Heres Chapter 37! I hope you like it!

Nathan POV

"Hey mom." I said as I walked into the café.

"Hey sweetie." She said looking up from the table that she was wiping down. "What are you doing here?"

"I was on my way home and I decided to come and see if you were still here." I said walking towards her. "You have a lot left to do?"

"Not really. I just have to finish wiping up this table and then I'm done."

"Here..." I said taking the rag from her hands. "I'll help you."

"Thanks Nate." She said smiling.

She headed to the counter and pulled out another rag and wipedthat counter down.

"So you didn't wanna go home huh?" She asked looking at me.

"Nah." I said walking to the stooll and sitting down.

"Me neither. That's why I told Karen that I would close up the café tonight. I really didn't wanna go home to another night of yelling by your father."

"Neither did I. Until... he called me and started yelling at me for getting in a fight with Lucas at practice. I just -"

"What! You got in a fight with Lucas! Fighting with your brother Nathan! Fighting at all!" She said upset.

"I know mom, and I'm sorry. But... do you really have to yell at me? I mean... Whitey and Mercedes did a lot of that already."

"Who's Mercedes?"

"She's my girlfriend. Who also happens to be Lucas' new best friend and is good friends with Haley and... to top it all of she's on the basketball team."

"So... she's on the team? Your team?"

"Yeah. I think your reaction was so much better than Dad's. He freaked out. That's why I don't wanna go home. I really don't feel like dealing with him tonight."

"I agree. But... we have to do it sooner or later and I'm done here... so it'll have to be now."

"Alright... let's go."

We locked up the café and headed home. When we got there we both stopped before opening the door.

"You ready?" She asked, her hand on he knob.

"I guess." I answered.

She nodded and opened the door. As soon as she did there was a yell coming from the living room.

"Nathan! Is that you!" Dan yelled furious.

"Here we go." I said as I walked into the living room with my mom.

"Why are you yelling Dan?" My mom said stepping in front of me.

"Well, well, if it isn't my wife. I didn't think you'd be home this early tonight." My dad said sarcastically.

"Oh, don't start Dan. I'm really not in the mood for this tonight."

"Fine Deb. It's your sons turn tonight." He said looking at me.

"Ok dad, go ahead." I said pulling my mom behind me.

"Why did you let her win Nathan?"

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"You think I wasn't gonna find out about what happened? I know she played you for a spot on the team. What I don't understand is why you let her win."

"I didn't let her win. She just did."

"That's bull Nathan."

"How the hell would you know! You've never even seen her play! She could probably kick your ass on the court."

"Please Nathan... she's a little girl. And she's gonna fuck up your game. How are the scouts gonna react when they find out that you let her win and that she's on the team! Did you even think about that!"

"You know what Dad... if you need to believe that I let her win then... whatever. I'm done with this shit." I said walking away from him.

"Nathan, this conversation is not over!"

"Yes it is... Dad."

I ran up the stairs and closed the door to my room.

General POV

Deb listened as Nathan slammed the door to his room. She closed her eyes tightly and then opened them and glared at Dan.

"What the hell is your problem Dan? He's your son. It's just a damn game!"

"It's not just a game Deb! This is Nathan's life, and he's ruining it!"

"No Dan, it's not Nathan's life it's yours. Or at least it would have been, right?"

With that Deb left the room and Dan and walked up to Nathan's room.

Nathan pulled out his phone and dialed the only person that he wanted to talk to... He waited patiently as it rang.

"Hello?" A sleepy voice answered on the other end.

"Hey babe. I'm sorry, were you sleeping?"

"Nah, it's ok. What's wrong?" She asked worried.

"Nothing... I just... I wanted to talk to you."

"Nathan... tell me what's wrong. And don't say it's nothing. I can hear it in your voice. Something's bugging you... what is it?"

"It's just... my dad's being an ass, that's all."

"I'm sorry." she said sincerely.

"Me too."

"How about I make you fell better tomorrow?" she said cheerfully.

"Oh yeah? How?" Nathan said chuckling at her enthusiasm.

"I don't know... I'll surprise you."

"Alright." He answered. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Ok. Goodnight babe."

"Night, I love you."

"I love you too."

Nathan hung up and smiled to himself.

"Was that her?" He heard Deb's voice behind him and he turned to see her standing in the doorway.

"Yeah."

"Are you ok Nathan?" She asked concerned.

"I'm fine mom. I'm used to it."

"You shouldn't have to put up with his crap." She said sitting down next to him on his bed.

"You shouldn't either mom."

She smiled at her son sadly and decided that this conversation had to end now.

"So... you said you love her. Do you?"

Nathan looked at his mother for a moment. It was a little uncomfortable for him to talk about his relationship with Mercedes with his mother.

"I really think I do."

"Really? I mean... you don't really know her Nathan."

"That's the thing mom... the more I get to know her the more I fall in love with her. I've never felt about anyone the way I do about her."

"Not even with Haley?"

Nathan looked down at his hands and then returned his gaze to Deb.

"No. What I have with Mercedes is so much more than what I had with Haley. Not thatI didn't love Haley. I mean... God knows, but...I don't know... It just feels different."

She smiled at her son. She knew that he did have some genuine felling towards this girl. She could see the light in his eyes when he talked about her.

"Ok, well... I'll let you get some sleep." She said getting up.

"Alright."

"Goodnight Nate." She said leaving.

"Night mom."

Nathan got up and got ready for bed.

There it is! I hope you guys liked it! It's kind of a short chapterI know... but I'll try to make the next one longer. Thanks to OTH-Mrs. Broodyfor your last review! AndI agree Dan is a jerk! I hope he dies! Actually...Idon't. I would never never wish death on anyone.No matter howfucked up they were.By the way... thanks for going back and reviewing chapter 6! You're bomb! Also... NewyorkchickaI would totaly read stories like these at school! That would be bitchin'! Thanks for your review! And thanks for saying that I'm a good writer! You don't know how much that means to me! And... jeytonloverthanks for sticking by... Your hella bomb for being a loyal review person now! I hopeI don't loose you! But you won't be back until Friday... oh well... I hope you have fun, wherever you're going. And last by definatly not least... Thank you...brathanfan! I'm glad you loved it! The rest of you that are reading and not reviewing... WellI don't really know what to say to you guys... please, please, please, please, review! I'd love you guys forever! Thanks guys! I hope I get reviews from you soon!