Hey! Thanks for all the reviews everyone. I really enjoyed going through and reading what you guys think.

Thanks for answering the Brooke or Peyton question.I like both of them, so I don't have that problem while reading my Naley stories. Half of you aren't going to be happy at the end of this and I am sorry about that.

Chapter Eight

"Well, well if it isn't Haley James at a basketball party." A male voice said from behind her.

Haley turned and was surprised to see who it was talking to her.

"Brent Miller, the star of the football team at a basketball party? I think that's a little more surprising then Haley James at a party," Haley teased.

"Oh yeah, well sure, unless you remember that I know you; which means that I know you don't care about sports."

"You're one to speak; you play a totally different sport. You couldn't care less about basketball, shouldn' you be at a football party?"

Brooke's curious eyes darted between the two, "He-llo." How does tutor girl know Brent? Do they have something going on?

"Oh, I'm sorry Brooke. You know Brent right?" Haley questioned.

"Sure I do, hey Brent." Brooke flashed him a smile before she latched onto Luke's arm.

"Hi Davis, Luke," Brent greeted before he turned back to Haley. "So really what are you doing here?"

"Lucas asked me to come with him so I did. What about you?"

Brent waved it away as unimportant, "One of the cheerleaders, Stacy, asked me to bring her. So…"

As Brent and Haley settled into conversation, Brooke leaned up and whispered into Luke's ear, "Is there something going on between those two? Because it's looks to me like there is, or there is going to be sometime soon."

Lucas felt his eyes widen as he considered what Brooke said. He didn't think that there was something going on between the two. Although… when Brent had walked up to them Lucas had noticed that Brent had subtly checked out Haley. Which was just wrong. All kinds of wrong. Lucas felt himself cringe just thinking about it. Leaning down he whispered into Brooke's ear forcibly, "No!"

Brooke gave him a knowing smile, "You can't keep her in a shell forever Luke. She's a teenager; she should be out having fun and meeting boys. Anyways, I see Bevin and I need to talk to her about tomorrow night. I'll be seeing you later." Brooke slowing laid a kiss on Luke's cheek before she walked slowly away.

Shaking his head, he interrupted Haley and Brent, "I'm going to go. I'll catch up with you two later."

"Okay, bye buddy."

"Later Scott," Brent bumped fists with Lucas, before he turned back to Haley.

"I didn't see you at the game last Friday."

"Yeah, I wasn't able to make it. It turned out that Lucas had a game that night and so I had to go to that."

"That's cool, but I would still like it if you could make it to a game, so maybe one time when there isn't a basketball game you could come?"

Haley smiled, "Sure Brent. We'll work that out later." Looking over she saw Jake motioning her, "Actually my other date for the evening is calling me over; I'll talk to you later?"

"Okay, later James." Brent watched as Haley walked over to Jake. Other date? Is Haley dating Jake?

"Peyton are you here?" Lucas looked around the room, he was sure this is where Peyton had directed him. "Peyton?"

Lucas was about to poke his head out of the room to count doors when he felt two hands grab the front of his jacket. Before a word could be said her mouth was fused to his. Soon he jacket was on the floor and quick fingers were making short work of his shirt.

Breathless, Peyton pulled away. "You really don't need this shirt," she assertively said as she moved her hands lower, "and I'm pretty sure you don't need these pants either." Peyton went to unbutton Luke's pants as Luke moved one of the spaghetti straps of her dress down.

"I'm going to start feeling overdressed soon." Without a word, Peyton pulled her dress off, leaving her standing there clad in only a strapless bra and panties. "Not having that problem anymore." Luke ran his tongue across her bottom lip, seeking entrance. God she smells wonderful. Lucas left her lips and grazed her jaw line before he trailed hot, wet kisses down her neck.

"Oh god, Lucas… don't stop, that feels so good."

"You okay Jake?" Haley inquired.

Jake looked upset and worried, like he had on the first day that they had met.

"I'm fine Hales, I just… umm some family issues came up and I'm going to have to go now. Can you do me a favor and tell Lucas?"

Haley nodded, apprehensive, "I can tell Lucas, but are you sure you don't need anything?"

Jake shot Haley an obviously forced smile, "Nothing you can do Haley but thanks for looking out."

Jake reached over and gave Haley a brief hug before turning and walking out. Biting her lip, Haley watched as Jake walked out. There was obviously something going on with him, she just hoped that he would tell her when he was reading.

