Hi everyone Kase here. I know I said I would update sooner but I've been busy. Since I posted that author's note I got responses from people I didn't even know were reading the story. I encourage everyone to please review. Tell me what you liked or didn't like about the chapter, which characters you hate or love or can identify with, make guesses for what will happen next, make suggestions or anything. It will be greatly appreciated and your reviews are very useful. I don't know when I'll update next. I have the next two chapters planned and I want them both out before the end of the weekend. I'll update faster if I get more reviews. So this chapter is dedicated to all those ghost readers who never left a review but are going to start now.

Chapter 16

Stays in the Club

Nathan had been up for two hours but he hadn't left his room. It was 11 am and Haley would be coming over in an hour. His head was throbbing and the trash can in his room was right next to his bed reeking of stale puke. He couldn't let Haley see him like this. He wanted his hangover to be long gone when she came over. This talk could make or break their relationship. This wasn't only about catching up anymore. All Nathan wanted to talk about was Chris. He was so threatened by Chris. He didn't need Lucas to confirm Haley's feelings for Chris; he knew that Haley would be enthralled with him. She was so passionate about her music and although he was supportive they did not share that connection. How could she have sex with with Chris? So that was what she was really up to when he wasn't around. All those night she was "working on her music" she was fucking Chris' brains out. He was insane with anger. He couldn't wait to interrogate Haley. He felt so broken. This was every husbund's worst nightmare, a cheating wife. Cheating was different for women than for men. When men cheated it wasn't as devastating because consciously or subconsciously women expected it. But when a woman cheated it's more devastating for men because it was an insult to a man's pride as well. His wife needed another man to pleasure her. She needed to Chris to fill the void in her sex life. His manhood wasn't enough for her. Yes it hurt her that she betrayed him but it hurt even more for him to know that he wasn't good enough for her sexually as well.

"Lucas!" he shouted from his bedroom.

"Lucas!"

"What I'm sleeping!"

"Will you just call Haley for me and tell her to come over at 2:00 instead…..and bring me some Tylenol."

"What am I your mother?"

"Lucas quit being asshole….I have a headache and I feel like crap right now."

"Alright alright"

Lucas called Haley then entered Nathan's room with a packet of Tylenol and a bottle of water. He sat on the edge of the bed, took out the tablets from the packet and handed them to Nathan.

"Thanks"

"Where were you guys last night? I was looking all over for you."

"No where I was inside just watching Haley. What happened to you?"

"Nothing"

"Then why's your lip busted and your face so bruised. You get in a fight or something?"

"Uh yeah…yeah I got in a fight….some guy was hitting on Peyton"

"Since when do you care about who's hitting on Peyton"

"She's my girlfriend isn't she? Am I not supposed to care?" Lucas said raising his voice.

Nathan knew him too well. He hated being reminded what a horrible boyfriend he was. He also could not let Nathan find out about what happened. Haley was the only one who knew all his dirty little secrets. Since he started confessing to her she never looked at him the same. He knew that to her she was longer the same Lucas she grew up with. To Lucas Haley unconsciously looked at him with disappointed eyes. He just wanted to be seen as a pseudo-decent human being in someone's eyes. He could never tell his little brother about all the crap he did. Younger siblings were supposed to look up to older siblings. Lucas was supposed to be displaying behaviour that his younger brother would want to emulate. So if he had to bend the truth sometimes to savour his big brother-little brother relationship with Nathan then so be it.

"What's your problem? You never cared before. Since when do you get in fight for Peyton?"

"Since now! So drop it."

"Alright. What time is Haley coming?"

"I told her two o'clock. She sounded kind of disappointed"

"Disappointed my ass. Yeah right. I'm sure Chris can keep her company while I'm throwing up because of her."

"You're blaming this on Haley? You get drunk and its Haley's fault"

"If she had kept her damn legs crossed last night I wouldn't be feeling like this."

"Nathan come on this is Haley, you really think she cheated on you. We all saw her she was just talking to him on the couch."

