Author's Note: Sorry this took so long, but hopefully I'm on a roll now. I want to thank Amanda and Mags for making sure this was ready to post both grammar wise and storyline wise. LOL Maggie you share my brain and without you I'd go insane. ;) So, I hope y'all enjoy this chapter and let me know what you think.
Chapter Two "Gather The Horses"
"Open the damn door Nathan!" Lucas yelled while eyeing the ticked off man to his right, not knowing who the hell he was and not really caring either.
Just as he was about to scream again, a shirtless Nathan swung open the door.
"God damn Luke calm the hell down." Nathan muttered as he walked back towards the living room of the suite.
Jake emerged behind Lucas, both men barreling into the suite. "Where is Haley? What did you do to her? If you laid one finger on her I swear to God you won't walk out of here," Jake threatened.
Nathan sat down nonchalantly and smirked towards him. "I hate to break it to you buddy, but I laid much more than a finger on her. In fact at one time I had three fingers in her before giving her what she really wanted," taunted Nathan. He didn't even blink as Jake lunged towards him, fists swinging, before being restrained by Lucas' quick reflexes.
"She is not one of your whores you son of a bitch!" Jake shouted while trying to free himself from Lucas' grasp.
"No Jake, he was my whore for the night," a female voice interjected. "Unfortunately, the manwhore is apparently my husband now." Haley shot an annoyed look at Nathan as she walked towards Jake still clad only in her robe.
Lucas let Jake go and Haley hugged him tightly, hoping to calm him down and stop him from assaulting her husband, as funny as that would have been. "I'm sorry Jakey, I messed up," she whispered in his ear.
"Just tell me you're alright?" he whispered back.
She pulled back smiling and kissed his cheek. "I'm fine."
"Aw, isn't that cute, the lovebirds are making up," Nathan mocked.
Haley whipped around to face him. "Not that I owe you a God damn explanation, but Jake is my close friend and manager. I won't let you cheapen our friendship with your asshole remarks."
Nathan just rolled his eyes.
Lucas sat down in a chair opposite Nathan and sighed in frustration. "Do you even know what you've done Nathan?"
Nathan shrugged. "Yeah, I married this stuck up bitch," he pointedly said, looking in Haley's direction.
"Oh bite me," she snipped.
"Sweetheart, I already have?" Nathan shot back.
"Asshole."
"Bitch."
"Enough!" Jake yelled, trying to shut the bickering couple up before he killed them both.
"We have a huge media frenzy on our hands. It's all over the news, papers, magazines, and radio. Hell, you two have even become the internet highlight if the day. Everyone's wondering if you guys pulled a Britney Spears and waiting to see if you are going to annul this whole thing."
Haley sat at the far end of the same couch Nathan was on, giving her husband a "go to hell" stare. "Ew, they compared me to that white trash. That's just lovely. Oh, and I will be filing." She smiled triumphantly to Nathan.
"Again, not before me wifey," Nathan smirked.
"Jake will you please explain to him that him filing can not be an option."
Jake sighed as he sank down into the chair beside Lucas. "Haley, right now I'm not sure which option is best."
Lucas nodded in agreement. "Nathan, you really fucked up big time. This isn't going away quietly. We all need to come into an agreement and work this out."
Haley looked over at Jake when she heard James Blunt's song "You're Beautiful" singing from his pocket. "God that's Brooke isn't it?"
"Who else would force me to have that song on my phone," Jake smirked while turning his phone on mute.
"Why did you do that?"
"Because, Haley I've been listening to Brooke bitch since five this morning. You conveniently had your cell phone off so I had to deal with it all. She'll be here in about three hours, she took the first flight out," Jake explained.
"So will Chris." Luke chimed in.
"Damn, he's going to be a prick about this," mumbled Nathan.
"That's what we pay him for Nathan. To make the deals and help us keep them. This shit you pulled could cost us greatly, so you better listen to him."
"Why are you being so dramatic?"