Sighing she turned and almost fell when she walked into someone's back.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to run into you. Sometimes I don't really look where I'm going," Haley started, feeling clumsy and awkward.

"James, if you wanted to talk to me again you could have just said so."

Haley laughed; catching the attention of a tall dark haired, blue-eyed boy across the room.

Looking over Nathan felt his eyes go wide. Haley looked even hotter than she had at the last party. He saw her all the time so he knew she was hot, but he was used her wearing beanies or ponchos. He didn't he'd ever seen her in anything like this before. Glancing over he looked to see who she was with; expecting Lucas he was surprised to see Brent Miller. What the hell? He doesn't even play basketball. Haley wouldn't have brought him as her date right? She said she was going with Lucas and Jake. Glancing covertly around the room, Nathan searched for the two, but both weren't there. Nathan scowled when he saw Haley laughing at something Brent said. It deepened when Brent laid a hand on Haley's shoulder and leaned down, as if to hear her better. Whatever. He is just trying to get closer to her. And where the hell is Luke? I thought he was supposed to be oh, so, protective over Haley. Some big dumb football player is hitting on Haley and he is nowhere to be found.

Deep in thought he didn't notice that his companions had fallen silent too, and were watching him watch Haley.

Theresa was pissed. Nathan had finally broken up with that silly slut Peyton and now he was after the tutor geek?

Theresa had wanted to get with Nathan for a while, but after hearing rumors about Nathan messing around on Peyton, Brooke had warned her girls on the cheerleading squad that if she found out that Nathan was cheating on Peyton with any of them that she would kick them off the squad and make their lives miserable. Believing the irate girl, none of the other members had dared to try anything with Nathan. Theresa herself had pushed the line a couple times; especially at that party when Nathan broke up with Peyton. When she had indirectly caused the breakup of Nathan and Peyton, Brooke had been so furious. Brooke told her that she knew about the body shots, but since they broke up Brooke wouldn't doing anything, only warning Theresa not to do anything like that again.

She thought that she finally got her chance with Nathan, but at the party the previous weekend she have given Nathan ample opportunity to sleep with her he had turned her down. Instead of hooking up with her he had gone upstairs with some skanky freshmen. Now he kept looking at that nerd, Theresa followed his gaze and when she saw who Haley's companion was she rolled her eyes. Unbelievable, how in the hell is she getting these guys to notice her. She's such a mousy little thing but she has the star of the basketball and football teams hanging on her every word.

When Nathan walked away without saying anything, Theresa felt her face turning red. This was not going to happen. She was not going to lose her chance with him again. Leaning over she reminded Stacey that Brent was her date, and pointed out the nerd who was touching him and probably trying to get him upstairs. Stacey's lips thinned and she started walking over to the group.

Theresa watched for a minute before walking over to where her date was, after whispering something in his ear she sat back to enjoy the fireworks.

Nathan reached Haley and Brent and reaching over pulled Haley into a hug, "Hey Haley." Looking at Brent over Haley's shoulder he mouthed "Touch her and die."

Pulling back he smiled at Haley, "are you having fun?"

"Sure," Haley said tentatively. "Oh hey, you know Brent right?"

"Sure, hey dude," Nathan said coldly.

Brent nodded back warily, "Nathan."

Glancing around Nathan questioned her, "Where are Luke and Jake? I thought they were your dates."

"Oh Jake had a family emergency and Lucas is around here somewhere. I am going to ha-."

Tim interrupted, "Nathan your dad wants you. He told me to come get you; he's over at the bar."

Nathan looked over and rolled his eyes, "I'll be back soon." He said before he walked to the bar with Tim.

Brent took Haley's attention away from Haley when he placed a hand on her arm, "That was weird, Haley, did you se-"

This time Brent was interrupted when Stacy came up to them, "Brent can I talk to you for a minute?"

Brent looked at Stacey's furious face, wincing slightly he turned to Haley, "Never mind, I'll just tell you later."

Confused, Haley nodded, "Bye Brent, hi Stacey."

Stacey didn't answer, instead latched onto Brent's arm and pulled him outside.

Seeing that Haley was alone, Theresa nodded to her date, telling him to make his move.

Haley had just sat down on a loveseat, deciding to wait there for Lucas to find her. I hope we can leave soon, I'm bored. Maybe we could go to play miniature golf.

