Chapter 15 A Wedding And A Funeral
April 4, 2013
"You sure you want to give up your apartment, Hales?" Lucas asked. "I was looking forward to having you in Tree Hill during the last summer we'll have together before you're officially a married lady."
Haley laughed and shrugged. "I spend most of my time in Durham with Mark anyway, there's no point in paying rent when I'm not even here five days out of the week."
"I guess that make sense."
"Don't sound so down about it, all this means is that I'm going to be crashing at your house whenever I'm in town."
"Considerate."
"You know you love it when I impose myself on you."
Lucas taped up the last box and Haley looked at him thoughtfully.
"Where's Nathan?" she asked.
"He told me that he had to meet a friend for coffee. I think he's dating someone new and he doesn't want anyone to know."
"Really?" Haley sighed. "I feel like I hardly see him, like he's avoiding me."
"He's in college now," Lucas hoisted two boxes up into his arms, "we aren't the center of his world any more."
"I'm not asking to be the center of his world," Haley glared at Lucas, "I'm not quite that egotistical, thank you."
Lucas laughed at her as he walked out the door and put the boxes down in the truck he'd borrowed from Keith.
"Are you sure?" he asked.
"I hate you." Haley glared at him and then broke out into a smile. "It's no wonder I'm missing Nathan when I'm hanging out with you all the time."
"My heart weeps for you. Have you and Mark set a date yet?"
"We're thinking about a December wedding."
Lucas did the math. "That gives you less than nine months to plan everything. Are you sure that's enough time with school and everything you guys have going on?"
"I think so. Being engaged is fun, the last couple months have been a blast, but I think that a year is long enough."
"I'm happy for you, Hales. I gotta admit, I think I was more surprised than Nathan was."
"Surprised that anyone would want to marry me?" Haley teased.
"Surprised that you said yes."
"Really?"
"You've been with some guys that seemed like they wanted to get more serious, but you always break up with them before they can."
"I guess I was just waiting for the right one."
"Well, Mark's a good guy."
"Was Nathan really surprised?"
"You should have seen the look on his face, it was like you hit him with a two by four. I had the same look on mine. I guess we're both a little pissed that Mark's going to be the number-one guy in your life now."
"Aw, Luke. You know that you're my life-partner. You both are."
"Life-partner?" Lucas grinned. "Don't let Mark hear you say that, he might get the wrong idea."
Haley looked at him closely. "You know, you're not a bad-looking guy, Luke."
"Stop," Lucas said dryly. "You're embarrassing me."
"I wonder why I've never been even slightly attracted to you."
Lucas rolled his eyes. "It's a mystery. Right up there with Loch Ness and Bigfoot."
Haley laughed. "At least Brooke wants you, even though only God knows why."
Lucas slid into the driver's seat and Haley hopped in beside him. "Speaking of . . ."
He pulled a small velvet box out of his jacket pocket and Haley's eyes went wide. "Shut up! You didn't!"
Lucas' smile was a foot wide. "Take a look."
Haley popped open the cover and saw a white gold and diamond ring. The light from the setting sun flashed off it.
"Wow," she breathed. "It's beautiful." Haley held up her left hand and wiggled her ring finger. "I thought my ring was the best in the world but you definitely found one that gives it a run for it's money."
"Thanks." Lucas smiled proudly.
"Brooke is going to be over the moon, I wish I could see the look on her face when she gets this on her finger."
"You will."
"What are you talking about?"
"I have something special planned and I'd like everybody to be there."
"Everybody? What—"
"Don't ask, I'm not telling."
"Lucas Eugene Scott, I am your best friend in the entire freakin' world."
"It's a surprise."
"It's supposed to be a surprise for Brooke blondie."
Lucas just shook his head and Haley gave up and pulled him into a hug. "I can't believe how excited I am about this! This is going to be so great!"
Nathan was tugging on his tie, trying to loosen it a little. Lucas had tied it for him and it was practically choking him. He stood on the beach by the house that used to be his father's property before his father had finally moved to Florida for good. His mother had bought Dan out.
His brother had insisted on getting them all together for a party for some mysterious reason. He'd said something about celebrating Haley's engagement—but Mark hadn't even been able to make it down because he had to fly out to New York to take care of some business for his father.
He was frustrated with himself for knowing that much about what Haley's fiancé was doing, he'd been trying to keep his distance from Haley and she was so busy with school, Mark, and wedding planning that it hadn't been hard. And dealing with his course load and practice was like having two full-time jobs, so it wasn't that difficult to make himself scarce. But it was still tough for him. It was hard not being able to call her up and talk about what a jerk his new professor was or to hear her laugh when he talked about his latest attempt to cook something edible.
His mom had been partly right, distancing himself had made it easier to forget about Mark, but Haley was never far from his thoughts.
Nathan looked at the set up Lucas had managed to pull together. It was incredible. Two round tables with snow-white cloths draped over them were set up on the porch. Flickering candles cast light on the beautiful china and crystal glasses. The sound of waves crashed in the background and the wind was just brisk enough to keep everyone cool but not so hard that they couldn't eat outside. Everything was perfect.
"Hey, Heartbreaker."
Nathan took a deep breath. "Haley."
"Don't think that you're going to get away without telling me absolutely everything that you've been doing. I feel like I haven't talked to you in forever."
"Really?" Nathan tried to be nonchalant and failed miserably. He couldn't help the smile that crossed his face.
"Really."
Keith, Deb, Karen, Brooke and Lucas walked out and Haley smiled at him before taking a seat.
"It's been a while since we've been this formal," Karen smiled around the table. "We should do this more often."
Nathan groaned. "Please don't say that Aunt Karen. I hate wearing suits."
"But you look so handsome in them, honey," Deb said.
"Very GQ," Haley agreed.
"Dinner was great Karen, thanks," Brooke said.
"Oh, I didn't do the cooking this time."
"What? Are you telling me it was Deb?" Brooke turned to stare at her and she rolled her eyes.
"Okay, people. That joke is getting really old. Maybe we can retire it," Deb huffed.
"It's never going to be too old, Mom," Nathan teased.
"It was actually Lucas," Karen broke in.
"I had no idea you were that talented Luke." Haley raised an eyebrow.
"He's not," Keith said. "He didn't make one move in that kitchen before making Karen tell him what to do."
"Technically, Mom didn't lift a finger, so I can take most of the credit." Lucas stood up. "But I made the dessert on my own, I'll go get it."
Brooke looked out over the water. She seemed happy. Nathan felt a little envious. Why shouldn't she be? She was actually with the person she wanted, he thought sourly.
Lucas came back with a covered tray. "Brooke, would you mind cutting the cake?"
"Sure. What kind is it?"
"Devil's Food."
"Ooh, my favorite."
