"I just can't believe Brooke. I mean what a bitch! Trying to kick me off the squad so her precious Haley can join!" Rachel said angrily, getting into Nathan's old Honda as Nathan got in the driver's seat.

Nathan nodded, starting the engine. "Brooke is just…Brooke."

"Yes and she's a bitch!" Rachel vented. "Excuse me if we don't all bow out gracefully for the rock star who decided to grace us with her presence!"

Nathan just looked at her, not sure how to respond. He didn't want to fight about this with Rachel.

"Well, all that matters is that you're still on the squad, right?" he asked, trying to calm her down.

"Yeah, I guess…"

Rachel was quiet for a moment, watching Nathan drive. They had only been dating for three months and she was still trying to figure him out.

Nathan had all but refused to talk about the Haley situation. What little she knew, she had learned from Jennifer and Cooper. She knew that Nathan had been very bitter and had wanted to take things slowly when they began dating... but she had honestly hoped their relationship would have progressed more by now, even physically. All he had done was kiss her – he hadn't even tried for more. That was something Rachel was definitelynot used to --

Nathan pulled up to Rachel's driveway. She leaned in to give him a kiss. "Do you want to come in?"

"Thanks, but I'm kind of fried from practice," Nathan said.

She gave him another kiss before grabbing her bag from the backseat.

"Call me," she said with a smile.

Nathan only nodded, giving a half smile before watching her safely into her house.

His thoughts then drifted to Haley. Haley, his ex-wife, was now a cheerleader. Nathan never saw that one coming, not in a million years.

He knew that he would be forced to see Haley on a regular basis now.

As hard as he tried to fight it, the thought gave him that spark of anticipation; he hadn't felt it in a while but it resonated such intense familiarity. It was the way he had felt when looking forward to their tutoring sessions when he began having feelings for her.

Haley James had that effect on him, she always had and he knew that she always would. That effect was starting to weaken his resolve he could feel it. He was still angry, yes, and he was still bitter…but little by little, it was yielding to a force stronger and much more intense…