Chapter Eight

Nathan POV

This is my chance. Life without Haley has been pretty much horrible. I mean, as soon as Brooke came to me to tell me she was pregnant I knew I had no chance to be with Haley ever again. But this is my chance. My chance to tell her how much I love her, how miserable I am without her, and how sorry I am that I let her go.

If only I could get to her. I tried when we had to dance together, but she wouldn't say more than 3 words to me. Then whenever I tried to get close to her she scurried off to the same guy. I'm assuming it's her new boyfriend…

Maybe it's best to leave these things unsaid. She deserves happiness and she seems to have moved on. I sighed and looked over to see Brooke. She was absolutely glowing, as a pregnant woman should. The thing that gets me is she always miserable with me, but whenever she's with her new gay assistant she glows. What's up with that?

Haley POV

I knew he was watching me. I think everyone in the room knew he was watching me. Which one, you ask? Well, Nathan was watching me, but Lucas was just glaring. He seemed to be getting drunker and drunker by the minute. I was scared as to what he would do, but didn't voice my feelings. I just smiled and acted as if everything was perfect.

"Babe, what are you thinking about? You know Chris Keller don't like to be ignored!"

I inwardly groaned. I wasn't technically dating him. Sure, he told me we were, but I never agreed to it! I agreed to let him help me with my situation but it was all shot to hell.

Chris was a friend. Not a very good one, but a friend to say the least. I called him up to come with me to the wedding to see if it would make Nathan jealous. I wanted to call it all off when Nathan told me Brooke was pregnant and he was happy, but Chris wouldn't take no for an answer.

I turned to him. "Chris, I have three things to say. One, don't call me babe. Two, don't refer to yourself in the third person. Third, shut up!" I said in a whisper and then smiled to everyone else at the table.

He laughed slightly and wrapped an arm around my shoulders. "I love it when you get feisty, James," he replied. Suddenly he raised his voice. "Makes the sex hotter."

My face got extremely red as everyone at the table looked at us. I gave a little giggle as I reached under the table and hit him in a very sensitive area. "He's just joking," I said to everyone as he groaned. "Aren't you, Christopher?"

He nodded. "Yes, I was," he replied, his voice slightly higher.

I turned to look around the room. My gaze dropped on Lucas. He was sitting with his friend, Jake, and his girlfriend, Peyton. Neither of them ever really liked me. It was even worse when they found out what I was doing behind Lucas' back. I never really minded… because of what I was doing behind his back…

At their table was a very pregnant girl, around my own age. She was really beautiful with her long wavy brown hair and big brown eyes. I knew in an instant it was Brooke. Nathan's Brooke. She was sitting dangerously close to Lucas. Wait, how did she even know Lucas?

Suddenly I stood. I wasn't sure why, but my feet led me to their table. They all looked to me. Peyton and Jake gave short smiles. Lucas glared, but Brooke gave me a warm smile. She was the one to speak. "Hello! You're the maid of honor, right? I can't wait to hear your speech! My fiancée told me all about how you used to be best friends in high school! I swear, we would be the best of friends!" she exclaimed and stuck out her hand. "Brooke Davis."

I smiled and shook her hand. "Haley James," I replied. She was really sweet. I'm glad I ended things with Nahtan and she still has no clue. I would really feel horrible if we were still together… or whatever we were. "It's really nice to meet you, Brooke. I actually came over to ask if I could steal Lucas for a moment. If that's okay with all of you, that is."

Lucas sighed and stood, grasping my arms. "I'll be back in a few minutes," he said quickly and led me to the dance floor. I was stunned but quickly adjusted. He spun me around the dance floor and I knew everyone was watching us. I felt jealous eyes on my back and knew it was Nathan. Even though we aren't together he still has his possessiveness. "What did you want, Haley?"

I looked into his eyes. I could smell the beer on his breath. I sighed. "Lucas, what are you doing here? You aren't even that good of friends with Mouth and Rachel!" I exclaimed, all the while keeping a smile on my face to deter the people watching.

He grinned down at me and dipped me. "I'm here to reveal a secret," he replied simply and brought me back up. "I have so many to tell."

My breath caught in my throat. "What are you talking about?" I asked, playing dumb.

"Don't act you don't know what I'm talking about, Haley! It's Nathan that you were with. Hell, you might still be with him! Brooke deserves to know!" he exclaimed. He stepped back from me and acted like he was going to kiss my cheek as the song ended. "And Nathan doesn't deserve to be happy. In fact, he deserves to be miserable and I have the power to make that happen," he said and then stepped back. "Thanks for the dance, doll." He walked off and I sighed.

