Chapter Six: The Ties That Bind
3rd December 2020, Tree Hill High School, Tree Hill, North Carolina
"I don't know how to tell you the next part," he said slowly.
"You don't..."
"No, I do. I've been pretending it hasn't happened for ten years. It did happen, and we can't go back from it," said Nathan.
"For what it's worth, she definitely wishes she could," said Brooke softly.
"How do you know that?" asked Nathan.
"What do you mean, how do I know?" asked Brooke, looking down. "You know it, too."
8th November 2008, Between Tree Hill and New York
Nathan was surprisingly upbeat as he drove across the state to New York City to find Haley. After a year of seperation, he was getting his life back. His wife back. Whatever.
He even smiled as the radio played one of her songs. The radio of the car that they'd bought together, of the car that she'd soon be sitting in, beside him, on their way back home.
This thought, however difficult it might be to bring about, was enough to keep him going.
After entering the city, he realized reluctantly that he'd first have to go see his father. After all, after seeing Haley, he didn't plan on surfacing from her apartment for days. Better to get it over with with Dan.
His father had moved out to the city a few years previously, after seeing Nathan happily marry his dream girl and get settled in Tree Hill.
Nathan had only gone to see him once before, but he found the address with very little difficulty. He winked at the receptionist as he passed her. All other women had lost their appeal to him. He was glad he'd be able to stop suffering soon.
After knocking, he let himself into his father's apartment. He looked around. Dan had done well for himself. The apartment was immaculate and tastefully decorated. His eyes hovered on the perfectly ordered CD collection, the curtains covering the windows. Clearly Dan did not live here alone.
"Dad?" he called out.
He made his way toward the bedroom. He turned away in disgust as he opened the door-astride his middle aged father was a young girl with long blonde hair flowing down her back, rocking her hips rythmically. Nathan rolled his eyes. The girly stuff in the main room, the locked doors. It all fit.
"Dad," he said again. The girl stopped and slowly turned around. Nathan's mouth dropped open in horror as he met the liquid brown eyes of the girl on top of him.
"Nathan?" she said in wonderment.
"Haley?"
December 3rd 2020, Tree Hill High School, Tree Hill, North Carolina
"Dear God," said Brooke under her breath, looking disgusted in his behalf.
"Yeah. I know."
"How could she do that?" she wondered.
"I don't know," said Nathan.
"You know I used to kick Lucas' ass for brooding so much, but for you it's totally justified," said Brooke, hoping it would make him smile.
"Ass."
"He's not," said Brooke defensively.
"He is. For fooling around behind Peyton's back, for not being a man about it when she found out, for all but abandoning Haley when she chose me."
"Haley will always choose you. Lucas never figured this out," said Brooke softly.
"Yeah. Maybe then. Not anymore."
Silently, Brooke couldn't help but agree.
15th November 2008, New York City, New York
Nathan slowly rose in his car as he saw Haley and Dan exit their apartment (their apartment. How wrong was that?) a week later. By turning off his phone he'd managed to break all contact with them, but it didn't stop him from keeping an eye on them. He didn't care if he was being pathetic. This wasn't even the beginning of pathetic.
He slipped out of his car and followed them down the street. On the crowded street, there was no danger of being caught. He watched as Dan put his arm around Haley's shoulders and held her close, as he led them places, as he glared menacingly at any man who looked at her, or looked at them in surprise. He was possessive. Had Nathan ever been possessive? Hadn't he the right?
He listened in horror as he heard Haley's laugh ring. Her smile didn't reach her eyes, but her laugh was all there. Even without him. Apparently, she had the will to go on alone.
Of course, she wasn't truly alone. And by the look of the ring on her left hand, she never would be again.
December 3rd 2020, Tree Hill High School, North Carolina
Brooke looked uncomfortably down at her ring finger, and the diamond that sparkled on it. Some days it was painfully obvious how thoroughly she'd stolen another woman's man.
November 15th 2020, The Apartment of Dan and Haley Scott, New York City, New York
Nathan continued to watch as Dan dropped Haley off in front of their apartment, kissed her and went off by himself. She ran into the lobby, and he watched her through the glass windows as she disappeared into the elevator.
Nathan walked in and calmly told the doorman that he was the son of Mr. Scott. He made his own way up the elevator, and again entered the apartment.
"Dan?" came a voice. Nathan wondered what their life together was like. He wondered if he could vanquish it.
Haley appeared in the hall, wearing jeans and her bra. He devoured her with his gaze while she stared at him in shock.
"Nathan?"
"Are you going to marry him?" he demanded.
"Get out of here. You have no right..." she began.
"Shut up. I want answers. Are you, Haley?" he asked again.
"No. I can't," she said. He approached her swiftly and grasped her shoulders. She winced, but he did not release her.
"Why not, Hales?" he asked.
"Because I can't."
"You're still married to me," he said.
"No I'm not," she argued.
"You're still mine." In one movement, his mouth was on hers, demanding entry. He pushed her backward into a wall and followed her, pressing their bodies up together.
"Nathan, don't. Go," she said firmly.
"No."
"I don't love you anymore," she said. "I love him."
"You do not."
He hand slipped between their bodies and unzipped her zipper. She groaned as he touched her.
"I think you still want me, Haley."
She struggled weakly against him. His hands touched her nipples, straining through the thin fabric of her bra. Pressed up against him she fould feel his stomach muscles, and the evidence of his need of her.
"Let go."
"I'm never letting go," he promised. She returned his kiss, though her mind was screaming out to her not to. He took her left hand in his and yanked off her diamond engagment ring. She let her eyes slide close, as though experiencing a sense of release.
He swept her in to his arms. She knew that if he'd let her stay standing a moment longer she'd lose her balance. It was all too much.
He kicked open the bedroom door (Dan's. Haley was certain he'd done it intentionally.) and dropped her on the bed. He followed her quickly, covering her lips with this before she could let conscious thought invade their moment.
"You want this," he said accusingly. He felt her warm flesh, kissed the areas of her that he hadn't touched in so long.
"No. No, it's wrong."
He captured her wrists and forcefully kissed her.
"Say it."
"I want you." Her denial swept away, he released her and she immediately put her hands on him again, unwilling to lose contact with his flesh.
"I'm not giving up."
Her eyes slid closed in bliss as he entered her. Finally, after a year, he was at peace. He held her close as he surged inside of her. He kissed her comfortingly, remembering the girl she'd been.
Haley watched from the edge of the bed as Nathan dressed again. Hours later, years later. They'd done it again and again, over and over, unable to stop.
"Are you leaving?" she asked.
"Guess I have to."
"I..."
"I know." He dropped down onto his knees, linked his hands around her waist and kissed her tenderly.
"It's your turn next, Hales."
December 3rd 2020, Tree Hill High School, Tree Hill, North Carolina.
"You actually did that?" asked Brooke, looking at him in surprise.
"Yeah. Was it wrong?"
"Actually sounded kind of hot," said Brooke helpfully. He smiled.
"Hope she thought so too."
"I don' t know how she could have... after that..." said Brooke, gradually trailing off.
"I'm sure there was a reason," said Nathan.
"For fucking your father?" she demanded.
"Don't, Brooke," he said, suddenly looking weary.
