A/N Thanks a lot to everyone that reviewed. I wasn't sure if you wanted to keep reading and I had been updating my other stories, "Nowhere to run" and "What if I?" which I can't place here because they are on script form. If you want to read any of them just write me. My mail is in my profile page and I can't put it here because the system erases it.
First a little time disclaimer: I started this fic before the season two finale. So, some things that happened there didn't happen here. The most important are Dan heart's attack and Naley´s marriage. I´ll mention during the story what is supposed to have happened such as the interview with the doctor and Lucas missing the shot. Also, everything that happened at the game.. The other important difference is that here everybody knows about Keith and Deb. I´ll tell how later. Let´s suppose just to settle something that Luke and Keith left on the last days of June and Luke returned the first of September. (I know that's not right, but I couldn't check with the show at the time I wrote the story).
Other disclaimer: I´ve never claimed to own any of the characters, well, because I don´t. I wish I owned Chad and James but no, but I especially don´t own Bella which is a property of Lena and she kindly offered her to me.
You don´t need to read anything else to understand this story but you can read more about her at Bella´s trilogy by Lena. I think that here links don't appear so I'll just say that the names of the stories are "No distance left to run", "Dogma" and "Fallen Angel" and you can find them at One Tree Hill Central.
Another thing, some people told me they hate Gina, well that's supposed to happen. About Bella, I truly like her, but let me know what you think. And Dan..he's always like this in my fics but he generally explains himself later...at least a little. Thanks for reading!
Chapter 4: Some explanations
Nathan looked at his brother, surprised.
"What do you mean?"
"Keith and I...we went to four different doctors in Charleston. They said the same thing; it's not that I can't play at all. But I can't force my arm. That means. no training and well, if I can't train, I can't play, not for a team. If I force the arm too hard I won´t be able to move it anymore."
"But why?"
Lucas's face got sadder and angry. He sighed before answering.
"Apparently I should have never kept playing after they hit my arm at the play off game. The doctor said that that made the nerves more sensitive and when I forced the arm by playing the damage was irreversible. The four doctors said that if the team doctor even suggested I could keep on playing I could make him loose his license."
Lucas looked at Nathan.
"You want to hear the funny part?. Keith said we had to make that doctor pay. We called him and told him we would sue him. And you know what he said?. That he told the coach he couldn't tell for sure without X-Ray but that I should stop playing."
"Perhaps he's lying" Nathan's tone of voice didn't sound very sure. He knew his father. And that made him believe the doctor.
"I don't think so."
"Are you saying this is my dad's fault?"
Lucas didn't look at him when he answered.
"No. It's my fault. I should have never stayed at the team when I learnt your dad was coaching. That ridicules custody thing he brought back confused me. I should have walked away the moment he started coaching. I can't believe I was so stupid."
"Don't be. I'm living with him after all. Right?
"It's not the same"
Lucas wasn't looking at Nathan and he clearly wanted to drop the subject. Nathan didn´t know what to say and he decided to speak about something else.
"What are you planning to do?
"What do you mean?"
"You are not playing any sports at all?. After playing basketball your whole life that must be hard..."
Lucas smiled.
"Oh..no..I´ve been thinking of another sport."
"Really. Which sport you can play without your arms?
"Well..not without them...but without forcing them. I´ve been thinking of soccer"
Nathan tried not to laugh.
"And what do you know about soccer?"
"I knew nothing. But someone told me almost everything there is to know about it."
Nathan looked at Lucas's expression.
"My dad says that's a girl sport and I hope he's right. Because if you put that face when you talk about a guy...I won't say you are my brother any more."
Lucas laughed.
"Well...yes. it was a girl...that told me that it isn't a girl's sport at all. Besides, you never say I'm your brother."
"But I won't start anyway. " Nathan was smiling; he paused and got more serious "And where are you planning to play soccer...there are not soccer teams in Tree Hill"
"I was hoping to start one in Charleston, now I could start one here "
"Really?. At school?. But don't you think...well..you need people that like to play for school teams and may be the same guys that are at the Ravens would want to join your team...and they can't play for both of them. "
"Yes..I thought of that...and if Whitey was coaching I would ask him if he minds. After all, there must be people that just want to play soccer. But now I don´t think I´ll ask anyone, inly the principal."
