Chapter 13 Almost In Reach
March 6, 2012
Nathan ran out onto the court and his eyes scanned the crowd. He could see his mom, Karen, Lucas, and Brooke sitting together. His Dad was over on the opposite side of the stands—of course—but no Haley. His smile dropped off his face. She wasn't coming. He was about to turn away when he saw a head of shining golden-brown hair rush into the auditorium and jog down the stairs. The girl looked up and his heart leapt. Haley. He saw her slide into a seat next to Lucas.
He waved towards the stands and his entire family waved back. Haley put two fingers in her mouth and gave out a loud, piercing whistle.
"Go Ravens!" she shouted.
He could hear her yell over the noise of the crowd and he grinned to himself.
Nathan stood to the left of his center and leaped forward when his teammate batted the ball his way.
Dribbling up the court, Nathan managed to shake off the player who was guarding him and went for the jump shot.
It went in! The crowd was on their feet cheering and Nathan ran back up the court. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Haley raise both hands in the air.
He grinned and focused on the person in front of him.
Nathan Scott had played one of the best games of his life.
Afterwards his entire team hoisted him up on their shoulders and even the coach gave him an approving nod. He looked over and Haley was jumping up and down while hugging Lucas and everyone around her.
"You were amazing," Haley said. Her voice was so soft that Nathan had to lean in to hear her.
"Are you okay?" Nathan asked.
"Yeah, I just lost my voice. It's totally your fault for making me scream like a maniac after you scored that three-pointer at the bottom of the third quarter." Haley cleared her throat.
"Sorry." Nathan grinned.
"I'll forgive you if you buy me a coke."
Nathan saluted her sharply and turned to put some coins in the vending machine.
"Pay no attention to Hales, Nate. She doesn't need any more money spent on her," Lucas said.
"Just shut up and look pretty." Haley glared at Lucas. "I can't stand a man that talks too much." She smiled her thanks at Nathan when he handed her the soda.
Brooke nudged Haley. "Where's Wes tonight, Hales? Wasn't he coming with you?"
"I had to leave him behind, he's got a ton of work to do."
Thank God, Nathan thought.
Karen asked, "He's looking for a teaching position at Lathrum High, right?"
"Yes, and I'm helping him with his application—which is why I've got to go."
"Haley, at least stick around for a couple more hours. We were planning on going out to dinner," Deb pleaded.
"I wish I could, but," Haley glanced at her watch, "I promised Wes I'd be back by ten. I've got to run."
Nathan's brow furrowed. "Can't you at least stay for appetizers?" He attempted a pitiful look and everyone laughed.
Haley narrowed her eyes at Nathan. "Don't even try to use that look on me, it hasn't worked since you were thirteen."
"Please? I want the whole family there."
"I've got to learn how to say no," Haley muttered. "Fine! One appetizer and then I've really got to leave."
"Of course," Nathan said happily.
They left and none of them noticed Dan standing off to the side, alone. He looked like he wanted to say something but he remained still as his son and ex-wife got into their car and drove off.
After dinner Lucas walked Haley out to her car.
"You got a job already?" Lucas said.
Haley nodded. "Wes told me about it. I wasn't really expecting to get it, but I'm so excited. I'll be a junior editor for Lang Publishing."
"I think I might go back to Duke after a year or so. But Brooke and I are thinking about taking some time off after she graduates next year. She wants to go to Mexico."
"Mexico?" Haley laughed. "What about basketball?"
"I didn't make the draft."
"Luke, I'm sorry."
He shrugged. "I didn't really think that there would be a lot of teams willing to take on a player that's had the problems I have."
Lucas had hurt his knee during his senior year. It wasn't as severe as the injury that had ended Dan's career but it was serious enough that he'd had to deal with the fact that his chances of playing professionally were limited.
"I could probably play in the European League but I don't think I want to leave Tree Hill again."
"You are the biggest homebody I know Luke." Haley shook her head at him.
"I'm just grateful for what I have. But what about you? I thought you'd be going back to California soon."
"I don't think I want to go back."
Lucas looked at her with surprise. "Why not?"
"I loved Stanford, but the most of the time I felt like I really belonged somewhere else. I guess I'm more like you than I thought."
"Couldn't make it without me, huh?" Lucas grinned.
"I don't know what I'd do if I couldn't look at your beautiful face." The sarcasm was dripping off Haley's voice.
Lucas pretended to preen. Haley slugged him on the shoulder and then reached up to hug him. "I'll see you later."
They were sitting in his living room and watching his highlight reel; Nathan was on the floor and Haley was on the couch behind him. When she saw him hit the shot that had won them the championship she laughed, scooted forward, and hugged him from behind.
He leaned back against her, closing his eyes briefly before opening them and pretending to watch the game. He breathed slowly so that he could calm down and slow the beating of his heart. It was hard with the feel of her body pressed against his back.
Haley was a very physically affectionate person, especially with him and Lucas, and he loved that about her even when he wasn't sure if he was grateful for that trait or not.
His parents loved him—at least his mom did—but they'd never been the kind of people who regularly gave out kisses and hugs. He hadn't considered himself to be the type of person who needed it until Haley had come along. He had a reputation at school for being a player but that wasn't really the case. He'd messed around with someone at school but compared to the other boys on the team he was practically a monk. But he did spend a lot of time with girls, who were happy enough to give him the casual affection that he needed. But there were times when he withdrew from them and it was no coincidence that it was whenever Haley was around.
Having her close made delicious shivers run up and down his spine but he had to remind himself that she wasn't singling him out for special attention—he'd seen her hold Lucas the same way. He felt an unreasonable spurt of jealousy and tried to push it back down. He knew that Lucas didn't look at Haley like he did but it was hard to understand how someone could be near her and not want more.
She released him to sit back on the cushions and he struggled to maintain his calm.
"Stop glowering at the screen," Lucas chided. "You look great, there's no need to be so critical."
"What?" Nathan's head snapped up. "I wasn't—"
"You were looking at the television like you wanted to give it a smack."
"It's fine Lucas, I was just thinking about some things I've got to get done tomorrow."
"Speaking of," Haley stood up, "I've got to get to work in the morning."
Lucas stood up and Haley kissed him on the cheek and gave him a hug before walking out.
"What about you? Anything planned for tomorrow?" Lucas turned to his brother.
"Nothing much. I've been getting ready for prom."
"Right, that's next week. Who are you taking?"
"Shelley Jellesco," Nathan said confidently.
June 2, 2012
"No way." Haley's mouth dropped open. "You've got to be kidding me, Deb. That little . . ." Haley swallowed down words that should never be used to describe a young girl. "Are you serious?"
"The little tramp just called, Haley! What kind of person breaks up with a guy six hours before prom? What is wrong with girls today?" Haley could hear how furious Deb was, even through the phone.
"I am so sorry. What was she thinking? Nathan is such a catch!" What kind of name is Jellesco, anyway? Haley fumed. It even sounded stupid. Jellesco.
"I know!"
"I wish there was something I could do. Maybe I can find this girl and pour punch down her dress."
"Actually, there is."
"Name it."
"I know that Nathan is really disappointed—even though he'd never admit it."
"Poor guy," Haley sighed. "Luke and I will take him someplace special tomorrow. He'll have such a good time that he won't even remember what's-her-name."
"I was wondering if maybe . . . you'd be his date for the prom."
". . . say what now?"
"I think that Nathan used to have a little bit of a crush on you, Haley. It would make his night."
"I really wish I could help you out but I don't think . . ."
"He's heartbroken, Haley. Just heartbroken."
"Oh, man." Haley suddenly felt very tired. "I don't even have a dress."
