"So, Best Friend, are we hanging out here at the River Court all day?" Haley looked at Lucas pleadingly, silently praying that he would choose today to finally take a break from basketball and do something fun.
"I told you Hales, school starts back in a few weeks, therefore a new basketball season. I'm out of shape and out of practice. I promised Whitey I'd be ready"
"Fine. Whatever." Haley sighed as Lucas scored yet another basket. His shoulder was back to normal anyway. "I'm glad your Mom is arriving back tomorrow, I've missed her"
"Yeah me too. She says New Zealand is beautiful and she's dragging me with her next time. She and Andy had a ball" Lucas chuckled.
Haley smiled at him. She didn't really mind hanging out here all the time, she was just glad to be spending time with him because she had a lot of lost time to make up for. While in New York, she had missed him like crazy as well as another member of the Scott family but she was trying not to think about that. If she let Nathan back into her thoughts she would start crying and never stop. Besides, she was trying to be there for Lucas. During the summer, he and Brooke were gradually trying to re-build their relationship over the phone and e-mail and things were starting to look good but she hasn't returned his calls or replied to his e-mails in two weeks and it was killing him. Hence, the rigorous basketball practice.
"Have you seen Peyton lately?" Lucas asks between shots.
"Yeah we went to a movie last night. She's good. Well, a lot better than she was. Her dad has been around a lot this summer and I think that has helped"
"I'm glad. She misses Brooke too. I wonder if Peyt's heard from her…" Haley playfully rolls her eyes as Lucas grasps at this new idea, the wheels in his head turning. He ditches his ball and sits down at the picnic table next to Haley.
"Speaking of broken hearts, have you seen Nate yet?" Lucas asks softly. Haley swallows the lump already forming in her throat before answering.
"No. It's amazing how you can avoid someone for two months in a place like Tree Hill if you really try"
"Tell me about it. He's doing a pretty good job with me too. He was in the café the other day talking to his mom but soon as I arrived, he bailed"
"I miss him Luke" Haley smiled weakly at her best friend. "Now our marriage never existed. It'll probably be just another Scott family secret that will be hidden from the world until it slips out at a Scott family dinner 20 years from now in front of Nathan's wife and children." Haley laughs bitterly. "Dan got what he wanted in the end. He always does."
At the mention of his father's name, Lucas' jaw tightens as he stares out at the river. "He's not getting what he wants anymore. He's lost both of his sons, his wife is divorcing him and with any luck, Deb will take everything from him. Scott Motors is in her name, and she'll make sure she gets it"
Lucas puts his arm around Haley pulling her towards him and kisses the top of her head. "Everything will work out for the best. You'll see."