Brooke took the cover off the cake, cut a piece, and handed to Haley. She gave her a nervous smile as Brooke cut another piece and handed it to Nathan. Lucas was sweating now. Brooke turned back to the cake for the third time and froze. She finally saw the ring nestled in the frosting. She turned to Lucas in shock and saw that he'd gotten down on one knee.
"Brooke Penelope Davis—" Luke started.
"Oh my God!"
"You are the wildest, kindest, most loving person I've ever met—"
"Yes!" Brooke launched herself into his arms and kissed him while everyone laughed. She let Lucas come up for air long enough to glare at them all. "Did you know about this? You all knew!" Her tone was annoyed. "You knew and you didn't tell me? Haley?"
"Sorry," she shrugged, "he had some crazy idea about wanting it to be a surprise."
"Hey, if it makes you feel any better I had no idea," Nathan said.
"It doesn't." Brooke caught Lucas up in a lip-lock again while he laughed and wrapped his arms around her. He picked her up while everyone else clapped.
Haley stood up. "And I think this is our cue to leave."
Brooke and Lucas didn't even notice as they all walked out. As they made their way to their vehicles Haley said her goodbyes. She turned around and saw Nathan walking towards his car.
"Hey, wait up!" she called. Nathan turned around and his smile was friendly enough but she felt something—that he was anxious to leave. "You promised me that you'd tell me all the latest news."
"I just remembered, I have a ton of homework. Can we talk later? I've got to get going."
"Is everything okay? You're not taking on too much, are you?" Haley smiled but her heart didn't seem like it was in it. "I barely see you around anymore."
"It's been a little crazy, but I like it that way. It's the college life, you know how it is."
"Sure." Haley looked up into Nathan's eyes. She got the impression that he was tense but nothing in his face or voice betrayed that. Her voice became a little more serious when she asked, "What's going on with you?"
"Nothing. Why?"
"It's just that . . . your mom told me—"
"Haley." Nathan cut her off. "Tell my mom I'm fine, okay? She doesn't need to send you to check up on me."
"I'm not." Haley looked at him strangely. "I'm just thinking you'd like to—"
"Haley . . . I'm sorry. The truth is that I'm loving Duke, and when I'm not at practice or in class, I'm at some party." Nathan grinned. "I really didn't feel like talking to my mom about how much I've had to drink or who I'm with. I'm just having fun."
Haley backed away and smiled softly. What had she been thinking? Nathan was young and on his own for the first time. He wanted to go out, not hang out with her and eat junk food. It was just like her to read more into it and jump to conclusions.
"I get it. But, uh, don't be stranger."
Nathan waved as Haley got into her car and drove off. When she was out of sight he got into his Honda, drove straight to the gym, and punched a heavy bag until his fists were sore.
Afterwards he sat on a bench in the changing room, leaning back against the cold metal of the lockers with his eyes closed.
There were times when he could read Haley, too. She was thinking that he'd outgrown her, that he was leaving her behind. Nathan banged his head against the lockers. She'd looked a little hurt. When he'd seen that it had taken everything he had to stop himself from taking her in his arms but Haley's engagement ring kept reflecting the fading light, reminding him that she belonged to someone else. Permanently. But she was still his friend, one of his best friends, and staying away from her was so damn hard.
He had to do it, but he'd been having strange thoughts. Insane thoughts about getting Haley alone so that he could talk to her and just let everything he was feeling spill out.
How would she react? Would she break her engagement? Nathan laughed at himself contemptuously. She was happy. Even he could see that. But he wanted her so badly that nothing helped.
Nathan showered, dressed, and finally walked out into the night. He stood at the entrance of the gym for a moment, breathing in the air and trying to push the image of Haley out of his head but he kept seeing her, sitting there at the table with the candlelight flickering over her face.
"Hey," someone said.
He turned around and saw a girl with brown hair and pretty brown eyes looking at him. She was tall, coming up to under his chin, and she had a friendly smile.
"Hi," he answered.
"Nathan?"
"I'm sorry, do I know you?"
"Not really, I think we have Intro Chem together? There are like two hundred people in that class, so I might be wrong."
"No, I have that class too."
"What are you doing here so late at night?"
"Ah, I just thought I'd get in a workout, I skipped this morning."
"Me too." She smiled. "I have no discipline at all. I was supposed to be here at seven this morning. I'm only fifteen hours late."
He laughed. "That's not so bad."
"I'm Katie Perchel." She held out her hand.
He shook it and smiled. "Nathan Scott."
"I've been thinking about what we're going to do after I graduate," Mark said.
"Yeah?" Haley cut up her steak and took a bite. It was delicious. Mark had put together an incredible evening for them. After she'd moved all her things in to their the new apartment that they'd be sharing until Mark graduated she thought they'd be arranging their things but Mark had insisted that they spend their first night officially living together out on a date.
They'd just wandered around the town together, walking and talking. They'd ended up at this restaurant, gotten everything to go, and they ate, picnic-style, on their floor.
"Do you remember what my dad told us when we went to visit my parents?" Mark asked.
"About him opening up an accounting firm in New York?"
"Yes. How would you feel about moving there?"
Haley looked a little surprised. "I'm not sure. I mean, it would probably be a great opportunity. I've always wanted to visit but I never thought about living there."
"We wouldn't have to go, I can do a lot of work from home and I'd just have to fly up there maybe once a month, but the city is amazing." Mark smiled. "It would be really exciting starting our lives together there."
Haley grinned. "You sound like a brochure."
"That's the pitch my dad gave me. You'll think about it Haley?"
She nodded. "Definitely."
"My mom's been telling me to let you know that you should come to her if you need help with the wedding."
"Ah, I don't think so, but I'll ask her anyway. Kind of as a mother-in-law and future daughter-in-law bonding thing."
"She keeps saying how New York is the best shopping city in the world, she's going to love looking for . . . whatever it is people look for to prep for a wedding."
"Whatever it is?" Haley smiled. "You are so uniformed."
"I just know my limits."
"I still want to get married in Tree Hill."
"What?"
"Remember when we talked about me staying in Durham until you graduated? I said that I wanted to go back home for the wedding."
"Right."
"What is it?"
"It's just that my family has a lot of people coming and it might be easier to accommodate them all in a bigger city."
"There are plenty of places to put people up in Tree Hill, it's a small town but we've got plenty of nice hotels. In one of them we even have hot running water instead of a well." Haley teased.
Mark smiled. "If you really want Tree Hill, Tree Hill it is."
"I've been thinking about our honeymoon—"
"Nope, that's one part of our wedding that I'm going to handle."
"What? But—"
"No, no, Miss James. Everything else is yours, but this is mine."
"Okay." Haley glared at him playfully. "If you weren't so damn handsome I'd be mad that you didn't tell me this earlier."