Feeling a arm drape over her should she looked up, expecting to see Luke. It wasn't. Instead it was some guy she had never seen before, who looked half drunk.

"Hey gorgeous," he slurred close to her ear. "I've never seen you at one of these parties before."

"First time," Haley said tightly as she edged away.

It didn't help. He scooted closer to her. "So what's your name?"

Wonderful, just freaking wonderful.

Lucas had Peyton flush against the wall, breathing heavily as his mouth slanted over hers.

Pulling away, he said breathlessly, "I have wanted this for so long." Leaning in he gave her another kiss, before he pulled away, "So damn long."

Peyton turned him around and pressing him against the wall caught his earlobe in her mouth. Biting gently before moving away to blow on it she whispered, "Me too. And now we can have it." Peyton moved one of her hands lower to finally undo his pants.

Lucas shook his head, hoping to clear it. He wanted her to know how he felt. "No, no, no. I don't mean just that," Lucas said gesturing between their pelvises. "I mean this, I want this." Lucas placed a hand over heart. "This is what I want, you know? I want to have this, just as you have mine. I want to have everything with you. I want us, Peyton."

Peyton bit her lip, and shook her head. She backed away and left a baffled Lucas alone, leaning against the wall.

"Hey, Peyton, what's wrong?"

"This isn't that Lucas, we aren't that." Peyton turned and bent down to pick up her dress.

"Peyton, will you te-"

"No Lucas! We aren't a couple! We were going to have some good times and when it was over, let go."

Lucas started getting mad, "How was I supposed to know that? You knew I had feelings for you. You had to know what I would think when you came to the café Tuesday night. Why didn't you tell me then?"

"Why didn't you tell me what you had assumed? I told you I didn't want anyone to know. I thought you understood that it would just be between us and then we would forget about it and move on."

"Well I didn't! We were supposed to be together. We were just going to keep quiet until you were ready! I lied to my best friend for you!"

Peyton rolled her eyes, "God Lucas, sometimes you are just too good. So what? You lied to Haley, big freaking boo hoo. It doesn't matter. I don't want a relationship with you. That isn't going to change."

"I'll wait Peyton. I'll wait for you to be ready for us to be toge-."

"I'm never going to be ready for that Lucas! We could have some fun and then still be friends! I don't want to be your girlfriend, and now we can't even have this." Sighing Peyton walked to the door.

Lucas had to try, "Peyton-."

"Why couldn't you just leave it alone?" Peyton interrupted regretfully before she walked out, slamming the door behind her.

Aggravated, Lucas kicked the wall before sitting on the edge of the bed and putting his head in his hands.

Well, that was great. Lucas got up to get dressed. He was going to find Haley and get out of here.

"Tell me you name! Come on, tell me. I'll tell you mine," the drunken jerk told her with a suggestive wink.

Gross, "Um, actually I think I see my friend over there. So I'm going to go." Before Haley could walk away he had his arm over her should and had yanked her up to his side.

Ignoring her, like she hadn't said anything, he continued talking. "My name is Trevor, my friends call me Trev. You can call me whatever you want, though, honey. "

"Great, Trevor, let me go." Haley stopped fidgeting and looked at him, ready to use her knee if he got anymore grabby.

"No," he smirked at her before trailing a hand down her back. "I'm not even on the basketball team, football all the way baby! Some cheerleader wanted me to bring her here, but who cares about that right? Let's get out of here."

Trevor started to pull Haley across the room, Haley let her weight drop and he stumbled.

Sad, he turned to her, "why did you have to go and do that?"

Haley was finally able to walk away when she felt his hand cup her ass and squeeze. Oh No! The fuck he didn't!

Whirling around Haley slapped him, causing the noise level in the room to drop. The room wasn't full but there were a couple people there that stopped what they were doing and watching.

Glancing around Haley saw that Nathan had his back to her and was in what appeared to be an argument with his father.

Persistent asshole, Haley thought when Trevor grabbed a hold of her arm again. "Look you fucking asshole, let me go."

"Fucking huh? We can work with th-"

"What the hell is going on?" Lucas roared after he walked into the room and caught sight of Haley in the middle of the room in an altercation with what appeared to be a drunken guy.

"Trevor let me go, that's my date," Haley whispered, Lucas had only been this mad a couple of times before. There was no telling what he would do.

Barely glancing at either of them Trevor continued to try and get Haley out of the room.

