Nathan Scott dug into his syrup covered stack of pancakes with scrambled eggs on the side and a tall glass of orange juice next to the plate. It was a hearty and delicious breakfast prepared by Frances, his favorite and most talented cook. It was late morning and a chance for the young man to relax and enjoy his breakfast. But it wasn't to be. Relaxing and enjoying were two verbs foreign to Nathan, especially when in the company of his usual but small and intimate entourage. And just a few feet away were his brother, Lucas, father, Dan and right hand woman, Peyton Sawyer.
"I have booked a flight for us to leave right after your last practice so we will arrive in L.A. that night which gives us an extra day. Of course we could use like four or five extra days but this will have to do for now," Peyton explained over his shoulder. "Have you had a chance to look over the full itinerary since I made all the changes?"
"Nope," he answered in between mouthfuls.
Peyton sighed with exasperation. She took her work very seriously and her life's work was keeping Nathan Scott on schedule. Sometimes his utter lack of concern really worked her nerves.
"Well will you?"
"Later, I guess," he shrugged.
"Not later. Now. Come on, Nate, we have to get this done. You have your practice, you have the actual game, an ESPN interview and also the meeting concerning the Coca Cola endorsement. Talks with the McDonald's and Nike renewals are still on the table. Hopefully, I can take care of that later."
"Whatever."
She put her hands on her hips, lips pursed angrily and Lucas already knew what that meant as he quickly tried to intervene.
"Nathan, Peyton is just trying to do her job. You know that, man. The least you could do is try to cooperate. I mean, this is your career we're talking about. Show a little interest."
"I play ball," Nathan spread some more butter on what was left of his pancakes. "That's what I do. I work out, I train, I practice my ass off and I show up at every game going above and beyond the call every single time. That's what I'm supposed to do. All that other crap selling shoes and Big Macs and sodas and stuff…that's on you guys. I didn't ask for it."
"Nathan!" Peyton reprimanded just as the doorbell rang.
Across the table Dan Scott had remained oddly quiet the entire morning, a striking contrast from his usual arrogance and interference.
"Mr. Scott, you have a visitor," Roberta, one of the housekeepers announced after a few minutes.
Nathan frowned. He hadn't been expecting anyone.
"Who is it?"
"A Miss Cheryl Lawrence. Should I bring her in?"
Nathan shook his head.
"I don't know anybody named Cheryl Lawrence. Find out why she's here and what she wants. If it's some bullshit reason, tell her to leave."
"Yes sir."
"Wait," Dan stood, wiping his mouth. "Actually I was expecting Miss Lawrence. Roberta, please show her in."
Lucas shot his father a suspicious glance. You could never be too sure when it came to Dan Scott.
"What's going on, man? And who is Cheryl Lawrence."
"Do I detect an accusatory tone, son?" the older man smirked.
"You're being quiet this morning. I should have known. You're up to something. What is it?"
Before Dan could answer, Roberta interrupted them by escorting to the dining area a lovely young woman with short dark hair.
"Miss Lawrence…Peyton Sawyer, Dan Scott, Lucas Scott and Nathan Scott. Ms. Sawyer, gentlemen...this is Cheryl Lawrence."
Dan stood and walked over to greet her, charm practically oozing from him.
"Miss Lawrence, it is such a pleasure to see you again, my dear," he said as they kissed hellos.
"The pleasure is mine. Good morning, Mr. Scott."
"Please. Call me Dan," he said as he looked at his Rolex. "Right on time, I see. I like that. Punctuality is an excellent quality in new employees."
"Employee?" Lucas asked as he nearly choked on his coffee.
Dan grinned proudly.
"Your heard me correctly. Allow me to introduce the newest addition to our team."
Peyton frowned.
"Dan, what is this? What is going on?"
"Meet Nathan's new nurse."
"Nathan's new what?" Peyton and Lucas asked at the same time.
"Cheryl Lawrence, Registered Nurse with a Bachelor of Science in her selected field. Eight years experience with a specialty in sports medicine. Miss Lawrence has previously worked as an agency nurse, therefore she is accustomed to the rigors and demands of frequent travel. Her credentials and references are outstanding. Please dear, show your portfolio to Ms. Sawyer."
A shocked Peyton excepted the neatly bound leather folder, quickly flipping through it.
"Um, this is all fine and good except for one thing," she cleared her throat. "Nathan already has a nurse. Dan, did you forget about Haley?"
"It just didn't work out with Miss Webb. I think it's best for everyone if we go our separate ways."
"Did you say anything to her?" Peyton gritted her teeth.
Dan looked at her with a twinkle in his eye.
"Of course not. It isn't my place. I was going to leave that up to my son and believe me, Nathan, once you get acquainted with Miss Lawrence you will see this is the best decision."
Nathan finally glanced up from his plate.
"Lady, I'm sure you have a pretty good resume or whatever but you're gonna have to take it somewhere else. I don't know what my dad promised you but I already have a nurse and she's pretty good and she's gonna stay. Sorry Dad wasted your time."
"Nathan…"
"Miss Lawrence, I am really sorry for the confusion but there appears to be a misunderstanding," Peyton apologized. "Roberta, will you please show her to the office? Someone will be right with you."