I walked back to the bridal table and sat besides Rachel. Nathan's eyes were still on me and I felt the need to tell him what was happening… but I didn't. I turned to Rachel. She was talking with Mouth about how happy she was today. That's when I knew I had to stop Lucas. It wasn't fair to Rachel and Mouth to have their day ruined.

I stood again, this time Nathan stood as well. I ignored him when he called my name. I started walking over to Lucas again, prepared to do whatever he wanted so he wouldn't announce something he shouldn't. So he wouldn't hurt brooke. So he wouldn't make Nathan miserable.

Just as I was getting closer I was pulled back. I found myself in Nathan's arms, dancing. I frowned and he spoke. "Better put on a smile, Hales. The camera's on us," he said and I quickly changed my expression. "That's better. Now, tell me what has you so worried."

I wanted to roll my eyes, but restrained myself. "Why is it any concern of yours if I'm worried about something? Huh? This is my problem and you don't have to know about it," I replied and tried to get out of his arms.

He just held me tighter and replied, "Haley, I know you better then you know yourself. I know you have a problem. Sure, it may have nothing to do with me, but it has something to do with that pretty boy. He's Brooke's gay assistant and if he is doing something to you I want to know, okay?"

My eyes bulged. "Brooke's assistant?" I asked. He nodded. "Gay assistant?" He nodded again, his eyes narrowing in on me.

"What do you know that I don't, Haley?"

I shrugged. "Do you know his name?" I asked.

He started to speak but stopped himself. "Now that I think of it, no I don't," he replied. "What does it matter? Start giving me answers, Hales!"

I sighed. "His name is Lucas, Nathan," I said.

He gave me a confused look. "Lucas? As in… your Lucas?" He asked, his voice raised slightly.

I shushed him. "Yes, that Lucas. Just relax, Nathan, he's not going to tell Brooke anything and ruin your precious little life. I was on my way to save your perfect little family, so if you'll excuse me," I said and tried to move out of his arms.

He sighed but kept his grip. His eyes weren't on me anymore. "It's too late, Haley. He's already on the stage," he said and I turned to see that he wasn't lying.

Lucas tapped his glass loudly and everyone looked at him. "Can I have everyone's attention please?" he shouted. He set down the fork and raised his glass as he moved to the microphone. "I know that the best man and the maid of honor give the speeches, but I have a few things to say that I think everyone wants to hear. See, I know the maid of honor. Pretty well, actually, isn't that right, Haley?" he asked and everyone looked at me. I just smiled, wishing this wasn't happening but not knowing how to stop it.

"See, Haley and I used to date. We met in college and that's how I know Rachel and Mouth. They are the only example of true love that I know of," he said and I looked to them. They truly were. "Well, I guess I could say one more couple, but that would be saying too much, wouldn't it, Haley?"

Again, everyone looked at me. I laughed slightly. "Very funny, Lucas," I said. "Don't you think you've had enough to drink?" I asked and everyone laughed.

He grinned at me and shook his head. "You know what, Haley, I think this is my last one, so no worries," he replied and everyone looked to him again. "Now, I'm sure you're curious as to who I'm talking about, and I'm going to tell you. I'm sure you all know that Nathan and Haley here used to date in high school. Back then they were the 'it' couple. Every guy wanted to be Nathan and every girl wanted to be Haley.

"But why aren't they together anymore if they were such a good couple, you ask?" he paused to laugh. "This is where I fit in to the story, I guess! Haley met me and we started dating. She never really mentioned Nathan or how she broke up with him.

"Nate met Brooke Davis. The wonderful, sweet woman that is Brooke Davis. Now, Brooke never did anything wrong to Nathan, as I never did anything wrong to Haley, but were we good enough for them? The answers no!" he screamed.

By this time Rachel's father was making his way up to take him off stage. He looked over to Nathan and smiled. "Nate, buddy, what goes around comes around. You cheated on Brooke with Haley and guess what? She cheated on you with me! That baby is mine!" he yelled and dropped the microphone. Rachel's dad took him roughly by the arm and led him out.

The entire party was looking to me and Nathan. I looked over at Brooke. Tears were in her eyes. They weren't tears of anger, though, but of sorrow and agony. It hit me. She already knew about me and Nathan. She felt guilty about being with Lucas. It really was his baby.

I looked up at Nathan but he was already leaving the room. Everyone looked at me with hate in their eyes. I turned to see Rachel. She gave me a sympathetic look, but there was no hatred in her eyes. I mouthed 'I'm sorry' and ran out of the room.