Nathan had been driving around for hours. Mostly to clear his head but that wasn't his only motive. He was looking for his brother, too. Word was, the older Scott brother was in town. Back in Tree Hill to be the Best Man for his little brother. Nathan had driven past Karen's house and the café as well the homes of all their friends and even the River Court. But it was safely tucked away from the ruckus at the beach house where he found the Corvette parked in the shadows. He got out and knocked, as he let himself in with the key. He could smell the delicious aroma of Karen's leftovers as soon as he entered and sure enough Lucas was in the kitchen preparing to eat.

"Can I come in or are you still pissed at me?"

"Yes and yes", Luke answered. "You can have some food too. I would offer you a beer but based on all the stories I've been hearing about you lately, I think a bottle of water would suffice for tonight."

"I guess I deserved that one", Nathan nodded as he helped himself to dinner and water for a drink.

"Yeah, that and a lot more. So, what are you doing here? Trying to escape Dad?"

"Always", Nathan grinned sheepishly. "But uh this time, it's a little more than that. I was looking for you. I…I wanted to talk. You up to it, man?"

"Depends", Lucas shrugged. "Am I gonna get my head bitten off this time?"

"No. I guess I owe you an apology for all that crap. I'm sorry, bro. I've just got a lot going on now."

"Apology accepted. Now talk to me, Nate."

"I don't know. I've been driving around all night just thinking."

"About?"

"Stuff. Everything. I was thinking about your mom."

"My mom?"

"Yeah. Karen's a really cool lady. I like her. She's always been nice to me. Then I think about how she must have really loved Dad back in the day. She was just a kid herself when she got pregnant with you. That must have been really hard. She must have been so scared and he just left her."

"Where's all this coming from, dude?"

"It was just on my mind. It really bothers me. I'm sorry he was such a dick to her and to you. I feel like I should apologize."

"Why? It's done besides, it's not your fault."

"I know but I feel bad. I used to think you guys got shafted and Mom and me lucked out but now I'm not so sure. You know how he can be. You know what I went through. But I always thought Mom got the better end of the deal because at least she didn't have to raise me alone. Now I see that's stupid. He made a choice between the two of them and I know he loves Mom about as much as he can love anyone but I don't know if he made the right choice."

"Nate, what are you talking about, man? Are you drunk?"

"No, I'm serious. Think about it. Everything was about basketball for Dad mostly because he always had Grandpa riding him. The only thing he had that was true was Karen and her love. When she got pregnant, he freaked and took the coward's way out, then he met my mom and found himself in the same spot. So he had a choice. I think it was too much so that's why he faked the injury and bowed out of basketball. And he chose Mom because she was the easiest pick. Life would be simple. There would be money and it would all work out whereas Karen was the complicated one even though that's where his heart really was. So this nice, confused kid makes a life choice but it's a huge mistake in the end. I think he realized that and that's what made him morph into the monster he is today. I also think if he could do it over again, he'd choose Karen."

"Nate…"

"Don't you see, Luke? History is repeating itself. I have a choice. Meg is the easy pick. She's perfect and I'd have this simple, perfect, happy little life. And I do love her, you know that. But Haley? I can't describe it, man. And it's hard to admit this after six years because I never said it out loud before and after a while, I quit saying it to myself but I do love her. I never stopped. I am crazy head over heels in love with that girl. She's all I want. She's all I think about. Yeah we have a lot to work out and talk about but I can't walk away. Not again. She hurt me but despite it all, the feelings never went away. All that stuff you said before at my house…that's why I got so pissed because you were right. I just didn't want to face it. I couldn't. I wasn't ready. But I am now. I'm ready because I don't want to be Dan Scott Jr. and more importantly, because I'm in love with Haley."

Lucas took a huge breath. It was what he had suspected all along but it was quite a feeling to actually hear it. And there it was.

"Wow! Dude, I don't know what to say. Have you thought about this?"

"For six and a half years", Nathan stated.

"Well, what are you going to do?"

"I have to see Haley. I have to talk to her and tell her face to face."

"Okay. That's all good, bro but you've got a wedding in a few days. Not to burst your bubble but what about Meg?"

Now it was Nathan's turn to sigh.

"I know. It sucks. I don't want to hurt her. I do love her and she doesn't deserve this. Any of it. Megan deserves so much more than me. So much more than I can give her."

"So how do you fix it?"

"Without someone getting hurt? I can't. I've thought about it, believe me. But this is how I feel and it's something I have to do. I think it's best that Meg know now than if we get married and she finds out later."

"You're right. It sucks but…you have to do what you have to do"

"I know. I should have done this a long time ago. Before Meg. Before the stupid tsunami. When Haley first told me about the tour that night, I got so mad at her. I told her that if she left with Chris, it was over. I was a selfish prick. I didn't mean it, man. I just didn't know what else to do. I loved her so much and I was so afraid of losing her to the music…and to Chris. When she left anyway, it just destroyed me and I couldn't handle it. I didn't know what to do."

"I know, man."

"I have to see her, Luke."

"I know. I know how much you care about Megan. But if there is somebody else…what can you do? We can't always help how we feel. Haley is a part of your history, the most important part, that came before Meg. You've been lying to yourself about the way you feel about her and you need to handle this as soon as possible. I know it won't go over well and people might get hurt but it'll just be worse if you keep pretending. If you love Hales and that's where your heart is, then you can't let her slip away. Not again. You owe it to yourself and to Haley…and even to Megan. It's only fair."

"I know."

"So now what?"

"I have to see her. I need to see Haley."

"When?"

"Right now."

"Dude…"

"I looked on the Internet on her website. It says she's in Nashville tomorrow. She and asswipe are on another tour."

"You're gonna go?"

"Yeah. If I leave right now, I can get there in time."

"It's a nine hour drive, man. You sure you're up to it?"

"I'll be fine. I have to go, Luke."

Lucas knew he had to.

"Alright. Go. Do what you have to do. Drive safe and don't be an idiot with Chris and please don't get arrested. I don't feel like bailing your crazy ass out this time."

"I'll be cool."

"You better. And just be careful. You know the media can be brutal. Try to keep it low key."

"I will. Look and if Meg or Mom or Dad…"

"I'll cover for you. I'll make up something."

"Thanks, man. I promise I'll handle everything when I get back. I'll sit Megan down and tell her the truth and break the news to everyone."

"Alright."

Nathan finished wolfing down his food and stood to leave. He embraced his brother who held him tight.

"Thanks, Luke…for everything."

"Just work it out, dude."

"You gonna lay low over here for a while?"

"Yeah."

"You okay?"

"I'm good", Lucas managed to smile. "Actually, I'm expecting company later."

"Company?"

"Yeah. Uh, Brooke is supposed to come over."

"Really?" Nathan raised an eyebrow.

"Really. Looks like my advice wasn't the only one that was helpful", he winked. "Thanks a lot…little brother."

Nathan grinned before running out to his truck. It was all gassed up and ready to go. Ready to take him on a trip that would change the rest of his life.