Lucas stood up and started to pace. "Do you think McDonald's or Sprite wants you as a role model for kids. It's already been hard enough to down play your exploits, but this may just push them over the limit. The press and them," Lucas pointed to Haley and Jake, "could make you out to be this sexual predator that took advantage of someone of less experienced."
"Less experience my ass. This Scarlett O'Hara in the making has them all fooled. She did things to me last night that I've never had done to me before. Believe me, she's been around the block as much as I have if not more."
"Bite me."
Nathan turned to face her. "Stop fucking saying that."
Haley smirked. "Bite me."
Nathan was about to sling an insult her way when Jake stepped in. "Both of you stop. Haley, I'm sure this suite has at least another bedroom. Go find it and get cleaned up. I need to go into the office and make some calls.
Lucas smacked his brother upside the head. "Go take a shower and get dressed too. I'll order us all some food. We'll all just chill until Chris and this Brooke arrive."
Nathan and Haley went their separate ways without so much as a glance in each other's direction.
Luke turned to Jake and stuck out his hand. "Lucas Scott."
Jake gave him a firm shake. "Jake Jagielski. I guess we'll be getting to know a lot of each other."
"Yeah, we will. But, I want to warn you that Chris can be an asshole, much like my brother."
"Just wait until you meet Brooke." Jake chuckled.
"Well I hope at least you and I can keep the peace and work something out that's best for all of us."
"Sounds good to me." Jake agreed.
…
"Get ready you son of a bitch, because you and your slut of a client are about to go through the wringer." Brooke Davis shouted while trying to catch up with a certain cocky spiky haired poser.
His name was Chris Keller, and due to the fact they were both screaming very loudly into their cell phones in first class, they discovered that their clients had indeed eloped together. Since then they had been at each other's throats.
"Come on Davis, keep up. Looks like those Jimmy Choo heels you bitched at me for stepping on are holding you back
"I can't believe Haley did this to me," Brooke groaned as she darted after the blonde, wanting to shove her expensive shoe up his ass.
"I can't believe Haley James did this to my client," Chris yelled from a good ten feet away.
"Oh shut the hell up."
Chris reached the door first and Lucas opened it within seconds, not even getting a chance to move out of the way before Chris was pacing the suite.
"Where is the dumbass?"
"Just head to the living room."
"Move the hell out of my way." Brooke shoved a taken aback Lucas out of the doorway.
"Nice to meet you too," he called out sarcastically after her.
"Haley James! Get your ass out here now."
"Actually it's Haley James Scott." Nathan clarified for her.
"Nathan, don't even joke about her having your last name. Do you realize that you didn't sign a damn pre-nup? She could take you for everything."
Brooke set her gaze on Chris. "Do you know how much she is worth? She doesn't need his money from throwing a ball through a hoop. She's the one who should be worried. Haley James is more of an icon than a basketball player"
Jake put an arm around Brooke's shoulders. " I think it's safe to say they are both independently wealthy, so hopefully money won't be a problem."
Brooke and Chris both scoffed, about to put their two cents in once again.
"Here I am." Haley announced as she waltzed into the living room. She had changed into a very light aqua BCBG jersey halter dress. Thin halter straps tied in the back and created a smooth scoop neckline. The dress gathered at the waist but softly flowed down her hips and stopped mid calf. It was soft, comfortable, fashionable, and she looked amazing in it. Michael Kors three inch slides and a low side sweep ponytail finished off her light, breezy, summertime look.
Brooke, momentarily forgetting her anger, appraised Haley's look with a smile. "You look gorgeous and I so want that dress."
Haley laughed. "Well, you did pick it out for me."
Brooke grinned. "No wonder it's so fabulous ."
"Can we please get to the issue here instead of hearing you two stroke your over-inflated egos." Chris butted in.
"You want to talk about egos…." Brooke started.
"Enough!" Jake shouted again and manually pushed Brooke down to sit on the couch.