Nathan smiled.
"Oh..I see...well many people would prefer soccer to basketball if they could get rid of my dad in the process. I know I would. And it would be so funny watching my dad´s face. "
"So, come. You won´t have problems with soccer. I´ll teach you. Bella says I´m a natural. So you may be a natural too. It´ll be really nice to play with you in a team. And I´d like to see you dad´s face when you tell him too "
"I'm living with my dad now, I wouldn't survive if I told that to him. He's making my life a living hell, you know, he doesn't forgive me that I wanted to live alone...and the things I told him at the game..."
"Well...what can I say..I thought I couldn't hate him more and I turned to be wrong. He´s just crazy. I think he´s planning to go to Charleston to see Keith right?"
"Ya...to ruin Keith´s marriage...of course"
"Ya.."
Luke suddenly looked sad and went to sit near the court. Nathan noticed talking about their dad was getting them sad and he decided to change the subject.
"Hey, man, let´s talk about something else"
"Like what?"
"Tell me about that soccer-girl. What´s her name?. You´ve said it before but it sounded strange."
Lucas smiled.
"Oh...well...her name is Bella.."
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Flashback: Charleston 07/10
Lucas was thinking he couldn't feel sadder. That day Keith and him had gone to see the third doctor and he had no hopes playing basketball again. They had made an appointment for another doctor but he could guess the result. Things were going OK with Keith. They had been living together for about two weeks. Keith never talked about Deb but he never talked about his mother, either. Lucas sensed he was still hurt because she couldn't love him. He wished Karen could feel different. They could have been really happy the three of them together. Keith and Karen barely talked when Karen phoned Lucas. Keith only said hi and gave him the phone.
Near the house Keith had rented there was a small cafe, even smaller than his mom´s. Sometimes, Keith and him had there meals there. That day Keith had to go somewhere to put some things in order and he would join Luke for dinner there. So, bored of his house, Lucas went to the cafe earlier. It was growing dark and even if it was summer, it was really cold. He missed Tree Hill but he really didn´t miss all the drama in his life.
His attention was caught by some people playing a game outside. He had to pay attention to realize it was soccer. They were wearing strange sweat-shirts. One team had yellow and blue and the other white and red. He was surprised because a girl seemed to be directing it or something like that. The girl was wearing a blue and yellow sweat-shirt herself.
It suddenly started to rain, and he kept watching thinking they would stop the match. But they continue as if nothing had happened. He found that strange.
They kept playing for a while, getting all wet and an hour later the players left, but the girl went to the cafe.
Lucas couldn't believe his eyes. She was really beautiful with a wonderful body and deep, black eyes, and everyone was staring at her, but she couldn't care less.
She looked around and Lucas dropped his jaws when he noticed she was approaching him
"Hey, you, can you play soccer?"
"I know nothing about that sport"
"May be I can teach you. One of my friends had to leave and I'm the referee. We don´t want to stop"
He looked at her. She looked so cute, completely wet and thinking of playing a sport outside. Not paying attention at people staring at her or what they could be thinking. ´I should behave more like her´ he said to himself.
"I don´t think I can learn so fast and besides it´s raining outside"
"Soccer players play in the rain and the mud when it´s necessary. And you Americans say that´s a girl sport" she said angrily and sitting at the table without being invited "but if you are going to ruin tonight's game you have to promise me I can teach you tomorrow so you can play when we need someone"
"How am I ruining the game if I´m not even in it"
"By not getting in it.."
"Oh...I can´t win. Can´t I?"
She smiled.
"Not really. Do you have something more interesting to do tomorrow here in paradise?. Besides, I think we have to know each other. My aunt is really after your dad"
´If she were after my real dad she would be pregnant´he thought but he only said out loud.
"He´s not my dad, he's my uncle. And so...your aunt would be that hot Italian woman that´s totally after Keith Pretending to have a hundred problems in a new car"
The girl laughed.
