Disclaimer: I don't own one tree hill
Authors notes: Thanks for the reviews. Keep 'em coming, like it? Hate it? Let me know!
Rating: M
Chapter nine:
" Aunt Peyton worked really hard on that for you, we can't just paint over it. " Haley told her son, as they both stood looking at the mural of a basketball court an the wall of his new bedroom.
" I don't want it! " He shouted, causing his mother to be slightly startled by his outburst.
" James Lucas Scott! I get that you're mad but you will not raise your voice too me. " Haley reprimanded him and he shrugged his shoulder, giving her a hard stare before turning his gaze back to the offending wall. " I don't get it, I thought you would be happy to find out your idol was your father. "
" He doesn't want me. " Jamie mumbled and Haley looked at him sadly.
" Of course he does honey, that's why he came back. " Haley told him, sitting down on his brand new bed.
" But he's leaving again. " Jamie said, taking the spot next to his mother.
" Yes he is but he also said he is buying a place in Tree Hill so that he can be here during the off season. " Haley explained, watching the display of emotions across her sons face.
" You always say we're a package deal, that if they don't want me, then they don't really want you. " Jamie told her, and she remembered her words to Lucas not to long ago. " If Nathan doesn't want you then he really doesn't want me. "
" Baby, this is different, you're his son. Of course he wants you. " Haley tried to reassure him but was doubting whether or not she was getting through to him. " Do you want to talk to Nathan, tell him how you feel? "
Jamie shrugged. " I guess. "
" We'll go the cafe and I will hang out with Karen while you and Nathan talk and if you want to leave at any time, we'll go. " She promised and he nodded.
Nathan sat in a corner booth, tapping his fingers nervously on the table. He'd been surprised when Haley had called him and told him that Jamie was wanting to see him. Karen stood behind the counter, staring at him sending off not so friendly vibes, he wanted to say hi but Lucas' mom scared him a little. She didn't even come over to see if he needed anything.
It wasn't long before Haley entered the cafe, holding the door open for Jamie. He was surprised when Jamie walked over to the table but Haley went over to Karen and took a seat at the counter.
" Hi, Jamie. " Nathan smiled, uneasily.
" Hi. " Jamie replied, climbing into the booth across of Nathan.
" I was glad when your mom called and said you wanted to see me. " Nathan told him, wishing he knew what was going through Jamie's head.
" I don't know how to say this. " Jamie mumbled, taken Nathan slight aback.
" Say what? " Nathan prodded.
" I don't like you. " Jamie said and Nathan felt his heart break. " I don't like what you did to my mom. "
Nathan nodded, knowing that is some small way that this could happen. He'd always feared that his child would feel the same about him that he felt about his own father.
" I made a mistake. " Nathan admitted slowly, mentally trying to figure the best way to explain to the child. " One that I wish I had never made because I have spent the past six years regretting it. "
" But you did. " Jamie reminded him.
" I understand how you feel Jamie but I would like to get to know you though. " Nathan told him. " I hope that one day we can be close and you call look at me as your dad. "
" Mama said I should give you a chance. " Jamie told him, and Nathan was appreciative of his wife. " She said just because you don't want her doesn't mean that you don't want me. "
Nathans heart sank even further.
" It's not like that Jamie, I love your mom very much. "
" Then why? Why did you leave? " His voice broke but he was trying to understand.
" Because I was scared. " Nathan admitted, although it was to the wrong person. Haley should be the one he confessed these things to, not their son. " You're mother is such an incredible person and she was being offered things that I couldn't give her. I might have been a little jealous, so when Oak Lake recruited me, I went. I took advice from people I shouldn't have and I have regretted it every single day that I have been away. "
Haley watched out of the corner of her eye, wanting to know what was being said but at the same time, Jamie needed this time alone with his father. Still it killed her, watching the sad look on her little boys and seeing the same sad look on Nathans face.
" Lucas tells me your back into the dating world. " Karen said, causing Haley too look away from her ' husband ' and son.
" Yes I am actually. " Haley smiled. " His name is Dave. "
Karen smiled as well, although hers carried a little more wisdom behind it.
" Is he nice? " Karen prodded when Haley offered no other details.
" Very. I'll bring him in here one night but you can't tell Lucas. I am actually afraid of when school starts and they meet. " When Karen looked confused, Haley continued. " Dave is Tree Hill highs newest Varsity coach. "
" Wow. " Karen commented. " You should be worried, Lucas is really wanting to give his ' you hurt Haley, I hurt you! ' speech. He's only gotten to give it once and that was on you know who. "
Haley couldn't help but laugh. Lucas had made it his business to have Haley's back, especially after the whole Nathan thing. In college, Lucas' friends all found her attractive but when they learned she came attached with a kid, they didn't push it.
" Did you offer him anything to drink? " Haley asked, noticing Nathans table devoid of any beverages.
" Nope. " Karen replied, smiling innocently as Haley rolled her eyes.
" Why am I not surprised? " Haley questioned, getting up from her spot and going behind the counter.