Brooke smiled sweetly at Jake before turning back to Haley. "Fine, Haley is this really legal?"
Haley unwillingly sat down in the only empty seat next to Nathan, since Brooke took her opposite end of the couch spot. "It appears so."
Nathan leaned over close to Haley. "You smell good enough to eat…again."
Haley shoved him away from him. "Too bad you'll never know the pleasure…again."
Lucas cleared his throat. "Do either of you know how this happened?"
Nathan and Haley looked at each other blankly and shrugged as Chris' cell rang and he excused himself to take the call.
"Seriously, you two don't remember anything?" Jake asked.
"I remember giving it to her up against a wall." Nathan spoke nonchalantly..
"You are so poetic," Haley bit out sarcastically. "I remember drinking a lot and I have flashes of a jewelry store and chapel," she divulged to Jake.
"Yeah, about that.." Nathan interrupted. "It had to be you that roped me into this marriage shit because look at that rock on you hand."
Haley held her left hand out and admired it. It was gorgeous and definitely her taste, fairly large and sparkly. "Why does that mean it was me? I like anything shiny and pretty, no matter what kind of rock it is. Besides, all I see is that you were smart enough to know I'd never say yes without a diamond like this. "
Nathan chuckled. "Damn, you're full of yourself."
"Bite me." Haley taunted while grinning at his annoyed expression.
"Shit!" Chris cursed as he stormed back into the living room.
"What's wrong?" Lucas asked as his stomach tightened. He knew from Chris' expression that it was bad.
Chris grabbed the remote off the marble coffee table. "Some asshole slipped the surveillance footage of our newlyweds to Access Hollywood."
"That Nancy chick is hot as hell though." Nathan mused.
Haley cringed. "You must have slipped me something because no way in hell you were able charm me."
Nathan gave her a smug look as Nancy O'Dell's voice filled the room.
Chris turned up the volume and everyone in the room , along with America, waited for the details of the shocking celeb nuptials.
"Good afternoon America, have we got a surprise for you. Access Hollywood has obtained exclusive footage of America's Sweetheart Haley James and Bad Boy of Basketball Nathan Scott's Las Vegas wedding.
Now, just in case you've been living under a rock, last night at around four a.m. Haley James and Nathan Scott of the Los Angeles Lakers said "I do" in a dual ring ceremony. Sources report the two boarded a plane to Las Vegas separately, but definitely departed arm in arm. This is the first time either has been linked to one another. So, was this just a one night stand that got carried away, or have these two actually done the impossible and hid a romance up until now?
When contacted about their clients' marriage and possible annulment, both representatives had no comment at the time.
Now, as we said earlier, we have the exclusive footage everyone has been dying for. The first clip showcases what appears to be the proposal the occurred after being approached by fans in the casino's lobby. Take a look and see for yourself…
Haley and Nathan looked on hesitantly as the memories came rushing back to them.
Flashback…
"I think we've been spotted," Haley giggled as she wrapped her arms around Nathan's neck. Not really bothered by the twenty or so spectators gawking at them.
Nathan bent down and kissed her softly. "Let them watch."
"My, my, mister Scott, and here I thought I was the exhibitionist."
"You've got nothing on me babe."
Haley leaned back while still firmly in his embrace. "Oh is that right? Well, I'll have you know I don't shy away from anything."
Nathan smirked. "Is that a challenge?"
"Game on," Haley grinned before pulling his head down to meet her eager lips.
The applause of their audience brought them out of their public make out session.
"So James, you said you were up for anything?"
"You name it, I'll do it."
He blurted out the first thing he thought of while staring at her. "Marry me?"
"What?" Haley laughed.
"Marry me, right here, right now."
"Don't tease, I may just be drunk enough to accept."
Nathan looked over her head and spotted a jewelry store. "Come on." He released her and grabbed her hand, dragging her behind him.
She stumbled slightly from his eagerness and from the alcohol. "Slow down."
