Second Time Around

Chapter 10

After being woken up by her wake-up call Haley got ready and went for a run just like yesterday morning. And just like yesterday morning, Nathan sat on the balcony of his beach house and watched the girl who stole his heart, the woman who still had it, run along the beach near the surf. She went back to the hotel room and took her shower and straightened her hair. She got dressed in a pair of jeans with a maroon satin cami with lace. She then put on a pair of brown wedges and a cropped denim jacket. She put on her earrings and necklace before grabbing her purse and heading down the hall to meet Jake, Peyton, and Jenny. The three of them went over to Karen's café for breakfast. Just as they were finishing up eating their breakfast and talking to Karen the bell above the door jingled. Haley looked up to see Brooke Davis walking towards the counter and sitting down. The two had stayed close after graduation, but they slowly drifted apart and haven't talked for two years now. "I'll be back in a second." Haley told the other three as she got up from the booth they were sitting in and walked over to the counter and sat down next to Brooke.

"Well if it isn't Miss Davis."

"Soon-to-be Mrs. Scott." she said as she showed Haley her left hand.

"Oh my gosh! Congratulations Brooke! When?"

"Lucas asked me last week."

"I'm so happy for you. So how have you been?"

"Great. I own a clothing store now and we're getting ready to open up another one in Charlotte."

"That's great."

"So how about you. What are you up to? I saw you at the Tric last night, but I couldn't find you to talk to you."

"Not much, just keeping busy with the magazine. Yeah, Jake and I left a little after we performed."

"You mean after you and Nathan had you little talk?" Haley didn't say anything, she just stared down at the napkin she was playing with on the counter. "Don't get me wrong, I am still in the kick Nathan's ass club after what he pulled in Florida, but he still loves you."

"Yeah, we kinda talked again later last night. But it's not like anything can really work right now. I'm in New York, he's here. Speaking of, what is he still doing here? Last I knew he was still planning on going into the NBA."

"Well, he graduated with me and Luke from UNC with a degree in business. Dan finally retired after his third heart-attack and left the business to Luke and Nathan. Luke didn't want to give up his job at the high school so he gave his share to Nathan. So now Nathan owns just about anything that has to do with cars in Tree Hill."

"Wow."

"Tell me about it. Anyways, how long are you here for?"

"I still five more days."

"Oh, we have to get together! What are you doing today?"

"Well, I have to meet my mom and sisters for our final dress fitting, then I am free for the day until the bachelorette party tonight."

"I don't work today. Tell you what, call me after the dress fitting and we will go shopping and have lunch and whatever." They exchanged their cell numbers and Haley stood up from her chair.

"Sounds great. I miss you Brooke." She leaned over and gave her a hug.

"Oh, I miss you too Haley. I'll see you later."

"Bye." Haley walked back to the table the Jake, Peyton, and Jenny were sitting at just as Jake was finishing his coffee. "You guys ready to go." They all nodded their head and walked out of the café as they waved to Karen and Brooke. Jake, Peyton, and Jenny got into the Denali they rented while Haley got into her Cobra. Jake, Peyton, and Jenny were just going to look around the town tonight, but Haley had to head over to the dress shop for her final fitting. Haley got there just as her mother and sisters were showing up. They all went inside and had their final fitting which lasted almost an hour and a half. When they finished Haley got into her Cobra and called Brooke. They decided that they were going to meet at the food court in the mall. They spent nearly two hours shopping before 'he' was brought up.

"So, Nathan's still single." Brooke said as she looked up at Haley who just kept looking through the rack.

"Oh."

"Oh? Come on Haley, I know you're thinking more than oh." Haley just shrugged her shoulder and kept looking through the rack of clothes they were at. "Fine, deny it. So, what about you, seeing anyone?"

"Nope."

"Interesting." Haley finally looked up to see Brooke with a very large and mischievous grin.

"Brooke, whatever you're thinking, I'm gonna shoot it down right now."

"What?" Brooke gave Haley the most innocent look she could.

"I see the wheels in your head turning, and I know that that's a very bad sign. So no."

"Oh come on. You two are both single, hot, and young. You're still here for a couple of days. What could one date hurt?"

"It could hurt a lot."

"Look, I know he cheated, and I'm not saying that that's something you can just over look, but you guys were so in love, and I know he still is, and from what I can tell, so are you. He hasn't had one serious relationship, or even close to it, since you left. You two both deserve to be happy, and I think you two will only be happy if you are with each other."

"Not all of us get to marry our high school sweethearts Brooke. I do wish things were different, but even if we did get back together, and that's a big if, I'm in New York. It wouldn't be fair to either of us, one way or another someone would have to leave the life they have built up. And I know that I would never be able to live here again, I just can't."

"I'm sorry Haley, I didn't mean to start all of this. This is suppose to be a happy day, and this is not happy. Just, in the bottom of my heart, I really think you two belong together and should be together."

"Me too. It just…can't." They dropped the subject and continues to shop for a couple more hours. When they were done Haley went back to her room since she had an hour before she needed to meet the girls for the bachelorette party. She laid down on the bed and pulled out her cell phone and dialed the familiar number.

"Hey Diva. How's Tree Hill treating you?"

"Hey Rock Star. Not too bad. So I talked to Nathan last night."

"And…"

"Well first we yelled at each other, but then I saw him later on the beach and we talked. I feel so confused Chris. My heart just pounds in my chest when I am near him and I just want to run into his arms, but I can't. Why! He broke my heart, but I still love him as much as ever. And to make matters even more confusing, he told me that he still loves me, and Brooke told me the same thing. What do I do?"

"Follow your heart Hales, just follow your heart. So, you talked to Brooke today, I remember her from when she visited a couple of years ago. She single yet?"

"Nope, engaged to Lucas."

"Damn. So, whatcha gonna do? What does your heart say?"

"It's yelling to give him another chance, to let him earn my trust again. And I really want to listen to it."

"Then listen to it. You make things too complicated Haley, just do what you feel."

"But what if something does happen, then it will just break my heart again when I have to go to New York. I can't come back here, my life is up there."

"Love conquers all. If there is something still there, then you will you figure it out. Maybe what you feel is just memories. Give yourself a chance to figure it out. You are the smartest, strongest, greatest person I have ever known. You'll know what to do, just believe in yourself."

"Thanks Chris. I feel better."

"That's what I'm here for Haley. So you gonna be okay."

"I think so. Thanks again. I'll probably call you tomorrow again."

"Can't wait. Love ya."

"Love ya too." Haley flipped her phone shut and stared out the window trying to figure out what she was going to do.