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"Are you all packed?" Lucas asked, as he came up behind Haley and kissed her neck. She wasn't sure if the quiver she felt in her stomach was because of Lucas's closeness to her, or if it was dread at the thought of being back in Tree Hill in less than 24 hours. The past four days, with Lucas, had been like living a fairytale for Haley. She couldn't remember a time that she had ever been happier. Lucas had easily persuaded her to spend a few days in Tree Hill with him, before she returned to New York. She didn't know what she had been thinking when she had agreed. She and Lucas had already decided that they needed to come clean to Nathan as soon as they returned. Did she really want to spend any more time, than absolutely necessary, sharing the town with her husband and her boyfriend?
"Yeah, I'm almost done. You know, maybe this wasn't such a good idea. Maybe I should wait until things settle down with Nathan before I come back to Tree Hill." Haley mused, already knowing what Lucas would say.
"Haley, it's a big town. We can tell Nathan the truth, and then we don't have to see him again while you're in town. I promise. It'll be okay." Lucas said with a smile. Haley wished she could have his confidence in Nathan's maturity level.
"I'm sure you're right." Haley replied, trying to paste a convincing smile on her face. She had always loved Lucas's ability to see the best in people, but she wasn't sure if Lucas was trying to see the best in this situation, or if he was just seeing what he wanted to see.
Once they had left New York, the drive was an easy one. Yet, as the miles ticked off, the dread in Haley's stomach grew. She wanted to believe that Lucas was right. She wanted to believe that Nathan would be civil and understanding about the whole thing, but she knew that she was fooling herself. Nathan would be devastated. Haley was suddenly overcome with guilt. She had always promised herself that if things between her and Nathan were ever truly over, that she would make a clean break. She had seen, first hand, the way that cheating could ruin a relationship. Her best friends had played that scenario out, just a couple of years ago.
As if Lucas sensed what she was feeling, he reached over and squeezed her hand. Haley felt a second wave of guilt, for having second thoughts about her and Lucas. A part of her had always known that she was meant for Lucas. Even on her wedding day, she had been preoccupied with thought of Lucas, as he was leaving for Raleigh. As thoughts of the past came rushing back, Haley succumbed to the quiet lull of the car and drifted off to sleep.
"Haley, wake up. Hales?" Lucas called, softly nudging her awake. Haley groaned as she sat upright and looked around.
"Where are we?" She mumbled, blinking her eyes into focus.
"We're home. I thought you might want to hang out here for a little bit, before we go to Nathans." Lucas said, as he got out of the car. Haley was grateful for Lucas's consideration. She really wanted to shower and change her clothes before she ripped Nathan's heart out.
"Hey Lucas, why don't you let me tell Nathan about us?" Haley offered, not quite meeting Lucas's eyes. Her reasons for wanting to Nathan alone were two-fold. First, she knew the bounds of Nathan's temper. She was pretty sure that the conversation that was about to happen, would end with Nathan's fist meeting Lucas's jaw. Second, she hoped that Nathan's love for her would temper his reaction. Nathan still felt like he had to put on the "tough guy" show around others. Haley hoped that if it was just she and Nathan, that he would be more honest and less abrasive about his feelings.
"Haley, I can't let you do that. This isn't your fault; I can't let you take all the blame. Let me go with you." Lucas said, his eyes pleading with hers.
"I'm getting in the shower." Haley stated, cutting off the conversation. When she was done, she found Lucas lying across his bed.
"Change your mind yet?" He asked, scooting over to make room for her. Haley snuggled in beside him, relishing the safety she felt in his arms.
"I wish I had. I don't want to do this, period, let alone by myself, but I really think it will be better this way." She replied softly. She slowly pulled away and grabbed Lucas's car keys off his desk. She paused at the door, giving him the best smile she could manage.
"I love you Haley." His words lingered in the air as she pulled the door shut.