Title: Things Unspoken
Author: Jayta
Rating: PG18 - may contain some coarse language
Show: One Tree Hill
A/N: I appreciate any feedback that I've received. It was a slow start, but it seems that there are actually people who do like this story. So keep up the interest. It's kind of such a general story, which involves hardly any of the teens, so hard to really advertise. But I appreciate those who took a chance to read it. D
Chapter Four: An Uphill Battle
"Keith, you should be headin' back home," Royal grunted, while he lifted one half of the couch. "You've got a long drive home."
"It's all right, Dad," Keith dismissed casually. "It's long weekend."
"Is it that time already?"
"Yup. Now that I'm a teacher, I really know my vacation days." Keith never thought his father moving back to Tree Hill could possibly be a good thing, but since Royal had unexpectedly asked for help with renovating the house, thing had really changed between them.
"You like your new job?" Royal asked curiously. "I never pictured you for a teacher."
"You know at first it was a job," Keith replied thoughtfully, remembering the reason that drove him to switch occupations. "But these kids, they really amaze me. And I see whole futures ahead for them. I just never imagined they could want me to help them along the way you know?"
Royal smiled and nodded. The way his son sounded when talking about his job and the kids, he knew that he was happy. It had been the first time he had seen his son take initiative in the past several years. It was like he settled when accepting partial duty of helping Karen raise Lucas after Dan had been shut out. "I'm glad," he said quietly.
"Do you want to take a break?"
Royal nodded, falling back into the couch that had arrived from their former house. "Yeah, who knew that renovation would open a guy up to how old he really he is," he chuckled, as he accepted a bottle of beer from his oldest son. "But I'm glad that I have you here to help. I don't know that I'd be as far as I am right now."
He surveyed the bare walls, which had once been cemented with ugly wallpaper, as well as his newly sanded floors. There were boxes piled up in the corner of his tiny foyer, with the rest of his belongings. Soon he would be ready to decorate the place, which meant that Karen would be dropping in more often.
"Well I might have been able to scrounge up a little more help this weekend," Keith said tentatively.
"Well who in this long forsaken town remembers this old man, that he would help him out?" Royal took a swig of his beer. "I don't think you coerced your brother into doing it," he scoffed. "He has yet to set foot in this place. His pride was trampled upon when he realized I found a place all on my own."
"Oh, I don't know that I'll be talking to Dan much at all."
Royal furrowed his brow at that remark. He knew Dan and Keith did not get on much, his fault as much as theirs; but there seemed to be an extra tension. "Well then who are these extra hands that have so generously volunteered to help this old man."
Before Keith could answer, a knock on the door interrupted their conversation. "Uncle Keith?" a familiar voice echoed into the living room. "Hello?"
Royal jumped up from his seat and spun around to see Nathan pop his head in the door. "Nathan Scott!" he cried. "You've come to help out your old grandad?"
Nathan laughed and embraced his Royal. "Even better," he said. "I brought the whole basketball team!"
"Nathan." Keith frowned as he watched the boys from the Ravens senior varsity basketball team streamed into Royal's house.
"I don't know if this is such a great idea."
"Hey! Nate's grampops!" Tim exclaimed, slapping Royal's hand in some weird handshake. "Nice to meet ya! I'm Tim, your grandson's best friend. Right Nate?" He winked at Nathan before moving on to another part of the house.
Royal raised a questioning brow at his grandson. "Your best friend?"
"Yeah," Nathan said hesitantly. "Don't ask."
"Is it the whole varsity team?" Keith asked, scanning the crowd of teenage boys, who were roaming throughout the house. So far no sign of Lucas. "Because I don't know where you thought this could remotely be good."
"Don't worry, Uncle Keith," Nathan shrugged. "Lucas and Karen are out of town this weekend."
"Really?" Keith was pretty sure he had caught sight of Karen's car earlier that afternoon. He grabbed Nate by the arm and pulled him aside. "Because either way, whether Lucas was or was not invited, he's going to be hurt. That's why I wanted it kept on the down-low."
"Look Keith, don't you think I know that?" he whispered. "That's why I made sure to see Lucas and Karen off on Friday."