She fixed a chocolate milk for Jamie and a coke for Nathan before carrying them over to their table. She would be lying if she said that she wasn't doing it so she could spy on them and hear what was being said. She arrived just in time to hear Nathan say that he regretted his time away.
" How's it going? " Haley asked her son, placing his drink down in front of him and stroking his hair.
" Good. " He answered simply, his tone still sad but had lost most of the anger.
" That's good sweetie. Do you want anything to eat? " She asked, handing Nathan his coke.
" No thanks. " Jamie answered.
" How about you? " Haley asked, turning to Nathan.
" Yeah, I could use some mac and cheese. " He said and for a moment he thought she was about to smile.
" I'll go see if Karen has any. " She told him, turning and walking away.
Both Jamie and Nathan stared after her for a minute. Jamie broke the silence.
" I don't have to call you dad, do I? " Jamie asked, and Nathan tensed up slightly.
" Not if you don't want to. " Nathan answered, wishing that Jamie would call him dad.
" Good, because your not." Jamie told him.
" He said that? " Rachel questioned, as she sat a full box of pizza in front of Nathan.
" Yep. Talk about a heart punch. " Nathan replied sadly.
He couldn't be angry. At least Jamie was going to give him a chance. He just didn't want to see Nathan as his father just yet. As soon as Haley had brought Nathan his mac and cheese, she and Jamie left, leaving him all alone with his thoughts and his cheesy pasta.
" That really sucks. " Rachel said, placing her hand over his soothingly.
" I deserve it. Haley, Jamie and I are going to go out and have dinner friday. Jamie doesn't want to spend time with me alone and Haley and I figured it would be better this way until I built up some trust with him. " Nathan explained, pulling his hand out of her grasp and picking up a slice.
" Maybe a little family time will be good for you. All of you. " Rachel told him, pointedly.
" Maybe. " He agreed softly, wondering if his son would ever love him and whether is wife could ever forgive him. " Maybe I should just sign the papers and get out of her life. " He said it more to himself than to Rachel.
He was dying inside. The fact that he was not only hurting Haley but now Jamie as well, was killing him. Maybe he should have just signed the papers and not come to Tree Hill at all. Maybe he was a son of bitch just like his own father.
Years had gone by and not one day had Haley not crossed his mind. She was the first thing he thought of when he woke up and the last thing he thought of when he'd gone to bed, hell she had been the major part of every dream he had. Every game night, he'd say a silent prayer before hanging the chain that held his wedding band up, that one day he would be the man she deserved.
" I'm going to go out tonight. " Rachel told him. " You want to go? "
" No, I think I am just gonna go down to the river court and shoot around a little bit. " He replied, picking up his empty plate and carrying it the sink.
" Don't wait up. " She grinned and he chuckled.
" I wouldn't dream of it. " Nathan grinned.
" I don't really know what they talked about, I just know that we all agreed that when Jamie and Nathan saw each other I would be there, at least until Jamie was comfortable with Nathan. " Haley told Lucas and Peyton as they sat in the living room of her new house.
" Do you really think that's wise? " Peyton asked, before taking a sip of her wine.
" He said after the two months were up, he'd sign the divorce papers. I think I should bide my time and place nice. " Haley answered, while Lucas shook his head.
" Basically he is manipulating you into doing things on his terms. " Lucas told her, disgusted at his brothers behavior. " That is total bullshit! "
" What does that mean for Dave? " Peyton asked, placing a hand on her boyfriends thigh in an attempt to keep him calm.
" It doesn't really mean anything for Dave, we're still going to see each other but we're taking things slow. " She informed them, smiling. " Really slow. "
" Speaking of Dave, when are we meeting him? " Lucas questioned, really wanting to meet his best friends newest boyfriend.
" Not for awhile. " Haley teased almost laughing as Lucas broke out into a scowl. " Things are going good, I don't want you to scare him away. "
Peyton laughed as Lucas grinned proudly. " Yeah, Luke would definitely try and scare him away. "
" If he's a nice guy, he won't let me scare him away. " Lucas pointed out.
" Doesn't work that way, Scott. " Haley laughed, happily enjoying the time spent with her best friends.
Rachel sat perched on her barstool, scanning the crowd of talent. She saw a lot of lonely men and women looking for love but she was just looking for fun. So far the only one to catch her eye was the bar tender and she was fairly certain he was gay.
" Can I buy you a drink? " A deep male voice said from beside her.
She was ready to shoot him down but the moment she met his sparkling green eyes, all she could do was smile.
" Sure you can. " She smiled, instantly recognizing the man beside her.
He raised his hand, signaling for the bar tender.
" A Sam Adams and whatever the lady wants. " He smiled easily at her.
" Tequilla sunrise. " She replied, the bar tender nodding and walking away.
Once the man behind the bar was at the other end, fixing their order, he held out his hand.
" I'm Dave. " He flashed her a sexy grin.
She couldn't help but wonder if he remembered her from the night before, he didn't seem too. This was actually perfect, once Nathan got a hold of this information, he might actually have a fighting chance with his wife.
" Rachel. " She grinned, easily, allowing him to take her small hand in his larger one.
Yeah I know, I'm mean but at least I am good at it!