Here's another chapter :) I'm going to TRY to keep up with the daily updates...I have to update my other story too, but if all goes well (and I finish one of my exams lol) You'll get another chapter tonight :)

Again THANK YOU for continuing to read this, again I really enjoy writing it :)

And to answer meg07's question, YES...it will be a long story (I don't know how to do the short ones lol, THANK YOU SO MUCH for reading)

Like always reviews are love, if you don't review I don't know if I should update ;)

- Bethie

Nathan and Haley walked hand in hand through downtown Tree Hill. Haley was absolutely taken aback by the sights of this small but gorgeous town. Coming from Seattle, then moving to New York, she wasn't used to all the sunlight.

"Ooo..." Haley's voice perked up like that of a small child, "Can we go in here?"

Nathan smiled at her reaction to an old record store, "Whatever you want..."

The two walked in and she immediately found the aisle she was looking for. Nathan stood back looking at a rack of different bumper stickers, laughing to himself as the words "Honk for Hooters" jumped out at him.

"Nate?"

Nathan turned his head towards the voice, "Skillz?" The grown men walked up to each other, doing their appropriate "guy hug", "How the hell are ya man?"

"Same ol' same ol..."

"Still coachin' the Raven's then?"

"You know it...what the hell you doing back in Tree Hill?"

"Ah-"

"Nathan..." Her voice called from the other end of the room.

Both men turned in her direction and Skillz' smile immediately grew, "Alright then..."

Nathan just shook his head.

Moments later the trio walked out of the store, "So Haley, you ever see this boy get his ass beat by an amateur?"

Haley chuckled, "Actually...I don't think I've actually seen him play."

"Oh its on,..."

Before Haley could figure out what was going on she was sitting on the bleachers of the River Court watching Nathan and Skillz go at it. She had to admit, she could care less who won but any excuse for a shirtless, sweaty Nathan...was worth the watch.

She cheered him on with each basket he made and he'd counter the action with a wink her way. Skillz had just scored a point on him when Haley heard her phone ring, "Hey you..."

Brooke's frantic voice answered back, "Ok so I know you are probably in the middle of hot basketball sex but I need you home!"

Haley laughed and shook her head, "What'd Julian do now?"

"Ok first...he doesn't call! Who doesn't call after the kind of night we had!? I mean seriously Haley I was good...no I was great-"

"Brooke! Point please..."

"Right, well so he leaves yesterday and does they "I'll call you,"" Brooke tried her best Julian impression, "And it's what? Almost three...NO PHONE CALL."

"I can't for the life of me wonder why..." Haley playfully teased.

"Not the time!" Haley then heard a slight shriek, "I should have never slept with him...hating him was much more fun...now all I want-"

"Is for him to call?"

"I hate you."

"Brooke, I'm sure he'll call...he's probably just...busy or something."

"Doing what!? He's a waiter for god sake!"

"And you're a sales clerk at Macy's..."

There was silence for a moment, "It's times like these I wish Bevin was still around."

"Ha! So all I have to do is sleep with your high school boyfriend to get rid of you...hmmm" Haley laughed at her own joke for a minute before finally going into best friend mode, "Brooke, I know Julian...he likes you. Besides you guys have that whole elementary school thing going..."

"Excuse me?"

"You know, the whole "I'm gonna make fun of you and not call you because I'm too shy to tell you that I love you."

"When are you coming home?" Brooke demanded, ignoring her comment.

"Tomorrow."

"K. Love you, Don't crash Patsy Cline."

Before Haley could chew her out on how unfunny her joke was, she was no longer on the line, "She is borderline insane..."

Haley hung up her phone and turned her attention back to the game.

About an hour later when the guys had finished their game, Nathan had insisted Skillz come to the house for dinner.

As the men reminiced about their high school days, Haley rose to grab some of the dishes, "Haley, don't. I'll get 'em." Nathan offered.

Haley smiled over at Nathan, "Thanks but you guys catch up, I got this." She grabbed a few of the plates and glasses and walked out of the dinning room.

Antwon "Skillz" Taylor waited until she was no longer in sight before turning his head and giving Nathan the nod of approval, "You done good Nate, you done good..."

Nathan's voice was just above a whisper and his eyes off in a distant stare, "Ya she's-she's great."

Skillz looked at the man he had known since grade school, "What's up with you?"

Nathan leaned in closer, his voice still lowering, "I just- Being here with her...feels...right, you know?"

"Then what's the problem?"

"That's just it, there is no problem..." Nathan let out a deep sigh, "Besides Luke, you know me better than anyone right?"

"Ya..."

"I don't remember ever being this way with Rachel. I don't remem-"

"Nate seriously...you can't compare the two. Look I liked Rachel, but she was never right for you."

Nathan's brow raised in confusion.

"Seriously man, she was a nice girl....but ya'll were fooling yourselves or something..."

"Why wouldn't you-"

"What? Say something? What was I gonna do, stand up at the alter shouting "Don't do it!"...Nah man, this was something you had to learn by yourself."

Nathan took a sip from his beer that still remained on the table, "And what Rachel was suppose to die so I could learn this lesson..."

Skillz shook his head, "No...and it sucks like hell that she died, but even if she was still alive Nate...you guys wouldn't have made it...it would have ended sooner or later."

Haley called from the kitchen, "You guys need another?"

