Chapter 15

It had been two weeks since Haley uncovered Taylor's little secret and it was for that reason that Haley had been avoiding her like the plague. She'd accepted all that had happened, but it was still a sore subject. One she did not want to revisit and one that she was still not completely settled with. So instead of spending her time at home she'd go to GiGi's or hang out with Nathan, but that had been not much lately because of basketball. However, ever since GiGi announced her relationship with Mouth to Haley last week, they've seen less and less of each other leaving Haley with well, herself. And that is something she didn't want because being left by yourself means getting left with your thoughts, something she definitely didn't want. So she sought out her only option. Yes, that's right a job.

Haley had looked all throughout town asking the storeowners if they were hiring, but it seemed no one was. They either needed no more because it was the off-season in Tree Hill or it was one of those damn "background experience needed" full-time jobs, something she definitely could not do. When she thought all hope was lost she went to her final destination, a place she'd been avoiding until it was necessity, and walked up the stone steps. She went through the door, hearing the little bell cling above her, and looked around. Haley had to admit, this place was a pretty cool hang out, decorated with colorful lights, bright colors, music-centered art, and of course the strong aroma of coffee.

"Hello, and welcome to Karen's Café!" Someone greeted from behind the counter.

"Um, hi," Haley replied, feeling a bit awkward.

"How can I help you?" The brunette woman asked.

"Actually I was looking for Karen Scott."

"You're in luck, that's me. What can I do for ya?" She said with a smile. Haley looked at her, feeling kind of shocked. The woman before her looked so young, her hair teased in loose curls. She was not expecting her to be Lucas' mother. Ah, yes, Lucas Scott. The reason she had been avoiding this place. She could only imagine the crude comments he would come up with upon seeing her working here everyday. But hey, it's money and it'll keep her mind off things, she'd deal.

"Well, I was wondering if you had any job openings actually. I'm Haley James by the way," she replied, letting out a small smile. Karen studied her for a moment, her face looking as if it was in deep thought.

"Normally we don't hire new work. I mean we're only a small café."

"Oh," Haley said, a sadness falling across her face.

"But… business has been booming lately. More people are coming, usually you youngins' after basketball games and what not, and my little café is become Tree Hill's hot spot."

"Okay…"

"And more business means we'll probably be in need of a new waitress."

"Are you saying what I think you're saying?"

"If you think I'm saying that I have a job for you then I'm saying what you think I'm saying," Karen stated, giving Haley a smile.

"Thank you so much!" Haley exclaimed, letting out a little giggle.

"Can you start tomorrow?"

"Of course."

"Alright, then I'll see you after school."

"Thank you again Mrs. Scott."

"Please, call me Karen."

"Okay… thank you Karen," Haley said waving as she tuned to walk out the door. As she stepped of the stairs and onto the sidewalk, Haley couldn't help but feel a wave of accomplishment fall over her. She was making a life for herself. She wasn't wallowing in self-pity over being screwed over by her sister and her first love, but instead making herself stronger. She was pushing past that and moving on with life. She now had a job, she was one of Tree Hill's best tutors, she had her best friend GiGi, and her- Nathan.

Nathan. What a complex subject. Haley was unsure of what to make of her relationship with him. Yes, they were friends. But she knew on some level it was so much more. In just a couple months, a person she'd barely talked to had turned into the person she'd always lean on. Nathan was her security. In such a short time they had forged a bond that was stronger than anything she'd every known. She knew he'd be there to comfort her without judging. Nathan wrestled with like problems, so he understood her. He knew was it was like to be embarrassed by your family, to have secrets.

Secrets. One word that could cause chaos in any situation: see Haley for details. Her whole teenage life had been based on secrets. And not just "Oh, so-and-so is my crush" kind of secrets, but "I-slept-with-your-boyfriend-and-has-his-baby" kind of secrets. She wasn't the only one with secrets though, Nathan had some of his own. Since Haley's little breakdown with Taylor, she and Nathan had become that much closer, and he'd finally let her into his world. After forcing himself into hers after reading her journal, he actually fully let her into his. He'd shared his deepest, darkest secret. One he'd been wrestling with for a good portion of his life, and one he'd continue to wrestle with for the rest of it. Haley thought back to that moment as she continued walking down the sidewalk to her house.

