The Search for Something More
Chapter 15 - The Games That Play Us
Sorry is all I can say for the delayed update. Unfortunately, real life got the best of me and I really had no time to update at all. See the Author's note last chapter to see why. I'm hoping things are going to get a little calmer now and I will be able to update more frequently again. Thank you for those who stuck by me with this story. This chapter will def. cover some ground and I hope you enjoy and I'm getting ready to write the next chapter. So thanks again for the patience and please review, I write these things for you guys cuz I know how the story ends lol, so please drop a line and keep, it helps keep me motivated!
. . . . .
"Get your head out of your ass Scott!" Whitey yelled, shaking Nathan from his thoughts.
"Yeah." Nathan turned to Lucas.
"He was talking to you, dumbass." Lucas rolled your eyes.
"Is this a social call.. both of you move!" Whitey yelled back and turned around back to his play book.
"Look what you did." Nathan pointed out.
"Me.. if you'd actually pay attention during warm ups, maybe Whitey wouldn't be yelling at us."
"Maybe if you mind your own business." Nathan replied back and continued looking around.
"She's not coming you know." Lucas smirked, enjoying the feeling of filing getting a rise out of Nathan.
"What're you talking about?"
"Haley. She's not showing up."
"Who said I was looking for Haley?" Nathan tried to play it off.
"Really.. you're gonna go there?" Lucas smirked wider.
"So what if I was looking for her.. what's it to you?"
"She's my best friend."
"Right, if that's your story." Nathan replied sarcastically.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"You claim to be her best friend but we both know that's a load of crap. I come into the picture and now you go all caveman, not my fault she didn't want you.. can't say I don't blame her." Nathan looked at Lucas up and down..
"You're really that dumb huh? I don't like Haley.. at least not in that way. Gross." Lucas shook his head. "Look, Haley's a good girl, she's not one of your skanks and if you ever hurt her."
"Not like I have to explain my self to you but I won't.. Haley's.. different… and if you're going to keep bugging me about her then.."
"Then what?" Luke interrupted and crossed his arms.
"Then we're going to have a problem because whether you like it or not, Haley and I are together."
"Haley and I." Lucas repeated Nathan's words. "Maybe there is hope for you yet." Lucas started to walk away.
"Lucas!" Nathan called out and Lucas turned around.
"Haley.. she.. she likes me right?" Nathan couldn't believe he asking Lucas this but he needed to know. Ever since he came to grips with his feelings for Haley, everything seemed to have turned around. He couldn't tell up from down and with each passing minute, he wanted Haley more and more but the problem was if she wanted him. Sure they'd have make out sessions but it never went any further than that and Nathan didn't want to push her but he can feel her pulling away from him. He knew she wasn't the type of girl to sleep around nor did he want her to be that girl. Hhe wanted her just the way she was. The problem was him. Was he good enough for her? One day, will she realize that she can do better? He never doubted himself before but then again he never met a girl like Haley before.
"Where is this coming from?"
"Never mind." Nathan mumbled to himself. He knew that was a bad idea.
"So she's already tired of you huh?"
"Wait, she said that?"
Lucas started to laugh.
"You ass." Nathan glared at Lucas.
"You really like her huh?" Lucas asked.
Nathan just nodded.
"Just don't hurt her okay?"
"I won't."
Lucas nodded back. "And I don't know why but she likes you too." Then he looked out in the crowd and Nathan followed his line of sight and saw Haley sitting with Karen. He smiled at her and she smiled back. Lucas looked back between the two of them and almost wanted to laugh himself. Who knew that the person to bring Nathan Scott to his knees would be Haley James.
. . . .
Haley adjusted her hat and awkwardly made her way towards the gym, her hands nervously in her pockets. Relax, she told herself as all eyes were on her as she made her way through the crowd. This wasn't the first basketball game she was going to but this time it was different. Was it only a few short weeks ago that she was just plain old Haley James? Now she was dating Nathan Scott, star of the basketball team. She couldn't believe how much has changed ever since Lucas joined the basketball team.
She still wasn't used to stares and the whispers, in fact it made her very uncomfortable, but she figured that it goes with the territory of being Nathan Scott's girlfriend.. date.. ergh.. whatever. She still wasn't sure what they were, dating yes, girlfriend, who knows. She definitely needed the "talk" with Nathan, well maybe if he tore his lips away from hers long enough to actually talk then maybe she would know.
She suddenly felt very hot just thinking about him, her lips on his, his hands roaming her body. She shook her head and brought herself back to reality. The things Nathan did to her, made her feel, she wasn't used to it but damn, she was getting addicted to it. Seeing a familiar face, Haley sighed in relief and made her way up in the stands.