Mark pushed back his plate and got up on his knees. He crawled towards Haley and pushed her back so that she was laid out on the floor.
"You think I'm handsome?" Mark said softly.
"Sometimes."
"Yeah?" Mark unbuttoned her shirt and kissed Haley softly.
"Yeah," Haley breathed.
Her hands busied themselves lower down and Mark stood up and let her push his pants down around his ankles. He covered her again and Haley closed her eyes as he pulled her closer.
Nathan sat at one of the outdoor tables, sipping his latte. The campus coffee shop was pretty busy with students rushing to and from class but he had a free period and he tried to relax and enjoy the day but he couldn't.
"Hi."
Nathan turned around in his seat and then stood up to give the woman behind him a hug.
"Hi, Katie."
"Been waiting long?"
"No. Can I buy you something?"
"Hot cocoa, please."
"Sure. Anything else?"
"No, I'm good."
Nathan walked back outside with a cup, and then he and Katie walked down the sidewalk together.
She talked about the classes she was taking and what she wanted to do after she graduated and Nathan tried hard to pay attention. It wasn't because of Katie, she was nice, interesting, and fun to be with. But she was the first girl that he'd gone out with since before Haley had gotten engaged. He felt like he was cheating on her and even he recognized how crazy that feeling was. Cheating, on someone who didn't even know he existed. Nathan shook off that unfair thought. She cared about him, he knew that, but it wasn't enough. It just wasn't enough anymore.
"Are you interested?" Katie asked.
"I'm sorry, what?" Nathan tried to remember what she'd been saying.
"I was just wondering what you're planning on doing later tonight. There's this party at the Phi Beta Kappa sorority later. It's supposed to be great."
"Ah, sure. I'd like to go."
Katie stopped and looked at him for a minute.
"What?"
"Nothing, it's just that I expected you to be different."
"Different how?"
"I don't know, more egotistical. All my girlfriends warned me that you'd probably spend every minute we have together talking about you and you've let me babble on about myself for the last hour."
"Well, you're a lot more interesting than I am."
"Yeah, right."
"No, really. You want to know what my day is like? Wake up, practice, class, practice, class, game, homework, sleep. Then I get up and do it all over again the next day."
"That doesn't sound very glamorous."
"I guess I could have more fun, but I'm serious about wanting to have a basketball career after college."
"What about dating?"
"I do it on occasion." Nathan smiled.
"Oh? What about kissing?"
"I do that on occasion, too."
Katie moved closer. "Why don't you give it a try now?"
Nathan bent down and kissed her, and it was nice. He wasn't thinking about anything or anyone else, and when he drew away Katie smiled at him, grabbed his hand, and they walked on.
"We're going to be married within a year of each other, can you believe it?" Brooke asked. She driven up to visit Haley and give her a blender in honor of her new living arrangement.
"I really can't." Haley smiled. "Speaking of your wedding, are you sure that you guys don't want to push the date back so you'll have more time to plan?"
"We don't need to, I just want something small and simple."
Haley's jaw dropped open. "Brooke Davis wants something small and simple?"
"I don't always have to be the queen," Brooke said defensively, "sometimes I like things low-key."
"Are you sure? I could help."
"What? And spend the first year of your marriage planning someone else's wedding? I would never let you do that. You've got to focus on yourself."
"I guess you're right." Haley fiddled with a pen. "Sometimes I feel like I'm still eighteen, I can't believe that we're actually moving into the next stage of our lives."
Brooke looked at her askance. "Don't make it sound so depressing. You're talking like we're moving into a nursing home."
Haley laughed.
"But still, you're going to be . . . what . . . twenty-seven when you and Mark finally walk down the aisle? Don't you think that's a little young?"
"You're the same age as me, Brooke."
"I know, that's why I'm asking. Are we too young for this?"
"Plenty of people get married around our age. I guess it depends on whether or not you think you're ready."
"I think I am."
"So do I."
"Lucas told me that Nathan's teammate—one of the guys Nathan started college with!—is getting married." Brooke snorted. "At twenty years old. Can you believe it? Can you imagine Nathan popping the question?" Brooke's voice lowered comically. "'Hey, baby, do you want to wash my sweaty jerseys for the rest of your life?'"
Haley laughed hard. "I really can't imagine that, no."
"They are definitely too young. But you know what? I can't wait for us to do couple-y things together," Brooke said excitedly.
"Like what?" Haley asked.
"Dinner parties, double dates—"
"Swinging?"
"Haley James!" Brooke grinned. "I've taught you too well."
"I know. Sometimes I worry about that."
"So how are things with the in-laws?"
"Okay."
"Just okay?"
"It's no big deal, it's just that Mark's mom really wants us to have our wedding in New York."
"Unless she wants to marry her son herself this December, she's just going to have to get over it."
"Ew. But she's not mean about it or anything, it's just that she and her husband got married in New York at city hall and I guess she had this dream about having a high-society wedding there now that she and her husband have made their fortune."
Brooke shook her head. "New money."
"Brooke."
"I don't mean it in an insulting way, my parents are new money too. Or they were before my father's company went belly-up. Mark's parents want to show off, that's all."
"I want to show off a little, too."
"You're the bride. That's your job."
"Maybe we can have a really large engagement party in New York and the wedding here."
"That sounds like a good compromise. But what does it matter? Doesn't Mark have an older brother that's not married yet? Why doesn't she wait until he gets married to really go all out?"
"Mark says that they've given up on Parker settling down."
"What's wrong with him?"
Haley laughed. "There's nothing wrong with him, he just doesn't really want to be married."
"Then there must be something wrong with him."
"Some people do enjoy being single."
"That's a lie." Brooke grinned. "Everyone loves being in love."
"Maybe he did, but I heard something about a girl who really burned him, so he's given up on marriage."
"Ooh, any details?"
"No, Gossip McGossipson."
"Shame. Listen . . . are you sure about this Haley?"
"What?"
"Marrying Mark." Brooke looked at her seriously.
"Why do you ask?"
"How long have you known him?"
"Let me see . . . it was before Nathan started college, I think, and he's just graduated now so . . . a little less than nine months."
"So by the time you get married you'll have been together maybe a year and a half?"
"Around there. Are you thinking that it's too soon?."
Brooke shrugged. "It's just that I feel like I pushed you into this. I practically set you guys up."
"You didn't push me. We just . . . clicked. You know? You knew with Lucas early on, right?"
Brooke grinned. "Hell, yes."
"So stop worrying so much."
"I never used to. You must be rubbing off on me."
Haley's forehead creased as she thought back. "Have you seen Nathan lately?"
"Yeah, he comes by sometimes and he and Luke shoot hoops in the driveway."
"Really?"
"Yeah, I just saw him last week. Why?"