Flashback

Haley sat on her bed reading "The Catcher in the Rye" for English class when her door swung open with an angry Nathan entering it.

"God, I really can't stand him!" Nathan said flopping down at the end of his bed.

"Dan?"

"Who else? God he's such an ass. It's sad to call him my father."

"What was he doing? Ridin' ya about basketball."

"Among other things. He went to practice today, and I guess you could say I wasn't giving my A-game today. So he of course let out all his little comments which he tells me are 'ways of motivation' but what I refer to as 'ways of making me want to punch you in the face.' Needless to say on the car ride home we fought, again. And this one got pretty harsh. I mean, normally I hold back because I don't like fighting with my dad, but it's like he seeks it out with me. Anyway, after some hardcore fighting I just stormed out and well came here."

"Nathan… I'm really sorry."

"It's okay. It's not my fault my dad's an ass."

"I know… I just wish there was something I can do."

"There is. Come over here and give me a hug and just listen to what I'm about to say."

"Okay," she said as she moved across the bed so she was next to him, wrapping an arm around him and laying her head on his shoulder.

"There's more to the reason my dad rides me all time than anyone knows."

"Okay…"

"I have a brother."

"You what?"

"Lucas."

"No Nate, that can't be. Lucas is your cousin. You know, son of Karen and Keith."

"Karen and Keith are Lucas' parents. I'm not trying to toy with any of that. They're great to him, but in reality Keith is not Lucas' biological father."

"Wha-what?"

"You see, my dad has been an ass his whole life. Back in high school Keith had been dating Karen, and my dad has this idea that whatever Keith could get, he could get too. So he worked his charm and caused Karen to fall for him and be stuck between my dad and Keith. At the end of their senior year, he and Karen had a one-night stand when they were drunk, which caused her to realize she only had eyes for Keith, and that was the end of that. My dad went away to college, met my mom, and well, got her pregnant. They both dropped out of college, moved back to Tree Hill and that's when my dad found out."

"Found out what?"

"That Karen was pregnant. He thought she was lying at first. I mean, not about being pregnant but that he was the father, but she wasn't. Keith had been infertile since a freak accident while playing soccer a couple years back."

"Oh. My. God."

"Yeah."

"So what did you dad do when he found out about Karen?"

"He told her she was lying and refused to do anything to support the baby. To this day he still won't admit Lucas is actually his, even though we all know he is."

"Who is 'we all'?"

"Well, uh. My mom, dad, Karen and Keith. And me. I found out accidentally."

"Wow."

"You can say that again."

"So, what does your Uncle Keith think of all this?"

"Well, he's loved Karen his whole life. He loved her so much that he was able to put aside the fact that she had a drunken night with Dan and move on. When he found out about Karen's pregnancy he vowed to raise the child as his own. And he did. When Lucas was born he was given the last name Scott to honor Keith, and then Keith quickly signed adoption paper making Lucas his child officially."

"And Lucas doesn't know any of this?"

"No."

"Do you think, ya know. He'll ever find out?"

"I'm not about to tell him, he'd be crushed. But, my family is kind of messed up and secrets always end up getting leaked so I think eventually he'll find out."

"Yeah, you're right. I'm so sorry Nathan."

"Does anyone in your family ever, you know… bring this up?"

"I used to hear my parents fight about it from time to time. My dad keeps this box he think is a secret in the back of his closet that he thinks is a secret. I found it one time though, that's how I found out. It was probably around when I was 12 and basketball started to become pretty serious in my life. I was looking for something when I found the box and it was full of pictures and newspaper clippings, and random stuff having to do with Lucas. That mixed with the fighting every now and again about Lucas between my parents let me piece it all together."

"So does you dad know that you know?"

