"How do you feel?"

Nathan sighed and shrugged after taking a sip from his bottle of water.

"Like an ass."

"Good", Lucas half teased. "And you should."

"Was I that bad, dude?"

"Worse. Trust me."

"Sorry."

"Don't apologize to me. Start with your fiancée and then maybe my mom and Brooke and Peyton and your mom and…"

"Okay, okay, I get it. Damn, Luke. Pour salt into an open wound, why don't you?"

"Meg forgive you?"

"This time."

"Lucky bastard. She's a great girl and she really loves you."

"I know."

"So stop messing it up, Nate! Damn!"

"I'm an asshole, I know. We had a talk and I'm going to try to change."

"Good. Now you heard from your attorney?"

"Yeah", Nathan sighed.

"And?"

"No good news, man. It looks pretty bleak. Legally, there is nothing they can do which is killing me."

"Sorry."

"You? Bro, what am I gonna do? I am supposed to marry the girl of my dreams in less than two months. How can I do that when I'm still married to the girl in my nightmares?"

"I don't know."

"There has to be a way…"

"I hope so."

"Yeah, me too."

Lucas sighed before asking the next question. It was sure to hit a sore and sensitive spot.

"Does…does Haley know yet?"

"No", Nathan answered. "My lawyer is going to contact her lawyer probably tomorrow."

"Nate, you can't. You have to stop it."

"What are you talking about?"

"This is a huge shock. Remember how you felt when you found out you were still married? Not that you care but imagine how Haley is going to feel. This kind of news turns someone's world upside down."

"Your point?"

"My point? I know you're mad and you have every right to be. Haley really hurt you but don't you think seven years of hating her is enough?"

Nathan thought for a second.

"No."

"Nate…"

"What? Don't expect me to feel sorry for her, okay? It's not going to happen, Luke."

"Just do me a favor."

"Depends", Nate muttered.

"Come on, dude. I've done a lot of shit for you over the years. You owe me."

"True but this sounds pretty crucial. What's the favor?"

Lucas took a deep breath.

"It's going to be hard enough when Haley hears the news. At least you had me and Megan and Dad and Deb. We don't know who Haley has."

"I'm sure Chris the rock star will be there to pick up the pieces", Nathan rolled his eyes.

"I doubt it. Look, just don't let her find out callously from lawyers. That's not right."

Nathan laughed bitterly in spite of himself.

"What the hell do you want from me, man? What? You want me to deliver a fucking singing telegram?"

"No", Lucas sighed. "Let me."

"I've heard your voice before, dude. Singing isn't your forte", Nathan joked.

"I'm serious. Let me be the one to tell her. I'll go to New York to see Haley."

Nathan's blue eyes widened.

"You're serious?"

"I am. It's only right."

"Luke…"

"It's not about loyalty or taking sides. It's about being decent. It's about trying to resolve this crazy thing before more people get hurt and more lives get disrupted."

Nathan shook his head. His brother always had been a peacekeeper. Nathan didn't give a damn if she got hurt or not. She obviously had no qualms about hurting him.

"Nathan…"

"Fine. Whatever."

"You mean it?" Lucas double checked, relieved.

"Yeah. Look, as long as I don't have to talk to her. I don't know why it's so damned important to you but go do your thing."

"You'll call of your attorney and let me handle it?"

"I said I would."

"Okay, okay. I'll take care of it then."

"I trust that you will", Nathan stood to leave.

Lucas was nervous. He had a flight to arrange, a hotel to set up and after all, it had been years since he had talked to her or seen her face to face.

"Nate?"

"Yeah?"

"Listen…when I talk to Hales, is there anything…is there anything you want me to tell her?"

Nathan smirked as he shook his head.

"Nope. We've said all we needed to say seven years ago. We all make choices, man. That's the easy part. Living with the consequences is what sucks."