"I've been thinking about making him a groomsman if he can get away from playing or practice long enough."
"He'll be there," Brooke said confidently.
"He's been so busy being a college superstar that I haven't seen him since you and Luke got engaged."
"It's been three months." Brooke looked surprised.
"I know," Haley sighed. "Anyway. I've got to get going."
"Do you have to go now?"
"Yeah, I'm meeting Mark and his parents for dinner."
"Good luck with that," Brooke said with her eyebrows raised.
"What? They're perfectly nice people."
"They're in-laws, Haley. I'm sure that they're full of sweetness and light but eventually they're going to start getting on your nerves."
"It hasn't happened with you yet." Haley smiled sweetly and batted her eyes.
"Hate you." Brooke smiled back at her fondly.
Lucas answered the knock at his door and saw Nathan standing there with a smirk on his face and a basketball in his hands.
"What do you want, little brother?"
"I want a rematch."
"You lost." Lucas walked back into his house. "Deal with it."
"Never," Nathan said as he followed his brother inside.
Lucas and Brooke had moved in together after they'd gotten engaged and their first home was a little small, but perfect for them. Nathan looked around, who knew that Brooke would turn out to be such a neat freak? Maybe it was because of all the time she was spending with Haley.
"It's too bad that you weren't here this afternoon, Haley stopped by."
"Really?" Nathan tried to look unconcerned. "How is she?"
"Fine. Busy with the wedding and everything else. She told Brooke that she's wants us to be groomsmen."
"We don't even really know Mark."
"Sure we know him."
"Not really. A couple polite conversations doesn't mean anything."
"Maybe we should invite him over then, play a friendly game?
"I wish I could." Nathan rolled his eyes behind his brother's back. "But I'm pretty busy."
"Of course you are." Brooke walked in through the kitchen door. "You should give Haley a call so that she knows you're still alive."
"I will."
"You keep saying that, and then you don't."
"Can you get off my back?" Nathan said, annoyed.
"Time out," Lucas said mildly. "How was your day, hon?"
"Chaos. As the most successful travel agent in Tree Hill," Brooke said proudly, "I'm in high demand."
Nathan looked amused. "Really?"
"Never doubt me."
After graduating with a degree in history, Brooke had surprised everyone when she'd used what was left of the money she'd gotten from her parents to buy a small storefront and open up her own travel agency: Vistas. She'd been planning trips out of her apartment for nearly two years after leaving college and she'd finally decided to turn her side project into a real business. People had thought she was crazy but her small company was becoming more and more successful, Brooke had recently hired another agent and a secretary.
Nathan liked his future sister-in-law, he really did, but they just seemed to rub each other the wrong way. Their relationship had always been testy but it had gotten a little worse lately. When Nathan was really being honest with himself, he knew that it was because he felt that Haley wouldn't have started seeing Mark if Brooke hadn't pushed them together. He knew that it was stupid, but when it came to Haley it was hard to be rational.
"I hear great things about Vistas all the time," Nathan said.
Brooke smiled. "Are you staying for dinner?"
"That depends, are you cooking?"
"No." Brooke looked like she wanted to say something, but she held her tongue.
"Okay, then."
"Brooke's a great cook," Lucas defended.
"Which is a miracle since I never set foot in a kitchen until I left for college." Brooke crossed her arms defensively.
"It's not that, it's just that I'm afraid that she's going to slip poison into my food one of these days." Nathan laughed.
"Don't tempt me," Brooke said.
Nathan stood inside the Duke gymnasium, dribbling the ball. He didn't take any shots, he just concentrated on maintaining a smooth rhythm.
During the dinner they'd had last week Lucas and Brooke—mostly Brooke—had kept pressing him until he'd actually lost his mind and agreed to be in the wedding party. He knew that there was no way to get out of attending but he'd been counting on being able to sit in with the rest of guests, hopefully off to the side where people wouldn't be able to see his face when Haley said "I do" to Mark.
It was the most idiotic, bone-headed decision that he'd ever made and he was already thinking up ways to get out of it. Brooke had given him looks that could kill all night—which he could deal with.
But then her face had softened and she'd said, "Come on, Nathan. I mean, I'm happy for Haley but things aren't going to be the same after she gets married. We'll all be living our own lives, it's going to get harder and harder to hang out, and who knows where we're all going to be in a couple years? We have this opportunity do this thing together." Brooke saw that Nathan was wavering and drove the nail into the coffin. "She really misses you. Do it for her, okay?"
And he'd fallen for it. Completely. "She misses you." Nathan snorted to himself. Right.
Nathan cleared his mind and refocused on basketball. Even though the season had been over for weeks and the next wouldn't be starting for months, he was still in training.
The Devils had come close to winning the championship, very, very close. But it hadn't happened for them again this year.
He was starting to worry. He'd taken on a larger role on the team and after the seniors graduated next year he'd be one of the top players. He had two more years to bring home a victory for Duke and he was starting to fear that it wouldn't happen. If he didn't get into the NBA, this would be the only time he'd be able to experience what it was like to finally reach the end and beat the best.
At the last game of the season almost everyone had been there: his mother, Lucas, Brooke, Keith, and Katie. He'd been seeing her off and on for almost a five months and he'd avoided Haley for that entire time.
Katie had seemed pretty comfortable around his family, he hadn't really planned on having them meet her, but he'd had a little time before the game started and he'd introduced her to everyone before leaving to get ready.
He had no idea what they'd talked about and a part of him didn't really want to know. He hadn't really told anyone that he was seeing someone; they'd been a little surprised but they'd taken it in stride and the evening had gone off well.
Even though they'd been dating for months, he and Katie were still stuck in that stage where neither one of them had made a commitment. That was his fault and he knew it. Katie was starting to become more and more puzzled by his behavior. He knew that sooner or later she'd probably want something less casual but for now she didn't press it and he was grateful for that.
He was a little relieved that Haley hadn't been able to make it, even though he would have liked to see her. Accepting the fact that she was going to marry Mark had become easier as his relationship with Katie went on. It hadn't happened overnight but he really felt like he was slowly getting over his impossible crush. What he had with Katie was good, she was a truly sweet person.
"Son."
Nathan started a little at the sound, he'd been thinking so hard that he hadn't heard Dan coming up behind him. He saw his father and gave him a strange look.
"What are you doing here?" Nathan stood still but he didn't stop dribbling.
"I just came up for a visit." Dan's face was tense. And each thunk of the ball on the floor seemed to fray his temper a little more.
"The season's been over for a while, Dad."
"I don't mean I came up to watch you play, I came to see you."
"Why?"
Dan took a deep breath. "Is it really so strange that I'd just want to drop in?"
"Yes."
"Look, I know that it's been . . . rough for us since your mother and I got divorced."
