Chapter 13

The next morning...

I wake up with a set of strong, muscular arms wrapped around me, and can't help smiling to myself.

So last night actually happened. I think, fearful that it had just been an amazing dream. I snuggle into Nathan and rest my head against his bare chest, wishing I could wake up like this every day. He shuffles a little in response, and a few moments later his eyes flicker awake.

As reality sets in on him, I'm once again afraid that he's gonna regret this. Instead, he leans down and kisses the top of my forehead.

"Morning." He whispers, grinning slightly, his eyes still half closed.

"Mmm...Morning." I reply leaning up to kiss him gently on the lips. Seriously, am I dreaming?!

We kiss softly for a few minutes, his arms are still wrapped around my waist, while mine vary between his chest and the back of his head. It feels like we're getting acquainted again or something, but it's definitely nice. I pull away and lay my head on his chest, listening to his slow and steady heartbeat. One of his hands is lazily rubbing my back.

After a few moments, I decide to interrupt the tranquil atmosphere by rejoining reality. "So last night was...?"

Nathan doesn't answer right away, and I almost begin to think he fell back asleep.

"Well...what did you think it was?" He asks, lightly challenging me.

"Uh uh. I asked first."

He's quiet again. "Nathan?"

"I'm still trying to think of the words. Perfect doesn't quite cut it."

Awwww. Seriously, is he trying to make me melt?!

The only response to this would be to kiss him, so I willingly oblige. It's more heated than the kiss we just shared minutes ago, not that I mind. Nathan moans into my mouth as I lightly trace my fingers around his abs. This time he pulls away.

"So, you never answered me...what did you think about last night?"

"Amazing. Fantastic. Unbelievable...you weren't too bad yourself, Nate." I stick my tongue out at him and he pinches my side lightly.

"Funny Hales." He's quiet again, which must mean he's becoming pretty serious. "I'm kinda surprised I don't feel so guilty, more so that you don't seem to be either."

I shrug. The truth is, I do feel really guilty. I know Rachel doesn't deserve this, but neither does Nathan.

"What's up Hales? You just got way distant." Nathan asks cautiously.

Finally the perfect opportunity to tell him. Rachel is probably still at Duke, we're alone, obviously he's been just as bad as she has.

I pull away from him. "I have to tell you something." If he was cautious before, he's definitely worried now. "Are you okay?"

I nod. "I'm fine. It's about Rachel." I pause, wondering how on earth he'll react. "She's...cheating on you Nate. Or she's been for awhile now, I'm guessing."

I expected him to get angry, or sad, or shocked. Just some sort of reaction from him would be nice right now. But all he does is nod. "Wow."

"That's it? Wow? That's all you have to say Nathan?" I ask, leaning into him to comfort him. It's definitely not the reaction I thought he'd have, especially that whole spiel about him and us and cheating and everything.

"I guess. I mean, it's not like I haven't done it, twice, with her family. And it's not like I hadn't suspected her of it. I don't know, it just feels weird, now that my suspicions are actually true." I move my hand to caress his cheek, his eyes look blank of almost any emotion. "Plus, we always fought. We probably wouldn't have lasted much longer anyway." He's quiet again. "How long have you known?"

"About a week. Some college kid stayed the night last weekend." As soon as I said the words, I internally slapped myself.

"What?" Nathan catches on immediately, instantly pissed off. "You've known for a whole fucking week?" Yep, that definitely wasn't the right thing to say. "You're supposed to be my best friend Haley, how could hide this from me for a week? God, you knew how fucking guilty I felt about that kiss. Geez, no wonder you didn't feel bad, you fucking knew the situation."

I can feel tears welling up in my eyes, threatening to spill. Nathan looks so incredibly angry, and it sucks to know I caused it. Sorry seems so futile right now, but I can't think of anything else to say.

"We didn't talk for a whole fucking week, Nathan. Don't you think I wanted to tell you every second I could? I was so angry at you for ditching me last weekend, and then saying it was meaningless, after you initiated it! God Nate, you made me feel so bad, I couldn't look at you, let alone tell you this!"

By now a few tears are falling, and I wipe them away furiously. It's not my freaking fault his girlfriend cheated on him! Hell, I'm the one who told him!

"So was this your plan, to tell me after we have sex? To relieve the pain that my girlfriend is a whore, by making it okay since I cheated on her too?"

I slap him. Hard. And for a second he just stares at me in shock.

"Don't you dare. God, how can you think that freaking low of me? Yeah, Nathan, you're right. We're best friends and I should've told you a hell of a lot sooner than I did. But at least I did. God, and stop taking out your anger for her on me! I didn't cheat on you! And it's not like either of us planned for last night to happen, how that hell can you think of me as that manipulative?!"

He's still shocked. And he's looking at me like it's the first time he's seeing me. And now tears are free falling down my face; salty tears cascading down my cheeks and onto the bed. I don't even bother to wipe them away. How can he think of me as some manipulative whore?

"Hales, I'm sor-"

"Don't you fucking dare Nathan Scott." I interrupt him, also pushing his hand away, which presumably was meant to wipe my tears away. God, who would've thought I'd be the one to get more upset after I told him? Especially considering the fact that I was already clued into the situation. I angrily push away the covers on the bed, a bad idea seeing as how the naked evidence of last night only reminds me of what a jackass Nathan is. I move quickly to my dresser, and throw random items of clothing on. I turn around only to have Nathan, clad only in basketball shorts, grab me into a hug.

He's more infuriating than anyone else lately, which is ironic considering he's the guy I care most about. As mad as I am right now, I try to push and punch his chest to let me go, but he only holds on tighter. I'm so mad at him, but eventually I relax into his grip, realizing he's not going to let me go, and cry quietly.

"I can't believe you." I say angrily into his chest.

I hear a muffled "I know" into my hair. A half hour ago we were fine, all lovey-dovey and crap. And now I can barely look at him, yet he's still holding onto me.

A couple of hours later...

I wake up, dressed, in my bed, with a pounding headache. Yeah, that tends to happen after I have a meltdown. Nathan is nowhere to be found, which I find both a gift and a curse. There is however, a note on the pillow next to me.

"Hales,

Look...I know you're prolly mad at me still, I'd be too. But if you're up to it, call me later, so we can figure this thing out? I'm sorry."

Nathan"

Bullshit I'll call him later, just because he holds me as I'm crying and sugarcoats an apology doesn't mean he's forgiven.

Yeah, this is a pretty short one, but I figured I ought to post something soon. Review?