The two women left, looks of perplexity written all over their faces.
"Unbelievable," Lucas hung his head. "I mean it, Dan. Absolutely unbelievable. You know, every single time I think you've done it all, you somehow manage to one up yourself."
A proud expression watched over Dan's face.
"Why thank you, son. I do try."
"It's not funny. What the hell was that? We've already had the discussion about keeping Haley on and it was pretty unanimous. Now you have the nerve to go behind all our backs and pull a stunt like this? Hiring another nurse? Come on, man."
"Haley Webb must go."
Peyton sighed.
"How many times have we been over all this? Okay, you don't like the girl. We get that. We might not understand it but fine, you have your reasons. But that is irrelevant, Dan. She is a damned good nurse and the situation is working out just fine for everyone but you. So why don't you suck it up, bury the hatchet and forget about your own personal agenda for once?"
"She's trouble."
"Dan…"
"Haley Webb knows too much."
Peyton, Lucas and Nathan rolled their eyes.
"What does she know? Seriously. What in the world could Haley possibly know that has you so worried?"
He looked all three of them square in the eye.
"She knows about Daunte Johnson for starters. Isn't that enough?"
A collective gasp filled the room.
"What?"
"What do you mean, she knows about Daunte?" Lucas questioned.
"Dad, you're full of shit," Nathan accused. "Come on. What's really going on?"
"Oh you don't believe me? Well, the other day when none of you were home and your moron of a mother, Nathan, once again decided to go get wasted out of her mind from her little stash of happy pills, Miss Webb played her favorite role of the gallant savior. Then my wife chooses to go in a ten minute rant about her horrible life and her poor addiction and how her husband and son are lost."
"Then what?"
"What do you think? You believe Little Miss Nosy was willing to leave well enough alone? Hell no. Of course not. She prodded and poked looking for any little juicy detail."
Nathan sat back in his chair.
"What else did Mom tell her about Daunte?"
"Nothing."
"Well then? What's the problem?"
"Son, are you mad? Maybe it's cute and okay for you to have that non chalant attitude about whether or not your name is gonna be on the next 200 dollar tennis shoe but I will be goddamned if I let you sit here and behave so cavalier about something so important as family secrets."
"You're overreacting. Like you said, Mom was stoned out of her mind. Big deal. I mean, what else is new around here? I think Haley has that part figured out. She probably just chalked it up to Mom babbling. Don't go making it into something it isn't."
"He's right, Dan" Lucas agreed. "Deb didn't say anything too damning. Haley probably has forgotten all about it by now."
"And what about next time?"
"There won't be a next time. If it makes you feel better, I'll have a word with Deb. But I think if she really wanted to get into all the details, then she would have. But she didn't so I agree with Nathan. Just drop it."
"This is ridiculous," Dan angrily muttered.
"No, what you're doing is ridiculous," Peyton reminded him. "I can't believe you sometimes. And now you have the luxury of walking into that office and telling that poor woman out there that she has no job."
"Nathan…" Dan began.
"Stop. I mean it, Dad. Just shut up. Save your breath. Whatever you have to say, whatever is up your sleeve, it's not gonna work, not this time. You're stressing yourself out about nothing. And as far as Haley goes? She's staying so you might as well get used to it."
Dan's face turned a deep shade of red as his fists clinched and the vein in his neck began to pulsate.
"You're a damned fool, Nathan."
"Whatever, man."
"You're interested in her, aren't you?"
"No, I'm not and so what if I was? It's not like it's any of your business anyway."
Dan shook his head.
"Women. Fucking women. They're nothing but trouble. Mark my word, son, that one will be the demise of you and everything our family has worked so hard to build. And to think, you would have learned with that last one."
Just the mention of Nathan's deceased wife was enough gasoline on an already raging inferno. Without warning, Nathan leaped over the table, grabbing his father by the shirt as Lucas struggled to break them up.
"Peyton, go talk to that Lawrence woman," Lucas instructed. "You two calm down and cool off!"
A still irate Nathan stormed off and out of the house with Lucas hot on his wheels while Peyton retreated to the office to diffuse the situation with the new hiree that wasn't. Only Dan was left and when he turned the corner to leave, he nearly collided with her.
"You," he snarled.
Haley swallowed hard.
"Look, Mr. Scott…"
"Don't you 'Mr. Scott' me. Eavesdropping again, I see. How much of that did you hear?"
"Enough. Enough to know that you hired a replacement for me."
He crossed his arms.
"It seems as if it's your lucky day. Apparently your quirkish, babbling personality and girlish charms are getting to my son. He doesn't have the good sense to see what you're doing and get rid of you."
"I'm not doing anything wrong. I'm just doing my job."
He laughed that sinister laugh as he leaned in closer to her.
"You can't bullshit a bullshitter, sweetheart. I'm on to you. I can't put my finger on it just yet but something isn't right with you and I intend to figure it out before I let you destroy my sons and myself."
"Mr…"
Their eyes met and it was like staring right into pure evil. It made Haley's flesh crawl.
"Your days here are numbered and I'm watching you. Always remember that," he warned. "Now have a nice day, Miss Webb."