He didn't though, until they reached the inside of the Cartier store located in the casino.
"May I help you sir?" An older women in her late forties asked.
"Yes, I want the biggest engagement ring you have. Oh, and two matching wedding bands." He added, suddenly realizing it had to be one stop shopping.
"It will be my pleasure. My name is Leslie by the way."
Nathan waved her off and turned back to Haley pulling her into his arms again. "So, do you believe me now?"
Haley smiled coyly. "Maybe, but you have to give me one good reason why I should marry you."
"Because I'm hot and because I know the real you."
"Oh, and what is the real me?"
"You're bitchy, sarcastic, can fight your own battles, and go after what you want."
She rolled her eyes. "I think you just described yourself, except add in cocky."
"I'll give you that, but I also can tell you that unlike your movies, where you and your leading man make sweet boring love at the end, you like it rough and hard." He leaned down and kissed the side of her neck.
Haley felt her entire body shiver with that one simple kiss. "You're wrong," she denied softly.
Nathan pulled her hard against him so she could feel what just being near to her did to him. "Am I?"
She slowly brought her hand between their bodies and stroked him through his jeans. "I like it every single way as long as it's intense."
He groaned at her ministrations before pushing into her hand even more.
"Ahem" Leslie Sears cleared her throat to gain the attention of the distracted pair.
Haley gave him one more hard stroke before untangling herself from his grasp and going over to Leslie.
Taking a deep breath, he joined the two women eyeing the diamonds. He watched as her face lit up at a particular stone and was shocked that it was the smallest. It was still a good six carats, but it was nothing compared to the ten or more carats the others were.
Haley noticed the curious look on his face. "It reminds me of my Grandmother's."
"Then we have to get it." He took the ring from her hand and bent down on one knee.
"You are crazy." She laughed as he took her left hand in his.
"Come on, we both need to get our first marriage out of the way, might as well be with each other. "
"Well how could I say no to those charming words?" she deadpanned.
He grinned. "Are you always so sarcastic?"
She matched his grin. "Only in your presence."
"Touché," he smirked.
Haley eyed him cautiously. "If you can tell me one thing that you like about me that has nothing to do with sex or my looks then I'll say yes."
"You're lucky I'm drunk," he joked, but she didn't waver. "Ugh, fine…you're a bitch."
"You think that's getting me to the altar?" She frowned and was about to take her hand away, but he held on tight.
"Calm down James…You're a bitch and I like that. It may surprise you, but I enjoy that you call me on my shit." He paused to make sure she was listening. "Besides, even I know you're out of my league and that alone impresses the hell out of me.
She was blown away by how sincere he sounded. "Nathan…"
"And you scream my name the best. You can really hit those high notes."
She tried to look annoyed, but she couldn't help the automatic smile that came to her face "If we just edit out the last couple lines, then yes I will marry you."
Nathan slipped the ring on her finger and jerked her down on her knees with him.
She giggled as he took two mini tequila bottles out of his pocket. Opening them both, he handed one to her.
"To our wedding!" Haley declared clinking her bottle against his before bringing it to her lips.
"To our honeymoon." Nathan responded with a wink, downing his own bottle.
Haley looked over at the impatient sales clerk. "She's definitely not invited to our wedding."
Nathan chuckled before pulling her close to him and into a searing kiss that took both their breathes away.
After losing herself for a bit, Haley smiled against his lips, "Shall we?"
His only response was kissing her again.
End of flashback…
"Wow," was all Lucas could think to say.
"I told you it was you who proposed." Haley confirmed her victory with a triumphant grin.
Nathan had to concede, even though the others in the room couldn't hear what Haley and he had said, it was clear Haley remembered every word along with the actions.
Jake, deciding it was too quiet, broke the silence. "Well, that wasn't so bad."
Brooke and Chris both looked at Jake as though he had two heads.
"What?" Jake help his hands up defensively.
