Author Note: Thank you soooo much for the reviews guys. It means a lot to me. Here is Chapter 8 I hope you're going to enjoy it… Watch out for the cliffhanger at the end. Don't forget to review. Take care. :-)
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Haley was back to her house, she drove like a robot on her way home. She never expected to see Nathan again and she never expected to feel everything she did. It's been 5 years now girl!!! You should totally be over it!! She told herself but in fact she felt all the pain she felt on day one. It was like she left him yesterday. He doesn't love you anymore. She was repeating that to herself every 2 minutes. She parked in front of her house and saw the light in the living room was on, which meant Lucas was waiting for her.
She put her head on the starring wheel and took a couple of deep breath. Hide the pain Hales hide the doubts…. Everything is fine. You made the right choice. She repeated to herself, it had been her motto for the past five years.
She ran her hands through her hair and walked in. She smiled at Lucas who was reading a book.
"Natey is fast asleep," said Lucas putting his book down. "How are you?" He asked his voice full of compassion.
"I'm fine," said Haley crashing on the sofa beside Lucas. "Everything is perfect." She added with a bright smile. "I just drove him there... not a big deal." she shrugged.
"Ummm. That's good!" said Lucas sarcastically. "Maybe I didn't express myself right, you're the person I love most in the world and I know you better than myself so let me rephrase…how are you doing?"
Haley looked deep into his eyes. She had a sarcastic laugh. I can fool myself but I can't fool him that's for sure!! "I'm broken Luke!!" She said sighing. "It's been almost 5 years and I love him as I did day one and I'm terrified…terrified to get hurt again. I don't want to let him close to my heart again. It took me forever to patch my heart... it can't get hurt again". She added with tears in her eyes." I know I made the right choice but…. but I'm so deep into the mess now that I don't know what to do." She was sobbing, "I lied too much no... Not that much but its too big and I see my past running back to me and I have no way to stop it." She added in despair.
"Well…" Said Lucas hugging her "maybe it's time…maybe you've got to tell him that he has a son and that's he's the cutest kid in the world."
Lucas saw Haley grimacing. "What's wrong Hales?" He asked frowning. "It's not because you tell him about Natey that you've got to get back together." Said Lucas nicely.
"Well…I… I don't know how he found out but he found out about my pregnancy after I left." Said Haley looking down.
"Ohh??? How??" Said Lucas surprised.
"I don't know," said Haley shrugging.
"And he let you drive him back without meeting his son… That's weird" said Lucas raising his eyebrows.
"Well…" Said Haley moving on the sofa so she was feeling guilty. "Maybe he thinks that he doesn't have a child." She said grimacing.
"Would you mind being more specific?" Asked Lucas looking deep into Haley's eyes.
"I…. I told him I had a miscarriage". Said Haley biting her bottom lip.
"Haley!!!" Said Lucas shaking his head. "Are you looking for trouble?" He said tiredly.
"I know!" Said Haley standing up. "I… I just panicked and said the first silly thing that passed through my mind." She said trying to justify herself but she wasn't even succeeding to convince herself. "I…. I don't know," added Haley sitting back on the sofa.
"I'm sorry Hales but I really thought you were smarter than that!" Said Lucas not really mad but really concerned. "Nathan will find out about Natey tomorrow, you know Greg." He added harsher than he intended.
"Well… I know it's not an excuse but I bought some time with the team I think." Said Haley guiltily. "Steph is going to talk to him in order to help me protect my secret a little while longer."
"Of Course! Greg is so perfect!! He's a hero!!" Said Lucas sarcastically. "No wait…. He is a super hero!!" Added Lucas overreacting.
Haley frowned. "Anyway…" She said wanting to changed subject. "I think I bought some time but just a little so I need to figure out what I'm going to do and fast."
He didn't ask me how I bought some time…. Thought Haley relieved.
"Okay… I'm tired," said Haley standing up" I guess I need an early night". She said leaving the room. She was just about to set a foot outside the room when…
"Hey!" Said Lucas stopping her. "How come Greg and Steph are protecting your dirty little secret?" He asked frowning.