"Is she so obvious? Well you uncle doesn't seem to be upset at that"
"I guess he´s not. "
"She´ll be glad you called her hot. Besides, she´s not exactly my aunt either. She´s just a friend of my mom´s. But I'm here with her. My dad thought it would be better if I left Italy. I had some, you know, problems. I got transferred to Charleston. My aunt would leave at the end of the summer. She´s a painter and she doesn´t have much to do here."
"And what's his name?"
"Who's name?"
"The problem, it must have been a guy"
"I´ll tell you if you tell me"
"There are no guys in my life"
"The girl!"
"The girls you mean. "
"Oh. So modest! I bet you are a proud football star back at home"
"Well I used to play football but I´m a basketball star"
She looked amused at the word star.
"Oh..you made me said that. I mean I was in a basketball team ".
"And you got injured"
He looked surprised.
"How do you know?"
"Well that sad look of yours. And you are far from your basketball home. So my guess it´s not more basketball for the star " he looked confused "Don´t worry. I've been through it. I used to swim and now...well I can´t swim".
"And what do you do now?"
"Just for fun, I used to assist my dad who was a soccer coach. And if you can play it I can consider you my next project and make you a soccer star. You´ll be able to play in Boca when I finish with you "
"Play where?"
Lucas opened his eyes big. He was enjoying the conversation a lot. He could sense there was a big pain behind all that joyful attitude. He wanted to kick the guy´s even if he hadn't seen him in his life.
She looked surprised, as he had said he didn't know the Pope.
"You don´t know Boca." she showed him his sweat shirt but he couldn´t get why.
"No..sorry.." he had been ironical but she took it seriously.
"Apologize accepted. I´ll have to work a lot with you. Anyway, Boca Juniors is the greatest soccer team in the world, they wan the last intercontinental cup and these are their glorious colors " she showed him her sweet shirt and he had the feeling she would start singing.
"OK...right. Are they Mexican? They sound Mexican but you are Italian right?"
She shook her head like a teacher with a bad pupil. He laughed, she was so cute!. He couldn't give a dam about Boca or soccer but he just wanted to keep talking and may be learn who could have hurt a beautiful creature like this. Well, someone like him, probably.
"No..Noo Boca Juniors is the best soccer team...from Argentina. I´ve lived there for a lot of years with my dad, he used to coach Boca, now he´s back in Italy. Enough of me, tell me about those girls..."
He laughed but he was feeling really comfortable with her. He didn´t know why but he had the feeling he could trust her. He started telling her about Peyton and how he felt about her but she was always pushing him away and it never seemed to be the right time to be together. When he finished that part the girl interrupted him.
She shook her head again mumbling a word.
"Histérica. Your friend is an histérica "
"Histerical?. What´s that? "
"No..not histerical...histérica. That's a Spanish word. It's what we call in Argentina people that behave like that. Girls that encourage you just to blew you off. There are less kind expressions of course. It´s not a bad thing but I found it personally annoying. "
He looked at her.
"Does that mean we..."
She laughed and punched him playfully.
"I'm not encouraging you, American psycho. Keep you pants on one time, if you can. And if I wanted to encourage you, you'd know believe me. "
He laughed. He was going to answer when Keith appeared. Lucas was glad the conversation hadn't gone to Dan or Deb or that horrible night at the cafe where Dan has exposed that Keith and Deb had slept together. Keith shook his head when he saw him with a girl.
"Hi, you must be Keith. I´m Bella " she greeted him. Lucas realized he hadn´t asked her name. She turned to Lucas "well I´m leaving you alone. See you tomorrow for training. And see you later, Keith"
"All right Bella" Keith looked at Lucas surprised.
"How long could you keep your pants on?. Almost two weeks. That's a record. Brooke got you a tattoo and this girl will train you in what...?"
"Soccer "
"Soccer. Interesting. Guess I have to thank god, she doesn't sky dive. "
"Actually" Keith looked horrified.
"Just joking, uncle Keith, but actually she´s Gina´s niece. Or kind of..."
