A Way of Working Out

Chapter 16

Nathan stood next to Jake the following Saturday, watching Haley walk down the isle. She looked so beautiful in the pale green dress that Peyton had picked for her bridesmaids. Although, he'd always thought she looked beautiful in anything.

On the outside, Haley was smiling as she walked up the isle, but inside she was a nervous wreck. After the rehearsal, she more unsure about her feelings than ever…

Haley stood off to the side, holding the bouquet of bows as Peyton and Jake were walked through the steps they'd be taking the next day. She tried to pretend that the bows were EXTEMELY interesting, not wanting to look up and see Nathan starring at her. Because he was, she'd already caught him twice. She was startled when she was told it was time to exit the church.

Listening to the directions the priest was giving her, she swore silently at Jake and Peyton. They had conveniently changed the entrance so that she would not have to walk with Nathan, but had failed to mention that they would still be walking out together.

Nathan grimaced, he wasn't sure he was going to be able to handle having Haley so close, but he stuck out his elbow, and she gently wrapped her arm through his. "You look beautiful tonight."

"Thanks," Haley whispered. She'd forgotten just what his touch did to her.

"You know, I thought the only time we did this, you would be in a long white dress." Nathan immediately regretted his words.

"You're the one who didn't trust me," Haley hissed. There was no way she was going to tell him that she'd been thinking the exact same thing.

The rest of the evening had been spent in an uncomfortable, tension filled silence between the two of them. Haley wasn't sure she'd make through him touching her again today. She'd actually felt like she would melt last night. Although, she was pretty certain no snide comments would me made this time.

Nathan listened as the priest announced Jake and Peyton as Mr. and Mrs. Jagelski. He couldn't help but be jealous. He wasn't supposed to be the last one to be part of a Mr. and Mrs. team. Not that it made any difference, but if he hadn't screwed up, and Haley hadn't been unreasonable, he'd be married, and maybe they would even have a baby by now.

Haley sat next to Teresa at the head table and glancing at Nathan talking to his date before taking his place at the table hissed, "I can't believe he brought HER."

"What difference does it make? You brought a date," Teresa was laughing inside, excited that the plan was working.

"Only because Peyton told me to. And he's married. So it doesn't really count."

"Nathan doesn't know he's married."

"But Kristy?"

"He keeps looking at you, and shooting daggers at Brady. So you're definitely making him jealous," what Teresa DIDN'T mention, was that Kristy too was married.

"You know he still loves you don't you?"

"He does?"

"Don't be dumb Haley. You know he does. And you still love him, don't you."

"No," she saw Teresa's glare, "Fine, yes, I still love him."

"Then why aren't the two of you together?"

"Because he doesn't trust me."

"Come on Haley. You've played that one out…"

Peyton interrupted, "Whatcha talking about?"

"The usual argument," Teresa muttered, "Haley loves Nathan, but he doesn't trust her."

"That's it Haley James. You are going to talk to him. We've put up with this long enough."

"I'm not going to talk to him Pey. It's bad enough that you made us walk out of the church together."

"I was hoping it would spark something."

"It did. It sparked an argument."

"You know damn well what I meant," Peyton paused, "Besides, it's my wedding day, and I'm supposed to be happy. I'll only be truly happy if you talk to Nathan."

"Peyton," Haley whined.

"Oh, it's on James. As soon as dinner is over…" Peyton's sentence trailed off as glasses were clinked, and Jake leaned in for a kiss.

Haley watched Peyton dancing with her dad out on the dance floor. Since dinner, Peyton had been swept from one wedding ritual to another, which left with no time to force Haley into talking to Nathan.

She quickly found out though, that Peyton was playing dirty. After the parents dance, was supposed to be the wedding party dance, so Haley was just as surprised as Nathan who caught her eyes from across the room, when they heard what the DJ announced, "As a special request by the bride and groom, the next dance is for the maid of honor and the best man." Haley heard the opening bars for Lonestar's Not a Day Goes By and found herself being shoved onto the dance floor.

Nathan stood in the middle of the dance floor, looking at Haley, feeling extremely awkward. Not only was this not supposed to be happening, but they now had half of the town starring at them.

He walked slowly towards her and held out his hand, which she surprisingly accepted. On instinct he pulled her close, "Do you know how long I've wanted to do this?"

"One year, six months, and 10 days," Haley whispered.

Nathan glanced at his watch, "And 56 minutes. I've never been so sorry for anything in my entire life Haley. I wish you could understand that."

"Shhhh," Haley whispered as she rested her head on his shoulder. She didn't want to remember this moment as being filled with words.

Okay, so I hope you like this chapter. There is still at least one or two more chapters during this 'time period' before I make my next jump to tie-up the story. Please review. :)