"He does now. That was part of the whole fight I just had with him. My dad has it in his head that he and Keith have this little competition on who can raise the better kid. Only, Keith doesn't have that memo. It's just my dad trying to prove he's better than Keith. So in order to achieve that, he rides me to be better than everyone else so he can show me off. I'm like his prize. I've recently come to that…" he began getting a bit chocked up.

"That what?"

"That my dad doesn't love me."

"Nathan I'm sure that's not true."

"But it is. He never shows the affection that I see everyone else receive from their dad. It's not like I want to be coddled like a baby but I wouldn't mind a nice 'man-to-man' talk with a hearty hug every now and again. Or just a high five or words of encouragement. He doesn't love me. He loves the idea of me. The perfect son, the star athlete and all around nice guy that parents are envious of. If only he was the kind of dad that babbled about me because he loved me and wanted to share what I accomplished, not to show off what he was responsible for."

"Nathan, I'm so sorry."

"Me too. I look at Lucas and I'm jealous. I would gladly switch places. He has a mom who is cool as hell, a dad who actually cares about him and doesn't pressure him to be anything than who he is, and Lucas. He takes for granted sometimes how good his life is. And then there's me. I have a mom who's never home, drowning herself in her work, a dad who's an ass and won't think of anything but himself and then there's me wishing for a way to get out of this hell."

"I never realized how bad things were for you Nathan. I mean, I knew you and your dad didn't get along, but I figured since he didn't live with you anymore it'd be better."

"Me too, but it just gets worse. He has this way of getting into my head and I can't push him out. I wish there was a way I could just lose all ties to him."

"Maybe you can Nathan. We'll look into it. I'm just. I'm so sorry you have to deal with all this crap. It looks like I'm not the only one with a big weight on their shoulders."

"Nope you're not. I've said it before and I'll say it again, it's me and you against the world Haley James," he said putting his hand out for her to grab it.

"I guess it is," she said giving his hand a squeeze.

"I'm glad I have you here with me Hales," he said, keeping their fingers intertwined.

"Me too Nathan. Me too," she said, loving the way her hand fit perfectly with his.

"You know, if I didn't have you around, then I think I would definitely go insane. You are my breathe of fresh air."

"Nathan…" Haley said, a blush going over her face. Lately Nathan had been saying these little things that made her heart swoon. She had an inkling he wanted to more than friends, but she didn't know if she was ready. She needed to be over everything that happened between Taylor and Chris to be able to give her heart to him fully. And she wanted to, she did. I mean, she'd been pining for Nathan Scott for a while now, but for some reason she'd always push it to the back of her brain. Scared to be vulnerable again, and scared she might hurt him. All those thoughts however were thrown out the window when he began lightly rubbing her hang with his thumb.

"No Haley, I mean it," he stated, looking her in the eyes, and then before she knew it, he laid a light kiss on her lips. It ended as soon as it started, but it was a kiss nonetheless.

Neither of them knew how to react. Nathan had not intended on doing that, and Haley was definitely not expecting it. Neither of them said anything though both of them were reveling in the amazing sparks it sent through their bodies. And then like that, it was as if the kiss never happened. Neither of them said anything about it, but instead just sat there in silence, enjoying the feeling of each other's embrace, and taking in the startling events that had just happened since Nathan arrived.

End Flashback

Haley smiled to herself as she walked up the steps to her home. She remembered the kiss. I mean, it had happened a mere week ago. And it was amazing. It was light, and sweet, and what she wanted. She wanted Nathan. She knew that now. But the fact that he had yet to talk to her about his actions, and that both of them had brushed it off, never speaking of it again did not give her much hope. So instead, she just let the memory envelope her and hope that sometimes soon Nathan would make the move.

Haley walked into Karen's Café that day excited for her first day of work. She went in the back, got an apron and then sought directions from Karen on what she should do. The café had been pretty calm all day, until around six when basketball practice got done. She had been cleaning up a table when she looked at the door and saw Lucas, Nathan and a couple of the guys walking up to it. "Oh boy," she thought to herself, but then thanked the fact that took a seat in a corner both not noticing her.

"Haley can you do me a favor? I'm really busy back in the kitchen can you go serve my son Lucas. He's the one with the blonde hair."

