A/N: Thank you all for the reviews, story alerts and favorites. There will be Brucas eventually. And thanks to my beta Leeese.

Disclaimer: Don't own OTH


Chapter Two

The next morning, Nathan was getting ready for his morning jog when he looked out of the window and saw Haley walking Jewel down the sidewalk. He knew that it was the perfect opportunity to get to know her better. He headed outside and hurried to catch up with her. She turned around and gave him a smile. Nathan smiled in return as they exchanged greetings. "Do you mind if I walk with you?"

Haley shook her head. "No, I'd love some company," she replied. They then started walking side by side with Jewel leading the way. Haley started the conversation as they walked down the block. "So have you lived in Tree Hill long?" she asked him.

Nathan nodded. "Yeah, I have lived here my whole life. I would move away if it wasn't for my brother." Haley looked at him confused. "You see, my parents divorced when I was really young. My mother remarried within a couple of years and they had my half-brother Lucas." There was a short pause before he continued his story. "A few years ago, my mother and stepfather were killed in a car accident. And I became Lucas's guardian." He then let out a sigh. "But I don't think I've been doing a good job. Lucas has been causing trouble ever since he moved in with me and Rachel, my wife."

Haley nodded understandingly. "I'm so sorry."

Nathan nodded sadly. "Yeah, and my mom used to own and manage her own café. But I had to close it down after her death. I didn't have the heart to keep it running. Lucas was so pissed off at me for doing it. I think that's part of the reason why he rebels against me. And because I'm his guardian and not his parents."

"I don't mean to intrude, but aren't teenagers supposed to cause trouble? I know I did in my day."

Nathan raised his eyebrows at her in surprise. "You were a troublemaker? You don't look like you would have caused trouble. What did you do? Sneak out of the house to see your boyfriend?" he teased her.

Haley laughed. "No, that was my older sister Taylor. She was the rebellious one of the family. She still is." She then quickly changed the subject back to her. "Anyway, I have cheated on tests a couple of times. I also shoplifted from a store once. And there was a time or two where I got in trouble for fighting."

"Did you do anything big?" Nathan asked her curiously. "Like steal a car?"

Haley shook her head. "I wasn't that brave. Were you? Did you do anything dangerous while you were in high school?"

Nathan turned red. "I once had a hit and run accident. I wasn't paying attention to where I was looking and hit a car. I panicked and did the only thing I could think of. I drove off without talking to the driver." Haley gaped at him in shock. "Hey, you would too if the person you hit was someone who hated you."

"I would never," Haley exclaimed. "It wouldn't be right." She then looked at him curiously. "So did you ever get caught?"

Nathan gave her a smile. "No and I'm planning to keep it that way. So don't go around town telling people what I did." They then approached the corner at the end of the street. Haley was about to turn down the street when he stopped her. "Why don't we go across the street?" he asked her.

Haley frowned. "Why? What's wrong?"

Nathan gestured to the house that was coming up. Haley looked in the direction of the house. She saw that it was run down and looked creepy. She also noticed how quiet that part of the street was. "That house belongs to Whitey Durham, an elderly gentleman. He used to be kind and gentle. But ever since his wife died, he hasn't been the same. I always avoid him when I can." Haley nodded understandingly. She then pulled Jewel towards the street and towards the other side of the creepy house. "So how many sisters do you have?" Nathan asked.

"I have three sisters and three brothers," Haley replied as they reached the sidewalk. "I'm the youngest."

Nathan was surprised. "Wow, it must be fun during holidays." He then realized his mistake and said, "No wonder you wanted to move here."

"Don't get me wrong. I love them very dearly, but it's too much for me sometimes," Haley said. "When I get married, I will have two children and that's it. I don't know how my parents handled seven children especially Taylor."

"Does your boyfriend agree with wanting two children?" Nathan asked her. "Or doesn't he care?"

"I don't have a boyfriend right now," Haley replied. "Actually, I'm glad that I don't. All they seem to do is think of themselves. They never seem to think about their girlfriend. At least, that's how my last boyfriend was."

