Nathan entered the front door, carrying 2 coffees, assorted fruit, and buttered toast.
Smelling the delicious odors, Haley entered the kitchen.
"Thank you darling." She said, pecking him on the cheek.
They sat at the table overlooking the ocean, enjoying their breakfast.
"So, what would you like to do today my love?" Nathan asked her with a grin.
Haley thought for a moment and then came to a decision. "The beach!" I haven't been able to go tanning yet.
Nathan smiled and replied, "Whatever you want." Leaning in to give her a chaste kiss on the lips.
Just as they pulled back, Brooke entered through the door.
"Hey love birds." She announced, stealing a piece of toast. "You guys went up surprisingly early last night."
Nathan and Haley shared a quick glance.
"Uh, yeah we-" Haley began.
"You two so did it last night!"
Haley and Nathan's face turned bright red.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Nathan stammered.
"Yeah, I'll believe that one when pigs fly, Haley I expect details later." Brooke replied with a wink.
Haley smiled back at her, her face still red with embarrassment.
"Oh, and we are all going down to the beach later, you coming?" Brooke asked them, half out the door.
"Sounds perfect."
Brooke left leaving Haley and Nathan in the apartment, laughing at Brooke's ability to sense their mood.
"Hales, you ready?" Nathan called from the living room.
"Yep, I'm ready." Haley said to him, walking out of the bedroom, adjusting her sun hat.
Nathan's glance froze on Haley with a light pink bathing suit, and a sheer beach throw.
"Or we could just stay here for a bit longer." Nathan said, inching closer to her face.
"Ha, nice try, let's go." She said to him, pecking his lips and taking his hand in hers.
The pair headed down the stairs and through the lobby to meet the rest of the crew.
"Get a little distracted up there?" Peyton asked in a joking manner when the couple came into view.
"Hm, I guess Brooke doesn't know how to keep her mouth shut." Haley responded, sending Brooke a warning look.
Brooke and Peyton sandwiched Haley in between them, linking their arms in hers.
"Okay time to spill, how was it?" Brooke asked, prying for details.
Haley turned around to see if Nathan was near, but saw him talking to Julian and Lucas across the lobby.
"So good!" She responded, gushing about her boyfriend. "He was gentle and sweet, but forceful at the right times."
"How did it happen?" Peyton asked.
"Well, I told him I loved him."
"What!?" They both yelled in unison.
"And he said it back!" She said with excitement.
Brooke and Peyton shrieked, pulling Haley into an embrace.
"This is amazing! I call planning your wedding!" Peyton announced.
"Then I get to make the dress!" Brooke chimed in.
Haley laughed at their excitement.
Just as Haley was about to respond, she felt a pair of muscular arms wrap around her waist.
"Ready to go?" Nathan asked her, placing a light kiss on her head.
"Yep." She responded, heading towards the beach, with Nathan's arm around her shoulder and her best friends following close behind.
The girls sprawled out on the chairs, tanning, while Nathan, Lucas and Julian headed towards the shore to throw the football.
"Where were you last night man?" Julian asked him, tossing him the ball.
Nathan smiled. "Haley and I went up early."
"Which is code for…" Lucas began.
"We said I love you to each other."
"That's awesome dude, I'm happy for you, but is that all you did." Julian said with his signature grin.
"Not all…" Nathan said flashing his smirk.
"Way to go little brother." Lucas said, slapping his hand.
They all shared a chuckle, looking back at their beautiful women laying in the sun, with smiles.
"We sure got lucky." Julian said, looking at Brooke.
"So lucky." Lucas said, watching Peyton.
"She's too perfect for me." Nathan said, looking at Haley with twinkling eyes.
Haley shifted on the chair, needing a drink due to the intense heat.
"I'm going to get a drink from the bar, you guys want anything." Haley asked the girls, standing up.
"No thanks, I'm good." They replied.
Haley walked towards the bar and ordered her drink, waiting for it to be made.
She felt an arm snake around her shoulder, but this time, it was a weaker arm, with not the same gentle touch as last time.
She quickly shifted, facing Damien, his arm still around her.
"Hey babe." He said with a wink.
"Ew get off of me, I'm not your babe and don't touch me." Haley said quickly releasing from his grasp.
"What's wrong? Afraid to be with a real man?" Damien asked with a smirk.
"Please, your anything but a real man." Haley shot back.
"Ouch, that hurt, but I'll forgive you." Damien said stepping closer to her holding her shoulders.
"Get off of me!" Haley half screamed, looking for Nathan who was nowhere to be found.
"Listen little girl, I'm going to take Nathan's spot on the team, whether he likes it or not." He said in a threatening tone.
"Oh yeah, and how are you going to do that?"
"Because you are his one weakness." He replied in a dark tone. "See you later babe."
Just like that, he took off towards the street, leaving Haley stunned and as confused as ever.
Thanks for reading chapter 9! Sorry for the lack of Naley, but this was more of a plot development chapter, let me know what you think! R&R!