"Okay." Nathan's face was expressionless.
"But I was thinking that we could grab some dinner."
Nathan caught the ball in both hands and there was no sound in the gym. He looked at his father for a long time, trying to assess his motives. "What is it that you want?"
Dan himself wasn't sure about what he wanted. He'd been divorced from Deb for four years and his relationship with Nathan, which hadn't been easy since the time he was eight, had deteriorated even further. He wasn't exactly sure when and how it had happened, but he'd suddenly realized that outside of the occasional conversation about basketball, he and Nathan didn't speak. At all. He had no idea if he was dating anyone, or how he was doing in school, or what his future plans were.
All he'd ever wanted was to spare Nathan the regret that he suffered from, but somehow it had gotten twisted around and he'd been cast as the villain when he and Deb separated. The truth was, Nathan loved basketball. He loved the game and in order to play it at the level that he wanted, Dan had had to push him.
His mother got to play the martyr and sigh and moan about how demanding he was but the truth is that Nathan had needed that when he was younger, or he would've been playing in some third-string division, going nowhere.
"I just want to have some dinner and for you to sit there and try and make conversation. Is that too much to ask?"
Nathan looked at Dan for a long moment. "Why now?"
"What?"
"Why now? Did something happen? Do you have cancer or something?"
"No," Dan said, annoyed. He ran a hand through his hair. "I'm in perfect health and I won't be dying anytime soon. Sorry to disappoint you."
"So why do you give a shit about me now? We lost before we could get into the championships, Dad. Maybe you'll want to come back next year."
Dan felt a sinking feeling in his gut. He hadn't understood how much Nathan resented him. Standing there, looking at his son, he realized that Nathan wasn't a child anymore and he wasn't a teenager. He was a young man who didn't seem to want or need him.
"I meant what I said. If you want to see me I'll be at the Library Bar and Grill tonight at six. Meet me there if you want to."
Dan turned and walked away and Nathan watched him go before turning away to practice his shots.
Nathan walked back to his dorm slowly. Katie was expecting him to call but after running into his father he really didn't feel like talking to anyone. He should call her anyway, they needed to talk about their plans: he'd probably be spending the summer with her. She really was a great girl and even though staying away from Haley had been hard at first, over time it had gotten easier.
For a month after Lucas and Brooke had gotten engaged he'd thought about her every day, even when he was out with Katie, but now he only thought about her now and then when something would remind him of her: a passage in a book, a familiar scent, or the sound of a voice.
Just then he wished, with everything that he had, that he could call and talk to her about his father. Even though he and his brother were closer than ever, Dan was a subject they never even tried to tackle. His mother didn't need to be reminded of the bastard that she used to be married to, and there was no way he'd go to Karen with the problems he was having with the man who'd abandoned her and her son. That left Brooke—yeah right—and Katie.
He knew that Katie would be sympathetic, but Haley would just understand. She'd been there, right there, through everything. Nathan felt a familiar ache rise in his chest but then he shook his shoulders slightly and the feeling subsided.
Maybe he would meet his father for dinner tonight. The thought of seeing him unbalanced him a little. Then maybe he'd go stay with his mom for a couple weeks. He and Katie had talked about taking a road trip, driving to New York and stopping along the way to see all the sights. They could postpone that for a while, though. He felt like he hadn't really seen his family since the beginning of the school year.
August 23, 2013
Nathan walked down the sidewalk in the Tree Hill, window shopping for something to buy for his Katie. She'd been incredibly understanding after he'd told her that he felt like he needed to spend some time at home this summer.
He'd be meeting up with her later in New York for a week, she was going to be driving up there with some of her girlfriends and he wanted to get her something special to give her when he saw her again.
He peered in the window of a jewelry shop but didn't see anything that he liked so he moved on. There was a bridal shop next door and there was a woman inside who was wearing one of the ugliest wedding gowns he'd ever seen. She was turning from side to side, looking at herself in the mirror.
For some reason he stopped and stared at her and she turned around. It was Haley. He stepped back, feeling his heart pound. She was supposed to be in Durham with Mark, planning her wedding. Why was she here? He took a deep breath and laughed at himself. So what if she was here? It wasn't that big a deal. He stepped back, about to walk away since she hadn't seen him, but then he turned back. What was he running away from?
He put one hand on the door handle and walked into the boutique. Haley was trying on a tiara and her long brown hair tumbled down her back.
"So that's the dress that you want?" Nathan asked.
Haley turned around and her eyes widened with surprise.
"Nathan!" She rushed over, a whirlwind of lace and tulle, and hugged him.
He held her closely for a moment, closing his eyes, and then he moved back to look down at what she was wearing.
"It's a little . . ." Nathan searched for something tactful to say.
"Ugly as hell?"
"Yes," Nathan laughed. "Those are the words I was looking for."
"Yeah, I know. But when I saw it on the rack I just couldn't help wondering how I'd look in it, and it's more awful than I thought it would be."
Nathan looked into Haley's glowing face and felt himself die a little more inside. "It really is a horror."
"So what are you doing in a bridal shop, Heartbreaker? There're only a few reasons why a man would walk into a place like this and they all scare me."
"I was just walking by and I saw you in here."
"Are you meeting Lucas?"
"No, I just thought I'd hit the town by myself. I barely spend any time here anymore, you know?"
"I do know," Haley said wistfully. "After my parents sold the house and ran off to have the gypsy life they always wanted, it feels like I'm never here."
"We should come back more," Nathan said, looking out the storefront window. "Being in Tree Hill was the best time of my life."
"Come on, you're a superstar at Duke. You have women falling all over you," Haley teased and Nathan smiled painfully. "You're telling me that you getting your ass kicked by me in Donkey Kong is better than that?"
"Yes."
Haley laughed. "You've always been so sweet. But, hey, don't let me keep you."
"Is Mark here?" Nathan fought the urge to grit his teeth when he said the man's name.
"No, he's driving down next weekend. So I'm on my own until then."
"Why don't you let me treat you to dinner?" What am I doing? Nathan asked himself.
"Dinner?" Haley raised her eyebrows.
"Deep-dish pepperoni with sausage, black olives, onions, and extra cheese, right? Damico's?"
"You remembered!" Haley swooned. "I haven't had good pizza in an eon."
"I'll even let you beat me at Donkey Kong."
"Let me? Oh, it's on now."
"Why don't you meet me there at six?"
"Sure. I'll see you later."
"Ahh. I'm never going to fit into my wedding dress now." Haley sat back and patted her stomach.
"Well, thanks for leaving a couple slices for me," Nathan said.
"Hey, I was just kidding when I threatened to stab your hand with a fork. You could have taken another piece."
"That's okay, I think I'll just take one to go."
Haley sipped her root beer. "So how's school?"
"It's getting better."