"Yep, I know him. We go to school together."

"Oh yes. That's right. Then you'll have no problem with them," she said ushering Haley towards the table.

"Um, hi," she said looking at the five boys.

"Well, helloooo," Lucas said, a smirk plastered on his face. Nathan just rolled his eyes and mouthed an 'I'm sorry' to Haley. "I didn't know my mom was hiring new waitresses. I'll have to come around more often."

"Hi Lucas," Haley said with a sarcastic edge to her voice. "Nathan. Boys. What can I get you?" They all gave out their orders, none of them out of the ordinary until she reached Lucas.

"Can I just get a burger, fries, and a side of you?" He stated cockily.

"I'm sorry we have burgers and fries, but I'm not on the market."

"And dude neither are you," Nathan stated, reminded Lucas of his girlfriend, but also trying to let out the jealousy he was feeling from Lucas hitting on Haley.

"Whatever. So, Haley. Why are you not on the market? I didn't know you had a boyfriend."

"I don't. I'm just not on the market to you," Haley said with a smile on her face as she turned to walk away.

"Burnnnnnnnnnnnn," Tim Smith stated causing the rest of the guys to laugh.

"Shut up Tim. At least I have a girlfriend."

"That's right Luke. You do. So why don't you stop hitting on everyone and save some girls for us."

"What is little Nathan jealous that Haley James has the hots for the better half of the 'Scott Dynasty'?"

"Okay one, stop calling us the 'Scott Dynasty.' It's cheesy. And two, I'm not jealous. Me and Haley are just friends."

"I don't know man. You guys spend a lot of time together. I mean we never hang out, you're always with her."

"Because we're friends," Nathan stressed.

"Whatever you say man. But Haley is a hottie. I wouldn't mind tap-" Lucas began.

"Don't finish that sentence unless you want me to punch you in the face."

"I think what Luke was about to say was he wouldn't mind tap dancing with her," Tim stated shakily.

"Shut up Tim!" The guys yelled in unison.

"I'll be right back," Nathan stated, getting up and walking toward the counter.

"Hey," he said walking up to Haley by the register. "You never told me you were working here."

"I got it yesterday. I meant to tell you today but I didn't have time. Sorry."

"It's okay… look about Lucas…"

"It's okay Nathan. He's cocky but he means no harm. Brooke should put that boy on a leash though because I'm sure not all girls have the power to turn him down like I do," she laughed.

"You could say that again."

"Brook should-"

"Hales I wasn't serious," he said laughing at her.

"I know. I was just kidding! So listen, remember um, last week. When you told me about, you know…"

"Yeah…" he said remembering their conversation, but more importantly remembering the kiss.

"And you know how you wish you could just cut off all ties with your dad?"

"Yeah…"

"Well, I think I've found an answer for you. I get off tonight at about eight, can you come over then?"

"Yep, I'll be there."

"Good see you then. Now I have to back to work."

"Bye," he said, leaving Haley at the counter and turning back Lucas and the guys. He looked back at her one more time admiring her smiling face, then sat down with the guys listening to them share their absentminded stories about girls. He only wished he had something to share, but in due time he would. Haley looked on as Nathan laughed and chatted with Lucas and his friends. The site of him and Lucas would never be the same to her again. That was no longer his cousin sitting beside him, but his brother. She could only imagine how horrible it must have been for Nathan to deal with that all these years alone. But now she knew, and she could help him. I guess he wasn't just her security blanket… she was his.

a/n: Okay, bet you weren't expecting that! Looks like Haley's not the only one having to deal with secrets! I hope that was a surprise to you all because I felt it was a shocker. And I hope you enjoyed this chapter because so much happened and it was uber long. Either way, leave comments and let me know what ya think! And I'm leaving for vacation for a week so I won't be able to udpate... Sorry! I'll post the other chapter too though so you have a good amount to read:) Anyways... Leave me lots of reviews to come back to cause I love getting them and you guys leave awesome ones! I love hearing what you have to say!

Peace and love, Katie.