And honey I just can't get around it anymore
You make me feel like home is where you are
And baby I just can't run around it every morn'n
It's time that I believe it, home is where you are
Rivercourt
Nathan was dribbling the ball as Lucas spoke, "Our girlfriends are really scheming. I mean to make us both leave and go to our common ground. They're good."
"Yeah they are. I haven't been here since, since you kicked my ass at one on one. Not that that's gonna happen again," Nate replied.
"Ok I know that's a lie because you guys trashed the court when you were hazing me, but I'm willing to forget about that for another Scott rivalry game," Lucas said jokingly.
"Alright you're on! But how about we make this game more interesting; like loser has to buy the other couple's dinner of choice," Nathan said with a smirk.
"That's fine just so you know though, Peyton and I love Italian," Luke said grinning.
"You're funny Luke but funny isn't gonna win you the game so be ready to be schooled," he said cockily.
"Oh you're on lil' bro," he replied back.
As they started to play they didn't notice a parked truck. Inside was Whitey and Keith.
The younger of the two spoke first, "We sure have come a long way since our last time here."
The bald-headed man replied, "We sure have."
Café
Haley didn't know what to make of the stranger. She knew he wasn't from around here because she had never seen him before.
She knew she had been caught staring so she quickly replied, "Yeah anyone can play. That's why it's called open-mic night."
"Yeah you've got spunk. I was just wondering because I don't know if it applied to out-of-towners as well. Plus small towns creep me out," he replied.
"We'll take anyone who can play but you know that it doesn't start for about another hour," Haley said questioning his presence.
"I know but I like to warm up, you know take in the surroundings. As an aspiring artist, I have many pre-reqs to get me going," he said so sure of himself.
"Well just so you know, we don't cater to divas. You play or you don't. You can stay but don't expect any special treatment because you won't find any," Haley said getting annoyed.
"Ok, ok no need to go all PMS on me. I know just how badly you want to hear me play so I will. By the way is it that time of the month, because if it is then I won't hold it against you," he said still with the same attitude.
"OMG! Not even Nathan was this bad! You're lucky I just want people to play otherwise you'd have been kicked out the moment you opened your mouth," Haley said walking into the kitchen leaving the guy speechless.
Brooke was sitting outside on the sidewalk. If Peyton had never met Brooke before she would have sworn Brooke was emo.
"What's wrong B Davis?" Peyton asked concerned.
"Oh Peyt, that guy I was talking about. I'm just worried about him. Whatever choice he makes today will affect both of us. I want him to be with me, but I also know I can't be selfish, but without him I've been feeling like hell," Brooke said honestly, "I don't know what I'll do if he doesn't make the choice I want him to," Brooke broke down, "I mean if he doesn't pick me does that mean I'm the only one feeling like I do. Am I the only one breaking down crying. Was everything he said about how he felt for me a lie?"
"Brooke," Peyton said holding her, "he'll come around. If he's half the guy you said he was then he'll come around, but Brooke who is he? Do I know him?"
"Yeah you know him P Sawyer. He's on the basketball team and he's the sweetest guy ever. And no matter what he decides, I can't hate him because he thinks he's doing the right thing. And I love him for that" Brooke said.
Peyton just nodded and held her friend, for her sake, she just hoped the guy picked Brooke.
Rivercourt
The game was tied and both Lucas and Nathan agreed whoever scored next would win. Lucas had possession of the ball. He moved to his right, then to his left, did a pump fake that caught Nathan off guard and went up to shoot his famous fadeaway. And the ball went in.
Nathan's face fell when he saw the ball go in, "Damn I guess I owe you and Peyton dinner."
Lucas smiled, "Yeah you do but you do know we're going on a double date. Haley will be mad if she knew you lost and she didn't get to go out. She's gonna insist to me and Peyton to let her come so might as well make it a double date."
Nathan laughed, "I guess you're right. We should like go shower because I'm sure the girls won't want us back at the café all sweaty."
"Yeah we should," Lucas said as both were walking in different directions, "Hey Nathan, I had a lot of fun today. I know we can't automatically be like brothers but you're not such a bad guy. Look I'm just saying, maybe we can try to be friends or at least have each others backs where Dan is involved," he said earnestly.
"Yeah today was nice. It's just with everything that was going on while I was growing up, it was just easy for me to hate you for being the other son, but there really isn't a reason. And you're right you and I could totally take Dan on. I'll talk to you later man," Nate said before walking away.
Lucas just stared in the direction he left. Things were certainly looking up. His mom was happy, Keith was good, Haley was happy, he was happy with Peyton and now, he may just have a new friend.