Keith smiled.
"Oh...really?. Well she seems to be a nice girl..."
"With the silliest aunt or the crappiest car "
"What?"
"You talk about me. But what about you?. How many times can you repair a car that has no problems?. And it always happens to break down in front of our house? And you are not supposed to be repairing cars anymore"
Keith smiled at those words. Our house.
"You think I should ask her out? " it wasn't an advice what Keith was asking for. It was approval.
"Of course, you deserve to be happy "
"I think I will. Well, let´s order. I promise, Luke, I´ll learn how to cook sometime"
"There's no rush. This cafe and its customers are just fine."
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ONE TREE HILL-NOW
Lucas finished telling Nathan about his first talk with Bella. Nathan laughed a lot.
"Really? All wet? Talking about soccer? " he asked "And was she hot?"
"You should have seen her, man. She´s hotter than any cheer-leader you know. She hates the whole cheer-leader thing but she´s so hot she could be in any squad"
Nathan asked a lot of questions about Bella but he didn´t say anything about Gina. He didn´t want to hear about Keith. He hated his uncle´s behavior. Just thinking of him and his mom made him want to puke.
Finally Luke got up.
"I´ll really miss her "
Nathan looked at him carefully.
"You screw things up with her "he wasn´t guessing. He was sure.
"No..well...kind of..anyway she was transferred to Charleston, not here. Now she can´t help me with the soccer thing "
"Well...you´ll tell me another day, guess you don´t want to deal with that right now. "
"Not really"
"Well, my dad is waiting for me. He has to do the night yelling. "
"Good luck" Lucas was turning to leave.
"Luke! "
"What? "
"Please ask Haley"
"I will. And Nate, do me a favor."
"What?"
"Don´t tell your dad that I can´t play. I just want to keep him away. I don´t want to have anything else to do with him "
"All right. At least you can try. "
Nathan felt really bad about having to go home again.
AT THE CAFE
The phone rang.
"Hi "
"Hi, Karen this is Keith. Is Luke there?"
"What do you mean?.Here at the cafe or here in Tree Hill. And why didn´t you tell me he was coming?"
"Because he didn´t tell me he was leaving. He just left a note Apparently he had some problem with Gina and..."
"A note? And who's Gina? "
"My fiancé"
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AT HALEY´S HOUSE
Haley had the TV on but she wasn't really watching it. She was thinking of Nathan. She still loved him so much!. She hated Dan. And what he was doing to him. And what he was doing to her. Karen was really nervous with Lucas's arrival and all his strange behavior. Karen was sure he was still hurt about the custody thing but he wouldn't say anything. Anyway, the day was slow at the cafe and Karen told her she could go home early.
The bell rang taking Haley off his thoughts. She was glad to see Luke.
"Hi...again.. "
"Hi again. After not seeing you in moths, twice a day quite an honor "
"I´ve been with Nathan"
Haley´s smile fade away.
"I don´t want to talk about him "
"Please Hales. He´s really suffering. And so are you. And who can you tell if you can´t tell me ?"
She started crying and he hugged her. She took him to the kitchen. She really needed to tell someone and he was right. Who else could she trust?. Besides, perhaps he could help , even if she doubted it. They sat in the kitchen. And she spoke first.
"All right. But first tell me what's bothering you."
"And then you´ll tell me the truth? Promise?"
"Yes. Promise!"
"It´s Keith's fiancé. She's the one that wanted me to leave. She thinks Keith still loves mom. "
Haley´s face got sadder.
"Oh..I´m really sorry Luke. I thought it was too soon but I really want Keith to find someone"
"I know. Well my beloved father will take care of it. What are fathers for, right? "
Haley put a strange face.
"What do you mean?"
"Only that he said he´ll go. I guess he wants to ruin everything. But who knows. I really hope Keith can be happy with her. May be he can"
"Will Nathan go too?"
"I don´t know. He really hates Keith now. Well now it´s your turn"
"All right. " she hesitated, she didn´t know how to start.
