It was closing time after what had been a particularly grueling and busy day at Deb's Den. Nathan had been on his feet all day long but he didn't mind. He was in a good mood and it was plain for anyone to see that. Haley had most definitely noticed. She, along with Deb, was closing with him.
"Somebody's in a good mood", she teased.
He smiled at her, whistling a happy tune as he hopped over the bar almost Matrix style and tossed a dirty glass in the air before catching it and stacking it in the "to be washed" pile.
"Why would you say that, Hales?"
"I don't know. Could it be the whistling? I mean, come on. Never in my life have I heard you whistle. And I've known you a long time. Or maybe it's that stupid smile that's been plastered on your face all day. But it might be that new John Travolta pep in your step. I swear to God every time you've walked by today, I keep expecting to hear the Bee Gees break out in song. What gives?"
"Okay, Inspector Gadget. You got me. What can I say? I, Nathan Lee, am in a good mood."
"I suppose things could be worse. I mean, stranger things have happened."
"Let me make you a drink."
"A drink?" she laughed. "No thanks."
"No thanks?" he pretended to be hurt. "Now, I'm insulted."
"No drinking on the job, buster", she swatted him with a dishtowel.
"We are closed and it's been a long day and we deserve it. And not to brag or anything but I am a pretty damned good bartender."
"Not that you're bragging", Haley grinned.
"Nope. Now what can I get you? Anything you want."
"Fine. You talked me into it, you bad influence, you. I will have…ooohh, I know. A Southern Belle, please."
"Ah", Nathan nodded. "A Southern Belle. Now Hales, if I didn't know any better I'd swear you were trying to trip me up. Test my bartending knowledge and skills, if you will."
"No but if you're unsure of how to make one, a boring Banana Daiquiri will do just fine."
"Watch and learn", he smiled as he began preparing it. "An ounce of our finest whiskey, three fourths of an ounce of Bourbon, eight ounces of deliciously chilled pineapple juice, two ounces of fresh Florida squeezed orange juice, no pulp…"
"No pulp", Haley laughed.
"…Three fourths of an ounce of Triple Sec. Okay, that fine concoction is mixed together. I will pour into an ice filled, tall juice glass and with a splash of Grenadine…there you go."
Haley accepted the drink as he slid it over to her. She took a sip and smiled.
"Okay, okay. I take it all back. You're good."
"I know it probably killed you to admit that but slow down on yours so we can have a drink together."
She watched as he made himself a Tequila Sour. Together they sat in a lighthearted mood they hadn't enjoyed in a long time.
"Okay, now you want to spill on why you're so damned bubbly today?"
He reached beneath the bar and pulled out a brochure, which he gave to her.
"Read that."
She skimmed a pamphlet giving details about another race.
"What is this?"
"The Jeff Burton invitational. It's a big race down in Darlington. It's pretty cool. He does it every year. Anyway, you race by invite only, hence the title and let's just say this year was the first year I got an invitation."
"That's great, Nathan. Sounds like a big deal. I'm really proud of you."
Haley had never gotten into the whole racing thing. In fact, as soon as she was able to understand the concept of basketball, the brothers had switched sports on her. But as far as she was concerned, racing was boring to watch, hard to understand, and too damned dangerous to participate in. But the Jeff Burton invitational seemed like a big step, career wise and Nathan was excited. The least she could do was be a friend and be happy for him.
"Yeah, I can't wait."
"Think you have a chance to win?"
"I do…or at least I hope so. But either way, I plan on finding out. I've just got to touch base with Cooper and get everything set up. We got a lot of work to do to prepare for this one."
Haley took another sip.
"Man, you're gonna be busy. Between living and working here and running down to Charleston to get ready, you're not going to have time to sleep."
"I am gonna be working my ass off but at least I won't have to worry about commuting from Tree Hill to South Carolina."
"What do you mean?"
"I'm leaving."
Haley felt like she had been slapped in the face. Nathan leaving?
"You're, um, you're leaving?"
"Yeah. This place is doing great and Mom is feeling better and you guys don't need me around anymore."
"Oh."
"And I'm excited to get home."
Haley nervously tugged at her lip.
