"I say something is going on."

Lucas rolled his eyes.

"No, it's not."

"Yes, it is."

"Whatever. Babe, can we just drop it?"

Brooke sighed heavily.

"Fine but you know I'm right so you may as well admit it."

"No, you're not right but I'm tired of talking about it so let's dead the conversation, please. Especially with you know who in the next room."

"If you insist but Nathan isn't stupid."

"I know that but Nathan doesn't need to know what we're talking about."

In their debate, neither had realized that the younger, dark haired brother was standing in the background, arms folded.

"Nathan doesn't need to know what?" he asked.

Lucas closed his eyes. Perfect timing.

"Nothing, man."

He opened the fridge and pulled out the milk, drinking straight from the carton.

"Doesn't sound like nothing. Care to elaborate, Brooke? You can't hold water, much less a secret so what's up since my brother here is obviously tongue tied?"

Brooke frowned as she was put on the spot.

"The only thing I care to elaborate about is the fact that you just had the audacity to put that carton back in the refrigerator after you clearly drank out of it. Gross! Living with two boys can be so yucky sometimes."

"I don't have cooties, Brooke but that's beside the point. I want in on this juicy little secret you and Luke are hiding."

"Fine", she said. "Everything's been really great with us all living here in New York and you've been doing a lot better so don't have a relapse and go all psycho on me but Broody and I were discussing the fact…"

"The slim to none possibility", Lucas interrupted.

"Whatever", she rolled her eyes. "Of something maybe going on with Haley and Chris Keller."

Nathan felt his jaw tighten.

"What makes you say that?" he asked, trying his best to sound nonchalant?

"Because someone watches way too much TV", Lucas quipped.

"It's the signs. They're all there. Trust me. It's…wait a minute. Are you okay hearing this, Boytoy?"

Nathan shrugged.

"Whatever."

"There is this vibe between them. I can't explain it but it's really flirty."

"It's not flirty, Brooke."

"Yes, it is, babe. Chris and Haley get so, I don't know…giddy."

"They're just friends. Hales acts the same way with Chris she acts with me. It's more like a brother/sister type deal."

"Okay, Luke, that would explain him having a key to her place."

"A key?" Nathan questioned.

"Hell yeah. He let himself in yesterday like he was paying rent."

Nathan stared at the floor.

"Oh."

"And", Brooke continued, obviously not knowing when to shut her trap. "And he just rummages through the fridge looking for Tofu and cottage cheese and…"

"Tofu and cottage cheese, huh?" Nathan asked. "How gay. What man eats that crap?"

"Tell me about it", Brooke agreed. "But the thing is, Haley buys it for him and keeps it stocked there."

Nathan's cheeks burned.

"What?"

"And that's not the worst of it. Oh no. Mr. Anti Social, goes and hangs out in her bedroom while we're all sitting in the living room."

"Her room?"

Lucas could sense his little brother's agitation.

"It wasn't quite like that, man. Looks can be deceiving and personally, I think it's quite innocent. Plus, if you want to talk about flirty vibes, I still look at him and Taylor. Something's going on there, Brooke definitely."

"Oh I'm sure they've probably done it before. I mean, who hasn't slept with Taylor?" Brooke slipped before catching the death glare from Nathan. "Oh sorry Superstar but you get what I'm saying. No disrespect to you but the chick gets around. Hell, Broody she's eyeing you like you're the last piece of fresh meat on earth."

"Okay and why are we talking about this again?" Lucas asked, more than a little exasperated.

"Because our sordid and twisted real lives beat any of the other gossip floating around out there", Brooke answered matter of factly.

"Unfortunately that's true but this is stupid. Let's just talk about something else."

"Fine", she sighed. "I'm hungry anyway. Let me go find a takeout menu and see what's for dinner."

"Not tonight", Lucas said. "I'm tired of takeout and I feel bad when Haley has to make our meals. How about we go out to a nice restaurant?"

Brooke clapped her hands.

"Awesome! Do I get to choose?"

"If you want but I was thinking about Saga. Remember it's that place on Lexington and 39th where I took you the last time we played the Knicks?"

"Oh that place with the to die for Grilled Shrimp Bruschetta and the Roasted Lamb Shank?"

"That's the one."

"Goody! Give me a few minutes to get beautiful", she squealed before running off to their bedroom.

Lucas shook his head.

"Sorry about that, dude. You know how she gets."

"It's cool."

"Alright. Well go change so we can hurry up and get out of here."

"I don't think so. I think I'll just hang out here."

"Come on, Nate. It'll be fun. Besides, it'll be good to get outside. I can even have security bring us a car and sneak us out back…"

"Nah, I'm cool."

"Nathan…"

"It's no big deal. Really. Don't worry about me, Luke. Have fun with your girl. Take her out for a romantic dinner for two. Afterwards, go dancing or for one of those carriage rides through Central Park. Make a night out of it. You guys deserve some fun."

Lucas sighed, still unsure.

"Dude, I don't want to just leave you…"

"I'm fine. God, you sound worse than my mother. I'm a big boy. I'll fire up the Foreman and make myself a grill cheese sandwich so I can polish off the rest of that milk before Brooke has another conniption fit and kills us both in our sleep."

"You sure it's cool?"

"It's more than cool. I promise. Go for it."

"Okay. I'm just gonna go get changed real quick."

Nathan nodded.

"Hey, man, one more thing…"

"What's up, bro?"

Nathan frowned and scratched his head.

"Not that it matters or anything, but all that stuff Brooke said…do you really buy it? I mean, do you think Haley and…"

"No. I love Brooke to death but her imagination runs wild sometime. You have nothing to worry about."

"I…I'm not worried. I don't even care. I was just asking."

"Okay", Lucas said as he went off to get ready.

The couple dressed and said their good byes as they embarked on a glorious night out on the town. Nathan enjoyed the quiet, making himself dinner and watching a little TV. When it was late he stripped down to his boxers and climbed into bed. The room was dark and quiet, just the way he liked it but sleep would not come and he didn't know why.

After a solid hour of tossing and turning, Nathan finally got up. He decided it was too hot. He adjusted the air conditioner but was still wide awake. He was bored as he checked the clock. Midnight. Maybe Haley was still awake. Lillian wasn't sleeping through the night yet so it was a possibility. And with Taylor back on as a Coyote, she would be all alone upstairs with the baby. It couldn't hurt to try so he slipped on shorts and a wife beater and made his way upstairs. As the elevator stopped, he heard footsteps coming from the stairwell. Hiding in a corner, Nathan watched as Chris and his guitar approached Haley's door. He fumbled with the key and finally it was opened from the inside.

"Hey you. About time", he heard Haley say. "Get in here. I've been waiting on you."

"At your service, Madam", Chris joked as he entered. "I live to serve."

And then the door shut. They never saw him but Nathan felt like he had just been punched in the stomach. He felt angry, he felt sad, he felt confused, he felt sick. His emotions were in a tizzy he couldn't explain. Walking to the door, he raised his fist to knock but at the last second, decided against it. If they even answered, what would he even say? What could he say? Sighing, a dejected Nathan did the only thing he could. He walked back down to the empty, lonely, dark apartment that was waiting for him.