Fuck!! Thought Haley turning around. She smiled brightly. "Well…. you know sometimes you say a bit more than you want when you're drunk. And…. Well…."
"Awww Hales" Said Lucas with a fake smile, tapping the empty space at his side on the sofa. "Come and sit back here…tell me everything." He added with a fake nice voice but with eyes saying « I'm going to kick your butt ».
Haley told him everything that happened at the Winter garden.
"Ummmm…Ummmm okay" said Lucas nodding the eyes full of anger. "So you let me lie to someone who already knew everything huh? Did I get that right?"
"I… Well technically yeah but… we can't say that she knew everything because she didn't know everything." Said Haley trying to defend herself.
"You should be a lawyer you know that!!" Said Lucas shaking his head. He stopped and looked at her frowning. "Wait… you said « didn't »? What did you mean by that?" Asked Lucas perfectly knowing what to expect.
"I…" Haley sighed, "She knows everything." Said Haley fed up of hiding things "and I guess Greg knows it all by now too."
"Well… That just perfect!!" Said Lucas sarcastically. "Now Steph and Greg "the best guy ever" know it all." He added with anger.
"I'm sorry okay." Said Haley sincerely. "I liked our life just the way it was but… I needed to figure something fast and…. Oh come on Luke!! Don't get so moody!!" Said Haley finally exasperated. "I know it wasn't the smartest move ever but I needed to buy some time. I needed to keep my life a bit longer."
"And of course Greg is the one Steph thought of!! It's always him." Said Lucas bitter.
Haley frowned. "It's her brother!! What is your problem with him?"
"I don't have a Problem," said Luca stubbornly.
"Come on Lucas who are you trying to fool." Said Haley exasperated. "I hope you're not jealous because of Kelly," warned Haley.
"I…" Started Lucas.
"You had your shot Luke!! We're not in Tree Hill anymore I don't want to see a stupid love triangle anymore!!" She added pointing her finger at him.
"Don't patronize me Sister!!" Said Lucas finally getting back at her. "You the one who just screwed up big time. Clean up your mess first!! And after we'll talk about me!!"
"I will… Everything will be just fine." Said Haley smiling.
"Do you really believe that?" Asked Lucas seriously.
"Not so much…" Said Haley honestly. I don't think we'll be fine anymore…ever again she thought to herself.
-------------------------Dallas, Next day------------------------------------
Nathan woke up after only a few hours of sleep. He couldn't believe that Haley was so close to him and how much she changed. She was still Haley but she was different… she was not innocent or positive like she used to be. Nathan looked at himself in the mirror; he had dark marks under his eyes. She's not yours anymore. She is Jessica James. He thought to himself not able to convince himself.
He shook his head. "Life brought me back to her!" He said loudly. "There is a reason why my car broke down there. I need to see her again." He added getting ready.
He had to meet one of the players on the team today, Greg Frederickson. Nathan was the rookie attached to him.
Greg and Nathan arrived at the stadium and they made their way in. Greg was supposed to show him the changing rooms and all the stadium facilities.
"What are you looking at me like that for?" Finally asked Nathan slightly annoyed.
"Huh?" Said Greg embarrassed of getting caught. Natey looks just like him!! He thought. "I'm sorry…. You just look like someone I know... I mean so much!!" Said Greg sincerely.
"Ohhhh Sorry." Said Nathan embarrassed for snapping at him. "It's just I didn't sleep well last night."
"I bet you didn't," said Greg biting his bottom lips. Steph knows I'm terrible at keeping secrets!! Why on earth did she have to ask for my help?!! He thought angrily.
"What?" Asked Nathan frowning.
"I….I.. " What am I supposed to do now? He thought.
"Nathan! Nice to meet you." Said Stephanie walking up to them. She shook his hand while sending an angry glare in Greg's direction.
Greg knew what she meant by that: « You're so useless ». He grinned at her.
"Hey Scott… Let me introduce you to our lawyer and whatever you need. She is also my big sister." Added Greg on a warning tone.
