Chapter Thirteen
At eight minutes to midnight Nathan pulled up in front of Haley's house.
"So…" Nathan began as he put the jeep into park, "this is the place."
"Well…actually, no."
"No?"
"Me and my family are just staying here while the mansion is renovated," Haley said nonchalantly.
Nathan chuckled. "Yeah. So, listen, Haley, I had a really great time tonight. I'm really glad you came to the party…and to the closet," he added.
Haley blushed slightly, but also nodded. "Me too."
Nathan leaned forward and brushed his lips against hers. "Do you really have to go now?"
"It's nearly midnight, Nathan."
"Yeah, but it's not midnight yet. You don't have to be inside before then."
"Maybe, but, since we're already here, I may as well go inside."
Nathan pouted and kissed Haley again. "But, we've still got…" Nathan paused as he glanced at his watch, "seven minutes left. A lot can happen in seven minutes, Haley," he said seriously.
Haley grinned. "I think we've already proven that once tonight."
"Yeah, I suppose so." He brought his hand up to her cheek, kissing her lips again, before moving back slightly. "So, you really can't stay?"
"The light is on in the kitchen," Haley gestured to her house, "which means my Mum is waiting up for me. I think it's better if I just go now."
"Okay. I'll walk you there."
Nathan got out and jogged over to Haley's side to open the door for her. She smiled at him as she slid down from the jeep and took his offered hand on the walk up to her doorstep.
"So…can I call you tomorrow?"
Haley nodded.
"Goodnight," Nathan whispered, bending down to kiss her.
Haley had just started to kiss him back when she pulled away and said, "Oh no."
"What? Is something wrong?"
"Do you have my number?" she wondered.
Nathan thought for a moment and then had to laugh. "No, you're right, I don't."
He took out his phone so Haley could add it for him. Once she had saved it, she asked, "What would you have done tomorrow if I hadn't remembered?"
"Oh…" Nathan shrugged as he put the phone back in his pocket. "I would've called Lucas."
"I'm sorry I prevented that brotherly conversation then."
"Don't be. I'm very happy to prolong my next conversation with Lucas for as long as possible."
"It's not going to be that bad," Haley reassured him.
"That's what he wants you to think. Maybe if I can get him to drink some tea beforehand…" Nathan suggested, causing Haley to giggle.
"We'll think of something."
Nathan nodded. "Yeah. Well, goodnight then."
"Goodnight."
Nathan kissed her softly, and Haley wrapped her arms around his neck as she leaned into his embrace. Nathan's hand came up behind her head as they moved backwards so Haley was leaning against the door.
"I thought you had to go," Nathan whispered between kisses.
"It's not midnight yet," Haley breathed as she tangled her fingers in his hair and brought him down to kiss her again.
Then, all of a sudden, the door opened behind Haley and she stumbled backwards into the house, Nathan following her. He managed to regain his balance before she did, and kept his arms tightly around her waist so she didn't fall.
"Hello."
Nathan and Haley both looked to the side and found an older woman standing there, her arms folded as she eyed the pair.
"Hi, mum," Haley said, stepping away from Nathan.
"Hello, Haley. I thought I heard a noise and I saw a car outside so I came to check. Here before your curfew, as always."
Haley nodded and stuffed her hands in her back pockets while Nathan stared at the ground.
"And who is this gentleman, who was so kind as to escort you home?"
"Um, mum, this is Nathan. Nathan, this is my mum."
Lydia looked surprised. "Nathan? As is Lucas' brother."
Nathan nodded. "Yes, ma'am."
"Call me Lydia; I'm not that old yet. Now, Haley, I had no idea you were seeing Lucas' brother. I'm always the last to know things around here."
"Actually, Nathan and I just started dating tonight."
"But, you didn't tell me tonight was a date. I thought it was just someone's birthday party. If I had known you were going on a date, Haley-Bop, I'd have never let you go out like that. And wasn't it Lucas, who picked you up, anyway?"
Nathan's eyebrows perked up at the words, "Haley-Bop", while Haley tried to usher him back outside. "Mum, Nathan has to get back home."
"Oh, of course, he does. I'm so sorry Nathan."
"That's alright Mrs. Jame-Lydia."
"Then, do you mind waiting just one more minute?"
"Yes, he –" Haley tried to interrupt, but Nathan said he didn't mind.
"Perfect," Lydia told him. "Jimmy!" she called. "Come meet Haley's new boyfriend."
Haley cringed as she heard her father come down the stairs.
"I didn't know Haley had a boyfriend," he shouted.
"Neither did I, dear," she replied.
Jimmy had soon come down the steps and joined them in the foyer. He folded his arms and eyed Nathan suspiciously. "And you are?"
"Er, Nathan. Sir," he added.
"And why are you bringing my daughter home at such a late hour?"
"Daddy! You said midnight, and it's not even that yet."
Jimmy sighed and looked at Haley. "I didn't want him to know that. Now," he returned to Nathan, "what exactly are your intentions?"
"Oh, Jimmy, stop it," Lydia laughed. "Nathan is Lucas' brother."
Jimmy smiled. "Lucas' brother? Oh, well, why didn't you say so? Family of Lucas' is always welcome in our home. Except maybe not that father of yours."
"Daddy!" Haley exclaimed, just as Lydia shouted, "Jimmy!"
This time it was Nathan who laughed. "That's okay."
"Why don't we let Nathan and Haley say goodnight?" Lydia suggested.
"Why can't they say goodnight when we're here?"
"Come on," Lydia ushered Jimmy into the kitchen, leaving Nathan and Haley alone in front of the door.
"I am so sorry about that!" Haley told him. "I wasn't even sure if they'd be home, because they aren't always, and I had no idea that that would happen; I am so sorry, especially what my Dad said about your Dad. I mean, he really shouldn't have said that and –"
"It's okay, Haley, really," Nathan said, smiling. "I like your parents."
Haley's forehead wrinkled. "You do?"
"Yeah. They seem cool."
"Oh. Okay."
"I guess I should go home now."
Haley nodded. "Yeah…"
"So, then," Nathan began as he stepped closer to her, "this time it's goodnight for real."
"Yeah, I guess it is," she said, closing the distance between them. "Goodnight," she whispered, her lips inches away from his.
"Goodnight."
Haley closed her eyes, anticipating Nathan's kiss, when she felt something warm and slightly wet brush across her forehead. She blinked and realized he had kissed her; just not where she had wanted him to. Then, Nathan bent down and whispered in her ear, "Your parents are looking at us from behind the kitchen door."
Haley blushed and smiled at the same time. Then she gave Nathan a short, but sweet kiss on the lips.
Nathan grinned. "So, I'll call you tomorrow?"
"Okay."
He said, "Goodbye," before jogging down the front steps. With a final smirk in Haley's direction he got inside the car and started the engine.
Haley stayed by the front door, and watched him drive away before closing it and leaning against the door frame with a dreamy smile on her face. She looked up to find Lydia James standing opposite her, wearing a smile of her own.
"I suppose I don't have to ask whether you had good time tonight."
"No, you don't," Haley said as she walked past her and towards the staircase.
"Well, then, at least tell me how come Nathan gets a goodnight kiss and your father and I don't?"
"Mum!"
