1Man, you guys totally hate me. I'm beyond sorry, you guys, but I promise this is all leading up to some really nice Naleyness! I PROMISE! You guys have just got to bear with me. And I promise, I won't have many more gag-worthy Haley/Ryan scenes after this. Thank you guys for reviewing, GOOD AND BAD! I really like ya'lls input.

Chapter 17

"How Do You Like Those Cookies?"

"Hey Ryan," the whole group said at different times, each one shaking his hands as he came closer into the group. Nathan and I moved into the group where Ryan was talking to the guys.

"Hey," I mumbled not meeting his gaze.

"Hey guys, is it okay if I steal Haley away from you all for just a second," he gently wrapped his arm around my shoulders. I incidentally caught Brooke's eye–which were shooting me daggers–and Peyton looked surprised.

Ryan led me away from the group, directing me back to his black truck. "So, David wanted me to come find you. For obvious reasons, I think," he dropped his arm from around me to unlock the blacked-out vehicle. I went to the passenger side and got in. "Anyways, listen, I know your having a rough time, but so is David. He's really new at this whole thing and doesn't get the whole dad thing yet, so, just give him time. And I know that probably just pissed you off entirely right there, so, I'm sorry. Your probably thinking that's no excuse, but, he's a really great guy, Hales, I think you know that deep down, too. It's just hard right now."

I nodded, "I was thinking about it on the way over here and I guess I over-reacted. I'm really sorry, but, it's just when I saw that huge breakfast it just brought back memories, you know. Happy and horrible ones."

Ryan smiled, tucking a strand of fallen hair behind my ears. "You've got to decide for yourself if you want to meet him half way or not," he smiled at me sadly. "I wish I could do something, I really do, but all I can do is this."

"Yeah, I know your right. Which only makes me think your too good to be true even more. Are you too good to be true, Ryan Wright?"

"Not at all," he laughed.

"Oh, I was just going to tell you that I got a call from your friend's friend."

"Friend's friend?"

"Yeah, Logan. The bartender. Yeah, he wanted to know if the offer for sex on the beach was still good. I told him that it was. We are getting together tonight on the beach at 12. I can't wait," I joked.

"Your joking, right," I laughed and rolled my eyes. "Your joking," he smiled, his lips crashing down on mine again. "That's great."

"Well, what can I say? I am totally smitten with you, Rya–"

"No last names," he stopped me.

I laughed. "Ryan. How is that?"

"Better," he kissed me.

"That's what I thought," I grinned. "Now, do you feel like showing a bunch of high school kids up or do you want to go riding around town?"

He smiled at me and looked out at the crowd of people surrounding the picnic table. "That's what I thought," I laughed, getting out of the passenger side and coming around to the front.

"Back so soon," Lucas asked, smiling, as he knocked Ryan's fist.

"Thought I'd come back here and show you boys how basketball is really played," he joked. "Nate and I'll be captains," he announced.

"You know it," Nathan nodded, smirking, but not meeting my gaze. "I've got Luke."

"Alright. I've got Jagelski."

I smiled and walked over to the same picnic table. "Hey Haley," Mouth waved.

"Hey Mouth," I waved back and pulled myself up, sitting beside him.

"So, Hollie, what's the deal with you and College Boy over there?" she nodded towards Ryan.

"It's Haley, not Hollie, and we're just friends," I shrugged.

"Friends. Yeah, okay. Whatever rocks your cradle, or his," she smirked. "Kind of robbing them–the cradles, I mean– isn't he? How old are you? You look about 15, maybe 16..." she said in a condescending tone.

"I'm actually going to be 18 in a couple months."

"Still, he's in college. I'm sure he has loads of college girls just..." she paused, "throwing themselves at him."

"I'm sure there are. There are plenty of high school seniors that seem to be throwing themselves at him, too, I mean, he's hot, he's awesome at basketball, and he's got money. Why wouldn't everybody be throwing themselves at him. I mean, hell, even Tim looks like he has a little bit of a crush," I laughed. Tim was standing close to Ryan, looking at him intently. I think he was even drooling a little... Once Peyton and Mouth saw, they started laughing, too.

"Oh, that's cute. So, are you including yourself when you talk about the girls throwing themselves at him?"

"No. Why would I? I mean, there's no use in it."

"So are you saying that you are going out with Ryan Wright."

"Whatever rocks your cradle, Brooke," I said haughtily. Two could play at that game and I wasn't about to let her get off being a total bitch to me.

"Hey, Haley!" Ryan called out. "You wanna play?"

A huge grin spread across my face as I bounded over towards the group, "yeah, sounds fun," I smiled, looking at Nathan. He had an awful scowl on his face.

"Why does she have to play?" He said sourly.

"Because this is my team pick, not yours, and I want her to play. Besides, who would you pick, Nate, out of Peyton, Brooke, or Mouth?" he paused, "enough said. Now that's play some ball."

Fine," Nathan muttered under his breath. "You better keep your feet to yourself, though, James."

"I will if you keep your snide comments to yourself, Scott."

"Fine."

I laughed and shook my head. "So, James, you ready to play you're a-game," I looked over at him, smirking.

"If you play yours, I'll play mine."

"Bring it on."

"Ryan!" I yelled and clapped my hands, open on the wing. "RYAN!" I yelled, trying to get his attention. He passed the ball out to me. Once I got the ball, I squared up and shot, sinking it.

"Nice shot," Jake ran past, giving me a high-five. I smiled and winked at Ryan who smiled and resumed his roll on guarding Lucas who was bringing the ball up the court.

I smiled and ran over to Nathan, guarding him. "So, it's tied. Next shot wins. The ball's in my court, what do you do, James?" I laughed, shuffling my feet with him everywhere he went. He was good. I had to admit–Nathan was good. He would get into a great basketball college no worries.

Lucas passed him the ball and he dribbled it away from me, smirking. "I've got a lot to learn, Scott, one of the things being what I do when the ball is in your court and the game is tied," he stood there, smiling at me, while I stood up, getting out of my defending position.

"Yeah, you–" before he could finish his sentence, I spun around him, stole the ball, and made a fast break to the basket. Once under the basket, I carefully lay it up. It hit the backboard and went straight in. I turned around, Nathan was right behind me. Everybody else was on the other end of the court.

"Cheap shot, James," he glared.

I just shrugged while the whole team was around us now, shaking my hand, saying 'good job.' They were mainly happy we won. Then there was Ryan who could care less. He came up to me and smiled, nodding.

I laughed and looked over at Nathan who was just looking at me. It made me feel... was I blushing? I rolled my eyes and ran over towards him, jumping on his back, "how do you like those cookies, Scott?" I laughed.