"Haley, you made it." Karen smiled warmly and scooted over so that Haley can take a seat.
"Hey Karen."
"You okay, you seem a little pale?" Karen asked curiously.
Haley looked around her, the stares and whispers still evident. Not only was she dating one of the most popular guys in school, she was best friends with his half brother slash arch nemesis. She was the talk of the school and Haley prayed for someone else to take the spot light.
"I'm fine." Haley plastered a smile.
Karen laughed dismissively. "You're talking to me Hales, I see how everyone is looking at you."
"What're you talking about?" Haley played dumb.
"Dating the high school basketball star, what did you expect?"
"Not this." Haley mumbled and pulled back a stray hair behind her ear.
"I wouldn't worry about it. Come next week, you'll be old news."
"I hope you right." Haley started to feel a little bit more comfortable. The cheerleaders just came out and thankfully most of the people started staring at them rather at her. She was happy that Karen was open to her relationship with Nathan. It's not like Karen completely approved of Nathan but she was grateful that Karen was letting her do her own thing. Lucas, on the other hand, was still a work in progress. Both brothers managed to call a truce, for now, but the two were far from being friendly too each other.
"Well imagine being pregnant and half the town looking and staring at you, then come talk to me." Karen joked.
Haley smiled back and looked onto the court where her eyes locked with Nathan's. The smile he gave her sent butterflies into her stomach and she couldn't help but smile back.
. . . .
"You okay Hales?" Lucas asked.
"Everyone's looking at me." Haley turned to her best friend.
"Of course they're looking, they're curious." Lucas looked down to Haley's prominent bump. "You are after all carrying Nathan's child."
Haley looked around at the nearly packed arena and she felt like she was in a fish bowl.
"Just having a weird sense of déjà vu." Haley replied back and turned her head back towards the court, where the Sonics were warming up. She caught Nathan looking at them and he smiled and waved to them both. Tonight was the last night of the regular season. Unfortunately, the team's record wasn't that good this year and were unable to head into the post season. Nathan's absence due to his injury affected the
team greatly but even with Nathan back and winning more games, their record wasn't good enough to move on.
"He's happy you're here." Lucas commented.
Haley rolled her eyes. "I'm here as a friend, it was bad enough I missed the Charlotte game a few weeks ago.. and besides, this will probably be the last time I'm able to fly considering I'm ballooning up with each passing minute."
"Hey, the bigger you are, the taller my nephew will be."
"Do you and Nathan always equate everything to basketball?"
"Umm.. not everything." Lucas cleared his throat. "So you just decided to come to Seattle?"
"In fact, I did." Haley replied nonchalantly. "I needed to get away from Tree Hill."
"Tree Hill or Julian?"
"Luke.." Haley whined.
"Look, I'm just saying." Lucas threw his hands up in mock surrender. "You've just been hanging out with Julian a lot lately."
"We're friends." Haley shifted in her seat uncomfortably.
"Right." Lucas said sarcastically.
"Don't do this now." Haley warned. "Besides, we're here to support Nathan." Haley shushed him and turned back to the court, where they were getting ready for tip off. She was glad that the focus would be on the game rather than her. It had been a month since they'd gone public with the pregnancy and just as expected, the press was all over it. Haley was patient and didn't try to be bothered by all the attention. Sure enough, after a few weeks, things calmed down and it wasn't as bas as she thought it would be. Having to explain everything to her family, now that was stressful.
. . . . . .
"Good game bro." Lucas walked through the locker room and towards Nathan.
"Thanks man." The two shared a typical man hug and pulled back.
"Where's Hales?" Nathan looked behind Lucas.
"Her feet were killing her so she's waiting for us in the limo."
"Oh okay good." Nathan nodded. "I'm glad you guys were able to come. I'm sorry I wasn't able to meet you sooner.. just so busy."
"Yeah man, no problem. I mean having a brother in the NBA definitely has his it's perks." Lucas looked around at the various NBA players around him.
"Come on, let me introduce you." Nathan smirked and led Lucas off to introduce him to his team mates. After some picture taking and chit chat, Lucas and Nathan started to make their way out of the arena. They didn't want to keep Haley waiting too long.
Lucas heard his phone go off and looked at the text message he received.
"Shit." He muttered to himself.
"What happened?"
"That was the publishing company, I need to send them corrections that I thought were due next week. Crap, I think I need to go straight to the hotel and work on this."
Lucas was about to put his phone away when it started to ring again. Lucas promptly ended the call.
"They stalking you now?" Nathan joked.
"It wasn't them."
"Then who was it?" Nathan asked.