Haley let out a squeal when Luke's punch caused Trevor to fall. Since he was still hold on to her arm she would have fallen if Lucas hadn't grabbed a hold of her.

Lucas set her aside and went to hit Trevor again, when Haley stopped him. She whispered, "Let's just go Lucas." When Lucas ignored her, she continued, "This isn't the time or the place. Everyone is watching. Nothing happened, let's go."

Reluctantly Lucas agreed with a stipulation, "I'm just going to tell him something, okay?" Lucas leaned down, "Listen to me closely. Don't look at Haley, don't talk to her, hell don't even be in her presence. If you see her walk away man, if I find out that you so much breathed in her direction I'm coming for you." Abruptly letting go of Trevor's jacket, Lucas let him fall as he stood up.

Nathan had finally noticed what had happened and had worked his way through the crowd to them. Barely glancing at the fallen boy he barked out, "Vegas, Tim take this trash outside. Make sure he knows that he isn't welcome."

Tim and Vegas came up, each grabbing one of Trevor's arms and dragged him out of the room.

Nathan turned to Haley, concerned. "Are you okay Haley?"

"No she isn't okay! Some asshole just sexually harassed her!"

Haley looked at Lucas, before turning to Nathan. "I'm okay; it really wasn't that big of a deal. I just wish that he would have let me go. That asshole. I tried to be nice, but nooo, he just wouldn't take a hint. Then I was blunt and he totally ignored me! How do you do that? Just ignore what a person is saying and do whatever the hell you want. I'm glad Lucas came, I was two steps away from kneeing him in the balls," Both boys winced, Lucas calming down a bit during Haley's ramble. "So thanks Lukey, but dude violence isn't the answer. I know I just said I was going to knee his balls, but you still shouldn't have hit him Luke. This is a basketball function and you could have gotten into a lot of trouble. What if Whitey had seen you, then where would you be? Off the tea-."

"I did see Haley, don't worry Lucas. You aren't in trouble. Watch the temper, but I'm glad you were there for Haley," Whitey interrupted. He reached over and gave Haley a hug.

"Come on Hales, I'll take you home. Or if you don't want to be alone, you can stay with me tonight."

Pulling back from her hug with Whitey, Haley nodded. "Thanks for getting rid of him Nathan. Bye guys."

"Wait Haley; if you need anything just call me okay?"

"Sure."

"No Haley I mean it, if you need anything," Nathan wanted her to understand that he meant it. He wasn't saying it just to say it.

Haley gave him a crooked grin, "I get it Nathan, you Scott boys sure are alike."

Both boys shared an awkward smile.

As Nathan watched the pair leave the room, he felt eyes boring into him. Looking over at the bar he saw Dan watching the whole scene with satisfaction. Shit.

Shit, what have I been doing lately? Why did I go off on Lucas? I like him, I really do. Why can't I just tell him that? Tell him that I'm afraid of being in a relationship with him. He could hurt me, I know he could. And Brooke, why did I make these choices? Why couldn't I have just told her what I felt, or I could have stayed away from Lucas. She wants him to be her boyfriend and the next day I go and make out with him. I almost had sex with him tonight. It would have hurt her so much. How could I do that? When did I become this type of person? The type of person that I can barely look at in a mirror. You ARE better than this, you WILL be better. Sitting upstairs in an unused bathroom Peyton vowed to try and become the person she used to be.

Groaning, Trevor opened his eyes. "What the hell was that Theresa? Nothing went like you said it would.

"I guess she changed her mind."

"You guess? What the fuck, babe. You said she wanted to role play a little. Not get pissed and send four assholes after me. That wasn't part of the deal."

Theresa shrugged indifferently, "Let's just go, it didn't work anyways."

"What didn't work?"

"Never mind that. Get in"

Turning off the engine once he was in Haley's driveway, Lucas got out of the car and walked around the rear end of the car to escort Haley inside.

Once they got inside and were settled on the couch Lucas exhaled and leaned his head back. Rolling his head on its crown he glanced at Haley. "You okay buddy?"

Haley nodded, "I'm fine, it's really was not big deal. Really, no big deal." Haley voice started to crack and a few tears escaped. "I don't know why I'm crying Luke, he just……" unable to finish Haley lowered her head and placed them in her palms.

"Hey, come here." Lucas plucked Haley out of her seat and settled her in with him. Rubbing her back he let her cry. He was furious again; he shouldn't have let that dipshit out of the house without hitting him at least one more time.