"Just talking on the couch. I wish that was it. Later on they went down into some dark sexual corridor and locked themselves in the dressing room."

"You're serious?"

"As a heart attack"

"Nate, come on you know Haley she would never cheat on you. Just because she was in the room with him doesn't mean anything happened."

"So then what were they doing in there that they couldn't do on the couch where everyone could see them? Huh Lucas? Since you like defending Haley so much. You always take her fucking side."

"That's not true Nate. I'm just trying to assess the situation without being biased. You can't just assume that anything went on in there. When she comes over just be honest with her. Tell her you were there last night and you saw her and you want to know what happened."

"Lucas shut up. You're really pissing me off right now with all this righteousness. You're asking me to take the rational calm approach when my wife is cheating on me. For lack of a better example but what if it was Peyton, the girlfriend you suddenly care about so much. What if she was alone in the dressing room with some guy?"

Lucas wanted to say that he probably wouldn't care that much as long as she didn't do it front of his friends and she didn't give him any STD's the next time they fucked.

"I'd calmly ask her about it before I accused her."

"Oh just like you calmly asked Peyton in the bathroom last night."

"Look this is different alright, Haley is not Peyton. I don't want you tearing into Haley for something you're not even sure she did. So when she comes over be nice to her, she really wants to talk to you. I'll go out, give you guys some space. I know you two have a lot to talk about."

Nathan just nodded. He was ready to tear into Haley. He was so angry with her. He felt so hurt. She made it seem like the time apart was all about her and not about wanting to be with someone else. His anger with her also stemmed from his anger with himself. What if he had jumped to conclusions? What if Haley didn't do anything wrong? He had cheated on her a couple hours ago out of anger and hurt but what if it was all for naught. Well he would soon find out, although he trusted that Haley wouldn't lie to him, he knew he'd find out if anything happened because she was the worst liar in the world. So three hours it was. Nathan was not going to stay with a cheating wife even if he had cheated on her also. In three hours the fate of their marriage would be determined. He set the alarm for one o' clock and rolled over on his bed in hopes that by the time he awoke his headache would be gone and the hangover would have passed.

Brooke rolled over in her bed and put the pillow over her head. All she wanted to do was go back to sleep but Bianca was playing dirty. She was still mad at her for the way she treated Trey. Bianca was a very blunt person, if she was angry with someone they definitely knew it. She was a cuss-them-out-ask-questions-later person. Since Brooke's door was closed and locked Bianca expressed her anger by doing things she knew would annoy Brooke when she was trying to sleep. Since 10 am Bianca had maximized the volume on the home theater system and was playing all the love songs she knew Brooke hated. Brooke knew the moment she opened her door a full fledged cuss out would begin so for the past hour her ears were tortured by Mariah Carey's, We Belong Together, Ryan Cabrera's True and Mandy Moore's I wanna be with you over and over and over again. Her patience was wearing thin. She didn't get to bed until 5 am and she was feeling nauseous from all the alcohol she drank the previous night. Bianca was just being a bitch. Was what she did to Trey such a big deal? Who gives a fuck about Trey? He's a big boy he'll get over it. This was just like Bianca and so many other girls, the minute they got a man they were always so quick to spend every waking moment with them and always take their side. Bianca was just using Trey's feelings as the reason she was upset. Brooke knew she just didn't want to be embarassed by her in front of her new potential rich husband. Allister would never approve of a girlfriend who was unmannerly and by extension a girlfriend who associated herself with unmannerly people. Brooke gave up on sleeping there was no way Bianca was going to allow to get any sleep now. She figured she should just get up and go to the library and get some work done or better yet sleep in the library where it was nice and quiet.