As Lucas walked home he didn't notice the second car parked there; the car that belonged the one and only Dan Scott. He had really messed things up: Karen, Keith, Deb hated him and his own flesh and blood: Nathan and Lucas, he couldn't blame his sons. He had abandoned Lucas from the beginning so he knew very well the anger Luke harbored against him and the one son he tried to do right by hated him because he pushed him too hard, so hard that he went over the edge and there was no going back. Dan wanted a relationship with his sons and he was going to fight like hell to get what he wanted.
Jake's House
Jake had made his decision about open-mic night but before he acted on that decision he decided he needed to fix some things. Taking the advice from Brooke, he went to Nicki's parent's house. He talked to them about having joint custody with them until he was older and they agreed. He was surprised but maybe they weren't as awful as he thought or maybe they knew fighting for Jenny was a lost cause, but whatever the reason he knew he had Brooke to thank but he didn't know if he would get the chance. Brooke had let him in and he had let her down and for that he felt like the worst person on earth. So as he was sitting alone he was thinking of ways to get her back.
Open-mic night
The café was set up beautifully and the stage was all set for big event of the night. With Peyton's flyers they had advertised profusely so Haley felt confident about the night and she felt confident about herself. She was going to perform and she was nervous but she knew that the only reaction she truly cared about was Nathan's.
Seeing many people walking towards the café made Peyton happy. They all had worked so hard to put this night together and was glad to see it reap benefits. Plus she knew this would help the café, which would help Lucas' mom, which would help him, which would make him happy, which would ultimately make her happy.
Lucas had arrived first and once he found Peyton he made his way over to her, "Hey beautiful," he whispered in her ear.
"Hey Luke," she said smiling, "So how was your time with Nathan? I don't see him; please don't tell me you killed him."
"You're funny Peyt! But no, I didn't kill him. We played some ball and had a good time although if you tell anyone I will deny it. You were right, he's not a bad guy; Dan just screwed us over in different ways. And although being with him wasn't horrible, being away from you was," he said seriously.
"Lucas Scott you have got to be kidding me! That was like the cheesiest line ever!" she said laughing, "baby I know I'm great but I don't need those lines Luke."
"I know I just wanted to see your reaction. I did miss you but yeah, I didn't need to use those words. Being here with you is good though I mean my girl and good music; it doesn't get much better than this," Luke said grinning.
"Your girl," she said with the same grin, "I think I like that," she said kissing him.
When Nathan walked in Haley ran over to him, "When Lucas walked in and you didn't I got scared that you had said something and he had killed you."
Nathan laughed, "Hales, Lucas and I are cool. When you find common ground with someone it gets better to understand. There is nothing like a little one-on-one to move things along. I wished I had stayed with you here though."
"Nathan that was funny and sweet. I'm glad you and Luke get along; both of you are so important to me," she spoke smiling.
"I'm glad you feel that way and by the way, you should know, I owe Lucas and Peyton dinner and we're going with them," Nathan said quickly.
"So you lost. But hey at least we get a double date! I hope it turns out better than Brooke's scavenger hunt date. But I have no time to discuss that Scott because I'm up and baby I hope you love this," Haley said rushing to the stage.
"Hi everyone. For those of you who don't know me I'm Haley James and tonight I will be the host of Karen's Café's first Open-mic night! So before I open the stage up to any performers I want to get the night started with this song I'm going to perform right now. So I hope you all like and please don't boo because I don't think I could take it," she rambled on nervously.
The stranger yelled out, "For crying out loud just play already!"
Everyone turned to look at him while Haley and surprisingly Nathan were giving him death glares.
Haley began singing,
I love the time and in between
The calm inside me
In the space where I can breathe
I believe there is a
Distance I have wandered
To touch upon the years of
Reaching out and reaching in
Holding out holding in
I believe
This is heaven to no one else but me
And I'll defend it as long as I can be
Left here to linger in silence
If I choose to
Would you try to understand
Oh the quiet child awaits the day when she can break free
The mold that clings like desperation
Mother can't you see I've got
To live my life the way I feel is right for me
Might not be right for you but it's right for me...
I believe...
I believe
This is heaven to no one else but me
And I'll defend it as long as
I can be left here to linger in silence
If I choose to
Would you try to understand it
I would like to linger here in silence
If I choose to
Would you understand it
Would you try to understand...
The whole time Haley was singing her eyes were locked with Nathan's and when she finished, the crowd erupted in cheer but Haley couldn't hear that because all she saw was Nathan and Nathan was the same, he went up to her and kissed her passionately and the crowd cheered them on even louder, including Lucas, Peyton, Brooke and Deb.
OK Seeing as how Haley sang in this chapter it was fitting that I used one of Joie's songs, Songs in My Pocket. Next chapter we will find out who the stranger is and if Jake will indeed come to the cafe, but for now these couples find homes in each other.