"You know my mom. You know the ...problem she has "
"You mean the drinking?. Is she drinking again?. It though that after your dad got her that job..."Lucas was speaking and wondering at the same time what the hell had this to do with Nathan.
"Yes...that´s the problem. My dad got her the job at the power company, you know he´d been working there for years. But of course, he didn´t say my mom had that problem or they wouldn't have hired her. She´s really improving, Luke, especially since she has the job. But she can't help failing from time to time. My parents went to this party in Las Vegas. A friend of them was getting married for the third time. And she couldn't help it. She got drunk..you know how she can get...completely wasted. It was really embarrassing for my dad. "
"And what does Nathan has to do with this?" Luke was really lost at this.
Haley tried not to cry.
"Anyway. After Nathan moved back with Dan, Dan tried really hard to control him and that meant, I don´t know why, take him away from me. He couldn´t, I mean, Nate really knows him and he knows his tricks. Well, one night Nathan was training, he´s training really hard since he´s back at Dan´s and I was here alone and Dan came."
FLASH BACK- HALEY´S HOUSE 07/21
Haley was thinking on what to wear to see Nathan that night. Her parents were visiting a friend and she had the house for herself for a while. When the bell rang she didn't know what to think. She thought it might be Peyton or Brooke with some plans.
She felt a punch on her stomach when she saw Dan..
"Mrs. James. Can I come in?"
"Of course " she tried to sound polite. That couldn't be good. She led him to the living room. She didn´t offer him anything to drink. She wanted him to leave.
"I want to talk about my son´s future. It's my main concern. " he looked at her as waiting for an answer.
"Well..I..."
"Let me finish " no one could argue with that voice. "I know that whole dropping basketball idea was yours. I also know you are a friend of Lucas´s and you have a lot to do with their alliance against me lately and specially at the play off."
"Mr. Scott, I..."
"Don´t interrupt me. You are not good for my son. You are a really bad influence to him. I really think you should stop dating him"
"But...you can´t..."
"Let´s see if I can. I have a tape of a certain Vegas marriage and a total wasted woman. I have ways to prove this woman had this problem for a long time. And her husband lied to get her hire at a company where I have actions. I can show that video to the entire board and not only will your mom loose her job. Your dad will too. And I´ll make sure he won't find another job in this town and that everyone in town will see that video. I give you a week to break up with Nathan. Tell him what you want, but don´t tell him the truth. If he has any clue that I have to do with your breaking up I´ll show that video. It´ll only take me a second to reunite the company board. Just think about it. Oh. Here's the video, in case, you don't believe me, watch it, even if it won´t make you any good. I have a lot of copies, of course.
Just think about it. I´ll wait a week and if you are still my son's girlfriend your parents will lose their jobs. Just think it´s for your own good. Of curse, it´s for Nathan´s good. You may not believe it now but you will later. I don´t really want to do this. So, don´t make me."
He didn´t add another word and he left.
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END OF FLASHBACK. HALEY´S HOUSE NOW
Haley was crying. Luke was holding her. He hated Dan more than ever.
"What could I do?. He's really capable of doing it. And he knows Nathan too well. If I give Nathan a hint he'll realize. I hate him, Luke. I'm sorry that he's your father but I hate him. I hate the idea of Nathan living with him"
"Are you sure you can´t tell Nathan? He´ll keep behaving like he doesn´t know until we found the way "
"There is no way, Luke. You know we can't live without my parent's job. And I know Dan has no problems in ruining their lives. "
They heard a noise. Haley´s parents were arriving. They were really happy to see Luke, they wanted him to stay but he said he had to leave.
At the door he hugged Haley again.
"I´ll find a way, Haley, don´t worry"
"Promise me you won´t tell him. There´s nothing he can do and if he gets angry and Dan things will be harder. I know Nathan and he´ll confront Dan and Dan will show the video, I´m sure."
"I promise" Luke was crossing his fingers behind his back.
Haley wasn't very sure.
"All right. See you later"
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AT LUCAS´S HOUSE
Lucas opened the door surprised to find Karen waiting for him at the living-room.
"I thought you were at the cafe "
"I left Deb. We really have to talk, son. "