disclaimer: Don't own one tree hill
Authors notes: This chapter isn't very long. So, I watched the show tonight and was actually a little sad. I see a lot of myself in Haley and what she is going through. After my mother passed away I would call her cell phone just to hear her voice on the greeting but never left any messages. I also didn't burn a piano or try and drown myself but I did drink a lot until I discovered I was pregnant.
I also notice that they started running the promos saying season finale as opposed to the ones saying only 2 more episodes left, which leaves me optimistic for a season 8. I hope some good things start happening. I hope Brooke and Julian get married… Maybe another Naley baby on the way..
I'm also going to be starting a new story that I am very excited about. I have had this idea for awhile but it is just now really coming together.
I'm done rambling, please read and review.
Chapter 14:
" I hope you don't mind, " He stepped through her doorway, despite the lack of invitation inside. " that I came by unannounced but since I can help you, I figured you wouldn't mind. "
" And just how in the hell are you going to help me, Dan? " She spat angrily, her emotions still raging from her encounter with Nathan.
" You filed for divorce, right? " He continued as she nodded. " But my son is being stubborn, thinks he can still salvage this joke of a marriage. I assume your attorney has done nothing to make sure the divorce goes through any faster, how am I doing so far? " He smiled again.
" Nathan has more money and a better attorney. " She admitted, as much as she hated to do so. " I pretty much have to play by his rules or lose my son and I won't lose my son. "
" I know how hard this must be, " He tried his best to sound sincre but even he had admit he wasn't that good of an actor. " Let me help you, Haley. "
She could feel her resolve breaking but knew she was making a deal with the devil. " How? "
" I have a better attorney. " Dan smiled. " And since Nathan left you six years ago without so much as a glance back in your general direction, you are entitled to an annulement. "
" Nathan won't sign the papers. " She reminded him, crossing her arms over her chest as they continued to stand in the foyer of her small home.
" He doesn't have too. " Dan responded, a smug look crossing his features. " He abandoned you while you were pregnant, he has no rights. "
" Why don't we go have a seat in the kitchen, " Haley suggested reluctantly as Dans wicked grin spread further.
*********************************MTAM**********************************************
" Lucas! " He banged loudly on his brothers apartment door. Lucas would probably not be thrilled to see him at such a late hour but he was the only one he knew that could convince Haley to stay away from Dave. " Lucas, open the damn door! "
The outside light finally flicked on and the door opened. Lucas stood on the side, looking more than a little annoyed. Behind him was a disheveled and he knew he'd woken them both up. " What the fuck, Nathan? " Lucas snapped, " It's one thirty in the fucking morning and you know we have Jamie. "
" I know and I'm sorry but I need to talk to you, Luke, " Nathan told him. " It's really important. "
" We have nothing to talk about, Nate. " Lucas crossed his arms over his chest, staring angrily at his little brother.
Peyton moved from the background to stand next to Lucas. " I think you should talk to him, Luke. " Lucas' head snapped towards her, he wore a look of disbelief. " I'm serious. Just go and I will look after Jamie. "
Nathan shot Peyton a grateful look as Lucas struggled to decide. " Fine. Let me go put on some pants and we'll go for a walk but I'm telling you Nathan, this better be fucking important. "
Nathan waited until Lucas disappeared down the hallway before smiling gratefully at Peyton. " Thank you. "
Peyton took a step closer to the wide open front door, fastening her robe tighter around her thin frame. She didn't look angry or upset, just tired. " I thought you had changed, " She began and he wasn't quite sure where she was leading but nothing in his brain told him it would be positive. In all the years he'd known Peyton Sawyer, she'd never been one to hold anything back and he didn't expect that she would now. " I thought maybe Haley had found a better man in you than I ever saw possible. You fooled me Nathan, you fooled all of us but I can't help but slap myself because I should have seen the truth. You are the same selfish little boy you always were. "
The truth behind her words stung. She was right, he couldn't and wouldn't deny it. He had been selfish, putting his dreams before Haley. He'd been scared of losing the one thing that made the most sense to him at the time, the game. " You're right, " Was all he could manage before she cut him off, whispering harshly.
" You're damn right I'm right. Just let her go, Nathan. " Her tone softened a bit. " And Jamie too. "
" I can't do that, " He spoke firmly, almost wishing he could do those things. He'd walked away from Haley six years ago, making the biggest mistake of his life. He could have had everything. His wife. His son. And the game. He could have had it all. " Do you know what it's like to do something you wish you could take back? Wake up everyday living without the one thing that matters more to you than anything else? " She nodded. " The don't ask me to let her go. "
Before she could say anything else, Lucas appeared. He'd changed out of his pajamas and into a pair of shorts and sneakers sans his socks. " Alright let's get this over with. " He grumbled, dropping a quick kiss on Peytons forehead as he mumbled something about a quick return.
The two brothers walked in silence for awhile. Nathan mulling over what he had to say and the best way to say it to Lucas and Lucas just stared straight ahead, his eyes narrowed and his jaw clenched.
" Not that this isn't nice or anything, " Lucas bit out sarcastically, still looking in front of him but his face wearing an obvious mask of annoyance and exhaustion. " But I thought you needed to talk. "
" I know you hate me, Luke, " Nathan began and Lucas chuckled slightly.
" I don't hate you, Nathan, " Lucas cut in, clarifying. " I hate what you did. I hate how you tricked all of us into believing you weren't this douche bag like Dan and then you proved us wrong. Haley is my best friend and I trusted you with her. Do you even know how hard it was watching as she tried to pick the pieces up after you left and then go on to raise that kid on her own? Do you have any fucking idea? "
Nathan bowed his head, the two stopped walking.
" I remember after she had Jamie, " Lucas continued. " She would just sit next to his crib with tears streaming down her face. All she wanted was for you to come home, man, and she would have taking you back. "
" I have no right to ask you this, " Nathan knew he had to get the words out. " But I need you to get her to dump Dave. "
Lucas began shaking his head side to side in disbelief. " Unbelievable. " He muttered.
" He's not a good guy, Lucas. " Nathan told his brother, rushing to get the words out before Lucas undoubtably walked away, encouraging Haley to continue the relationship with Dave just to spite Nathan. " He's done some horrible things and isn't right for Haley. "
" Did he leave his 16 year old pregnant wife to fend for herself while he went to some prestigious acedemy too? " Lucas spat angrily.
As much as he knew he deserved it, Nathan couldn't help become angered by the verbal barbs Lucas threw his way. " He's only raped a few women, no big deal. " Nathan told him, turning and begininning walk again.
Lucas stood stunned for a few minutes, looking towards the ground as he let Nathans words sink in and when he looked up Nathan was already a quarter mile down the road. Lucas quickly jogged to catch up to his little brother. " Those are pretty serious accusations, " Lucas told him, resuming their walking pace. " Do you have any evidence to back it up? "
" He raped Rachel. " Nathan told him simply.
" Your girlfriend Rachel? " Lucas inquired.
" My friend Rachel. " Nathan returned.
*************************************MTAM******************************************
" I don't know, " She whispered, looking over the paper work laid out in front of her.
" You know this is what is best for you, " Dan told her, restraining the smile he felt forming on his lips as she dangled the pen above the signature line. " And for little James. I mean what kind of father will Nathan make? Once the preseason training camp starts he'll be in Seattle and travaling all the time, he'll have no time to play house. "
This is what she wanted. Her freedom from Nathan. He'd hurt her before and she'd made a promise to herself that he'd never get the chance to do it again. All the paperwork seemed to be in order and in all fairness to her so she quickly scribbled her name across the line and slid it over to Dan." Now get out! "
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