"It wasn't going good before? Were you having some problems?"
"I'm sure my Mom told you all about it when she called you."
"Busted," Haley sighed.
"Don't worry about me, Haley. I'm fine."
"Really?" Haley looked at him and the worry in her face made his heart race a little.
"Really. I just got off track for a while but I worked it out with the coach. I'll be kissing his ass for the next year, but it should be fine."
"I'm glad. I worry about you all the time. I remember how much you loved the game when you were younger, I'd hate to see anything get in the way of that. Lucas can't shut up about how proud he is of you."
"Yeah?"
"Of course. He said that college ball was enough for him but sometimes I think he wonders what it would have been like to play professionally. I hear that you're headed that way."
Nathan shrugged. "Maybe. I know that I'm talented, but there are hundreds of talented guys out there. There are no guarantees."
"Have you thought about what you'd want to do if you don't get into the NBA, or maybe what you want to do after you're done playing?"
"I . . . I'd really love to coach."
"That is so great, Nathan."
"You think so?"
"Of course. Plus you learned how to do it from the best, I know how much you love Whitey."
"He is the best."
"I always felt like he really stepped up when your parents got divorced. I was so glad you had someone like him in your life."
Nathan blinked, surprised. "That's exactly how I felt. I had no idea you noticed that, too."
"It's all I thought about for a while. You took the divorce hard, Nathan. Really hard. I worried about you a lot."
Nathan reached over to hold Haley's hand. "That means a lot to me."
"Are you kidding? You and Deb are like family to me."
Nathan took his hand back. "Thanks."
"You want to walk some of this pizza off?"
"Yeah, I'm still in training and unlike some people I can't afford to let myself go."
"Shut up. If Mark can't appreciate a meaty woman, the hell with him."
"Amen." Nathan grinned.
Nathan and Haley walked in comfortable silence down the riverfront. They stopped when they came up to the hotel.
"Well, this is home," Haley said.
"Do you want to do something tomorrow? I could probably help you pick out a wedding dress that doesn't make you look like a tower of marshmallows."
"I've decided to give up on the dress for now. But I'm going to be doing wedding planning stuff all week, I'm sure that you don't want to hang out when I'm doing that."
"No, it'll be great. You can do whatever you need to do, and I'll just sit back and laugh at your horrible taste."
She pretended to laugh. "Oh, Nathan, you're hilarious. But if you want to torture yourself, be my guest."
Haley hugged him and Nathan let his eyes close briefly as she held him. "It's been great getting to hang out with you again. It feels like old times."
Nathan smiled. "See you tomorrow."
"Nathan, where have you been all day? I thought that you were going to wash the car?" Deb asked.
"Sorry, Mom. I ran into Haley and we got to talking."
"Oh, that's right, Haley's in town. I still can't believe that she's actually getting married."
"Neither can I."
"Karen told me that she and Mark are working hard with everything they need to do for the wedding. I just hope that Haley hasn't stretched herself too thin, she's taking classes in the fall and finishing things up for the big day."
"Hmm."
"She'd better get started now if she wants to get everything done in time."
"She was shopping for a wedding dress when I saw her."
"Oh, was it beautiful?"
"No," Nathan laughed. "I thought I might help her out a little this week, keep her company, starting tomorrow."
"Great idea, Nathan. What time tomorrow?"
"One."
"This is so perfect, I've always wanted to help plan a wedding!"
"Yeah. Wait . . . what?"
"When we meet with her tomorrow I can tell her all about the great ideas that I've got."
Nathan's mind raced, how had this conversation turned bad so quickly? "Oh, Mom, I'm sure Haley doesn't expect you to drop everything to help her out."
"Don't be silly, Nathan. Haley's like a part of the family. Why, when you were younger you used to adore her."
"Yes, but . . ."
"Hold on . . ." Deb looked at her son closely. "When you ran into Haley . . ." Nathan felt his heart drop into his shoes. She knew. "You just happened to be at a bridal shop?"
"Y-yes."
"What were you doing in there?"
"I, uh—"
"Nathan . . . you weren't trying on any of the gowns, were you?"
"Mom, for the love of God! You think I'm a cross-dresser?! I told you, I happened to see Haley trying on a dress and I walked in to say hi!"
"Right, right. Of course, Nate." Deb walked away quickly.
"Deb, that's a beautiful idea," Haley said excitedly.
Nathan sighed to himself. His mother and Haley had been going over the wedding plans like a couple little girls, squealing and cooing at everything in the catalogs his mother had brought. Haley hadn't even blinked at seeing Deb with him and he felt totally superfluous.
He let his mind wander a bit and looked towards them when he heard his mother say his name.
"What's that?"
"I was just saying that it's too bad that you aren't a little boy anymore, you'd make the cutest ring-bearer."
"Mom, please."
"You are so right, Deb." Haley grinned. "I remember the first time I was hit by those eyes." She pretended to swoon. "Can you imagine Nathan in a little tux holding a little blue silk pillow?"
"Right. Look, I've got to run." Nathan stood up.
Haley looked up with surprise. "Bored already?"
"Yeah, I guess I overestimated my tolerance for wedding stuff."
Nathan's voice was normal but Haley felt the change in his attitude. He was all closed off again, she looked over at Deb to see if she noticed but she was still flipping through Modern Bride.
"I release you, then. Run free." Haley cocked her head to the side. "You want to meet me later? I'm going to be at Damico's around seven."
Nathan brightened. "Again?"
"What? I like the pizza. Don't judge."
Nathan laughed. "I wouldn't dare. Sure, I'll see you."
After Nathan was out of sight Haley turned to Deb. "Are you still worried about him?"
She sighed. "He seems to be turning things around, his grades are better and he's not out partying all night the way he used to. He's back on the team."
"But?"
"I don't know. It's like the spark went out of him. Like he's just going through the motions."
"Is it that bad?"
"No, I think I'm just imagining things. Now that Dan has reappeared in his life he seems so serious all the time."
"Do you think that maybe he's not ready for his father to be back?"
"I don't know. His father's an ass but I always thought that he loved Nathan in his own way."
"He's going to be fine, Deb. I've always been so impressed by him. He's always known who he is and what he wants. Unlike me, who's changed majors eight, count 'em, eight times before settling on one."
"Thank you, Haley. Maybe I'm just overreacting."
"Hey, you're a mom. You're allowed to do that once in a while."
"This girl he liked dumping him didn't help any."
"What? What girl? The one you met at the championship game?"
"No, the girl he was seeing before her. Oh, I can't talk about it." Deb paused. "Her name was Rachel, and that's all I'm going to say."
Haley shook her head. "Another Shelly?"
"Maybe. He says—" Deb cut herself off. "I promised I wouldn't say anything to anyone about it."
"I understand."