"You don't want to know."
At the tip of tongue, Nathan wanted to ask if it was Julian. "Who?"
"Dan."
"Oh." Nathan kept walking.
"He keeps calling me."
"I know the feeling." Nathan admitted.
"I don't know.. you think we should talk to him?" Lucas stopped and turned to Nathan.
"You can talk to him." Nathan pointed out. "I'm done with him."
"But he's dying."
"Supposedly dying." Nathan corrected. "The guy shows up out of the blue at the airport.. right before I'm about to board my flight mind you.. and talks to me about some lame story about him dying and needing a heart transplant."
"Nate, I told you, it's for real. I spoke to the doctor myself."
"Do I want him to die? No. But if he expects us to all be one big family, then no, that's not going to happen. Whatever that doctor told you, Dan Scott needed a new heart a long time ago." Nathan turned back on his heels and continued walking to the exit.
. . . . . .
"I can't believe you did this." Haley held onto the railings and looked back onto the skyline.
After dropping Lucas back to his hotel room, Nathan decided to change plans and take their dinner to go and pack it into the ferry ride that he and Haley were currently on.
"Well, I knew you guys have to leave tomorrow, I wanted to make sure you at least saw the city at night." Nathan leaned over the railings next to Haley.
"It's beautiful out here." Haley commented, taking in the view.
"I know what you mean." Nathan replied back, his eyes never leaving Haley. She tried to avoid his heated gaze. She was second guessing her decision to go out with Nathan, especially without Lucas.
"So you played well." Haley tried to change topics.
"I was okay." Nathan shrugged.
"But you guys won the game."
"Yeah, but our season's still over."
"Well you have next season."
Nathan cleared his throat. "Yeah, I guess. But I hope you were okay. I should've gave you box seats or had them wheel you in."
Haley laughed. "Nathan, I'm pregnant not crippled. The seats were fine, I just wore the wrong shoes."
"But still, maybe you shouldn't be on your feet." Nathan motioned to a nearby bench.
"Don't mind if I do." Haley took a seat as did Nathan.
"Well one good thing with the season over, I can see you more." Nathan looked into Haley's eyes. Haley felt the heat start to rise. Nathan saw her shift uncomfortably and the last thing he wanted to do was to make her feel that way.
"And the baby." He added. Putting his hand on her belly, rubbing it slightly, he added. "I can't believe that in a couple of more months, he's going to be here."
"I know, it's exciting but at the same time.."
"Completely terrifying." Nathan joked.
"More like scared shit." Haley joked back.
"Couldn't agree more but we'll do it together."
"Yep." Haley nodded. "So are you going to stay at Lucas when you come back?"
Nathan pulled his hand back. "Umm, I think I may have found a place.. I'm not sure yet but now that the season is over, I can figure all that stuff out but it'll be good to be back in Tree Hill."
"Even with your dad there?" Haley inquired.
"I'll manage but don't worry, I'm going to make sure he doesn't bother you. He hasn't been bothering you, right?"
"No, he hasn't." Haley shifted uncomfortably. She felt guilty about not telling Nathan what was going on between her and Dan. Part of the reason she came was to talk to him and smoothen things out before he goes back to Tree Hill.
"It's just, Luke told me what happened and his heart condition." When Haley found out that Dan had a heart condition, it suddenly made sense why he was always around the hospital. "I know that must've been hard to hear."
"Actually, I don't.. I don't feel anything." Nathan looked down. "I learned a long time ago that nothing I do will ever be good enough for him and so I cut him out of my life and I haven't looked back since."
"Nathan.."
"Hales, it's okay. I get it. You lost your father."
"Yes and I don't want you to go through what I did."
"Well my dad and Mr. James are two different people. I'm not saying I'm happy about it, despite what my feelings are towards Dan, I don't want the guy to die."
"I know that, but still he's still your dad. I would give anything to have another moment with my dad. And now with the baby on the way, our soon will never get to know his grandfather.. now it looks like it might be both his grandparents."
"Aww Hales.." Nathan frowned, seeing Haley upset.
"It's nothing." Haley sniffled and wiped a stray tear from her eyes.
"Hey, Hales.. it's okay. Your dad was a good man and we're going to make sure our son knows that."
"Nathan..." Haley straightened up.
"And whatever is going on with my dad, I'm sure he'll be fine. Besides, I think the less contact our son has with him the better."
"You don't mean that."
"Hales, you remember back in high school when you met my grandparents. My grandpa rode my dad all his life, my dad did it to me, then it was the both of them on my case, it ends with me. I don't want our son to go through what I did."