Brooke opened her room door and went to the bathroom to pee. The music suddenly stopped, Bianca was just trying to fish her out of her room. Rachel was sitting on the couch and Bianca was cooking breakfast. Brooke was glad she was really hungry. She walked into the living room and just stared. She knew Bianca was mad but what about Rachel. Was Rachel going to take the mature approach and not get involved in her feud with Bianca? Or was she going to side with Bianca as she sometimes did. The bad thing about having a trio of best friends is that two people were always closer. Even though they were all best friends Brooke always felt that Bianca and Rachel were closer to each other than she was with either of them. How did that happen? Brooke and Bianca were best friends before Rachel even moved in. Bianca and Rachel had more in common; they could talk about things with each other that they couldn't talk about with Brooke. They both enjoyed fashion, parties, sex, men and would rather die than get fat.

"Good morning Brooke" Rachel said.

So there it was. Again, Rachel was taking Bianca's side. Rachel was usually a lot more jolly and a lot less cordial with her. Who gives a fuck anyway? Girls could be so petty sometimes. Brooke jus wanted to eat her breakfast and get out the house so they'd both have some time to see how stupid they were both being. Rachel wasn't even at the dinner, she didn't even know why she acted the way she acted. Girls just loved to gang up on each other. Brooke looked into the kitchen and saw two trays with eggs, cereal and toast.

"Rach sweetie your breakfast is ready." Bianca said in the most angelic voice.

Brooke just ignored that subtle stab at her. Bainca was just getting warmed up. She just wanted to pick a fight. Brooke ignored the first blow. She walked into the kitchen grabbed a plate and proceeded to take the remaining eggs in the frying pan. This was a trap. If Bianca really didn't want her to have any breakfast why would she leave eggs in the frying pan?

"Don't touch my fucking eggs, make your own damn breakfast."

"Your eggs! I pay my part of the grocery bill. These are just as much my eggs as they are yours or Rachel's."

"No they aren't because while you were lying on your fat ass in your bedroom I've been slaving out here making them so they're mine."

"Fine, they're yours, but I'm eating them."

"Over my dead body." Bianca said grabbing one side of the pan.

"Then what are you going to do with it. You already dished out your eggs and Rachel's, who's going to eat these eggs, they're just going to waste, so why do you care if I eat them."

"Because they're my eggs and I don't want them in your unmannerly mouth." Bianca said yanking the pan even harder, Brooke let go and the pan and its contents fell on Bianca's foot."

Brooke laughed in her face.

"Serves you right bitch."

"I'm a bitch. You're the one who was rude to Trey. If you hate men fine but don't be rude to someone who never did anything to you. You're such a stuck up condescending rich spoilt bitch. How dare you insult Trey because he's a mechanic? He looked so hurt when you said that. He was so excited to meet you and then ditching him at the club like that. The poor guy felt like a third wheel with me and Allister all night. He did not deserve that Brooke. Your actions hurt people."

"Well the truth finally comes out. You only find out what your friends really think of you during an argument. As for Trey I don't give a fuck about him. I'm a grown ass woman. I can do whatever the hell I want, I can wear whatever I want and if I want to insult some guy who I couldn't care less about I can."

"You know Brooke you should hear yourself right now. You're wrong and you won't admit it."

"I'm wrong, did I ever say I wanted to go on a date. No I didn't that's what you get for messing around in my love life."

"Well pardon me for trying to be a good friend to you. Pardon me for trying to hook you up with a nice guy. But you're such a bitch, that's why you're single because you're a bitch. What man will ever want to fuck a bitch like you? I'm sure that Lucas wanted to fuck you but your bitchiness probably scared him off."

"Don't bring Lucas into this. I can't believe you're defending Lucas you don't even know him. He is an asshole. Even if I did want to have sex with someone it wouldn't be him. Plus I prefer to be single than be like you. You're a pathetic middle classer who would rather marry rich to gain money and social status than work hard for anything. That's why you're going to end up old and unhappy with you're cheating rich husband."

"That's why you're going to die a spoilt rich bratty virgin."

"Funny how I'm not a spoilt rich bratty virgin when some people don't pay their part of the rent or when some people want to borrow my car."