"She's in love with someone else and I think he's still taking it hard."
"That sucks, I'll try to talk to him."
"Haley . . ."
"Don't worry, I won't let him know that I dragged the information out of you."
"Thanks."
After dinner Nathan and Haley walked to the video store.
"How did the planning with my mom go?"
"Great, she's been incredible, I think that between her and my mom I might actually pull this off."
Nathan opened the door for her and she walked in.
"Hmm. I think I want to watch A Walk To Remember."
"What? Come on, Haley. That sappy crap?"
"Don't you dare call it sappy crap. This movie changed my life."
"Please tell me you're joking."
"I am not! This is the movie that introduced me to the concept of true love."
"You're scaring me now, Haley James."
They didn't spend that much time inside the store, Haley found what she wanted quickly, grabbed some boxes of candy, and paid for their videos. They walked back to the hotel, laughing and joking.
"Hey, I hate to watch movies alone, you want to come up? I've got microwave popcorn," Haley offered.
"Sure," Nathan said easily.
Haley slipped the card into the door and walked into the room, tossing her purse on the table.
Nathan whistled. "Nice room. Swanky."
"Isn't it great? Mark insisted on me getting a suite."
"Where is he?"
"He's still in meetings with his father."
Haley switched on the television and put in the DVD, he sat down on the couch and made himself comfortable while she disappeared into her bedroom. He looked through the special features and when Haley came out again he took one look at her and burst out laughing.
Haley glared at him and put her hands on her hips. She was wearing pajamas that were ordinary enough—except for the huge picture of Rainbow Brite that covered her entire chest.
"Don't you dare laugh at me."
"Sorry," Nathan gasped. "If only I'd known, I could have brought my blankets with the Thundercats on them."
Haley grinned. "You owe your appreciation for 80s cartoons to me, Heartbreaker. Do you really want a good laugh? I can talk to you about the summer you ran around pretending to be Optimus Prime."
Nathan sobered up. "There's no need to get personal, Haley."
"That's what I thought."
They were watching the credits scroll down the screen and Haley was wiping at her tears with a tissue.
Nathan rolled his eyes, smiled at her, and then his face became serious.
"Haley?"
"Yes?"
"How do you know that Mark is the one?" Nathan held his breath.
"Well . . . we dated for a while before he proposed. I knew that he was the best boyfriend that I'd ever had but I wasn't sure if I wanted to be with him forever. But as time went on I could see us being together, buying a house, having kids"—Nathan looked down at that—"all the normal stuff couples do. So when he finally asked me I just felt so incredibly happy. I knew I made the right choice."
"I thought you were a romantic."
"That is romantic."
"No, I mean, like something out of the movie"—Nathan gestured at the tv screen—"some guy comes along to sweep you off your feet."
"I'm hoping that I live a little longer than three months after the wedding."
"You know what I mean."
"It's just a movie, Nathan. They always end after the couple gets married. They never show you how to make it work."
"I guess you're right," Nathan said softly.
"You talk like someone who just got his heart broken."
"Do I?"
"A little."
"Not broken, cracked a little, maybe."
Haley smiled gently. "I had no idea you were so poetic."
"You haven't even heard my best stuff."
"Does she have a name?"
"Who?"
"The girl who stomped on your heart, of course."
"No . . ."
"She has no name?"
"No," Nathan laughed a little, "I mean she didn't really 'stomp' anything. She just . . . wasn't feeling it, I guess."
"Oh, that's the worst. You don't even have the comfort of being able to hate her."
"Would that really help?"
"It's gotten me through a bunch of bad breakups."
"Come on, how many guys have broken up with you? One, maybe?"
"Try eight."
"You're kidding."
"I wish."
"They're all idiots."
"That's what I think too." Haley grabbed a handful of popcorn. "I don't know, I think that my parents being so in love all this time has totally screwed up my perception of how relationships are supposed to be. Maybe if they'd divorced I'd have had more realistic expectations when I started dating."
"Yeah, being the child of divorce was a real treat."
"God, Nathan. How could I be so insensitive? I'm sorry . . ."
"No, I'm sorry. I know you were kidding, it's just that . . . everything changed when my dad left. He was . . . worse."
Haley sighed. "How is it with him around so much lately?"
Nathan shrugged. "I don't even know what to talk to him about now. All our conversations are about how many points I'm getting per game and my workout schedule."
Haley laid a palm on the back of his neck. "I'm sorry."
Nathan smiled and struggled to keep his breathing even. Her hand was soft; when she drew her hand away her fingers brushed lightly through his hair and he felt a shiver run through his entire body.
"I never thanked you, Haley."
"For what?"
"When my parents got divorced it would have been ten times worse if you hadn't been there. I know that you reamed my dad out a couple times for me."
Haley blinked with surprise. "Who told you?"
"Lucas."
"I'm going to kill him," Haley muttered.
"I don't understand why you didn't want me to know."
Haley sighed. "When your parents got separated I could see that it was really bad for you. You were in so much pain and there was nothing I could do and your father . . . I was just so pissed off at him for handling it the way he did. One day I just kind of lost it on him but I was so afraid that I'd made things worse. I just kept thinking about that time I lost my temper with him in front of you . . ."
"My dad was a grown man, Haley. He's responsible for what he did or didn't do."
"My head knows that. But sometimes I wish I could have done more, you know?"
Nathan shook his head. "You helped. You have no idea how much. I . . . love you."
Nathan ran his fingers through the carpet. He couldn't even look at Haley for a moment. When he could finally raise his head he saw that she had tears in her eyes.
She sat up on the couch and reached for him so she could hug him tightly. Nathan closed his eyes, wrapped his arms around her, and turned his face slightly so that her hair covered a part of his face.
Haley broke their embrace and he forced himself to give her a carefree smile.
"Don't think that this means I'm going to let you win when we play Tekken," Nathan teased.
Haley laughed and their serious mood dissipated. Her cell phone rang and she got up to answer it.
"Mark! Hey."
Haley walked into her bedroom to take the call and Nathan slumped dispiritedly onto the couch. He could hear the buzz of her voice through the door and he let his head flop against the back of the sofa. He closed his eyes and tried to pretend that he was the one engaged to Haley and that they were here to plan their wedding together. That it was their ceremony that his mother was going crazy over.
When Haley walked back out she saw Nathan laid out on the couch, sleeping. She smiled softly and walked over and tried to straighten him out a little, pulled off his shoes, and threw one of her blankets over him.
The next morning when Nathan woke up he heard Haley's voice and smiled unconsciously. Then he heard a deeper one, a man's voice, and he sat up quickly. Peering over the back of the couch he saw Haley standing in the living room kissing someone.
"You're finally awake." Haley looked over at him.
