Nathan and Cooper arrived to Tree Hill Nathan didn't contact anyone he wanted to wait a few days while he and Coop got settled into their new place. Nathan decided to go down to the river court no one was there, so Nathan took out a play and started shooting some hoops. Nathan took a shot from half court, and it went in nothing but net. "Well good to know you haven't lost your game." Nathan turned to see Lucas "Good to have you back little brother."

Nathan hesitated answering and then replied, "Good to be back."

Lucas questioned, "So the word around town is you got yourself emancipated is that true?"

Nathan puzzled, "There's a word around town?"

Lucas replied, "Well in the café your mom told my mom."

Nathan responded, "Yeah the papers say that, but my Uncle Cooper is staying with me."

Lucas asked, "The one who races?"

Nathan answered, "Yeah but he is not racing right now taking some time for family. Speaking of taking time for family how about you take a trip with me for a week?"

Lucas questioned, 'You just got back and you want to leave already?"

Nathan replied, "Yeah well you haven't gotten away yet, so what do you say?"

Lucas asked, "Where are we going?"

Nathan answered, "Chicago we got some family there."

Lucas puzzled "When do we leave?"

Nathan responded, "Tomorrow."

Lucas said, "Great sounds like a plan."

"What sounds like a plan?" Brooke questioned.

Nathan spoke, "your boyfriend decided to come with me to Chicago for some brother bonding trip."

Brooke said, "Cool well Scott you got tanned nice."

Nathan replied, "Thanks Brooke, and you look the same."

Brooke's cell rang and she answered it, "Hey Tutor Girl" Nathan perked up a bit hearing that it was Haley. "What's ya doing hanging with your mystery boyfriend?" Nathan thought 'At least she mentioned she had a boyfriend "You broke up what!"

Lucas mumbled, "Thank the Lord I am sick of the boyfriend."

Nathan questioned, "You didn't like him?"

Lucas answered, "I didn't know him, but Hales got so wrapped up with him she didn't even bother to call her best friend" Lucas got louder on that last part.

Nathan remarked, "Jealous gotcha."

Brooke cut in and stated, "That is what I told him." Brooke went back to talking with Haley "Yeah Lucas is here and Nathan it seems they're going on some brother bonding expedition. Here Lucas she wants to talk to you."

Lucas took the phone and walked away from them to have his Haley time.

Brooke asked, "So how was California?"

Nathan answered, "It was a nice break glad to see you two are still together."

Brooke replied, "Yeah well I do care about him" Brooke thought 'I still care about you to Nathan.'

Nathan responded, "Listen Brooke I don't want things to be weird between us I just want you to know I am here for you Brooke. I wan to be friends." Brooke smiled at Nathan.

Brooke spoke, "Thanks Nate that means a lot to me."

Lucas walked over it seemed his conversation was over with. Lucas asked, "Guess where Haley's going?" Brooke and Nathan looked at him blankly "Cabo."

Brooke questioned, "In Mexico? That Cabo?"

Lucas responded, "Yeah they're going for a week."

Brooke puzzled, "Didn't know Haley was the Mexico type? But hey she's single now she can do as she pleases with whoever she pleases."

Lucas threw Brooke a look Nathan knew that look and felt the same way. It was a protective feeling that swept over him, but he didn't know why she was clearly already over him.