slowly backed up and away from the motel.
The good mood they were basking in minutes before had been ruined, leaving a pensive silence to fill the air.
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Hours later, they were nearing the house and still neither had spoken. It was strange really, to have gone that long without talking to one another when they were right next to each other. It had made for an uncomfortable ride. They turned onto his street and still, no words were spoken between the two. So, Haley decided to break the quiet. "I'm sorry."
Nathan sighed. "I just don't understand why you guys are all friendly to each other."
Haley looked out the window at the passing scenery. "I don't know, she's a nice person. I just didn't want to let the opportunity of a potentially great friendship go to waste. I think she agrees. So we decided to keep in touch. I'm really sorry if that hurts you."
He sighed again. "Baby, don't be sorry. She is a great person. I can see how you two would hit it off. You've got more in common than you think you do. I guess it just kind of threw me off." His hand reached out to take hold of hers. "Maybe one day, me and her can be friends too."
They pulled into Nathan's driveway and Haley looked at him sympathetically. "Yeah, me and you did kind of screw up, didn't we? I mean, with Tim and Michelle."
He looked at her solemnly. "I don't know where me and Tim stand right now. I messed things up with us pretty badly. Wouldn't surprise me if he never wanted to talk to me again."
Haley squeezed his hand. "You guys have been best friends for so long. And he knows how twisted it is with you and me. I'm sure you can work it out."
Nathan swallowed. "He really loved you though."
Haley lay her hand against his cheek and forced him to look at her. "But I love you," she whispered.
He grinned and kissed her passionately. "I love you too."
It was then that she looked at his house. And gasped in surprise. "Nathan," she breathed, stepping outside to get a better look. He slid out behind her and wrapped her in his arms from behind. "It's our dreamhouse." She leaned back against him, wiping at her eyes. "This is so incredible," she whispered.
He smiled, ecstatic to see her so happy with him. He leaned down close to her ear. "Welcome home," he whispered.
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If I get some reviews, I'll try to update more today because I have just figured out that I will most likely only be able to get one update up tomorrow (as I am leaving at noon to go somewhere) and one up on Thursday (as I will be returning that night). I can try to fit more in, but it doesn't seem very probable.
So, leave some reviews and I'll update as much as I can today.