Chapter 40: Real Friends (Part Two)
Thanks for the feedback, thanks for the constructive criticism, thanks for the support, and thanks for reading. Once you've really seen the Lord,
you're obsessed with what you see! "Slow down." (Barry Allen v.)
Nathan was surprised when Jake sat across from him in the locker room after practice. The other guys had headed out except for them and Tim. Tim was trying to be
Nathan's bodyguard.
"Is there a problem?" Tim asked in a deep voice, while crossing his arms.
Jake restrained his laughter.
"It's okay Tim. Jagowski knows what he's up against."
"Okay then. Check yourself before you wreck yourself, fool!" Tim yelled at Jake, and exited the locker room.
They burst out laughing at the same time.
"He's your brother."
"Somebody has to look out for him. What do you want Jagowski?"
"Look, I know Luke seems like a jerk, but you play as much the role as he did. You used her like a hostage. What did you think would happen?"
"I don't need a lecture."
"You need a reality check."
"This is actually coming from Brooke Davis' boy toy. Does Nikki know?"
"That's not-"
"Were you going to say fair? I don't play fair. I play smart, and that's why I win."
"You're not winning. You're running."
"Just like you, eh Jagowski?"
"Yeah, just like me. I'm scared Nate. I have a baby named Jenny and Nikki just split on us."
"Why should I care?"
"Because your turn is coming, Scrooge."
Nathan lost his nerve at that moment. Something, maybe the way Jake said that scared him.
"You think you can trample on people and get away with it? Look at Dan! Isn't he enough proof for you?! He has two sons who hate each other because of the tyrant
and absentee dad he plays in their lives!"
"I don't care about Luke."
"Then you don't care about Haley."
"I'm not the one threatening her with an ultimatum." Nathan replied, carelessly.
"Maybe not, but you're the one who used her to get at her best friend," Jake stood up. "What would you do to win Nate, risk everything, over Luke?"
"It's not about him. I don't lose."
"You're in denial. You're about to lose Haley, and chance to connect with your big brother."
"He thinks I'm the Anti-Christ! Am I that bad?" Nathan roared.
"Prove him wrong. Better yet prove Dan wrong. Prove me wrong. Prove yourself wrong. Right now, you're well on your way to becoming Dan Scott."
"How would you know?"
"I see how you play. You're stressed, anxious, and insecure."
"You don't know how it is. You don't know what I'm going through. Just leave Jagowski. Leave me alone."