"Hey, what are you two whispering about over here?" Royal grinned, glancing back at the bunch of rowdy boys in his house. "It's been a really long time since I've had this many teenagers in my house - brings back good memories."
"Well, I aim to please," Nathan smiled, glancing over at Keith. He didn't understand why Keith was so uptight about this whole idea. Things would definitely get done quicker if there were more bodies.
"I don't think your house can fit this many testosterone filled teenage boys," Keith chuckled, gesturing to a corner of the room where Tim and Alan were swordfighting with iron pokers.
"Hey!" Royal shouted, pointing and shaking his head at the erroneous boys. "Didn't your mother teach you never to play with sharp objects."
"Oh boy," Keith groaned, scratching the scruff that lined his jawline.
"Don't worry," Nathan laughed, patting Keith on the back. "It'll be fine."
>>>>>>
"What are you guys doing back so early?" Haley asked, surprised to see Karen and Lucas pop into the cafe from the backroom. "I thought you were going to the coast for the weekend?"
"Mom wasn't feeling too good," Lucas answered, making a face. "So we cut the trip short."
"Oh." She smiled sympathetically at Karen, who grabbed a package of tea. "That's too bad," she replied. "I know how you guys were looking forward to getting away."
"Nah, that's okay," Lucas shrugged. "Spending time with your mom, by yourself, is overrated anyways."
"Hey!" Karen said, her voice somewhat hoarse. "You watch what you say. I still can ground you!" She slapped Luke upside the head and shuffled back the way she came.
"Ouch." Lucas rubbed the back of his head. "Touchy."
"Sounds like you're in a better mood than you have been lately," Haley offered, leaning on the counter. "And that's good."
"Yeah," he sighed. "What else am I going to do? Mope for the rest of my life?"
He knew that being angry and depressed about it would not improve the situation. He had had a lifetime to accept it, and he thought had. But now that his so-called grandfather had come back into town he had suddenly allowed him to have power over him. And Lucas had decided last year that Dan would not have that kind of power, and he wouldn't let Royal Scott have that kind of power either.
"That's one way to look at it," Haley nodded, turning away for a moment to pour a customer a cup of coffee and take his order. Once she put in the order, she moseyed on back over to Lucas, who had taken his usual seat on one of the counter stools. "So then you're over it. Just like that?"
Lucas met Haley's skeptical gaze. "I didn't say totally over it," he said, lowering his eyes. "But I'm not going to let him or Dan get in between what..."
"What Nathan and you kind of have going?" Haley couldn't help but smile at the sentiment, as Lucas rolled his eyes and sighed his reply.
They had come so far. She was so proud of Lucas. But she was definitely proud of the steps Nathan had taken towards allowing Lucas into his life. They were brothers - in more than just the blood sense.
"So where are the guys?" Lucas frowned, wanting to get off the subject. "I haven't seen any of the boys around. I drove by the Rivercourt before driving Mom here to pick up the cafe's books."
"Uh, what?" Haley bit the inside of her cheek, looking for something to distract her. Out of the corner of her eye she saw a near by wet cloth and popped out from behind the counter.
Lucas spun around, and watched Haley clear off a couple of tables. "Where are the guys?" he repeated, curious at why Haley was acting a little strange. "Nathan? Tim?"
Haley wracked her brains for some excuse as to their whereabouts. "You sure they aren't at the Rivercourt?" she asked tentatively. "Because I was sure I heard that they were going to maybe head over there." She closed her eyes, praying that he would not be able to see through her flimsy attempt to deflect.
"No, Hales," Lucas laughed. "I'm pretty sure they weren't there when I checked five minutes ago."
"Maybe you just missed them?" Haley replied, plastering on a fake smile as she spun around walked over to the counter. "You know that's happened to me a hundred times. I'll be just passing by a place and then the person I might be looking for is not there but then they arrive like two seconds later..."
"Hales," he interrupted her sudden sporatic rant. "What's wrong?"
"What do you mean?"
"What aren't you telling me?" he asked, tugging her sleeve. "You only ramble on like that when you're nervous or trying to hide something."
"No, I don't."
Lucas arched his brow, gazing at her with an ever knowing eye.
"All right!" she exclaimed, breaking down, her shoulders slumping, while she rested her head on the table. "I lied."
