First, sorry for the lack of updates yesterday. But to warn you, today might bring the same. During the rewrite, I'm finding this story hitting home more than i thought it would, and it was bumming me out. Besdies, I had a bad day at work, so that didn't help. Hopefully I'll have my groove back tonight.
Okay, so I know Haley was being unreasonable about calling off the wedding, but Lucas didn't trust her, and she knew what that had done to them, she didn't want the same for her and Nathan...
This chapter is also the next time jump...
Enjoy!A Way of Working Out
Chapter 15
One year, six months later…
Peyton sat with Haley at the now empty bar, "You know, this wasn't how the plan was supposed to go."
"You're the one who invited me out tonight. I have no control over how things are progressing."
"You know that's not what I'm talking about." Peyton looked at her, trying her hardest not to cry. "You were supposed to get married first. Well, only after setting me up with one of his hot friends first, but it was supposed to be you. I was going to be the last one."
"What difference does it make? I set you up before I got married, it doesn't matter that your marriage actually happened and mine didn't."
"But it does. I always said I never wanted this and definitely not this early in my life. But you, you've wanted this as long as I've known you."
"It's fine Peyton, really, it is."
"No, it's not. Maybe it's a sign. I'm not supposed to really be with Jake. It's not too late to back out."
"No Peyton. Things don't always go according to plan, we both know that. You've got the perfect example of that sitting right here. Things didn't go according to my plan at all. You're meant to marry Jake. He loves you, you love him, you're happy together, and you trust each other. It's meant to be."
"Maybe we should've waited longer."
"Why?"
"Well, it's just not right, he IS the best man, and you ARE the maid of honor."
"I told you that you could pick someone else. I'd be okay just being a plain old bridesmaid."
"No, I wanted you to be my maid of honor; I can't imagine anyone else holding that position in my wedding."
"We've talked about this a hundred times Pey. It's not mandatory that we have any contact what so ever during the wedding. You guys worked that out, having the groomsmen already standing up at the alter with Jake. It'll be fine."
"When was the last time you saw him?"
"I'm not going into this with you again."
"I'm the bride, just humor me."
"Fine. Six months ago. I went up to see Teresa after Callie was born and he showed up while I was still there."
"Then what did you do?"
"I congratulated Tim and Teresa and left."
"Without even acknowledging his presence."
"So. It's not like he did either."
"You still love him, don't you."
"So what's your point?"
"Maybe you could bring someone."
"Like a date?" Haley asked with surprise in her voice.
"Well yeah, why not. You could do it to make him jealous."
"Peyton Sawyer! That's just evil! Besides, I don't have anyone to ask."
"I'll find someone. And even if id doesn't make him jealous, it would give you something else to focus on."
"I don't think so."
"I do, and I have the perfect person in mind."
"I like my plan of just plain avoidance better."
"You can still avoid him, but you'll have a hot guy at your side as a bonus."
Meanwhile, things weren't going so smoothly with Jake and Nathan.
"Come on man," Jake urged, "Peyton and I can't live the rest of our lives making sure that my plans with you don't over lap her plans with Haley, and neither of you are going anywhere. It's time to move on. She has, she's bringing a date."
"What?" Nathan snapped his head up to look at Jake.
"Well yeah, it's been a year. Just because you aren't, that doesn't mean she shouldn't be dating again."
"Have you met him?"
"Yeah, he's a great guy. Actually, you know him too…"
"I do?" Nathan asked, silently praying it wasn't Mouth.
"Yeah, do you remember Jorgensen?"
"As in Brady Jorgensen, they guy we played baseball with?"
"Yep."
"I never would have pegged him as her type. Didn't he marry Sam Rasmussen a few years back?"
"Yeah, but things didn't work out."
"Oh, well maybe I'll just have to bring someone myself."
"Oh really?"
"Sure, why not."
"So you'll still be my best man?"
"Of course. I wouldn't miss this for the world."
'That's not the same tune you were humming 10 minutes ago,' Jake thought silently, remembering the argument they'd been having.
"I know I said I could, but I don't think I can do this Jake," Nathan shook his head. "I thought I'd be ready, but I'll never be ready."
"But you're my best friend. And this was the arrangement. I was Tim's best man, you'd be mine, and he'll be yours."
"I'm never getting married. Just let Tim be your best man. There's still a week, he'd still be able to write a great toast. I don't ever need to be a best man."
"But you still have to be at the wedding."
"Yeah, about that."
"Don't you dare. You are my best and oldest friend. You have to be there. Who cares if your ex-fiancé is going to be there? It's time you move on. There will be plenty of hot chicks there, weddings are a GREAT place to meet women."
"But I lost the only woman who will ever matter to me."
"Yeah, and she's going to be there, and she also happens to be the maid of honor. But you knew all of that. And there's no time like the present to move on."
Jake was curious to see how Nathan would be bringing with him. Although, he had a pretty good idea. He just hoped that Peyton and Teresa's idea worked.
Let me know what you think of this chapter...