"I think I used to be around your size, I could lend you one of my old dresses."
"Uh, let me call Brooke and I'll get back to you."
"Great! I'll tell Nathan!"
"Deb, no, I meant I'd think about it!" Haley was talking to a dial tone.
Haley punched a number into her cell and waited impatiently for Brooke to pick up. When she finally did she blurted out, "You aren't going to believe this."
"The boy's mother asked you to take him to prom? Is he Quasimodo or something?" asked Laura, Brooke's roommate. She watched Haley get painted and primped with an amused smile on her face.
Brooke laughed and carefully applied blush to Haley's cheeks.
"No, Nathan's really handsome. It's just that his date flaked on him so now I'm filling in," Haley answered.
"Here, try this on." Brooke held up a yellow strapless dress. Haley slipped into it and Brooke clapped her hands excitedly. "It's perfect!"
"Brooke, I'm feeling a little exposed here." Haley tried to pull the dress up a little higher. She felt like she was practically hanging out of it.
"No, you look great. Like every high school boy's fantasy."
"Perfect. I can't believe that I'm doing this," Haley groaned.
"Oh, you won't be alone. I'm coming with you."
"Really? Brooke, you're the best. And I don't know how to thank you both for coming all the way down here when finals are next week."
Laura sat back and crossed her legs. "I felt like going on a road trip and Brooke needed a ride. I wanted a break anyway."
Brooke waved the compliment away. "You know I adore you Haley. I wouldn't leave you alone in this. Now let's do something with your hair and maybe I can find you a necklace . . ."
Haley glanced at the clock on Brooke's dresser. "I've got to leave soon so I can make it over to Deb's in time."
"I hope I didn't leave the thing back in Durham," Brooke muttered as she rifled through the huge bag that she'd brought.
"Don't feel guilty, Haley," Laura said. "Brooke would be insulted if you dared to go to some salon to get fixed up. She thinks she's better than those professionals."
"I'm just that good," Brooke said without a trace of false modesty. "Here it is!"
She held up a delicate gold chain that complimented Haley's dress perfectly.
Haley put it on and slipped on her shoes. "You're awesome, you're the best, and I'm going to love you forever."
Brooke managed to style Haley's hair quickly. "Get going, I'll see you later."
"Okay, I've got tons of junk food in the kitchen, you guys just help yourselves to anything."
Haley waved goodbye as she walked out the door.
Haley walked up to the Scott's door and knocked; Deb answered and her eyes widened when she saw her.
"Wow, you look great."
"Thank Brooke Davis, fashonista extraordinaire."
"Lucas' girlfriend?"
"That's her."
"Come on in, Nathan's still upstairs getting ready." Deb laughed. "I think he's more excited about prom now than he was when he asked Shelly."
"Well, someday she'll be sorry that she passed on the opportunity. Where's Dan?"
"Oh, he's out of town. Something to do with trying to sign some new talent."
Haley breathed a sigh of relief. She'd never liked Dan and she was sure he'd never thought much of her, but lately his animosity seemed to reach a new level. She was sure that their little confrontations over the years hadn't helped—but for the most part she stayed out of his way. But that didn't seem to help, whenever she was around he always made some idiot comment, and she had no idea what she did to set him off.
Nathan walked down the stairs and his smile widened when he saw Haley. Yellow wasn't his favorite color—at least, it hadn't been before—but it looked beautiful on her, highlighting the soft tan of her skin. The dress hugged her curves; there was a tie around her waist that emphasized her hourglass figure. Her hair was swept up into a bun and she was wearing a shade of red on her lips that made them look full and kissable.
"You look beautiful," he said sincerely.
Haley looked at Nathan with surprise. He looked so grown in his suit and tie. His hair, which was usually looked like he just got out of bed, was combed and moussed to perfection. His suit was conservative but his tie was dark blue and it made his eyes look startlingly intense. He wasn't a little boy anymore.
"Nathan?" Haley mouth dropped open. "You clean up nice. I had no idea you'd become so handsome."
"Well," he smirked, "it's a gift that I don't question."
Haley laughed and the strange feeling that she was meeting this person for the first time faded.
"You look so much better with that haircut," Haley stood up on her tiptoes to look at him, "I can actually see your eyes."
"I have a corsage."
"Pin it on me."
Nathan brought out the box and Haley was stunned again. It was a white orchid. Her favorite flower.
"Nathan . . ." Haley felt so sad for him. "It's really beautiful."
He pinned the flower to her dress and his fingers brushed the left side of her chest—his hands were shaking. She cursed that Jellesco chick to the depths of hell and smiled into Nathan's eyes. He seemed to relax a little and smiled back.
There was a knock on the door and Deb looked out of the window. "The limo is here."
"Limo?" Haley asked.
"You don't mind if we arrive in style, do you?" Nathan smiled but Haley could see that he felt a little anxious.
"I'd love to."
He left to talk to the driver and Deb pulled her aside.
"Haley," her tone was concerned, "are you all right?"
"It just breaks my heart that he did all this and the girl didn't even show."
"Mine too. Nathan planned out this whole night, and he wouldn't even let me or his father pay for any of it. He's been working at some pretzel stand at the mall for weeks so he could afford all this."
Nathan came back into the room. "Are you ready to go, Haley?"
"Ready."
"Hold on one second." Deb pulled out a camera.
"Mom," Nathan groaned.
"Be quiet, Nathan, and put your arm around Haley."
Nathan sighed but did as his mother asked.
Deb snapped off a couple pictures and then smiled at the couple. "You kids have fun."
Nathan and Haley climbed into the limo and as they pulled away from the house Haley couldn't stop from grinning and bouncing on the seats and looking at everything in the little minibar.
Nathan smiled at her. There were times when she seemed even younger than he was.
"You act like you've never been in a limo before."
"I never have been in a limo before."
"You're kidding!"
"Nathan, I barely have enough money to buy macaroni and cheese."
"But what about your prom?"
"Nope, not even for prom."
"Well, then I'm glad I could do this for you."
Haley smiled. "I'm definitely going to be the envy of every girl."
"Do you want some champagne and strawberries?"
"Champagne?"
Nathan pulled out two glasses and a bottle that looked pretty expensive.
"Where did you get that?"
"I kind of snuck it in here under my jacket."
"You're not old enough to drink yet."
"Well, how about you drink and I'll watch you?"
Haley took the bottle from Nathan and popped off the cork, pouring two glasses. "It's prom night," she said, handing him a drink, "you can't just watch me have fun."
They clinked glasses and sipped the champagne.
Haley opened up the skylight and popped her head out while Nathan laughed at her.
"Nathan, get up here!"
He stood up next to her and looked around.
"Isn't it a beautiful night?" Haley rested her arms on the roof of the car with her head tilted up towards the sky.
Nathan silently agreed and closed his eyes. It was warm but he could still feel the heat from Haley's body next to him, and he could smell her perfume. He wanted to tell the chauffer to just keep driving around so he could stretch out this moment indefinitely. But he knew it had to end so he tried hard to notice everything so he could always remember.
When they pulled up to the school Haley turned to Nathan suddenly. "I forgot to tell you that Brooke said that she'd be stopping by to help me out. She wants to make sure that I keep all this," Haley waved at her hair and dress, "perfect all night."
"No problem." Nathan didn't think a nuclear bomb would bother him right now.
As they walked in Nathan noticed guys staring at Haley with unabashed admiration. It made him feel proud and at the same time he felt like throwing his jacket around her possessively. He shook off the feeling and they made their way into the gym where the music was already loud and pumping.
"You want to dance?" Haley said, swaying her hips to the music.