Stephanie stuck her tongue out at her brother, which surprised Nathan. She is totally smart and fun!! Wow she is really surprising!!
"Don't listen to him he is just acting like a little brother is supposed too." She added laughing and shaking her head.
"Well… Now that you're here let's go to my office for a little while, we need to talk business." She said in a professional tone again.
"I want to give you some paperwork and if you need any explanation about them I'll be in there." She added leading him to her office.
Nathan sat down, he felt really comfortable with Stephanie.
"Can I ask you a question?" He said while she was looking in a file with his name on it.
"Of course you can!" She said laughing. "What can I do for you?" Please don't mention your wife! She thought.
"I wanted to know if you could advise me of where to rent a place." He asked smiling. He wanted to ask her questions about Haley but changed his mind. He didn't know Stephanie well enough yet.
"Ohhh" She said surprised. She stood up. "Okay… Well…" She looked around. "I think my assistant prepared a file for you on that. Let me go to check on her desk. I'll be back in a minute." She added walking out.
Nathan stood up and started looking at the pictures on Stephanie's wall. The first one was one of her skiing well…. She was actually on her butt laughing while the eastern conference MVP was helping her up. This picture made Nathan laughed. She is so silly!!
The second picture was one of her brother with a pretty, ash blond, girl. She was holding a little boy who looked to be about 4 years old in her arms. Nathan frowned. The girl was blond with blue eyes and Greg was light brown with gray eyes, however the kid had back hair and blue eyes. He could me my kid! Thought Nathan sadly sitting back.
Stephanie sat back to her desk. "Sorry I couldn't find them" she said smiling. "So here are some flats we checked and put a hold on. You've got a week to visit them and make a decision. Greg or myself can come with you if you want."
Nathan nodded "Thanks".
"We're here to help," she added sincerely. "I also succeeded to find you a new rental car. Greg is going to drive you there now." She added smiling.
She handed him some paper work. "Well take your time to read it and if you want another lawyer to read them you're more than welcome."
"Okay" said Nathan taking them and standing up. "It was really nice to meet you Stephanie."
"Well…the same goes for me Nathan." She added sincerely. Haley has pretty good taste!! She thought. Well… He isn't as hot as… She shook her head. Focus idiot!! "I guess I'll see you tomorrow night at the pre season party." She said walking him to the door.
Nathan and Greg were at the car rental agency. Nathan was about to go when he looked at Greg, the picture he saw was still on his mind.
"So Greg...Thanks for everything." Said Nathan smiling.
"Don't mention it." Said Greg happy to get rid of Nathan. He actually liked him but he was scared to give some information away.
"Hey..." Said Nathan before sitting on his car. "Are you married?"
Greg frowned. "No I'm…I'm not married I'm engaged though."
"Awww Congratulation" said Nathan like if he cared. "Do you have kids? "
"What?" Asked Greg confused. "No… Not that I know of anyway." Said Greg grimacing.
"I'm sorry... You should think I'm weird. I'm…I'm just trying to get to know you better." Said Nathan with a bright smile.
"No that's fine" said Greg with a smile "I… I just didn't expect these questions."
"Yeah… I like to know a bit about my colleagues." Said Nathan shrugging. "Where's your fiancée from?"
"Kelly? She is from Honey Groove". He said with a smile. "You know where you car broke down."
"Ohhh yeah right!!" Said Nathan pretending to just remember. I knew it!!! She is such a liar!! He thought angrily. "Well I'll let you go down to your fiancée now." Said Nathan trying to sound cheery. "I'm going to drive around." Added Nathan starting the engine.
"Okay" said Greg umpping in his own car. "You've got my number just call me if you need anything okay?" He said sincerely.
"Yeah thanks Greg you made me feel so welcome here." Said Nathan honestly. Maybe I'm paranoid but I'm sure he knows the truth.
Nathan took the highway in direction of Honey Grove. "Miscarriage my ass!!" He shouted out of anger. "He is my son and you can bet your life that you're going to regret fooling me a second time!" He added with fury.