A dejected Nathan turned the key in his apartment. His mood had been on the highest plateau when his flight had arrived in New York. He had so much to be happy for. Then his mother had called and his worry for her had put a slight damper on things. But the thought of marching up to Haley's door and one last time laying his heart on the line was enough to somehow restore his jubilation…or at least make him nervous enough to want to throw up.

But it had been ruined in an instant. There she was all hugged up with Chris. He didn't know for sure if anything was going on but it didn't matter. That was beside the point. Just seeing them like that was enough. It was enough to bring up old memories and bitter feelings. It was enough to remind him why things had gone so sour in the first place.

"Superstar!" Brooke squealed, jumping into his arms.

Nathan frowned. He wasn't used to such an excited greeting.

"Hello to you, too", he mumbled.

"I am so glad you're back. Broody and I are almost finished packing up. I was afraid we'd miss you."

"Here I am", he sighed.

"Good…would you mind helping me with this box?"

Nathan raised an eyebrow. The box, contents and all, had to weigh less than two pounds.

"Okay…whatever."

He didn't notice the deliberate and dramatic way she kept trying to flaunt her left hand..

"Wow", she said, dabbing at her face with once again her left hand. "That was exhausting."

"Uh…yeah. Well, let me go see my brother before you have any other strenuous chores for me to do", he quipped.

Brooke stamped her feet and pouted.

"Why are boys always so damned clueless? I am not exhausted and I did not need help with that stupid box. I wanted you to see my new engagement ring!"

"Engagement?"

"Yes", Brooke giggled. "Broody finally proposed. Can you believe it? It was so romantic. He was a knight and he had horses and jesters and ladies in waiting…"

"Sounds original", Nathan chuckled.

"And check out my rock! Not too shabby, eh?"

"It's great, Brooke. Congratulations."

She threw her arms around him again.

"You do know this means we will be related and from here on out you are officially stuck with me", she announced proudly.

He didn't want to bust her bubble on the account that he was so miserable inside. Besides, she wasn't so bad and more importantly she made his brother happy.

"Yay!" he threw his hands up and did a little Ashley Simpson hoedown just to tease her.

"Smart ass", she swatted at him. "I'm gonna go finish up in the back and give you and Lucas a chance to say good bye."

"Thanks, Brooke."

"You are so welcome."

"No…I mean for everything. For putting your life on hold just to be here. It meant a lot. I haven't been the easiest guy to get along with this past year. Thanks for sticking by me. I appreciate it."

"You got it, Brother", she winked. "Oh and by the way, in my own excitement, I forgot to ask about you. Are we now employed?"

She crossed her fingers.

"Employed", he sighed.

"Alright! Way to go, Boytoy! I'm proud of you", she said as she disappeared into the bedroom.

Lucas came out a few seconds later.

"What's up, bro?"

"I should be asking you that. I'm gone for a week and you're already taking the big plunge?"

Lucas grinned.

"What can I say, dude? It's the right time and she is definitely the right girl."

"Well, congratulations."

"Thanks. What about on your end? How did everything go?"

"I am officially reinstated and I got an offer from New Jersey and Washington."

"That's great, Nathan! Oh man! That's like the best possible news! It's huge! I knew it would work out. You get to keep this place and Brooke and I are only a hop, skip, and a jump away. And the Nets franchise is pretty cool. I think you'll like it. The state itself isn't the freshest smelling but uh, you'll be living here in New York anyway and the fans are great!"

Nathan looked down.

"I'm gonna play for the Wizards."

Lucas frowned.

"What?"

"You heard me, man. I'm going to D.C."

"Yeah, I heard you. I was just making sure I heard right. Washington, huh? Is it more money?"

"It's not about the money."

"Then why are you going? Jersey is perfect! You can be close to Lillian."

"Washington isn't far. I can still be there for my kid, Luke."

"I don't doubt that but the Nets seem so much more convenient. And I thought you and Hales…"

"What about us?"

"Whoa. Don't get so defensive. I just thought you guys were maybe on the verge of working some stuff out."

"I don't think so", he shook his head. "Face it. Who are we kidding? It's done."

"Nate…"

"I just saw her hugging Chris."

"So?"

"So? Lucas…"

"Isn't he married to Taylor?"

"This week? Who the hell knows? It doesn't matter."

"Nothing is going on, Nathan. How many times does Haley have to tell you? How many wrong conclusions do you have to jump to before it sinks in?"

"I don't care if they're not together. I just hate him being around. I hate that kid…period. I should have beat his ass a long time ago."

"What good would that have done?"

"It would have made me feel pretty damned good. And maybe he'd think twice about always being around or trying to play step daddy to my daughter."

"He's Haley's friend…and now her brother in law."

"Exactly. Therefore, he will always be around. I can't handle that. I'm not putting up with it."

"You can't change it."

"You're right but I can distance myself from the situation."

"What about your little girl?"

"I love Lil. She's number one to me. I'll always be there for her no matter what my zip code is."

"And Haley?"

"What about Haley?"

"She's the love of your life. You said it yourself. Everyone knows you're crazy about her. You're just going to walk away on getting your family back?"

"Some things aren't meant to be."

"And some are."

"Maybe not this, Luke. Look, I have tried and tried…"

"Don't give up! Try harder!"

"I have. But I'm tired and I'm done. Little brother is throwing in the towel. It isn't worth it anymore."

"Are you listening to yourself? It's like praying every night to God that you'll win the lottery but never buying a damned lottery ticket. It's called helping yourself, Nathan."

"Haley and I are just different. Okay? We are and so are our lives. That's just the way it is. I accept that. I don't know if something happened between her and Chris ever but regardless, I do know this is all his fault. So in the meantime I choose not to play nice and act like everything is cool. Because it isn't. Fuck that punk."

"Nate…"

"What? I wish his bony ass was standing right in front of me right now so I could punch his lights out."

Lucas sighed as the slightly ajar door was pushed open. Nathan turned and his face immediately darkened, fists clinching. Lucas instantly jumped between them. This confrontation had been years in the making.

"Ask and ye shall receive", Chris stated.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Nathan grumbled.

"I came to see you. I came to do something I should have done eight years ago so I guess we're long overdue. It's time, Scott, that you and I had a little chit chat."