Nathan nodded and they got on the dance floor. Nathan was an okay dancer but Haley looked beautiful. She always made self-deprecating jokes about being a klutz, but the way that she moved made him sweat.
Haley sighed and waved a hand in front of her face.
"Are you tired at all?" Nathan shouted over the music.
"A little."
"Why don't you go outside for some air while I grab something for you to drink."
"That would be great." Haley kissed him on the cheek and he froze with surprise. He smiled at her retreating back and walked over the punch bowl.
"Hey, man." said Tim.
Nathan nodded at his friend. "How's it going?"
"Okay, I guess. Theresa doesn't want to mess up her hair so we've just been sitting around all night. So Haley looks great, huh?"
"Yep."
"Hot. Very, very hot."
"I know."
"You going to hit that later on?"
"Shut up, Tim."
"What? All I'm saying is that if you have the opportunity . . ."
"No. We're just friends, okay? She's just taking pity on me because my date cancelled at the last minute."
"Really? Well, that was nice of her," Tim said mildly.
Nathan grabbed two cokes off the drinks table. "Later."
Haley was standing right outside the school doors. Nathan walked out and handed her a drink.
"Thanks." Haley drank down half the can. "I'd forgotten how hot dancing always makes me."
Haley sat down and Nathan settled next to her. "All the guys are so jealous of me right now."
"Jealous? Because you had to bring me to the prom?"
"Don't act like you don't know you're the best looking girl in the room."
Haley laughed deeply. "Oh, okay. You're right. I'm like Marilyn Monroe up in here."
"Haley James!"
Haley stood up. "Brooke, you made it."
"I said I was coming, didn't I? Hi Nathan."
"Hey Brooke," he said easily. Even she couldn't ruin this night for him.
"Haley, what have you done? Your hair's a mess."
"Just a little dancing."
Brooke sighed. "Whatever. Sorry jailbait, I'm going to have to steal your date for a minute."
"As long as you bring her back."
Haley blew a kiss at him as Brooke dragged her away. He knew that he shouldn't read too much into it but he felt his heart warm anyway.
In the girl's bathroom Brooke freshened up Haley's makeup and fixed her hair.
"So, how's your night been? Have you been having fun hanging out with the kids?"
"Yes, actually. I only wish that I'd had Nathan as a prom date when I was in high school. It's been like stepping back in time." Haley looked around. "Nothing's really changed."
"Well, good. You're all put back together. You can go out and vamp it up a little more."
"Thanks," Haley said. "This was really sweet of you, Brooke."
"Hey, the night's not over for me yet." Brooke pulled out a camera and gave Haley a smile that was tinged with evil. "I thought I'd take some pictures of the happy couple."
Haley's mouth dropped open. "You wouldn't."
"What, do you think I did all of this out of the goodness of my heart? You should know better, Haley."
"After all this time I should know that you don't have a heart."
"You hurt my feelings. Now get out there."
As Haley walked back onto the dance floor she ran into a boy who looked at her curiously before approaching her.
"Haley?"
"Yes?"
"I'm Tim, one of Nathan's friends. His best friend. I guess you don't recognize me when I'm not falling down drunk."
"Oh, of course." Haley smiled. "I can't believe we haven't really talked before now."
"Ah, well, I didn't really hang out all that much with Nathan until this year, we just kind of stuck together at parties and stuff before. I've seen you at a couple of the games, I think, but I didn't recognize you in that dress."
"Yeah, it's a real departure from my patented jeans and oversized t-shirt look."
Tim laughed. "Nate told me that you rescued him from stag hell."
"He told me he was paying for dinner and I'm a girl that can never turn down a free meal." Haley glanced around the room.
"I think that he had to use the bathroom." Tim gestured at the other people. "You want to dance?"
"Ah, sure."
He led her out onto the floor. Haley thought Tim had pretty good moves for a white boy, but he had a tendency to overdo it a little.
Nathan walked into the hall and saw Tim doing some twisted interpretation of the tootsie roll while Haley laughed at him. He walked up to his friend and tapped him on the shoulder. "Can I cut in?"
"Hell no!" Tim snapped his fingers to the beat of the music. "This is the first decent dance I've had all night."
"I think your date is getting lonely, Tim." Nathan's back was to Haley so she didn't see the message that was in his eyes. Back off before you get hurt.
Tim rolled his eyes. "Fine. But you better save me one more dance tonight, Hales."
Hales? Nathan wondered.
"Sure, Tim." Haley smiled.
Nathan turned back to her again; glad to be rid of his friend.
"He's sweet. Goofy, but sweet."
"Yeah, he's a prince."
The music changed and they stayed on the floor for their first slow song. Nathan put one hand on her waist and she put a hand on his shoulder as they swayed gently to the music.
Haley rested her head on Nathan's chest and laughed a little. "I can't believe how tall you are. I can remember when you didn't come up to here on me," Haley held a flat hand around the middle of her chest, "and now the top of my head can't even reach your chin."
Nathan looked down at her head, there was a scent in her hair that made it hard to focus. "What? Oh, it was that second growth spurt that really helped me out. Haley, why is Brooke taking pictures of us?"
"Ignore her." Haley rolled her eyes. "She's just doing her Brooke thing."
"I can't believe that she and my brother are still dating."
"You really don't like her, do you?"
"Well, not at first. But she's kind of grown on me. Like a fungus."
Haley laughed softly and groaned. "That's disgusting, Nathan."
"Sorry." He was unrepentant.
They swayed together for a little while before Haley spoke again. "I'm sorry you got stuck with me."
"Stuck?"
"Yeah, I mean, I've had a great time but I know that you're probably disappointed."
"Haley . . ."
"It's okay, really."
"Haley, this has been the best night of my life."
"That's really sweet."
"It's true." Nathan pulled away just far enough that he could look into her eyes. "You really made me feel like . . . I don't know . . . like you really wanted to be here. I don't think I would have had nearly as good a time with Shelly."
Haley grinned up at him and shook her head. "You have got some serious game, Nathan. Some girl is going to be so lucky when she snatches you up."
Nathan smiled and they kept on dancing.
Haley sat down and kicked off her shoes so she could stretch out a little. Nathan brought her another drink and she smiled her thanks at him.
"I made reservations at Wellmont's for dinner. We could leave now," he said.
Haley looked over at the clock on the wall, "If you want to mingle some more I can wait in the limo, I know for a fact that girl over there," Haley nodded in her direction, "wants to dance with you. She has been giving me the evil eye all night."
Nathan turned his head to look and then turned back quickly. "Then we should leave right now."
"What's wrong?"
"That's Jessica Kothran. She's . . . kind of a stalker."
Haley looked amused. "A stalker? What's she done?"
Nathan sat down next to her and leaned in close. "At first she seemed really nice and . . . normal . . . but then she broke up with her boyfriend, some guy on the baseball team. Tim told me that she thought that she'd hook up with someone else right away and she chose me."
"Being the fine judge of character that she is." Haley's eyes sparkled.
"She'd do things for me, cupcakes on game day, decorate my locker, stuff like that."
"That sounds kind of sweet."
"No, you don't understand. That wasn't the problem."
Haley leaned in closer and Nathan could smell her perfume. It had faded a little over the course of the night but now it hit him again, making his face flush slightly.
"She started showing up wherever I was—"
"A happy coincidence," Haley murmured.
"And then one day I was practicing late and I was the last one in the locker room. I finish getting dressed and all the sudden I feel like I'm not alone. I turn around and she was just standing there staring at me."
"That's a little spooky, but maybe she just has a crush—"
"And then a week later she announces on the loudspeaker that we're engaged and that we're moving to California where I can play for the Lakers and she can pursue her acting career."