Lucas leaned over and rested his head on his forearm, brushing the hair out of Haley's eyes, so he could meet her gaze. "What's wrong? I mean, it couldn't be that bad?"
Haley groaned, still not wanting to tell him something that she knew would hurt him. "Luke, it was just a favor. And we didn't want you to feel hurt or left out," she blurted out, sitting up slightly. "And if we knew you were coming back, we probably wouldn't have thought it was a good idea. It's just that Keith..."
She planted her head against the counter again.
Lucas sat up, agitated that it was something that was bothering Haley so much. His chest tightened and he frowned. "What is it? Did something happen to Keith?"
"Oh no!" Haley sat up shaking her head fervently. "Nothing bad or anything."
"Then would you just tell me what it is?" he sighed, exasperated. "How bad could it..."
"Keith asked Nathan to help renovate Royal's house and the rest of the team went along," she blurted out, cringing slightly, waiting for his response.
Lucas stiffened. He hadn't expected that.
"Luke, don't get mad. It's just that Keith asked," Haley explained hurriedly. "And so we thought that maybe more guys would get it done quicker and..." Her voice trailed off. She could see in his face that it had hurt him.
She had thought possibly Nathan could invite Lucas along. Except Nathan disagreed, citing that if Royal shunned him when Lucas showed up at the house, then Lucas would be more hurt than not inviting him at all. But now, seeing the look on Lucas' face, she knew that they had been wrong.
"I gotta go."
"Lucas, wait!" She reached out and grabbed his arm. He just shrugged her off.
"Tell my Mom I'll be home later."
"Luke." Haley watched helplessly as Lucas rushed out of the cafe.
"Hey Lucas, I'm ready to leave," Karen bellowed, her voice muffled by the Kleenx in her hand.
"Um, he's not here," Haley said sheepishly.
"And just where did he go?" Karen frowned.
"I think," she said slowly. "That he might have gone over to Royal's?"
>>>>>>
Dan had driven by the house several times during the week. He watched as his old man woefully dragged piece after piece of furniture or god-awful shag carpet he was apparently tearing up from the old place, outside. He had offered, but Royal Scott had refused his help. His father looked at him in disgust as he suggested that he just hire a few guys to renovate for the place. It made sense to him. But Royal would have none of it.
He had overheard that Keith had come to town to make points with their father, helping the old man sand and tear up the floors.
Keith was always into the dirt cheap labor.
That late afternoon he just happened to be in the neighborhood and decided to drive by the place to see how the two stubborn members of his family were making out. What he saw was a surprise. He hadn't expected to see the sidewalk and driveway streaming with vehicles. Most of the vehicles he even recognized - they belonged to most of the senior varsity basketball team.
Dan parked half a block down, just to observe exactly what was going on. And what he saw was upsetting.
Somehow his forlorn brother had managed to wrangle his son and the rest of the basketball team into helping in this lost cause of a piece of property. He watched as Nathan, Tim, and the rest of the team brought out boxes of rubble, carpeting and heavy garbage out to the end of the driveway.
It was outrageous. Nathan would certainly somehow strain a muscle, if not throw out his back. It was all fine and dandy for the semi-average player on the varsity team, but not his son, who had what it takes to make it all the way.
Dan shook his head and slipped out of his car. He knew exactly was to blame for all of this.
>>>>>>
He was calm. He was rational. It was to be expected. He couldn't blame him. Could he?
>>>>>>
Royal could not believe how everything was going so smoothly. Some of these rich boys had actually done some labor in their lost youth and could work a paint brush, a sander, and a few other tools. It came in handy.
He could see the worry on Keith's face when Nathan first showed up with the boys, but he couldn't quite understand it. Obviously the whole 'Dan' aspect brought an element of worry, now that he had seen the tear his youngest son had gone on, but he did not understand why Dan would have a problem with Nathan helping him with the house.
But it all came into light. It all came into light when the door opened.
"Keith!" Dan yelled, barging into the full house. "Where the hell are you?"
"Hey big brother!" Keith greeted, plastering a fake smile on his face. From the look on his brother's face, this was not going to bode well at all. "Join the reno party."