Chris turned towards Brooke. "Is he always this damn optimistic?"
"Yeah, he is. Usually it's endearing, but right now it's just irritating." She threw Jake a look.
Jake knew he'd better just stay quiet while Brooke was in one of her moods. He'd learned years ago it was never worth the battle where she was concerned.
"Welcome back America," Nancy O'Dell's voice interrupted all their thoughts. "You saw the proposal and now it's time for the wedding, but first don't forget to vote in our online poll. Again, the question of the day is, 'Will these gorgeous newlyweds stick it out or seek an annulment?' Many sources are saying this marriage is anything but the real deal, but we want to hear your what you think. Even if it ends tomorrow, it doesn't make this next footage any less appealing."
Soon the screen was once again filled with the image of Nathan and Haley making out. Only this time they were groping each other in the foyer of a chapel located in the hotel.
Flashback…
"I can't believe we're doing this!" Haley shrieked forgetting she was only mere inches from Nathan.
"Babe, no need to scream." He chuckled lightly and released her, so they could get through their paperwork.
The receptionist smiled kindly towards them as they filled out their marriage license; laughing as the groom helped the bride keep her hand still enough to sign. She could tell they were pretty inebriated, but not as bad as many she had seen. Knowing who they were, she instructed security to close the chapel off for the ceremony. She didn't want passersby to spot them and cause a scene.
"Now young man, you make your way down the aisle and your bride will be along shortly."
She smiled ruefully at Nathan's put off expression. "No matter how quick the wedding, a bride must walk towards her groom."
Haley beamed and threw her arms around her, taking Betty by surprise. "Aw, Nathan, she's so sweet." Haley let go of her slightly but still kept her in a side hug so she could look at Nathan. "Can we keep her?" she pleaded with a childlike expression.
Nathan shook his head. "You think you might want to learn her name first babe."
Haley thought for a second while absorbing Nathan's words. "Oh, what's you name Ma'am?"
"Betty Anders."
Nathan noticed a sadness appear in Haley's eyes, but just as fast as it came it disappeared.
"I used to know someone with that name," Haley sweetly told her.
Betty took her hand and patted it. "Well, now you know two dear. So, what do you say we get this show on the road."
…
Nathan waited patiently as the traditional sounds of the wedding march began to play. Finally she came through the doors in her same soft purple dress, but with a veil and a bouquet of white roses in her hands. He watched a smile come to her lips and felt a sense of calm wash over him he'd never quite experienced before. It unnerved him for a brief moment before he pushed it aside and smiled right back at her.
Haley handed her bouquet to Betty and placed her hands in Nathan's.
They both nodded to the minister, silently giving him the okay to start the ceremony.
"Dearly beloved we are gathered here today to join…" He looked at his notes. "Haley Catherine James and Nathan Lee Scott in Holy Matrimony."
"Do you Haley take thee Nathan to be your lawful wedded husband?"
Haley gave Nathan an obvious once over. "Sure" She winked at him.
"Will you love, honor, and obey him throughout your life together?"
"Take out the obey part, and you got yourself a deal Padre."
The minister just chuckled and turned to Nathan.
"Do you Nathan take thee Haley to be your lawful wedded wife?"
"For the time being." He laughed at Haley's annoyed glare.
"Will you love, honor and obey him throughout your life together?"
Nathan pulled Haley against his chest, "hell yes, I will." He proclaimed before capturing her lips in a soft lingering kiss.
The minister cleared his throat and they turned sheepishly towards him.
"Can you two hold off till you at least exchange rings?" he teasingly questioned the pair.
Nathan took both rings out of his pocket and handed his to Haley. He took her left hand and placed the diamond, platinum band right next to the engagement ring he gave her only moments before.
Haley admired the new rings on her finger for a few seconds before gently taking Nathan's hand.
As Nathan observed Haley's tiny hand slide his matching band on, he once again felt that odd calming feeling. Before he had any time to register the new feelings, the minister pronounced them man and wife and Haley's arms were wrapped around his neck.