"Okay. So she's batshit crazy, then."
Nathan nodded. "I'm a little scared of her."
"Don't worry, Heartbreaker, I'll protect you."
Nathan smiled. "My hero."
They got up to leave and Haley could see Jessica making her way across the dance floor towards them. Nathan saw her coming too and sped up, dragging her along as he almost jogged out of the door.
"Nathan!" Jessica said.
"Crap," Nathan muttered under his breath. "Jessica!" Nathan smiled widely. "How are you? Having fun?"
She shrugged. "I'm here with Robert but we just came as friends. Would you like to dance?"
"Oh, I wish I could but Haley's really tired and we're leaving now." Nathan put one arm around Haley's shoulders and held her to him tightly. Like a shield.
Jessica's eyes flickered over Haley. "I don't remember seeing you before. Are you a student here?"
"Uh, no."
"So you're . . . Nathan's girlfriend?"
Haley opened her mouth to deny it; then she saw Nathan's desperate expression out of the corner of her eye and sighed to herself.
"I just couldn't resist him, you know? So sweet, so charming, so handsome."
"So young. You've got to be almost thirty, right? What do you have to talk about?" Jessica's laugh wasn't kind.
Nathan had stiffened when Jessica had made that crack and Haley's eyes narrowed.
"Well, not many guys my age can keep up with me."
Haley shifted under Nathan's hold so that both her arms were wrapped around his waist. Nathan could feel her entire length of her resting against him and the action pressed the side of one breast into his chest. When he looked down he could see her cleavage and he closed his eyes briefly to try and regain his calm.
"But it's not really a problem, he's one of the most mature guys I've ever met. Don't you think so?" Jessica opened her mouth but Haley didn't wait for her to answer. "I just think high school girls aren't really doing it for Nathan but luckily I've got more than enough experience to handle him. It was so nice meeting you Jessica," Haley held the girl's eyes for a beat, and then gave her a brilliant smile, "I've heard all kinds of . . . things about you. Goodbye."
They walked away, leaving Jessica fuming behind them and Nathan could help laughing when they shut themselves safely in the limo.
"That was awesome, Haley."
"My career in L.A. is just waiting for me." Haley sat back. "I'd forgotten what these teeny-bopper girls could be like. Being here again is a little strange. I liked visiting but I don't ever want to go back."
"Neither do I." Nathan stretched out so that his feet rested on the seat next to Haley. "I'm ready for it to be done with."
"Come on, Nathan. You're too young to be over it yet."
Nathan shook his head. "I spent so much time being a jerk that most of the people who are worth knowing here don't want anything to do with me. I'd like a fresh start so that people can be surprised when I start acting like an idiot."
"You're not the same kid you were, you've become a great guy, don't be so hard on yourself. You were going through some serious things."
"Other people deal with more and handle it better."
Haley shrugged. "And other people never realize that they're headed down the wrong way and turn around. You did. Be proud of that. It doesn't matter if you mess up as long as you try to be better. That's all anybody can ask, that you try."
"Do you remember what you said to me the night you drove me home after I got drunk?"
Haley shook her head. "Which night was that? There were so many," she said with amusement.
"You said that life's too short to be an asshole."
Haley nodded wisely. "That's very profound."
"I have that quote up on my wall."
"No you don't." Haley smiled.
"I'm serious, when we get home I'll show it to you. Every day I wake up and remember that even if my day blows I have to deal with it like an adult."
Haley rested her mouth on her knuckles. "I'm really proud of you, Nathan. Not about the basketball scholarship—even though that's great," she added quickly, "but because of the kind of person that you're becoming."
Nathan swallowed around the lump in his throat. "Thanks." He looked out the window. "Hey, we're here."
"Great, I'm starving."
After they ate Haley insisted on going to Holly's, the local ice cream shop, so that they could make their own sundaes after he'd shelled out almost two hundred dollars for dinner. He sat across from her with a dessert that was identical to hers.
"Haley, you know that we could have been eating dark chocolate crème brulee, right?"
"Shut up," Haley ordered. "Now, what you have to do is take a spoonful of the chocolate ice cream." Nathan did as he was told. "And then you dip the left side of your spoon in the caramel . . . good. Now dip the right side in the hot fudge. Now blow on the spoon a little bit. Dip the front tip in the marshmallow crème and then into the crushed peanuts."
"Is that all, or do I have to do a backflip over the table?" Nathan asked.
Haley glared at him. "Now you can eat it."
Nathan put the spoon in his mouth and ate it quickly. "It's pretty good."
Haley was looking at him with horror.
"What?" he asked.
"That is not how you eat ice cream."
"You don't put it in your mouth?"
Haley shook her head and sighed. "Amateur." Haley licked her spoon slowly and closed her eyes. "You have to experience the cool sweetness of the ice cream and the warmth of the fudge. The caramel gives it a rich buttery flavor and the marshmallow brings its own kind of sticky sweet flavor." The tip of Haley's tongue came out to lick her top lip delicately and Nathan wondered how many times he could become aroused in one night before losing his mind. "And finally the nuts give it the perfect texture and taste." Haley opened her eyes. "That, my friend, is how you eat ice cream."
"Why don't you show me again and I'll give it a shot."
On the way home Haley and Nathan watched the streets roll by from the sunroof. Nathan told the chauffer to drive around and they laughed and talked until Haley glanced down at Nathan's watch.
"It's almost two in the morning! We'd better get you home before your Mom starts to think that I kidnapped you."
"Okay." Nathan hid his disappointment well.
After arriving at his house Nathan tipped the driver generously. They stood out on his porch and Haley looked up at him.
"Thanks for the best prom I ever had, Nathan. Really. I wish I could have had something exactly like this when I was eighteen."
"Well, thanks for giving me something exactly like this now that I'm eighteen."
"Good night." Haley reached up and hugged him around the neck and kissed him softly on the cheek. She wanted to say something about Shelly being an idiot but she didn't want to remind him about that now.
Nathan's head swam when he felt the pressure of her body against his and when she pulled away he tried to find a reason to keep her with him longer.
"Do you want to come inside? I'm sure my mom wants to debrief you."
"I've got to get going, I really didn't realize how late it was."
"Okay, I'll see you at dinner next week?"
"I'll be there. Bye."
Haley walked to her car and drove off. Nathan stood at his door for a long time, replaying the entire night in his head. He didn't want to go inside because that would mean that it was over.
When he finally went into the house he walked into the kitchen to get a glass of water and on the fridge he noticed that there was a note on it: "Nathan, I hope you had fun at the prom. I got a call from Ellie, one of the waitresses at the café. She's having her baby! I've gone over to babysit her two other kids tonight so I won't be back until late tomorrow maybe. Love you, Mom."
Nathan smiled and walked up to his room, pulling off his tie. He fell into bed wearing only his boxers and fell asleep thinking about his incredible night.
Someone was touching him, running a slow hand down his chest and Nathan opened his eyes to see her warm brown ones looking down at him.
"I'm dreaming," Nathan said.
"Of course you're dreaming," Haley said. "I'm not really here, but you can still feel this . . ."
Nathan's back arched off the bed as she stroked him and he sucked in a breath.
"Isn't this the way that you thought prom night would end? With me in your bed?"
"I didn't think, I hoped. But I knew it would never happen."
Nathan ran his hands over his dream girl's curves. She was wearing a short thin silk nightie that showed off her creamy thighs. He cupped her full breasts and she moaned as the spaghetti straps slid off her shoulders. Haley ran her hands over his stomach and leaned down to gave him a wide-mouthed kiss.
"You taste good," Haley murmured.
"I love you," Nathan breathed out.
"But you'll never tell me that, will you?"