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" He strode towards his brother and pushed him back slightly, enough to make Keith take a couple of steps back to gain some balance.
"Hey!" Royal barked, moving in between his two sons. "This isn't the place and time."
"I think this is as good of a time as any, right Nathan?"
All eyes turned towards the open door. Lucas leaned against the doorway, glaring at his brother.
"Lucas." Nathan was shocked. He had no idea that his brother was in town. "I didn't know you were back," he said uneasily.
"Yeah, I guessed that," he scoffed. "By the looks of this little party."
"Look I can explain," Nathan offered sheepishly. "I was going to tell you..."
"I guess it's time to break up this shindig," Tim announced uncomfortably. "Let's header guys."
Royal watched as the short teen began leading the group of boys out of his house. He glanced between the two brewing fights, unsure of which was more likely to break out into a brawl.
"Oh, why not stay for the show?" Dan exclaimed angrily. "Because my big brother certainly knows how to stick his nose in everyone and anyone else's business except his own!"
"Dan, look, it wasn't my idea to bring all of these..."
"It wasn't your idea to invite my son here and lift all of the debris in this old house that needs to be condemned?"
"Don't be so dramatic," Keith groaned.
"Don't stick your nose in my son's business!" Dan pushed him again.
"Hey!" Royal growled. "Stop this." Before he could get in between his own sons, he heard the raised voices to his left.
"You know I thought that you could be a little more sensitive about this whole thing, but I guess that's asking a little too much?"
"How could I ask you?" Nathan exclaimed. "When I didn't even know if Grampa wanted you here!"
Silence.
Royal turned and faced for the first real time the aftermath of Dan and his agreement to remain out of LUcas' life. Their eyes locked and could have sworn he was looking into May's eyes. Clear as the day was blue. It was their grandson - their first. He turned away, sure he was going to tear up.
"Lucas," Keith breathed.
"Just don't," Lucas said, shaking his head in . "I don't think I could handle anything any of you has to say right now."
He didn't know why he came. Maybe to finally see his grandfather for the first time? Maybe to see if there would truly be a look of digust and hatred that he had always dreamed would be there. But seeing Royal for only the second time in his life, it was almost looking at a stranger. This man who could have changed his life with a word, an acknowledgement, was just that. He was a stranger.
"Lucas, I didn't mean for this to happen," Nathan sighed. But before he could say another word, Lucas walked out of the house without another word. He glanced over at Keith, who wore a look of guilt and regret.
It was his fault. Keith had warned him. He had to go after him.
"Nathan," Dan said warily. "Stay here. I need to have a little talk with you."
"Later, Dad." Nathan walked out the door without another word to his father.
"Well, you sure know how to clear out a room," Keith muttered. "None of these boys should have been here," Dan said scornfully, turning to face his hunched over brother. "Especially Nathan. He could have been seriously injured."
"Doing what, Dan?" Keith scoffed. "Lifting carpet and garbage?"
"I don't want you to have anything to do with my son, do you understand?"
"Dan!" Royal looked at his son in disbelief.
"No. You ruined my family," he spat, pushing his index finger into his brother's chest. "And I tried to forgive, but you are irresponsible and I don't want you to destroy my son's life in the process. He has a career ahead of him. He has a life, unlike his uncle."
"Nathan is my nephew and I'll be damned if I let you control me, like you've tried to control his." Keith stepped up, until he was only centimeters from Dan's face. "See Dan," he breathed. "I'm not afraid of you. And I know exactly what you are and where you are coming from. So threaten all you want, but in the end, you'll get yours."
"So does that mean you'll get yours for sleeping with my wife?"
Royal's eyes widened at the last accusation. Unable to listen to any more, he pushed his sons apart. "Enough."
"Aren't you proud of your new favorite son, Dad?" Dan asked, smugly. "I know I'd be."
"Keith?" Royal couldn't believe the accusation his son was making.
Keith turned away, unable to face his father.
Patting his father on the back, Dan turned on his heel and walked towards the door. "Oh, by the way," he added, "I like what you've done to the place."
Royal could only listen to the door slam behind him, as he watched through the living room window, as Dan drove away. He closed his eyes. It was only then that he realized what an uphill battle was going to be fought - for his family.