Skillz answered for the both of them, "Ya, thanks..." Then turned his attention back to Nathan, "That one...she's the real deal man, for real. I've watched you two tonight...you finish each others sentences...and to tell you the truth it almost made me throw up" Skillz joked.

Nathan smiled, "I know but-"

"There ain't no buts Nathan...you keep livin' in the past your gonna ruin it with her."

"I'm not in living in the past...we both are...it just-"

"I don't care what it just..you love this girl right?"

Nathan didn't verbally answer, just shook his head agreeing.

"Then that's all that matters. Ya'll live your lives, what's done is done."

A little while later Skillz decided it was him time to depart and leave the two of them alone, "Alright Nate, don't be a stranger." The men once again pulled each other into one of their "man hugs," then Skillz turned his attention to Haley, "And it was a pleasure." He held out his hand.

Haley smiled, "I don't do hand shakes..." She pulled him into a hug, "It was really great to meet you."

Skillz smiled and before letting go whispered in her ear, "Take care of him ok?"

Haley said no words just nodded.

"Drive safe Skillz."

"You know it."

The two watched as he got into his car and drove away before closing the door. Nathan took this opportunity to wrap his arms around Haley, "You know" he placed a soft kiss on her neckline, "You can be quite charming when you wanna be..."

She turned to face him, "You haven't even seen my A-Game..."

"Ooo...what do you say we change that?"

"Oh no you don't...there are still dishes in the sink and you know that will just " She tried to speak but Nathan began undoing the buttons of her shirt, "...drive me crazy..." Her shirt fell to the floor, "Nathan..."

Nothing. All she could feel was his hands moving to the buttons on her jeans.

She threw her head back, "I guess the dishes can wait...."

His lips soon after devoured hers, sending her body near convulsions. He swiftly picked her up, her legs wrapping around him, and carried her into the living room. Their bodies collapsing on the couch.

Haley hastily removed his shirt to reveal the muscles it had kept hidden. Her hands ran over his smooth skin, while her eyes burned into his.

His body no longer willing to control itself, "God I love you..." His lips crashed onto hers once more. The feel of her nails running down his back, bringing him to the brink. He needed her. He needed her like he'd never need anyone again.

Being with Haley was like drowning and finally coming up for air. It was ecstasy and peace all at the same time. Her body becoming familiar to him but also surprised him with every touch.

He fell asleep thinking if he died tomorrow, he'd have no regrets.

He watched as the golden strands of hair fell through his fingers, "It couldn't have been that bad..."

"Growing up in Seattle? No...It wasn't bad...it was just...boring I guess." Like she did, Haley drew invisible circles across his chest, "See I don't have a fabulous beach house to take you to...I have...2130 Hillcrest...home of Jim and Lydia James-"

"Wait, your fathers name is...James James..."

Haley playfully smacked him, "Shut up...although I like to think that was the cause of the insanity." She chuckled, "No...my parents are good people...working class and corky to the bone...but good people."

"And you said your dad works for the water company?"

"He did. He retired a few years ago...and my mom...well growing up believed in every and any cause...I remember one time she came home with I think the entire fabric store...and for an entire year me and my sisters had to wear these knitted hats and poncho's because she said the children in third world countries needed a break..."

Nathan couldn't help but laugh, "Your mom sounds like a...a very grounded person."

"Grounded. More like committed." Haley joked.

"What about your sisters?"

"Lets see, Quinn and her husband David live three houses down from my parents and Taylor...ya Taylor still lives in the same room she did when she was twelve."

"Your family sounds nice Haley."

"What about you? I know at least one member of your family is sane..."

Nathan smiled.

"Lucas." Haley joked.

Nathan's smile faded, "Ha...Ha..."

"Seriously...how do your parents afford a place like this, the house they actually live in...and lets not forget the frequent trips to Europe..."

"My dad...he owned the car dealership downtown for awhile...this being a small town and the only one in town...he did well for himself. He invested some of the money and as they say the rest is history..."

"And your Uncle Cooper..." Haley began laughing, "What the hell?"

Nathan echoed her laughter, "Ya Uncle Coop...he's a free spirit...See my mom's parents died when they were really young so my mom practically raised him...their close and he pretty much lives off the allowance my mom gives him. He's a little crazy but...deep down he's a good guy. Oh but then there's my Uncle Keith" Nathan's body shifted in excitement, his hands still tangled in Haley's hair, "When we go back to New York we have to go see him and my Aunt Karen..."

Haley's smile grew as he spoke of his Uncle.

"See my dad was never the guy that wanted to be a dad...it's more of an obligation to him than a privilege....besides basketball I don't think the man has helped me with anything...BUT" There was that smile again, "My Uncle Keith...he's probably the best guy I know."

Haley let out a deep sigh and pulled him closer, "I don't want to go back..."

Nathan kissed the top of her head, "I know."

"It's just easy here...Even with the new apartments and my new job..." Haley closed her eyes, "In New York I just feel haunted."

"I know what you mean..." He kissed her head again.

Like the night before they fell asleep on the living room floor, surrounded by the glow of the fire and the sounds of the ocean.

It was around four in the morning when Nathan heard his cell phone, groggy and half asleep he grabbed it from the coffee table above him, "Hello?" He tried to answer in his lowest tone.

"Na-Nathan..."

He immediatly shot up at the sound of his crying sister-in-law, "Peyton!? What is it?"

"He was shot..."

Let me know!!!

- Bethie