"I can't. You don't really love me." Nathan ran one hand through her silky hair.
"I do."
"Not like I . . . not like I want you to."
Haley lay back as Nathan rolled on top of her. His eyelids trembled as he ground his hips against hers. He wanted to take off his boxers but for some reason he couldn't.
"Hmm. Maybe someday, when you're older and not in high school?"
"Is that possible?" He gasped as Haley arched her hips and wrapped her legs around his waist.
"I do love you."
"Haley," Nathan moaned.
His head came up off his pillow with an abrupt jerk and he was suddenly awake. He fought to go back to sleep, as if he could will himself back into his dream, but the harder he fought the more alert he became. He finally gave up and rolled onto his back, unsatisfied, hard, and aching.
He wasn't a virgin but he hadn't been with even a quarter of the number of girls he'd supposedly slept with. He'd had fantasy after fantasy of climbing through Haley's bedroom window and being with her. His first time had been awkward and embarrassing and afterwards he'd wished that it had been with Haley. He had a feeling that with her it would have been different . . . better. And even if it hadn't it wouldn't matter because he'd still be with her. Every single time he was with a girl it left him still hungry for something, someone else. He'd almost given up on dating. Most of the girls weren't even interested in him, just in being seen with him in front of their friends. And the ones who weren't like that were nice enough, but they still couldn't be Haley.
Nathan eased off his boxers, wrapped his hand around himself, and closed his eyes again. He thought about how Haley had looked tonight, and he imagined ending the night with her walking up to his bedroom. He pictured pulling her dress down and exposing her incredible breasts while sliding his hands up her skirt to cup her bottom and pull her onto his throbbing arousal.
His hips thrust upward from the bed rhythmically; Nathan groaned and had Haley the only way he ever would, in his dreams.
"Hey, look at this picture." Brooke said.
Haley took the photo from Brooke. It was her and Nathan on prom night. They had their arms around each other and they were both laughing.
"You both look so happy."
Haley sighed, "It was a great night."
"Yeah." Brooke fingered the picture before looking over at her. "What did you guys do after the dance?"
"We went to a late dinner and Nathan had the limo drive us around."
"I think someone's still crushing on you." Brooke sing-songed.
"Nah." Haley whipped her hair into a ponytail. "That all ended when he got into high school and became their golden boy." Haley shook her head. "It was like, 'Lucas: The Second Coming.'"
"Lucas was a playa playa in high school?" Brooke looked amused.
"No, but he could have been. He dated some but he kept it pretty casual. I'm not sure about Nathan, but when he was younger it was kind of nice being 'the girl.' But I have been replaced many times over. His latest girlfriend was pretty serious, Deb tells me that Nathan was really hung up on Shelly."
"Oh, the one who ditched him before prom?"
Haley nodded. "I heard that he was getting really into her before that night and now he doesn't even mention her name. His mom's kind of worried because he's acting like he doesn't even care."
"One night with Haley James has cured his heartbreak." Brooke teased.
"No," Haley said thoughtfully, "I think that he's missing her, but Nathan has a tendency to sit on his feelings until he can't anymore. And then we have to brace for the explosion. At least, that's how he used to be."
Brooke nodded. "He really seems to have grown up this year. That's all Lucas talks to me about lately."
"How are things with you and Lucas?"
"You tell me." Brooke looked over at her. "Has he said anything to you about where we're going?"
"No, but I can tell that he's happy."
"Really?"
"Of course, Brooke. Why? Are you having doubts?"
"Not exactly. Things are fine. But that's the problem, it feels like this isn't moving forward. Are we just going to date for the rest of our lives?"
"Have you talked to Lucas about this?"
"I'm not even sure what I'd say."
"Just say that you want to take the next step in your relationship."
"Yeah, but I don't even know what that is. Should we move in together, get married? I need to figure out what it is that I want before I talk to him."
"If you can't maybe you should talk to him anyway. You could figure it out together."
"Yeah, maybe. Anyway, I'm tired of talking about me."
Haley's eyes widened dramatically and she pretended to swoon.
"Shut up," Brooke said good-naturedly. "So, how are things with your love life?"
"Nonexistent." Haley sighed. "There's this guy I've known for a while that I met when I was visiting Luke on campus."
"Who?"
"I think his name is Mark, but he is so not my type."
"What's wrong with him?"
"He's just got this 'I'm so handsome and rich' air that annoys me."
"Yeah, I can see how that would be a real turn-off." Brooke rolled her eyes.
"Hey, there's a fine line between confidence and arrogance. This guy doesn't seem to know where it is."
"So what? Mold him."
"That never works."
"What are you talking about? Haven't you seen all the improvements I've made with Lucas since we've been dating?"
"You didn't change who Lucas is at his core, you just made sure that he doesn't wear denim overalls and windpants anymore."
Brooke shuddered. "He owes me big for that. But his horrible dancing wasn't on the surface—that went down to the bone. You have no idea how hard it was to get him to stop doing the hustle. It stopped being popular ten years before he was born! How did he ever—" Brooke shook her head "—nevermind. The point is, you can rebuild him. Make him stronger, faster, and better in bed."
"He's probably not even interested."
"Of course he's interested. Ask him out."
"What?"
"This is a new age, girl. If you want some, go get it."
"I'll think about it, Brooke."
"Hey, if all else fails the three of us can all move down to Utah and get married."
"Not into polygamy," Haley said dryly. "And even if I was I wouldn't be marrying Lucas."
"Why not? He'd just have sex with me and you could be like the swinger and occasionally go out and date."
Haley looked at Brooke for a long time, silently. "You scare me sometimes."
"I can't believe that we've known each other for almost ten years." Karen took a sip of her coffee.
"I can't believe there was a time when I didn't end the day with you, drinking coffee and talking. And Nathan's going into college; Haley and Lucas are starting their lives." Deb said. "Can you believe how old our kids are?"
"Yes I can," Karen groaned. "I feel like the mother of a twenty-five year old man. I feel it in my back at the end of the day."
"Well, I'm not old enough to have a son that's eighteen."
"Yes, you are."
"Then I don't look old enough to have a son that's eighteen."
"I can't believe how fast he's grown up," Karen said. "I remember when he used to run in here every day after school."
"He loved it here so much, with you, Lucas, and Haley."
"He seemed so devastated when they moved away to go to college."
"Nathan must have moped around the house for a solid week after he found out that Haley was going to be going to an out-of-state college."
"He used to have the sweetest crush on her."
"I know." Deb smiled. "But now the latest love of his life is . . . Carrie Juline."
"How do you know that?"
"He told me."
"You're kidding. Even if I had some kind of medieval torture device, I couldn't get Lucas to talk to me about the girls he's dating. He won't even give me names, I've got to get all my dirt from Haley."
"He just comes out with whoever he's in love with this week," Deb shrugged, "it's great, I never thought my son would be that talkative about it."
"You must be putting truth serum in his food. Admit it." Karen looked at her friend with mock suspicion.
Deb just laughed.
"So the prom date didn't do any permanent damage?"
"I thought that it might but he's never really been serious with anyone." She took a sip of her coffee and looked at Karen worriedly. "Maybe I should be concerned about that."
"He's only eighteen. Most of them aren't even thinking about the long-term. When he turns forty and he's still single, then you can worry."
"But he's never seemed to date anyone longer than a month."
"Lucas didn't have a steady girlfriend in high school either, but he's been with Brooke for more than three years now. Nathan will find someone, and then we can look forward to being grandmothers!"
Deb groaned. "I am definitely too young for that!"
Nathan opened his door and saw his best friend standing there.
"Hey, man," he said.
