Author's Note: Thanks guys for being patient I really appreciate it. Tomorrow is the last day I spend with my brother before he leaves but I did have some free time to write the last two days so I hope you like what I have and I already have started the next chapter so it shouldn't be long before you get that as well, maybe a few days by the end of the weekend is for sure.
Nathan turned the key and pushed the door open, "home sweet home."
Haley followed him into the house and dropped her bag by the door and sighed. She walked over to the coffee table and sorted through the pile of mail, "mostly bills," she said.
"Yeah well don't look at the answering machine," Nathan said coming over to sit on the couch.
Haley plopped down beside him and he put his arm around her. She flung the mail back on the table and curled up next to him. Nathan turned the TV on and they sat there a while. Finally Haley got up and grabbed the mail, "I'm going to put this in the kitchen and grab you a notebook and pen so you can go through the messages." She walked into the kitchen and returned a few minutes later. "Here," she said handing him the pen and notebook, "I'm gonna go take a shower." She took the bag by the door and headed upstairs.
Nathan got to work on the messages. They weren't as bad as originally thought because half of them were hang ups and a couple of them were for Tim and Brooke. One of the more recent messages was from Coach K. Nathan stopped the messages from playing and grabbed the phone. He dialed Coach K's home phone number. He knew if Coach left his home number it must be important.
"Hey coach, its Nathan," he said as Coach K answered. "Doc says I'll be good to go in a few weeks."
"That's great Nate but we need to talk," Coach said.
"Yeah sure what's up," he asked curiously.
"Well I don't know how much you've been reading lately but son the tabloids got a hold of the story. I've been in and out of meetings all day," Coach said. "I fought your case had son. You were trying to protect your family, you were young, and it was yeas ago. I think I helped a little bit though."
"What do you mean," Nathan asked nervously.
"Well I sat in on meetings with both Duke reps and NCAA reps. They're main concern was that you point shaved for money. They had increased concern that it happened to help support a family that you've recently reconciled with," Coach said.
"But coach my wife is working, money isn't an issue besides I'd never take that risk again it was a huge mistake they all have to know that," Nathan said.
"I think they do know that son but it doesn't change what you did or that it's so publicly displayed and there was tremendous pressure with all the controversy surrounding athletes and sports lately," Coach said.
"Alright so how bad is it," Nathan asked, "lengthy suspension?"
"Well kind of," Coach answered, "Duke has decided to rescind your scholarship and ban you from playing here if you decide to continue your education."
"What, that's crazy," Nathan yelled. He was hot with rage and overcome by sadness. He was willing to give it all up, Duke, the NBA, all of it to save his son but that's not how things happened yet he's still losing his childhood dream.
"Nathan I'm really sorry. You're a great man, one of the best players I've ever coached. I really tried to get them to change their minds but with all the drama that has surrounded Duke Athletics in the last couple of years they just wouldn't budge," Coach K said.
Nathan swallowed hard tears were forming in his eyes, "you said you thought you helped me a little, how so?"
"Well I've been meeting with NCAA reps too. They pretty much agreed with the Duke reps. They wanted your college ball career over even if you decided to continue your education," Coach K said. "But I convinced them to go easy on you, well easier anyway. They decided to back Duke on their decision and suspend you for a year no matter where you attend college. You'll be eligible to play again your senior year just not at Duke. You have to attend school full time for a year before you become eligible to play so you can't skip junior year and then return and try to play. The last condition is that no school can offer you an athletic scholarship."
"Great, real great," Nathan said, "what am I supposed to do with that? I'm coming off an injury, by the time I transfer it'll be spring semester and I have to be full time for a year so that next fall I still wouldn't be eligible to play NCAA ball. Christ," he said frustrated, "I wish I had entered the draft this year. At this point I wouldn't be able to walk on to an NBA team even if they were still holding tryouts. I … I … what do I do?"
"I don't know son. I can't answer that for you. I guess you have a lot to think over," Coach K said.
"Coach why did you call," he asked, "I mean why didn't the Athletic Director or an NCAA rep call?"
"They all thought you'd take the news better if it came from me," Coach K answered.
"Well thanks coach," Nathan said half-heartedly.
"I'm real sorry son," Coach said again. There was long silence, "Nathan, good luck with whatever you decide and stay in touch."
Nathan hung up and stared blankly at the phone he put it down on the receiver. "Haley," he yelled up the stairs pacing the room, "Hales." There was no answer. He figured she was still in the shower. He continued to pace the room. He picked up a candle off the table and whipped it at the wall, it shattered. He walked back over to the phone, picked it up and dialed.
The river court gang showed up at the hospital. Of course Brooke spoke first, "hey Lucas, where are Haley and Nathan?"
"They actually went home for the night. You guys might want to do the same before the strict night nurse comes in and kicks you all out," Lucas said. "How did you all get in this late anyway? And have you all been at the river court since this afternoon?"
The guys quickly said goodbye and made their exit but Rachel, Peyton, Brooke, and Tim stayed. "Maybe if we're quiet the nurse won't bother us," Rachel said.
It was strange for Lucas to see Peyton, Brooke and Rachel all hanging out and having a good time. Spending the day at the river court must have been good. They explained Skills absence seeing as he left the river court with Bevin.
They all talked for a while then Tim mentioned they should get going because he was tired.
"You think Haley and Nathan want some privacy," Brooke asked.
"I wouldn't worry about it," Peyton answered, "they probably both just want rest."
"I agree but I know you'll obsess about it," Lucas said to Brooke, "so stay at my place," he said tossing Tim his keys.
"You sure," Tim asked.
"Yeah don't worry about it," Lucas said.
They all started to leave but Lucas stopped Rachel, "Rach, hang out for a bit." She came back, sat down, and got comfortable.