Haley's eyes filled with more tears. She desperately wanted to tell him about Dan but she couldn't, and call her a coward because maybe she was but she couldn't tell him, at least now.
"Hey Hales, don't cry please."
"It's just sad that's all." Haley sniffled and Nathan wiped another tear from her eyes. "I remember growing up and when my grandparents would visit.. and my grandma would teach me how to cook.. I just.. I just want that for our son."
"Our son will have that too.. I mean.. my mom's not the best cook but I know your's is." Nathan joked but Haley only cried harder.
"Hales, please don't cry.. you know I hate it when you cry."
"Our son won't have my mom." Haley choked out, her emotions getting the best of her.
"What.. what're you talking about?"
Haley looked away.
"Hey… Hales, what is it?" Nathan asked, putting his hand on her chin and making her look at him.
"My mom.. she's sick."
"What do you mean sick?"
"She has cancer." Haley choked out.
Nathan's went wide in shock. "Oh Hales.. I'm.. I'm so sorry." Nathan wasn't sure what to say.
"No.. don't say sorry."
"Hales?" Nathan was confused.
"She's been sick for a while now and I know I should've told you sooner but I couldn't and now she's in remission but in her condition, you never know and I'm.. I'm sorry I didn't tell you." Haley looked down, not able to stand the look of hurt on his face.
Nathan sat there for a second, unsure of what to do next.
"Nathan.. say something." Haley said softly.
"I'm not mad if that's what you wondering." Nathan stood up. "I mean, the mother of your child told you that her own mother has cancer.. I mean I have no right to get mad about that.. I mean it would've been nice if I was told about these things or if my dumbass brother would've warned me."
"Nathan, please don't be mad at Luke."
"I said I wasn't mad."
"Yes you are."
"No I'm not!" He practically screamed. "I'm not." He said in a calmer voice and took a seat back next to her. "Look, I get it Hales, I get why you didn't tell me about your dad and now with your mom and if I'm mad at anyone, it's me.. I'm the reason why you can't tell me these things .. I .." Nathan was becoming frustrated and ran his hand through his hair.
"I want you to want me to tell me these things, I want you to open up to me, I want you to let me in, I want you to look at me like you used to and let me love you .. Haley, I love you, I want to be with you. God I know I hurt you Hales and I know that's the reason why you don't trust me but .." Nathan shook his head again and then looked up and Haley never saw him sadder. "I love you." He said softly.
"And I'm sorry about your mom." He added a moment later. "I hope she'll be okay."
"Thank you Nathan and I am sorry for not telling you, I'm not doing it on purpose or doing it out of spite. It's something I don't really like to talk about. And I do wish things were different between us but.."
"But it's not."
Haley nodded.
"I wish it was." Nathan said softly and took her hand in his. "You will fall in love with me again, Haley.. you'll see." He said not trying to be cocky but his tone carried a hint of desperation.
"Loving you was never the problem Nathan." Haley replied softly. "I look at you and don't' you think I remember how it was? God, even tonight I felt like were back in high school and I was in the stands watching you play. Everyone was looking at me, just like when I went to your first game after we started dating."
"Masonborough." Nathan interrupted and snorted. "You were sitting next to Karen and was wearing that goofy hat."
"Ok, you made your thoughts clear about my choice of wardrobe back then." Haley laughed.
"I scored 35 points that night and each basket was my own personal version of a Haley James pick up line."
"It worked." Haley couldn't help but smile.
"I'd say." Nathan eyed her baby bump.
Haley playfully rolled her eyes but she knew she had to be serious. She wanted to him about Dan but if tonight proved anything, it was that her emotions were on the fritz and Nathan's relationship with his dad was worst than she first realized. She couldn't tell him about this, not now when she was an emotional wreck. She didn't even mean to blurt out everything about her mom.
"Look Nathan, the point is that I do remember.. I remember the good .. and the bad. I'm sorry, I know that's not what you want to hear but it that's the truth."
Nathan squeezed her hand. "Good."
Haley looked at him curiously.
"I'm not asking you to forget all the times I screwed up.. I don't want you too.. I mean how else are we going to move forward." Nathan placed a soft kiss on her cheeks and stood up, a small smirk on his face as he made his way up to the captain of the ferry to tell them to go back to shore.
. . . . . .
Nathan got out of the elevator with an extra step in his walk. He just came back from dropping Haley off at her hotel room. He was glad Lucas had to work tonight so that he can have some alone time with Haley. For the past month, he'd been wracking his brain over what to do and wondering if she was with Julian. But tonight proved to him that it didn't matter. There was still something there between the two of them and he knew it was going to take time but he'd break her walls and she would let him back in again. The news about Lydia was surprising to say the least but it made him admire Haley even more. He felt hurt that she didn't tell him sooner but that only fueled him to try harder with her. He didn't realize how much she'd gone through these past five years but he was more determined that he wouldn't let her go through with it alone. It was after all his fault that they weren't together but he can feel her slowly coming around. And now with him going back to Tree Hill, it was only a matter of time when they would be back together.