"Hey, Tim," Nathan said. "What are you doing here?"
"My date cancelled at the last minute so I thought I might get some of the guys together for a game. Do you want in?"
"Ah, nah. I'm doing something with Lucas today."
Tim looked at him knowingly. "Is Haley going too?"
"Are you trying to be subtle, Tim? Because it's not working."
"I'm just wondering when you're going to admit it."
"Admit what?"
Tim shook his head. "Look, it's me, okay? Who am I gonna tell?"
"Tell about what?" Nathan said stubbornly.
"You're crushing on Haley," Tim said bluntly.
Nathan just looked at him without saying anything.
"You've got to talk to somebody, keeping it all inside isn't healthy."
"If I was going to talk it be wouldn't be with someone who barely passed high school."
"You know what? Screw you." Tim stood up. "You really are the asshole everyone says you are."
"Tim!"
Nathan stood up and Tim started walking away. Nathan jogged to catch up with him and put a hand on his arm. He jerked away and Nathan ran a frustrated hand through his hair.
"What is wrong with you?"
"What's wrong with me?" Tim asked angrily. "What's wrong with me is that I've been wasting my time trying to hang out with the biggest douche bag on the team, that's what's wrong! Why do you think that I'm the only guy on the team who bothers to talk to you, Nathan? Huh?"
Nathan opened his mouth and shut it again.
"The guys are getting together to play a game for fun before we all leave for different colleges, and not one of them wanted you to be there. But I thought, like an idiot, that you might want to show up."
Nathan's jaw tensed. "I was going through some stuff, okay? Sorry I wasn't Mary Sunshine."
"We all go through 'stuff,'" Tim said sarcastically, "but the rest of us manage to make it through life without dumping it on other people."
"I haven't been acting that way lately," Nathan said defensively.
"Oh, congratulations." Tim clapped mockingly. "You've managed to stop cursing us out for one whole school year. That totally makes up for the other three years where you treated us like dirt."
"You're acting like it's my fault!" Nathan yelled. "Those guys didn't give a damn about me from the first minute I got there! What was I supposed to do, pretend that I'm not the best player on the team? They were jealous of me!"
"I know that. Don't you think I know that? I was right there on the first day, remember? Yeah, some of they guys were a little jealous and they resented you. Fine. But some of the shit you pulled was just unnecessary. What about Jake? He never did a thing to you but you never let up on him, and he practically quit the team because of you."
"I just wanted him to be better," Nathan muttered. "He was a good player."
"Yeah, I'm sure the constant insults really made him up his game."
"I don't do that anymore," Nathan said quietly.
"No, you don't." Tim managed to calm himself down a little, but his voice was still intense. "Look, I get it, Nathan. I really do. I've met your dad, and you've met mine. I can guess what it must have been like for you at home." Tim shook his head. "But I'm tired of being dumped on."
He started walking away and Nathan said, "I met Haley for the first time when I was in the fourth grade."
Tim paused but he didn't turn around as Nathan continued.
"I've always liked her but lately . . . lately it's become something different." Nathan looked at his hands. "She cares about me, but it's Lucas who's her best friend." Nathan shrugged. "It's not that big a deal, it's only a crush."
Tim turned his head to look at Nathan, nodded once, and walked off.
Haley was washing her car and she was dressed in a blue t-shirt and jean shorts. It was conservative enough but she was completely soaked and her clothes clung to her body.
Nathan swallowed and slowed down for a moment before settling his face into his usual unconcerned expression and walking up to her.
"Hey."
"Nathan." Haley dunked a huge sponge in the soapy water and started washing the side windows. "What's up?"
"Luke and I were on our way to some book signing that he's dragging me to and we were wondering if you wanted to come."
"Uh," Haley looked over at the car, "I wish I could but this is going to take me a while. Next time."
"Sure," he said easily, not letting any disappointment show on his face.
Haley caught something in his tone and looked at him closely. "Is something wrong?"
"No, nothing."
Haley hesitated, set down the sponge, and turned to face him. "You're so guarded all the time. It's like you put up this wall that nobody can get past, you do a really good job of wearing this mask that says nothing's bothering you."
Nathan felt his stomach hollow out. She could see that? He thought he'd done such a great job of projecting an image of careless confidence. Who else knew?
"I think most people buy it," she said, and Nathan wondered if she could really read his mind, "but you weren't always . . . I mean . . . you used to be so open."
"After my parents split up . . . no, it happened long before that. When they started fighting all the time there was nothing I could do about it and I didn't want anybody to know." Haley laid a sympathetic hand on his shoulder and he fought the urge to take it in his and pull her forward into his arms.
Haley saw the flare of emotion in his eyes and thought that his parent's divorce must have affected him deeply. He was still dealing with those feelings and they'd clearly become more intense since he'd been bottling them up for a long time.
"The graduation ceremony is in a few weeks, can you come?"
"Of course." Haley flicked some soapy water on her fingers at him. "You don't think I'd miss it, do you?"
"No." Nathan smiled.
He bent down to pick up the hose and sprayed her car down and on impulse, turned it on her. Haley just turned and glared at him, putting her hands on her waist.
"I'm already soaked, genius." Haley picked up her bucket. "But you're still perfectly dry." She gave him a wicked smile.
Nathan dropped the hose and backed away with his hands raised in surrender. "I was just kidding, Haley."
"Uh-huh." She stalked closer.
"I've got to be somewhere in fifteen minutes."
"Really?" She pretended to be concerned. "Well, then."
She lowered the bucket and Nathan put his hands down. Before he could move further away Haley heaved the water at him and it hit him smack in the chest.
"Arrgh!" Nathan shut his eyes instinctively and then he felt the spray of the hose as Haley soaked him completely.
He opened his eyes, dripping from head to toe, and advanced on her. She turned and ran but he caught up with her easily, lifting her off the ground and yanking the hose from her hands. He set her down on the hood of the car and Haley laughed hysterically as he sprayed her in the face.
"Stop! Stop! Mercy!" Haley struggled but Nathan was much stronger and she couldn't get away. She managed to get her hands on his shirt and pulled him off balance. He sprawled on top of her and dropped the hose.
Haley lay back, exhausted, and she laughed softly. Nathan pushed himself up; his face was very close to hers and he looked into her eyes. Haley felt a sudden chill and she sat up while Nathan rolled onto his back, sitting beside her.
Careful, he thought to himself. He had to be more careful. There had been a moment as he'd looked down at her, the drops of water running down her face and her wet body pressed against his, that he almost leaned down and kissed her.
Haley still felt cold and she rubbed her arms with her hands. "I . . . I've got some clothes you can change into."
Nathan banked the fire in his eyes and managed to smile at her. "Thanks."
Nathan sat at the James' kitchen table in a pair of Matt's old sweats.
"I'll give Lucas a call and let him know you're going to be late." Haley smiled at him. She'd changed into a thin white cotton top with matching pants and for minute he forgot about everything else.
"Haley," Nathan said.
His tone brought her up short.
"What is it?"
"I . . . do you remember what you said to me when we went to prom?"
"About what?"
"About you being proud of the person that I'm becoming?"
"Yes." Haley sat down next to him and looked into his eyes worriedly.
"I'm not sure that you should be."
"What are you talking about?"
"I just got into a fight with Tim and he told me . . . he said . . ." Nathan shook his head. "I said some things to him that I shouldn't have and he called me on it."
"Okay. And . . ." Haley gently prodded.
"The other guys on the team play with me because I can help them win championships, but they don't really want to have anything to do with me off the court—and I can't blame them. Every single time that I was pissed off at my dad I brought it with me to the game . . . and to practice."
Haley took a deep breath. "Except for a few times when I had to smack you into shape, you're not that way around me."