"I, I'm sure Cooper will be glad to have you back."
"Yeah. Fuck face will never admit it but he loves me and he can't get on without me", he grinned.
Haley tried to smile.
"And Daytona, too. Um, I'm sure she'll be happy to have you home."
"Yeah. I told her and she can't wait. It's gonna be great. And she's excited about the race, too."
Haley nodded.
"She's good, at the racing thing, I mean."
"Oh yeah", his eyes lit up. "You should see her. She's amazing. Coop calls her 'Hell On Wheels'."
"Yeah…"
"If you ever want to start racing, you should talk to Daytona. She could help you out…"
She laughed nervously.
"I don't think I'm the racing type. I freak going five miles over the speed limit on the Interstate."
"It's fun. It's a rush like you can't describe. I think if you at least rode around the track in a test run, you'd probably like it."
"I'll take your word for it."
"Well, the least you could do is come see me race. I can get you some pretty good seats for this thing down in Darlington."
"I don't know…"
"At least think about it. Here. Keep the brochure and let me know what your schedule is like."
"Okay. Okay", she nodded. "Um, I'll think about it."
She folded it and slid it in the back pocket of her jeans. All of a sudden, she needed that drink more than ever. She tilted the glass bottoms up style.
"Whoa", he laughed. "I know it's good, Hales, but damn. Wait for me. How about a toast?"
"A toast?"
"Hell yeah", he raised his glass. "To starting over and being happy…new beginnings for everyone."
She nodded and raised her glass.
"To new beginnings", she cleared her throat before drinking up.
"Hey, what are you two lushes up to?" Deb asked, emerging from the back. "All work and no play?"
"We were just taking a break, Mom and I was just sharing my good news with Hales."
"Well, as long as you're happy and you promise to be safe, then I have no objections. I'm proud of you, Nate and I support whatever you do."
"Thanks. And Haley is thinking about coming to the big race. It'd be cool if you came too. That would be a hell of a good luck charm, having my two best girls there…well, three counting Daytona."
Haley looked away. Why did she like it better when it was just two best girls?
"We'll see, honey", Deb smiled. "If my schedule permits and my heart can take the excitement, who knows?"
He gave her a kiss on the cheek and took a large crate of dirty dishes off to the automatic dishwasher. Haley finished reconciling the cash registers as Deb completed last minute clean up. Haley couldn't help but notice that Deb was moving a little slower than usual. And a few times her face look strained, in pain even.
"Deb?" she asked. "Everything okay?"
Deb kept mopping.
"I'm fine."
"Are you sure?"
"Of course, I'm sure."
"I could finish that, you know. It's no bother, really."
Deb smiled.
"Haley, I know what you're doing and I really appreciate it, honey but I'm okay. Really. I promise you."
"Okay. I just don't want you overdoing it."
"I'm not. A little mopping never hurt anyone."
"It's just that you had this really weird look on your face…"
"Like the one you had on yours when Nathan mentioned Daytona?" Deb asked, her mischievously twinkling.
Haley turned bright red and tried to laugh it off.
"I don't know what you're talking about…"
"Oh I think you do."
"Please, Deb. Nathan and I are just friends. I'm glad he's with Daytona. Besides, I already have one crazy husband I'm trying to get rid of."
"I know. And I'm not saying anything. But you wouldn't have that problem if you married my son. Didn't I always say growing up you two should end up together?"
"Yes", Haley sighed in exasperation. "From the time we were playing in the sandbox."
Deb smiled.
"Fine. I won't say another word."
"Thank you."
"You almost done?"
"Out here. I just have to check the restrooms to make sure we don't have to declare a state of emergency in them."
Deb watched her leave and smiled. Call it a mother's wisdom but she had silently predicted the doom that would surely follow the day Lucas and Haley said "I do". And she knew that as much as her son cared about Daytona, his heart wasn't really in that relationship. But most of all, she knew Nathan and Haley were meant for each other…even if they didn't know it.
"Need any help, Mom?" Nathan called out from the back.
Deb felt a twang of pain and closed her eyes trying to keep her balance. As always the sick feelings passed as quickly as they appeared. She took a deep breath.
"No, I'm fine. Everything is under control."