He just grinned and kissed her senseless, loving the feel of her tiny body pressed up against his.
Just as Nathan, Haley barely heard the minister pronounce them. Looking back, all she could remember was jumping into his arms and that memory was just fine by her.
End of Flashback
Jake rubbed his temples in a clockwise motion trying to fight off the oncoming migraine he knew he was about to have. "Looks like that wedding is as legal as it gets."
Haley whimpered and buried her head in Brooke's shoulder.
Chris looked between a depressed Haley and an aggravated Nathan. "It seems that you both are finally remembering all the shit you did last night. Care to tell us if any of the footage is X-rated?"
Brooke groaned. "Oh god, Haley please tell me it isn't. You marrying the slut of the NBA is bad enough, but becoming a porn star with him is too much even for my amazing PR skills."
Nathan thought back and then realization came over his face. He looked at Haley whose expression mirrored his own.
They stared at each other and both mouthed the words elevator. Hearing Brooke scream in despair told them all they needed to know. Everyone in America was about to witness the start of their honeymoon.
Flashback…
Nathan wrenched his mouth from hers only for a second to hit the elevator button. They were already a tangle of limbs as they stumbled into the empty elevator.
Haley ran her hands beneath his shirt teasingly brushing her fingertips across his chiseled abs. His body was spectacular and it was the one thing he definitely had the right to brag about. She'd never begrudge him that when it brought her such pleasure.
"God…..Nathan.," she moaned as his hand slipped under her dress and began to stroke her.
"Yes Mrs. Scott?" he teased as he slipped a finger inside her.
Haley couldn't help the girlish giggle that escaped at him calling her that. With all her strength, she tore herself away from him and pressed the stop button on the elevator causing it to come to an immediate halt.
He smirked as she shrugged innocently and came back into his embrace.
"Well, Mr. James what do we do now?" her silky voice asked of him.
"Mr. James, huh? Isn't it Mr. Scott?"
Haley kissed his neck softly a few times before finding his pulse point. She swirled her tongue around the spot before sucking on it gently, knowing it was driving him crazy. He was pressing against her harder and harder moaning her name. She loved knowing she could turn him on this much.
Taking her lips from his neck she blew into his ear softly. "Does it really matter what I call you?" she purred.
Nathan forcefully turned her around and pushed her down on all fours. Quickly freeing himself from his pants, he gave her no time to protest before he roughly pushed inside her. The mixture of pain and pleasure took her breath away.
He pushed her dress up and he rubbed his eager hands all over her bare ass. Squeezing her flesh, he pumped within her, pushing her with him back and forth with each stroke. With each thrust he felt he was going deeper within her. Seeing her on all fours and watching himself slide in and out of her almost made him erupt right then and there, but he wanted to hear her scream again. He literally got off on hearing it.
"Don't stop…faster…harder..." She begged as she felt the fury building inside of her.
"Whatever you say babe," Nathan promised as he relentlessly pounded into her, just as she desired, until he felt her clench around him.
Knowing he was about to blow he leaned down so he could reach around and have access to her breasts. He pulled her dress down to get a better feel as he continued to move in and out of her. She bucked hard back against him once he started working her nipples.
It was Haley's undoing. With the combination of sensations she succumbed to oblivion where nothing existed except pure ecstasy.
Nathan groaned as the sound of his name spilling from Haley's lips, in the throes of passion, sent him over the edge with her. Like he said before, he literally got off on it.
As their heavy breathing echoed throughout the small elevator it became clear to Haley, in that moment, that Nathan had just as much power over her, as he claimed she had over him.
End Of Flashback…
"Haley…you're going to be internet porn!" Brooke wailed as she stared at the images of Haley and Nathan in the elevator and Haley on her hands and knees. Thankfully, the words 'Too Explicit' flashed on the screen and Nancy O'Dell's way too cheery face reappeared.