"You make it easy to be a good guy." Haley smiled at the compliment and Nathan felt the knot in his chest untie a little. "But I'm . . . am I like my dad?"
"No," Haley said with perfect certainty. "You're not. Maybe you're not perfect—but who is? At least you try. At least when you realize that you've hurt someone you apologize. I've never seen Dan apologize for anything."
Nathan swallowed painfully. "Really?"
Haley took both of his hands in hers and held them tightly. "Of course. You made mistakes, but your teammates did too. Make sure that you take responsibility for your part in what happened on that team. Let the rest go."
"I think that my part is like ninety-five percent."
"It can't be more than eighty." Haley smiled.
The class of 2012 milled around the gym after graduation and Nathan held up his diploma. Haley and Lucas stood at either side of him as his mother and Karen snapped picture after picture.
As soon as they were finished Lucas and his mother walked off to the side to stand by Keith. Dan was there and neither one of them really wanted to say anything to him. Dan simply pretended that they weren't there.
"Thanks for coming," Nathan said as he shook his brother's hand.
"Of course, wouldn't miss it." Lucas glanced over at his father. "I think my mom and I are going to go."
"Yeah, I didn't think you'd want to go out to dinner with us." Nathan smiled slightly.
He'd long since gotten used to the conspiracy of silence that surrounded Lucas and their father. It was strange, even though Luke was his brother in every sense of the word, they never talked about Dan. Never. He'd stopped asking questions about the entire situation years ago and they all dealt with the issue by not dealing with it at all.
"Congratulations, Nathan," Keith said.
"Thanks Uncle Keith."
Nathan put his graduation cap on Haley's head and very carefully moved the tassel from her right to her left.
She smiled up at him. "I still have my graduation cap and gown in my closet."
"I guess you'll have one more cap, then."
"What? You don't want to keep it?"
Nathan shook his head. "Half my diploma belongs to you anyway, I have the highest GPA on team."
"I will owe you forever, Haley." Deb hugged her with one arm.
Dan rolled his eyes. "I'm sure Nathan would have done just fine on his own."
"I don't think so, Dad," he said.
"He's right," Haley said confidently. "You are brilliant on your own."
"Nathan, do you want to talk to your friends some more?" Deb asked.
"Uh, yeah. I'll be right back."
Nathan saw Tim standing with his stepmother and walked up.
"Hey."
"Nathan. What's up?"
"I just wanted to say congratulations."
"Thanks. You too."
They gave each other a very manly hug.
Nathan looked at Tim for a minute and then said, "I'm sorry."
Tim gave him a half-smile. "Okay."
He looked over at Mrs. Smith. "Nice to see you."
As he walked away she turned to Tim. "What was he sorry about?"
"Ah, he dropped my iPod a couple days ago and broke it."
Shelly grimaced a little. "Too bad. Uh, Tim . . . your father isn't going to be able to make it. He's trapped out in New York because of a meeting. He's really, really sorry."
Tim shrugged. He wasn't even surprised.
"But," Shelly hugged Tim hard, "I am so proud of you. I never graduated from high school and it was the biggest mistake of my life."
"You mean it wasn't marrying my dad?"
Shelly's face fell and she stepped back from him. "I didn't realize that you felt that way."
Tim was horrified. "No, I mean, for you! My dad's not good enough for you!"
Shelly smiled, relieved. "It hasn't been everything that I thought it would be, but no one's life is perfect," she said diplomatically. "But having a son like you is a huge perk."
Tim grinned at her and she pushed him gently. "Go party with your friends."
"I thought we're going out for dinner?"
"We can do that tomorrow. This is going to be one of the last times you might see all your friends together again."
"Thanks, Mom." Tim waved at her and went to join the guys.
Nathan returned to Haley's side. "I'm ready to go."
"I'll get the car." Dan walked off, obviously annoyed.
Everyone seemed to release a breath when he was out of earshot and Nathan turned to Haley. "Are you coming with us?"
"No . . . I don't think so."
"Come on, Haley. Obviously Lucas and Karen don't want to come and even my uncle is bowing out. Besides my mom you're the only one who can come."
"I don't know . . ."
"Do not leave me alone with him." Nathan grinned. "I might need you to threaten to gut him with a spatula if he gets out of line."
"Who told you about that? Was it your mother?"
Haley narrowed her eyes at Deb but she just laughed and held up her hands.
Nathan grinned. "Please?"
"Fine!" Haley grumbled. "The things I do for you, honestly. I have no idea why I'm such a pushover."
"It's my looks. Women can't resist."
Haley tried to give him a playful shove but Nathan dodged it and her heel slipped on the gym floor. She teetered a little and Nathan caught her deftly. He held her to him for an infinitesimal moment before setting her back on her feet.
"Damn these things." Haley put one hand on Nathan's shoulder and kicked off her shoes.
"Are you ready?"
Haley jerked around in surprise. She hadn't seen Dan walk up behind them. Nathan repressed the urge to pull Haley back into his arms. Dan looked closely into his son's face and he kept his expression bland.
"We're ready," Nathan said.
Haley nibbled at the chicken parmesan that she'd ordered. It was delicious but being in Dan's company was a little bit of an appetite killer.
Deb had managed to keep it civil for Nathan's sake. She didn't let Dan's subtle jabs get to her and Nathan answered his father's questions with similar equanimity. She'd think that Dan seemed a little lost if he'd been anyone else. He didn't seem to know what to do or say if he wasn't getting a rise out of people.
"So what are you doing these days, Haley?" Dan asked.
"Hmm?" Haley looked up from her plate with surprise.
"Dad . . ." Nathan felt the first stirrings of temper.
"It's just a question Nathan. Calm down."
"I've been working for a small publisher as a proofreader. It pays okay," Haley answered.
"I thought that with your degree that you'd get out of this backwards town as soon as you could. Aren't your parents leaving?"
"Yep. They've already sold their house."
"I suppose you'll be leaving with them."
"I don't know about that," Haley said slowly.
"It would be wonderful if you could stay in town a little longer," Deb smiled at her. "I really missed you when you were in California."
"There isn't that much opportunity here," Dan said. "Unless you're thinking about settling down with a factory worker or something."
"I can probably work online or teach. I haven't really decided yet."
"That's a waste of your degree, isn't it? I'm sure your parents didn't think that they were paying for you to become a schoolteacher."
"I paid my own way," Haley said. "I had a scholarship, loans, and I worked, but my parents would be fine with whatever I chose to do, regardless."
"I don't know about that." Dan laughed as if he was making a joke but none of them were fooled.
"Dad . . ." Nathan was about to say something cutting to his father but he stopped talking when he felt Haley's hand cover his under the table.
"I guess you wouldn't." Haley wiped her mouth with her napkin. "I had great parents."
Haley's tone was so mild that Dan didn't register the subtle dig right away. Before he could respond Haley rose from her seat.
"I'm exhausted, but we've got to do this again some time. Mr. Scott, it's been fun."
"I'll walk you out." Nathan stood up with her.
They walked out to her car together and Haley sighed as the night air moved over her face. She tossed a penny into the outdoor fountain then turned to Nathan.
"Sorry. If I stayed in there much longer I think I might have jabbed my fork into his thigh like it was a piece of chicken."
"I'm sorry, I don't know why I keep thinking that he'll be different." Nathan's eyes were apologetic.
"Please, don't even worry. Being around your father keeps me sharp, I've got to practice my insults on someone."
Haley unlocked the door to her car and turned around to look at Nathan.
"I can't believe that you've graduated," Haley moaned. "Do you know what that means?"
"What?"
