Season on the Brink
Just a quick explanation on the title of this story: When I named the story, it was because I'm Indiana born and bred - I love my IU Hoosiers, and the book chronicling their 1987 season is one of my favorites. It wasn't until I was posting the story that I remembered James Lafferty had starred as Steve Alford in the movie version. I don't know if that's just a crazy coincidence or something more, but I'm glad you all picked up on it!
Oh, just one more thing - know that this story IS going to contain subplots dealing with the Lucas, Brooke, Peyton triangle, and with Nathan and Haley, but you may have to wait a couple of chapters - I have through chapter 5 written already, and I promise it's coming, so bear with me.
And thanks for the reviews that you guys have already sent - that's so cool! I appreciate it.
Nathan Scott opened the front door of his parents' palatial estate to find the one person he was hoping he wouldn't have to face. "Hey, Dad," he said quietly, lowering his head as he started toward the stairs. If he could just make it to his bedroom, maybe he could avoid an inevitable confrontation.
"Nathan," Dan's voice was smug and booming. "Come here for a second, son."
With a heavy sigh, Nathan dropped his gym bag on the stairs and followed his father into the study. Another man, older, with graying hair and a cordial smile, was sipping from a tumbler of Scotch. Walking toward Nathan, he extended a hand. "Lewis Tunstill. Nice to meet you, Mr. Scott."
Nathan smiled easily and then shifted uncomfortably. "Nice to meet you, too," he said, his eyes full of questions for his father, who was now refilling his own tumbler.
"Nathan, Dr. Tunstill is the Athletic Director at Oakworth Academy," Dan explained. "And he is very interested in you."
A smart retort begged Nathan to be released, but he swallowed the words and smiled awkwardly, a blush crossing his strong features when he realized one of his games was playing on the flat screen television behind him. "Um, okay," he managed to say finally.
"I've seen your game tapes, Nathan, and I have to say that you are a phenomenal ball handler. Your shooting technique is flawless, and it's hard to argue with the numbers you put up in your previous three seasons with Tree Hill High School." Dr. Tunstill walked past him and let his eyes linger on the television screen.
Dan smiled proudly, moving to the other man's side. "Nathan has been the leading scorer for the Ravens for the last two years. The greatest player to walk through those doors since I was there," he added with a smile.
With another uncomfortable shift, Nathan let his mind wander as the conversation turned to Dan's high school career. It always came back to him somehow. "So what exactly is it that you want with me, Dr. Tunstill?" Nathan asked finally, interrupting the conversation.
"Nathan, Oakworth is nationally ranked in the top 25 in the country. Scouts from all over watch the players that this school turns out. If you really want to make it at a Division I contender, you need the kind of exposure that this school can provide for you," Dan sold the school as though he were the AD, not the man at his side.
It was Dr. Tunstill who finally took a step toward Nathan. "Son, I think that you would be a fitting addition to our squad. While your grades aren't up to our admission standards, there are exceptions that can be made under extenuating circumstances."
Nathan bit his lip, willing the memory of Haley James from his mind. When she had been his tutor, his grades had improved considerably. And on the day that she broke up with him, they slid right back down again. Basketball was his only hope. But he wanted to play at Tree Hill, not at Oakworth or anywhere else.
"Dr. Tunstill, let me assure you that Nathan appreciates this tremendous offer," Dan started.
"I'm not interested," Nathan interjected. When his father gave him a confounded look, he just moved toward the older man and extended his hand. "Thank you for the offer, Dr. Tunstill. I know that it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. But I have a team, and a life, in Tree Hill," he explained.
While Dan stumbled to find his words, Dr. Tunstill patted Nathan's shoulder and nodded. "I understand your feelings, Nathan, your fear of change. But if the NBA is your ultimate dream, Oakworth is a definitive step in that direction. I can promise you that Tree Hill will not offer you the same exposure." He took a deep breath and put his hand in his pocket. "I am willing to leave the offer on the table until the end of the quarter, in case you change your mind."
Before he could be stopped, Nathan left the room and scaled the stairs. There would be hell to pay with Dan later, but Nathan didn't care. Now that he was the captain of the Ravens, he knew he could help lead them to a championship. He knew that he could catch the eye of a few scouts on his own. And if he couldn't, then he wasn't sure he needed to in the first place.
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Lucas Scott awoke with a start at the ringing of his cell phone. Sometimes, when he was sleeping in an awkward position, his surgically repaired shoulder would ache under the pain of the tightening scar tissue. And sometimes it just hurt because his girlfriend, Peyton, was laying on it.
Struggling to move without waking her, he rolled over and answered the phone. "Hello?"
"Lucas, I need to talk to you."
Sitting up a little straighter in the bed, Lucas blinked his eyes to adjust to the sound of the husky voice in his ear. "Brooke," he sighed, glancing over his shoulder. Peyton's eyes were still closed, her breathing still even, but he could never be sure with her. "What's wrong?"
Brooke cleared her throat on the other end of the phone. Breaking up with Lucas when she found out about his affair with Peyton had seemed like the right thing to do. But now, nearly a month later, she wasn't so sure. "I just really need to see you."
He knew that it would cause problems. He knew that losing her best friend had been hard on Peyton, and that the anger she expressed in his desire to try to fix things was just a front for the pain she was working through. "I don't know, Brooke. I'm kinda busy." He looked at the clock beside the bed. "It's two in the morning," he added sleepily.
But Brooke Davis was nothing if not determined. "And I wouldn't wake you up and drag you away from your precious Peyton if it wasn't important," she insisted, her voice lilting toward the tiny whine that had always made him smile.
With a nod, he stood from the bed and ran a hand over his naturally tossled hair. "Alright, alright," he agreed. "I will meet you at the river court in fifteen minutes." He hung up the phone and searched the darkened room for his shoes.
"What's the emergency this time?" Peyton's voice pierced the stillness of the night.
He stopped short and turned, giving her a weak smile in the darkness. "I don't know," he said, his voice cracking in defeat. "I will be back in a half an hour, Peyton, I promise." He dropped a kiss on her forehead as she rolled over and blinked to adjust her eyes.
"Luke, why don't you just go back to your house after your little covert op, okay?"
He knew that arguing was going to get him nowhere. And he couldn't blame her for wondering if he would stray. She knew first hand that he wasn't exactly Mr. Faithful. But as he angled his car out of the driveway, he realized something. He would have to convince himself that he didn't want Brooke back before he could start convincing Peyton.