Chapter Eighteen

"What's the time?"

"It's six forty-eight, Tim," Jake informed his colleague. "One minute later than the last time you asked." He, Nathan and Tim were sitting in a van along with two other officers from Tree Hill, Fergie and Junk, down the road from Rachel's house. Nathan was wired, so that Jake and the other officers would be able to hear what he found out – plus whatever else took place – and if he was able to get any evidence that tied her to possession at the very least, then the three policemen from Tree Hill would enter, while Jake stayed out of sight.

"Time goes by really slowly doesn't it," Tim commented causing the others to groan.

Jake liked Fergie and Junk, but Tim was really starting to get on his nerves. Nathan, however, seemed to enjoy humouring him. "Yes, it does, Tim," Nathan said with a grin.

"Why can't you just go in yet?" he whined.

"Because the date starts at 7," Fergie reminded him.

"Then why are we here so early?"

"So that we could make sure we were prepared," Jake said exasperatedly.

"But since we know that we're prepared why doesn't Nathan just go now?"

"Because girls always get ready fashionably late so he would be sitting around doing nothing for ages," Junk stated, hoping it would keep Tim satisfied.

After this everyone retreated to their own worlds, each thinking about the night ahead or the day gone by – or both, in Nathan's case – and seemed content to remain silent. Except, Tim, of course.

He leant over towards Nathan who was sitting closet to him. "So, dude, is this chick hot?"

"Tim, she's seventeen."

"That doesn't mean she isn't hot. In fact, that means she probably is hot – or starting to be at least. Seventeen is like, when they've…you know." He made a gesture in front of his chest with his hands that had Junk giggling and Jake hanging his head in his hands.

As Jake prayed for the person who was Tim's partner he felt a strange sensation in his left trouser pocket. It didn't take long for him to realize that his cell phone was vibrating.

He pulled it out and, on having read the caller ID, felt guilty. He couldn't go outside of the van and he wasn't going to talk to her in front of the others so he wasn't able to answer it. But what would he say when she asked him about it? He had told Peyton he would be staying home and marking essays – was that a good enough excuse to not answer your phone as well? I could say I was in the shower when it rang – but then why didn't I call her back? Hmmm…maybe I was recharging the batteries and I put the phone off…but would a caller be able to hear the phone ring if it's off?

"I don't know."

"Huh?" Jake looked up.

"I said 'I don't know'," Nathan told him.

"Don't know what?"

Fergie gave him a strange look. "If someone calling would hear the phone ring if it was off. You just asked us."

Jake was surprised by this, not having realized he had spoken the latter of his thoughts out loud. "Oh. Okay."

"I know! Let's play a game while we wait."

"Tim!"

Frowning, Peyton placed the phone in her hands back on the receiver.

"Jake's not picking up?" Haley guessed.

Peyton shook her head. "He's probably busy or something," she said as she sat down on the island across from Haley.

Haley nodded. "Are you sure you don't want any more fried rice?" Haley held up the container to her friend.

"No, thanks," Peyton answered, laughing. "You go ahead and finish it. I'm gonna start cleaning up." She took her plate and cup to the sink and started to wash them. Then, she turned her head to the side to ask her friend, "So how are you feeling?"

"I'm okay," Haley replied, between mouthfuls.

"Are you sure? I mean, with your mom and everything?"

"She called me about an hour ago and she's completely fine. Normally I wouldn't believe her, but my Dad said that the doctor will be discharging her tomorrow."

"That's good."

"Yeah."

After putting her plate and cup to dry Peyton went back to the island and sat down next to her friend, who was stuffing herself with more food. Peyton had known Haley long enough to be able to tell when she ate a lot for the joy of food or to avoid a problem. While it was often because of the former, this time clearly wasn't one of those times. "Haley, are you sure you're okay?"

Haley put her spoon down and took a moment to swallow her large mouthful. "Yeah, I'm fine. I'm just thinking."

"Okay. Do you want me to call Chris?" Peyton offered.

Haley gave her a look. "You hate Chris."

Peyton sighed, but didn't attempt to deny it. "He's your boyfriend. If you want him to come over so you can talk to him about your mom or anything, I'll call him for you."

Haley gave her a slight smile. "Thanks. But it's okay. I already called him, actually."

"What did he say?"

"He didn't pick up so I left a message."

"Well, we're a sad story. It's a Friday night and both our boyfriends aren't picking up," Peyton joked.

"I'm sure Jake has a good reason," Haley said, lightly.

Peyton looked at her strangely. Finally, she interrupted the silence. "A-And Chris doesn't?"

"Oh. Well, yeah, of course," Haley said quickly.

But as the night wore on Haley was finding it harder and harder to simply brush off what she had said – or, rather, what she hadn't said. It had happened so slowly that she hadn't realized, but over the past few months she and Chris had just been drifting apart. Even before he had gone on his summer trip without her, there had been a kind of aloofness between them. Haley had had boyfriends in college who didn't really mind where she went with her friends and what she did without them, but none who hadn't cared. But, it seemed just as much as Chris didn't care what she did without him; she had stopped caring about him.

Once the thoughts entered her mind Haley found it difficult to drive them away. When she finally retired to her room for the night Haley thought it would be a relief because she would be able to sleep and just forget everything, even if only for a little while, before she had to face them in the morning.

Her phone was charging, but she had left it on and she found the light flashing when she entered her room. Picking it up, Haley saw she had a new voicemail.

"Hey, babe. Got your message. Sorry about your mom – but at least there was no damage done, right, since she's gonna be okay? Anyway, I'm real busy – this whole weekend, actually – but I might call you tomorrow or Sunday. Otherwise Chris Keller will see you in school on Monday. Bye!"

Haley could tell by the sound of his voice that he was winking as he signed off. Winking! Who did that? 'Chris Keller', obviously, her brain reminded her. Chris Keller. Urgh, he even called himself that. And he called me 'babe'! What does he think I am – a baby pig? And he might call tomorrow. Like I'm blessed that the amazing 'Chris Keller' might take time out of his busy schedule of songwriting and partying to call me. My mother just had an accident! What kind of boyfriend is he!

Thoughts of that afternoon came flooding back to her. In the moment, she'd been too weak and upset to contemplate it, but Nathan's actions had surprised her – as had her reply. But, he had been a lot more…friendly than Chris. With a final glance around the room, Haley picked up her coat and left.

Nathan looked back over his shoulder at the van one last time before he rung the bell. No one answered at first, which prompted Tim to wonder if they had the wrong house loudly enough for the microphone to pick it up and Nathan to hear it in his earpiece. Jake shushed him just in time before Rachel opened the door.

"Hey! You found it."

Nathan nodded. "Uh, yeah, I did."

He heard Fergie comment, "Smooth," and Tim requested, "Dude, can you move a bit? I wanna see the chick."

"Can I come inside?" Nathan asked quickly.

"Sure," Rachel smirked as she stepped back to give him room. "We can't exactly do what I have planned out here."

Nathan knew that the muffled sounds coming out of his earpiece were Jake and the others trying to keep down their laughter. He gave Rachel a tight smile as he entered the house. It was going to be a long night.