The man turned around and with a friendly smile he said, "Nathan." He walked over to the sofa and held out his hand, "It's nice to see you again, I'm hoping we get a chance to get to know each other a little better. Haley talks about you all the time."
Nathan looked at Mark through bleary eyes. "Hey." He took a moment to rub a rough hand over his face. "Nice to see you too." Nathan gave him a firm handshake.
"We're about to go down and grab some breakfast, do you want to come? You and Mark can chat and compare stories on how wonderful I am," Haley said.
Mark glanced over his shoulder. "So conceited."
"Uh, thanks but I know Mom's got a million things for me to do so I'd better get home." Nathan's smile was bright and fake.
"Okay." Haley grabbed her purse.
"Maybe we can meet up later, Nathan. I love college ball, maybe we could come to a game." Mark was so friendly that Nathan almost felt bad for hating him. Almost.
"You think you could score us some free tickets?" Haley asked.
"Don't tell me that you're too cheap to buy tickets to a college basketball game Haley." Nathan shook his head with profound disappointment.
"What can I say? Old habits die hard."
Mark grabbed Haley's hand and Nathan squeezed his fists between his knees to stop himself from launching himself at Mark and wrapping his hands around the guy's throat.
"We'll see you later, okay? Feel free to use the shower or whatever. I think I brought some of Lucas' old sweats if you want to change," Haley said.
"Sure, thanks," Nathan answered.
When the door shut behind them Nathan waited until he was certain that they were gone and drove his fist into the wooden armoire.
Nathan's emotions were all jumbled up inside him. Over the past couple days Mark had been attached to Haley at the hip. It was clear that his feelings for Haley weren't really under control, and he felt like maybe he should talk about it with her.
There had been moments when he'd felt like he was able to deal with it, but when he'd seen Mark all of the animosity that he felt towards him came rushing back. His hand still hurt, but that probably served him right. What kind of idiot punches something made out of solid oak?
He saw Haley coming out of her hotel and jogged to catch up with her.
"Haley."
"Nathan." She looked surprised. "Were we supposed to meet up today?"
"No, I just . . . I wanted to ask you something."
Nathan took both her hands into his and she looked up at him curiously. When she saw the look in his eyes she became concerned.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"I've been . . ." Nathan took a deep breath and closed his eyes. "I've really missed you, I think that I've seen more of you this week than I have over the past year."
"I've missed you, too." Haley smiled. "Promise me that we won't let ourselves go that long again without hanging out."
"I promise," Nathan said.
"I'm on my way to taste different wedding cakes, do you want to come with me? Free food for you."
"No, I've got to get back home. There's just something that I wanted to tell you."
"What, Nathan?" Haley said softly. Suddenly she felt anxious and she didn't know why. She moved back a little, for some reason she didn't want to hear whatever it was Nathan had to say.
"I just . . . hope that you don't forget about me and Lucas after you get married."
Haley released a breath that she didn't know that she'd been holding. "Are you kidding? No worries, Heartbreaker, nobody could take the place you two have in my life."
Nathan smiled painfully as Haley waved and got into her car.
Hours later Haley drove home with a few cake samples for Mark. On impulse she decided to drive by her old house. She saw something that made her jerk a little with surprise and she parked and got out.
She stood on the sidewalk looking at her home and the "For Sale" sign in the yard. For some reason the people who'd bought her parents home had moved out after only a year.
Haley stood there, remembering all the good times she'd had there with her parents, her brothers and sisters, Nathan and Lucas. She heard a car door slam behind her and turned around.
"Hi." The realtor walked up and smiled at her. "Are you here for the open house? Interested in buying?"
"Oh, no," Haley said quickly. "I'm just looking."
"Ah. My name's Molly Hanson." She held out her hand.
Haley shook it firmly. "Haley."
Molly sensed a potential sale and said casually, "Do you want to come in and take a look around inside?"
Haley smiled. "I think I have a pretty good idea what it looks like."
"Come on, just peek in. It's really very nice, it's has a beautiful, warm atmosphere."
"Okay."
Molly unlocked the door and they walked in, and Haley looked around her old home. Most of the original furniture was still there, with some new pieces that were really quite nice.
"The place was owned by the Petersons. They had to leave quickly because Mrs. Peterson's father became very ill and he lives on the other side of the country. They decided to move out there permanently."
"I'm sorry to hear that."
"They're looking to sell this property quickly and they'll throw in the furniture too, they're offering an incredibly good deal."
Haley sighed. "I wish I could buy it."
Her conversation with Nathan was running through her head. She'd been better at keeping up with Lucas but that was because Brooke had been helping her plan the wedding. She barely saw Keith, Karen or Deb anymore. It was only going to get harder to maintain those bonds after she got married.
"This place would make a great second home," Molly said confidently. "You could rent out rooms when you're not here . . ."
"I'll take it," Haley said suddenly.
Molly's mouth fell open a little with surprise. "Really?"
"Yes, really." Haley laughed at herself.
"You bought a house?" Mark said. "You bought your old house."
"Yes." Haley smiled nervously.
"Why?"
"I don't know, I just . . . I was standing there and remembering everything and the lady was telling me about what a great place it was—ironic, right?—and the words just fell out of my mouth."
"Haley, I can't live in Tree Hill, my job . . ."
"No, no. I don't expect us to live there."
Mark just looked at her. "Now I'm really confused. You want to buy the house, but you don't want to live in it."
"I was thinking that we could stay there whenever we go to visit my family."
Mark laughed. "Your family lives everywhere but Tree Hill."
"I mean Lucas, Karen, Nathan and everybody."
Mark wrapped his arms around her waist. "I'm just not sure we can afford it."
"We can," Haley said excitedly. "I have more than enough for the down payment in my savings and I make enough now to keep up with the mortgage payments. I can try and rent it out when we're not there."
Mark thought for a minute. "It could be a good investment, property values are about to rise in that area."
Haley rolled her eyes. "This isn't about making an investment, Mark. Tree Hill was my home, I just want . . . I want to hold on to a piece of it."
Mark looked at her for a moment. "I can see that there's no point in arguing with you."
"You've learned that already? I thought it might take years of marriage for you to understand that." Haley smiled.
Mark leaned down to kiss her and Haley wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Are you sure about this?"
"Yes."
"Okay, I'm with you."
"You're the best. Thank you."
Haley ran a hand down his chest and Mark speedily unbuttoned her blouse and moved her back into the bedroom. He laid her back on the mattress and covered her, his mouth hot and demanding.
Haley opened her legs and he pressed up against her.
"I can think of one way you can really thank me," Mark whispered in her ear.
"Oh?" Haley rolled her hips upwards and Mark groaned.
He said something softly into her ear; Haley grinned and reached for his belt.
"Mr. Ascot, I'm shocked. I am not that kind of girl."