"Well not everyone has a rich mommy to pay their credit card bill. Some of us actually have to work."

"Work please. You've been working at that college for two weeks so don't act like you're some poor kid from the wrong side of the tracks who had to work for everything. Your parents sent you money when you were in college. If I didn't know any better I'd say you're jealous."

"Jealous of who. Brooke get over yourself. Why on earth would I be jealous of you? You're a fat single virgin."

"Oh so I'm fat now too. Bianca this is ridiculous. You know what I don't need this shit in my life. I have enough shit to deal wit and I don't need your pettiness to add to it. So have nothing to say to me. When you see me in the morning pretend you don't. Just put your part of the rent on the fucking counter on the 30th every month and I'm fine. You can buy your own damn groceries. I don't give a fuck I'll buy food every fucking day."

"Good because when I cook only Rachel is welcome to have some. I'm also done cleaning. You're fucking pig. I'm always cleaning up after you and you never say thank you. So you grew up with some housekeeper picking up after you so you can't even make up your own bed or wash your dishes when you're done. Well I'm done, the middle class maid is done."

"Fine by me."

Brooke went into the bathroom and slammed the door. It's funny how the truth about so many things in friendship came out when two people were having an argument. It was like they both had pent up frustration with each other than needed to be released. Rachel had just sat there the whole time eating her eggs and reading a magazine as if nothing was happening. Brooke needed to get out, she was angry and frustrated. She still felt like the biggest idiot for not having sex the night before and now she had to deal with Bianca's pettiness. Was it really that big a deal? This was a huge fight. Why was how she treated Trey such a big deal to Bianca? They said some awful things to each other. Brooke started to evaluate her actions. Was what she said that bad? Who gives a fuck anyway? She got out the shower threw on some jeans and her Hartford T shirt and left the apartment with her notebook in hand. Why did she even bother carrying it? No one could get any work done when they were that angry.

It was 2:15 when Nathan heard a knock on the door. He was dressed, sober and waiting anxiously for this knock on the door for over twenty minutes. He opened the door and saw Haley standing there looking so beautiful. He always thought that she looked most beautiful when she was dressed simply, which she usually did. Dressed in jeans and a thin strap black top, Haley entered the apartment with take out for both of them.

"Hi Haley"

"Hey Nathan, I uh didn't know if you ate already so I brought you lunch."

Haley really missed him and she just wanted to throw her arms around him but it was so awkward. How were married people taking some time apart supposed to greet each other? She put the food in the kitchen and sat down on the big couch in the living room. The distance between them was evident. Nathan sat in the single chair on the other side. He was too angry to sit next to her. He couldn't wait to get past all the chit chat and get straight to his interrogation. Haley definitely had some explaining to do.

"So the place is nice. You and Lucas getting along ok?"

"Yeah me and Luke are cool."

"Um ok….Nate is something wrong"

"No Haley everything is great. Life has never been better."

"Ok so that was very sarcastic. I just wanted to spend a nice day with you. Is there a reason why you're sitting so far away from me?"

He got off the single chair and joined her on the couch leaving a space between them.

"Well I really missed you Nathan. When I said I wanted to take some time apart I didn't mean that we couldn't still talk like we used to."

"I'm sorry Haley but you have me a little confused, you know me the dumb poor husband you left. You don't want to live with your husband but you want to talk to him just like you always have. So then what are we doing then? What the hell is this?"

"Nate I'm confused too ok but not everything can be black or white. There are always grey areas and right now our relationship is grey to me. I don't know whether we're together or apart and I don't know if I want us to be together or apart. I love you. I want to spend time with you but I don't want our marriage to prevent me from doing the things I want to do. It's harder on me, you can play basketball. What's going to happen to us in the future? At some point one of us will have to sacrifice our career for our marriage and I don't think it's fair. We're going to be seniors next year, scouts are always recruiting players for the NBA, what if you get picked and you have to play for some other state. What's going to happen to us? Do I just drop everything and just follow you all over the country? Even though I can't stand being away from you I don't want to be your sidekick. I want to be more than Mrs. Nathan Scott. I know that if we stay together it's going to be me. I'm the one who is going to have to sacrifice the career. Nate you won't ever give up basketball and I'd never ask you to. Can't you just understand how I'm feeling and just move past all of it so we can have a nice afternoon together?"