"I'm sorry to hear that," Nathan said. "I would never be selfish and forget my wife like that."

"How long have you and your wife been married?" Haley asked curiously.

"It's been a couple of years," Nathan replied. "I'm hoping that we will start a family soon. I would love to have kids."

"How many kids do you want?" Haley asked him.

Nathan shrugged. He had never really thought about it. "I don't care as long as they are happy and healthy." He then changed the subject. "So how is the unpacking going?"

Haley sighed. "It's not. I had a teaching job all lined up at the elementary school, but it fell through at the last minute. So I spent all day yesterday trying to find another job so I could stay here. It wasn't easy since nothing has been hooked up yet."

Nathan nodded understandingly. "Yeah, that can be a pain." He then had an idea. "Would you mind being a substitute teacher?"

Haley gave him a confused look. "What do you mean?"

"I coach the basketball team at the high school and my coworker will be on maternity leave soon. And she needs a substitute teacher to take over her English classes. Would you be willing to do it if I ask Victoria and Peyton?"

Haley bit her lip. "It's tempting, but I'm not sure if I could handle high school students. In fact, I've never imagined that I would teach high school students."

Nathan nodded understandingly. "It was just a suggestion. It would help me out too. You could keep an eye on Lucas for me. Since I only coach, I don't see him much during school hours."

"So you want me to take the job so it would benefit you?" Haley asked him as she raised her eyebrows. "Isn't that a little selfish?"

Nathan immediately got the point. He nodded. "You're right. I'm sorry. You should take the job because you want to."

Haley let out a sigh before she spoke. "Even though it is only temporary, it is a job. So I think I will take it if your boss will let me."

"Great. I'll drive you over there after breakfast and you can talk with Victoria and Peyton," Nathan said. "Speaking of breakfast, would you like to join me and Lucas?" he asked her.

"I will if you don't mind Jewel joining us," Haley replied.

Nathan gave her a smile. "Of course not."

As soon as they finished their walk, Haley followed Nathan into his house and into the kitchen, where Lucas was cooking breakfast. Nathan was surprised, but pleased that Lucas had woken up on his own. He was even happier to see that he was making breakfast. "Lucas, this is Haley James, our new neighbor," Nathan said, making introductions. "And this is her dog, Jewel. Haley, this is Lucas, my brother. My wife is already at work. So you'll have to meet her another time."

"It's nice to meet you, Ms. James," Lucas said as they shook hands. "Cool dog. Can I pet her?" he asked.

"Be gentle. She's very wary of strangers," Haley told him. It was only a few moments before Jewel was wagging her tail at Lucas. Haley shook her head in amazement. "I guess she really likes the Scott men."

"What would you like to eat?" Nathan asked her.

"I'm making pancakes for breakfast," Lucas told her. "Would you like some?"

Haley gave him a smile. "Yes, I would. Thank you, Lucas," she replied.

Nathan started to get suspicious of his brother's actions. He had a feeling that he wanted something from him. He had tried that trick many times before with his parents. They would eventually figure it out and negotiate with him to get what he wanted. However, he wasn't going to say anything in front of Haley. He would wait until they were alone.

Lucas then started asking Haley questions about herself. It was the same questions that Nathan had asked her earlier during their walk. Lucas was just as surprised as his brother when he found out that Haley had six siblings. He was even more surprised when he heard that she was going to get a job at the high school.

"You're brave to take on a job at the school. My friends can be pretty loud," Lucas told her as his brother gave him a warning look. "But I suppose I can tell them to take it easy on you for awhile."

Haley laughed. "I appreciate that, Lucas. But I have to get the job first."

"I'm sure Mrs. Davis won't turn you down," Lucas assured her.

Haley smiled gratefully. "Thanks for the support, Lucas. I'll need all the help that I can get."

However, Nathan could tell that she still wasn't convinced. He gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry. I'm sure your interview will go great."