He opened the door to his condo and was surprised to hear his TV on in the living room.
"There you are." Clay appeared.
"Oh God." Nathan was startled at first. "I knew it was a bad idea to give you a copy of my keys."
"Finally." Skills appeared as well. "Where the hell have you been?"
"Out." Nathan eyed the two wearily. "What're you two doing here so late?" Nathan walked over to the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge.
"Sorry Nate but Skills insisted we see you." Clay spoke.
"Couldn't it wait until tomorrow, I'm a little tired and I need to pack. Clay, I want to head over to Tree Hill as soon as possible."
"You sure you want to do that?" Skills asked.
"Of course." Nathan replied. "Look guys, it's late. Can we just do this tomorrow?"
Skills pulled out a folder and placed it on the counter and slid it towards Nathan.
"What is this?"
"Look Nathan, I'm saying this as your friend and your agent, we are just trying to protect you." Skills spoke up.
"Clay's my agent." Nathan replied cockily.
"Well, I'm his boss.. Look Nate, will you just look at the folder?"
"What's it about?" Nathan asked and then turned to Clay. "Clay?"
"Nate man, I'm sorry but it's about Haley." Clay replied regretfully.
"What about her?"
"She's playing you dawg.. she's been playing all of us."
"Listen Skills, that's the mother of my child you're talking to." Nathan warned.
"Really?" Skills sarcastically replied back. "Look man, when I found out about Haley, I decided to do some investigating on my own."
"You did not." Nathan was getting annoyed. Nathan pushed the folder back to Skills. "You two can go now!"
"Nate, I'm sorry man but I looked at what's inside, you might want to read it." Clay replied.
"Whatever it is, I don't care."
Skills turned to Clay and shook his head. "This chick got you so wound up, you can't even see straight."
"Skills, I'm warning you."
"Dawg, she's been playing you. Did you even do a paternity test?"
"No and I don't need to." Nathan's voice grew louder.
"You sure cuz she's been spotted with a some douche.. Julian Baker where a little birdie told me that they used to go out."
"I know that dumbass and it doesn't matter. They're not together."
"Are you sure? Cuz I found out that he recently made a big purchase recently." Skills opened the folder and showed a photo of Julian at a jewelry store.
"You were spying on him?" Nathan couldn't believe this.
"No, that was surveillance footage. It seems that there was an alert on his credit card account when he made a big purchase for an engagement ring."
"Look, I was just with Haley and believe me, there was no ring on her fingers."
"Well of course, she took it out."
Nathan laughed. "Look, even if he did ask her to marry her, she didn't say yes."
"How do you know?"
"I know. And if she did, it doesn't matter. I've known her for a long time and if she says the kid is mine then the kid is mine! And this Julian guy, give it some time and she'll forget all about him. Haley, my son and I are going to be a family and I swear to God Skills, if you weren't my friend, I'd knock you out right now."
"Dawg, she's playing you.." Skills said heatedly.
"Look Nate…" Clay stepped in. "We're just looking out for you and I mean I didn't know any of this until Skills told me earlier tonight. But he's found out some interesting things man. Look, there are things she's keeping from you."
"Oh really, like what?" Nathan said sarcastically.
"I know you found out about Haley's dad but do you know about her mom?"
"That she has cancer." Nathan quickly bit back. "Yes, I know. She told me. Did she tell me right away about it no but that doesn't matter."
"And it doesn't matter that your dad paid for her cancer treatment." Skills spoke up.
"What?" Nathan was taken a back.
"There's a lien against Lydia James' house and the lienholder is none other than Dan Scott." Skills pulled out a statement from the folder. "It's public record, it's all there. One hundred fifty thousand dollars was loaned out to the James family, which Haley signed for to pay for her mother's treatment."
"No.. there's no way." Nathan scanned through the documents.
"Nate man.." Clay spoke sympathetically. "I know this must be hard to hear, I mean I met Haley but everything you told me about your dad and now this.. I mean the funds were transferred just before Haley went to San Francisco to tell you about the pregnancy."
"Look Nate." Skills added. "Look dawg, Clay told me about your phycho dad and now he's coming out of nowhere with some heart disease and now he's paying Haley off. Bottom line is that I don't trust this woman and neither should you."
To Be Continued . . . .