"No, apparently you just like to get whatever you want lately Haley. You don't want a husband so you dump him. It's harder on me here Haley."

"What! How dare you say that, it's hard on both of us but at least you don't have to worry where your going to get money to pay for school next semester. You seem quite contented taking daddy's little bribes. Whatever happened to "I won't let my dad bribe me Haley" The minute we separated you just dove right into Dan Scott's pockets. We're apart but I still feel burdened. If I'm not working I'm in class or studying or working on my music. You don't work. College is much easier when your parents just give you money. All you have to worry about is your grades and basketball that's it."

"You forgot my wife. I have to worry about what my wife is up to when I'm not around with that spiky haired musician freak."

"Can we just focus on us and not Chris please. He has nothing to do with us. I want to work on us."

"He has everything to do with us. Where were you last night Haley?"

"If you must know father Nathan, I went out."

"With who?"

"Peyton."

"Just Peyton?"

"You were there last night?"

"See Haley I caught you lying."

"I didn't lie Nathan. I'm not going to tell you I went out with Chris when you're ready to blame him for our marital problems. Our problems have been around long before I even started working with him."

"You fuck him last night?"

"What! Nathan!"

"Answer me Haley."

"You know what Nathan I'm leaving. You and I clearly have different motives for this afternoon."

"Sit down Haley. Why did you go into a dressing room alone with Chris?"

"Because he wanted to hear my new song. You know me Nathan. I'm not a club person. I decided to come out because I never go anywhere, but the music was so loud and you know I hate hip hop. What's the big deal about me being the room alone together? We're in the studio alone together all the time."

"Just answer me Haley. Did you have sex with him?"

"No Nathan I would never cheat on you."

"Do you have feelings for Chris?"

"No, it's just about the music."

"Stop lying Haley. I know you. This is exactly the kind of guy you'd like, You told me what type of guys you usually go far. I know I was an exception. Don't lie Haley. Do you have any feelings for Chris at all?"

"No and he doesn't have feelings for me either. He is very professional. He is very serious. He thinks that I have tremendous potential and he wants to do a song with me that's it."

"Whatever Haley I don't believe you."

"Then don't. What were you doing at the club last night? Hook up with anyone?"

"No Haley I'm not like you. I wouldn't go into a room alone with another woman. I know that I'm married and I'd never ever cheat on you. Seems like you have no problem flirting with some other guy and lying to my face about it. I'm the only one working on this relationship. At least I'm honest Haley. You lied to me about Chris being with you last night and you lied to me about having feelings for him. I never lie to you. I know you have feelings for him Haley."

"How do you know that Nathan are you in my head?"

"No, maybe someone who I'm not married to had the common decency to let me know that my wife had feelings for another man."

"Really and who would that be."

"No one Haley."

"Who would tell you that? I never told anyone I had feelings for Chris because I don't. You're lying."

"This came from a very reliable resource."

"Like who? I've pretty much kept to myself these last few weeks. You're lying Nathan. Just stop it alright. Coming here was a mistake."

"No it wasn't it cleared a lot of things up for me. Now I know my wife is a liar. Those vows sure meant a lot to you Haley."

"Whatever Nathan I'm not going to stay here and let you tear me apart. I came here because I missed and I wanted to spend time with you. I won't allow you to badger me with these false accusations."

Haley's voice started to break with her last words. She was truly hurt by Nathan's accusations and lies. She did have a tiny crush on Chris but no one knew that and she would never act on it. It was only natural. Married people were still allowed to be attracted to other people, just not act on it which she didn't. Haley picked up her purse and left apartment fighting to hold back in her tears.