Slowly Haley's crying tapered out and she and Luke sat in silence. "I don't want to talk about that again, okay Lucas?"

Unsure, but wanting to make her happy Lucas agreed. "Fine, I won't bring it up but if you need me I'm here for you. Okay?"

"Okay."

Wiping her hands over her damp face Haley slid off of Luke's lap. Crooking her knee she bent so she was slightly facing him.

"What is going on with you Luke?"

"Nothing."

"Luke." Haley said quietly. "I know you better than anyone; I know something else is bothering you. You are always here for me; let me be there for you."

Eyes brimming with anger and pain Lucas turned to Haley, "I thought Peyton and I could be happy. We almost got together tonight. That's where I was when… well you know. I was with her upstairs. I told her that I wanted her heart and she kinda flipped out on me. She basically told me that she only wanted me for the sex."

Haley reached over and started rubbing Luke's shoulder, "I'm sorry sweetie, I really am. I know that really care for her."

"I do Haley; I wanted her since I saw her. I waited for her to notice me, I waited through Nathan, and I would have waited forever."

"Would have?"

"She made it pretty clear tonight that we have no future Hales. I'm not a masochist, I'm not going to try and force a relationship with her. The only thing I can do now is let go and move on."

"Are you sure that it isn't too soon be deciding that? This all went down tonight Lucas."

Lucas shook his head regretfully, "I can't do this to myself anymore Haley. I can't keep putting myself out like this, nothing good will come from it and I'm not willing to risk my heart on something that isn't going to happen."

"I'm on your side Lucas, you know that. If you are sure this is what you want?"

"It is," Lucas confirmed.

"Okay, then I support you one hundred percent."

Lucas smiled. "I knew you would."

After a moment of silence, "Want to watch some TV?"

Haley immediately snatched up the remote, "My house, my choice."

"Oh god, don't make me watch 'The Hills' again."

"I don't why you are complaining; you were totally into the whole Heidi and Lauren drama."

Lucas groaned, "I wasn't into it; Jesus, ask a few questions and you are suddenly 'into' a show."

Haley continued as if Lucas hadn't spoken, "And I know you think Lauren is hot."

Lucas smirked, "That she is."

Haley snorted, "You're such a guy. Whatever. I have some 'Supernatural' on the tivo that I want to catch up on."

"Excellent."

"I know, plot and freaky weird stuff for you and hot guys for me! God just picturing Jensen's ass do-"

"Haley!"

Nathan made his way up the stairs, exhausted. The party had broken up a little while ago and Nathan was still trying to avoid his father. That asshole just had to start questioning me during the fucking party. It was like he was trying to be overheard. Nathan thought his father was starting to that there was no plan and might try to sabotage and relationship that he and Lucas might be forming.

Nathan entered his room, and already had his shirt unbuttoned when a voice boomed out from the corner.

The devil was back.

"I noticed an interesting thing about that kid tonight. I'm just wondering if you are smart enough to catch it." Dan paused, "It's unlikely, but let's give it a try. All night, the kid was calm. He had to have felt awkward as hell, but he was just fine. Until that girl got herself in trouble."

Nathan rolled his eyes, Dan probably felt that Haley had invited or wanted attention from that asshole.

"He was mad, Nathan. No furious, I'm sure that everyone saw how important she is to him. He risked getting kicked off the team for getting into that fight. But he still did it. What does that mean Nathan?"

"Uh, that he cares about his friends?"

Dan slammed a fist on the armrest, "I knew it was too much to hope that you would have caught on. It means, Nathan, that she is his weakness. She is how you are going to get Luc- that kid off the team."

The idea slammed into Nathan, and before he could question whether it was a good idea he ran with it and blurted out, "She is already tutoring me, I'm going to get her to have sex with me and Lucas will quit the team."

Dan raised his eyebrows, "I'm shocked you really did have a plan."

Nathan inwardly groaned, already regretting saying anything. "Sure, whatever."

"Don't screw it up."

Nathan nodded and walked into his adjoined bathroom, while Dan stayed in his chair. He was feeling very pleased on how the night had turned out.

Unknown to both men, Peyton had been trying to avoid Lucas so she had hid upstairs until she was sure he had left. She had been sneaking out of the house when she had heard the whole conversation. Great, just freaking great. Why do I have to be the one to hear these things? Frustrated Peyton left the house.

Disclaimer: I own nothing; not OTH or its characters.