"The hell she will." Jake swore as he dialed some numbers and demanded to speak to Haley's lawyers. He needed to get an injunction to prevent the tapes from further circulation.
"Hey Jake?" Nathan interrupted ,clicking off the television. Jake turned to him with questioning eyes. "Get me a copy of that will you."
The only response he got was a middle finger.
"Nathan stop being such a dick." Lucas griped.
Jake flipped his phone shut and rejoined the anything but pleasant group.
"Well, apparently we can't file the annulment based on impotency." Brooke quipped trying to break the tension. The only one who cracked a smile was the blonde haired Scott to which she smiled back.
"About the annulment…" Jake hedged carefully.
Chris looked up at that and motioned for Jake to join him outside.
Jake silently agreed and walked out onto the terrace with Chris.
"I am so not being left out." Brooke dramatically stated as she waltzed out of the room to join them.
Fixing her eyes on Lucas, Haley smiled pleasantly. "So, you're Lucas Scott?"
Lucas stood and went to kiss her outstretched hand. "That I am, and I'm sorry we didn't have a chance to be properly introduced." Lucas glared at his brother.
Haley patted the now empty spot beside her and Lucas happily obliged.
"By the way I've seen all your movies." Lucas admitted, albeit sheepishly.
Nathan grunted, "You're such a girl Lucas."
Haley ignored Nathan and focused back on the obviously kinder Scott. "That's sweet, I wish I could say the same for you, but I think I've only caught you in one game."
Again Nathan interrupted. "I thought you said you've never seen me in the NBA?"
Haley sighed, but never took her eyes off Lucas. She wouldn't give Nathan the satisfaction of explaining herself directly to him.
"Like I said before you brother so rudely interrupted, I've only seen you in one game and that was last year's NCAA Basketball Championship."
"Well, judging from your accent and the fact that you have only seen me play once, I'm guessing you're a Longhorn."
"Damn straight, and you beat us out of winning the title twice in a row." Haley feigned anger.
Lucas laughed. "You guys gave us a run for our money. That double overtime nearly killed me."
"Killed you! God, I was about to have a heart attack and then you made a perfect assist to the 'Scott that shall remain nameless' and he scored at the last second. Duke broke a million Texas hearts that night."
Nathan didn't know why, but the conversation between Haley and his brother was not sitting well with him. Watching them laugh together and the way Haley was touching lucas' arm was making him more agitated by the second.
"So are you a Rockets or Spurs fan?" Lucas casually inquired and settled further back on the couch.
"Neither really. Don't shoot me, but I'm more a college football and basketball fan."
Lucas held up his hands defensively. "Hey, no objections here. Between you and me, nothing compares to college."
Haley quirked her eyebrow at that. "Really?"
"Yeah, I mean sure all this money is nice, but in college it wasn't about money; you just played for the love of the game and your pride."
She nodded in understanding. "I know what you mean. Honestly, sometimes I get more pleasure putting on funny shows to make my baby cousins laugh and singing them to sleep than being a part of any big budget project."
Nathan rolled his eyes. "Cut the sensitive crap. From the clothes you wear," he looked a Haley, "and the cars you drive," he looked at Lucas, "both of you are enjoying the hell out of having money."
"Is he always this childish?" Haley asked Lucas while throwing Nathan a dirty look.
"Usually, which is why I have to be drunk half the time to take him."
"Yeah, I'm blaming the alcohol and temporary insanity on marrying the ass."
"What are you going to blame on fucking me? Because you weren't that drunk on the plane darling and you were all over me." He smirked as he watched the anger flash in her eyes.
"Oh, bite me!" She snapped at him and crossed her arms.
"Quit saying that!" His voice boomed making even Lucas jump.
"Bite me." She pushed him on with a sugary sweet voice.
Nathan rose from the couch and clenched his fists.
Lucas stood and got in between them. "Nate man, calm down."