"I'm officially an adult. And before you know it I'll be talking about how the young people listen to crap and worrying about my 401(k)."
"Haley . . ."
"I'm serious! The fun's over."
"No it's not." Nathan stepped closer and Haley laughed at him.
"Don't even think about it."
"Think about what?" Nathan asked innocently.
"Lucas gets the same look in his eye when he wants to do something crazy."
"I have no idea what you're talking about." Nathan's eyes flicked over to the fountain.
Haley held onto her car door tightly. "No."
"What?"
"You are not getting me in the fountain."
"Haley James!" Nathan grinned. "I wasn't even thinking that. But now that you mention it . . . " Nathan imagined seeing Haley wet and furious, with her dress plastered to her body. "I still owe you for that bucket of water you attacked me with."
"What?! You started that! And if you get this outfit wet I swear I will make you pay in ways you've never even dreamed of."
"Is that so?" Nathan said softly as he moved towards her.
Haley stared up at him defiantly—but she looked a little less confident as he moved closer. She felt her heart speed up . . .
"Nathan?"
He spun around and saw his mother standing there with a to-go box in her hands.
"Mom?" He walked over to her, concerned, as Haley slumped against her car with relief.
"I've had just about all I can take of my ex for one night," Deb said.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to leave you alone with him."
His mother laughed. "He can still get to me a little, but it's kind of a relief to spend some time with him. He talks his usual game but I think I feel sorry for him now. I can't believe that I wasted so much time caring about what he thought."
Nathan gave his mother a small smile and Haley stood up straighter. She hoped that Nathan was in a place where he could let the things Dan said roll right off him, too. But she wasn't sure.
"Would you like to go in and spend some more time with your father? He really is very proud of you."
"I think Dad's used up his quota for the month."
"Does anyone want to go back inside and tell him that dinner's over? I kind of packed up and left while he was in the bathroom." Deb tried to keep the grin off her face and failed.
"Deb!" Haley was shocked. "You ditched him? Did you even pay for your dinner?"
"Nope." Deb handed Haley the money she'd left on the table to pay for her entrée.
"You didn't!" Haley tried to maintain her faux shock but she couldn't and laughed.
Nathan looked at them both. "Why don't we just go?"
"That's too cruel," Haley said.
Nathan and Deb just looked at her.
"I'm serious. That'd just be too mean, even for Dan."
Nathan sighed and took out his cell phone. "Dad? Hey . . . I'm outside. Look, Mom's not feeling well, it must have been the fish that she had so I'm just going to drive her home . . . no, why don't you stay and finish up . . . yeah, bye Dad." Nathan hung up. "Let's get out of here before he comes out."
Haley got behind the wheel, shaking her head as Nathan and Deb practically ran to their car. They drove out of the parking lot and didn't look back.
A few days later Haley walked up to her home and saw the recreational vehicle parked outside. She walked up to it and knocked on the door. Jimmy opened up and grinned when he saw his youngest daughter.
"Can you believe this, honey? Isn't it great?"
Haley stepped inside and whistled softly. "I can't believe you guys can actually afford this RV."
"Haley," he actually sounded a little offended, "this is a land yacht."
"Excuse me." Haley smiled.
The land yacht was beautiful inside, it was fully decked out with a sofa, dining area, galley, shower, wardrobe and bed.
Lydia came out of the house and shook her head when she saw her husband showing off the GPS system.
"Hey, Mom. When are you guys going to try this thing out on the road?"
"We already have a couple firm offers on the house, so if everything goes well we'll be heading out at the end of the month."
"That soon?" Haley felt a little shocked that everything was happening so fast. Even though she was living in her own apartment, a part of her was still anxious about her home being sold.
"I can't really believe it myself." Lydia turned around to look at the place where she'd raised her children. "I think that your father and I must have been gypsies in a former life, we love to be on the move. I never thought I'd feel this way."
Lydia looked at the realtor's sign in the yard with a little worry.
"Mom, you're not having second thoughts, are you?"
"Not exactly. I'm happy about this," she looked over at her daughter and smiled, "and really excited. I just didn't expect to be so . . . sad. Every time we left we always came back—but that's not going to happen anymore."
"It's not like you can't ever come back," Haley said.
Jimmy came outside and put his arm around his wife.
"It's just that we're starting a new chapter in our lives—I guess that scares me a little," Lydia said.
Haley hugged her mom and they took a long look at the house before walking inside.
"You just left him there?" Lucas laughed so hard that he couldn't take a breath and lay on his side, gasping.
"I swear, Luke, I felt like we'd just stolen something and we were running from the law. Nathan must have been doing sixty coming out of that parking lot."
"And you just left Dan to pay for dinner?"
"Hey, he should be paying anyway."
The two of them were sitting in Deb's living room while Keith, Karen, Deb and Nathan finished their dessert. They'd started getting together almost every week for dinner after Deb's divorce had been finalized. Karen and Deb usually switched off the duty. When they ate at Karen's house she made dinner and when they ate at Deb's house she ordered something from a restaurant.
Everyone walked in to join them and Haley smiled at Deb. "Dinner was so delicious, I don't know how you do it. Different spices with the roast?"
It was a running joke with them to pretend that Deb had actually slaved over a kitchen stove instead of picking up the phone.
Deb gave Haley a playful glare and sat down.
"So are your parents ready to go?" Keith asked.
"Yeah," Haley leaned back on the couch. "Pretty soon I'll be the only James left in Tree Hill."
"The last woman standing," Lucas added.
"So are you going back to California soon?" Nathan asked, deliberately casual.
Haley glanced over at Lucas. "I think I might try going for a master's degree out here."
Her best friend looked surprised. "Here? You mean, like at Duke?"
After Lucas had graduated from college he'd decided on getting his masters in English so that he could teach when he'd finally realized that he'd gone as far as he could with basketball.
"Maybe. Or I might just take a break from school for a while and just work."
Nathan couldn't help grinning. If Haley did go to Duke then they'd be at the same school for the first time ever.
"You can take some time to decide," Keith advised. "You already have your first degree."
"I think I might sign up for a few classes this fall, maybe some extension courses in business management."
"Really?" Lucas looked at her with surprise. "I didn't know you were interested in that."
"I'm not." Haley grinned. "I just thought I'd try something new."
"That's great, I'll finally get to show both of you around my campus."
"Yourcampus?" Nathan scoffed. "They probably forgot about you the minute you got your diploma. Duke's my turf now."
"Your turf?" Haley smiled. "Which gang do you belong to, the Jets or the Sharks?"
Lucas laughed but Nathan just looked confused.
"What?" he asked.
"Never mind," Haley said.
"What about you, Nate? Have you thought about what you might want to major in?" Lucas asked.
"I was thinking about kinesiology."
"Really? That's so great!" Haley smiled warmly.
"And right up your alley, too," Lucas said approvingly. "If you want to be a physical therapist or even a coach later on, having that degree will really help."
Nathan shrugged with a little embarrassment. "I'm a little worried about being able to handle all the anatomy and physiology I'd have to take, on top of practice."
"Don't be." Haley's eyes were bright with excitement. "You'll do great, I know it."
"Do you want some dessert, Haley?" Deb asked.
"No, I've got to run." Haley stood up and stretched. Deb prepared to stand but Haley waved her back into her seat. "Don't worry, I can see myself out."
Nathan got up to walk Haley to the door, he felt like he didn't see as much of her as he used to—even though she'd broken up with Wes months ago.
"Are you sure you can't stay?"
"I wish I could but I'm going to be busy tomorrow."
"It's the middle of the summer." Nathan shook his head at her. "You are such a workaholic."
Haley shrugged. "You know me. See you."
"Bye."