"Why should I? She's being the bitch." Nathan argued, but when Lucas didn't back down he walked over to sit in a chair across the room.
Haley waited till Lucas sat down next to her again. "I'm sorry, it's just fun annoying him."
Shaking his head Lucas patted her knee. "It's fine Haley."
"Hales." She corrected him.
"Huh?" He asked clearly not understanding.
"You can call me Hales, all my friends do. Besides until further notice, I am your sister-in-law." She clarified.
"It will be my pleasure Hales, and call me Luke."
"Aw, Luke why don't you ask her to meet you on the playground later and you two can play doctor?" Nathan's sarcastic voice sneered from the other side of the room.
Lucas was about to tell him to kiss his ass when three solemn looking faces came back into the room.
"Brooke? What happened?" Haley nervously asked as Brooke sat down beside her.
Brooke took Haley's hands in hers. "Sweetie, you know I love you and only want the best…"
"Brooke you're scaring me."
"Just remember I would never advise you to do this unless I thought it was the lesser of two evils." Haley's face fell. "You need to stay married to Nathan for at least six months." Brooke rushed out.
"What?" Nathan and Haley both jumped to their feet.
Chris put his hand on Nathan's shoulder. "Look man if it gets out you had a quickie Vegas wedding and it was only for your amusement, you can kiss those endorsement deals goodbye. Image is everything in the pros Nathan. Teams and sponsors won't care how well you can shoot if your personal life is in shambles. Bad press for you means bad press for them. Besides, at least she's hot." Chris attempted to lighten Nathan's mood, but failed miserably.
Whipping around, Haley faced Jake. "So we're doing a favor for him? Are you kidding me?"
"It's not just for him Hales. You're America's sweetheart and your image is how you get movie deals You and Nathan may be in different fields, but image is something you both share and rely on. If the world thinks the marriage was just for fun and all you did was screw the typical bad boy, then investors in your current and future projects, might want to withdraw due to backlash. Most of these producers are banking on your image and if it changes, then they may start changing they're mind about hiring you."
"So, wait what does this mean?" Lucas piped in as confused as Nathan and Haley.
"It's simple." Brooke spoke up. "Our favorite couple acts married to the press. You guys will walk hand in hand, have cozy lunches and dinners in plain view of paparazzi, tell the press how in love you are, go to each others games slash premiers, and last but certainly not least, move in together."
"Real simple Brooke." Haley bit out annoyed.
"Haley, I'm sorry but we all have to stage a united front and don't blame us. We're just giving you the best solution to the mess you two made. How hard can it be anyway? Nick and Jessica did it for three years and made a ton of money."
Chris decided to jump in. "Look, we'll draw up contracts saying neither touches the other's money, whose house you will live in, how many games or premiers you have to attend, and a no sex clause with each other or anyone else."
"Are you kidding me?" Nathan blew out exasperated.
"Save it Nathan." Chris warned. "You both have a no cheating clause, because we don't need that press, and the no sex between each other is something we think is necessary too."
"So basically, I'm a monk for six months."
"Just remind me not to let you handle my food with that right hand of yours." Haley crinkled her nose at the image..
"What happens if she jumps me in the middle of the night?" Nathan asked as serious as he could manage while enjoying the appalled expression she made.
Brooke took the lead this time. "We decided that since sex got you into this mess continuing to have it would only make things worse. So if one of you crosses the line, you pay fifty thousand dollars to your spouse's charity of choice. Oh, and before you ask any sexual touching is crossing the line. Kissing, hugging, and holding hands are appropriate… in public.
"Sounds good to me." Haley agreed, shooting Nathan a challenging look.
Nathan was never one to back down from a challenge. "I can hold out just as long as you Scarlett."
Brooke squealed with delight at this new angle and called her assistant to get started on the press release.
None of the group knew what to expect or if this would blow up in their faces, but one thing was for sure; on a Sunday afternoon, in a crowded Vegas suite, Naley was born.
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