We got out of the car and headed up the walk to Nathan's apartment.
Nathan got his key and unlocked the door before ushering me into the apartment.
"Hey surprise!" Lucas exclaimed, enveloping me in a warm hug.
"Hey Lucas!" I replied, returning his hug.
His eyes shifted over to Nathan.
"Did you tell her?!" he asked.
Nathan held his hands up in mock defense, "...tell her what?"
Lucas gave him a look, "that I was here?!"
That's when I took the opportunity and spoke up. "NO! I had no idea you were coming, it's great to see you!!" I said with a smile.
I looked over at Nathan who grinned back at me
The three of us settled into the living room on the couch while Lucas filled me in on his book and life with Lindsay.
"She sends her love and wanted to come with me but she was just swamped with work, partially my fault since I put off finishing the book," Lucas explained.
"Well tell her I said hello and that I would love to come up and visit sometime," I replied.
Lucas and Nathan continued to tell me stories about some of the people they had been working with in their respective careers.
"One author at the book signing had actually requested that no one look him directly in the eye," Lucas said, with a smile.
Nathan looked at him with a confused expression, "Why?"
"...because apparently, he's got a few problems with paranoia and thinks everyone is always staring at him anyway," Nathan replied.
I winced. "...well he's a famous author, so people probably do stare at him when they recognize who he is."
Lucas shrugged, "yeah, I know. That's one thing I've definitely learned about the creative industry. There are more than a few people with oddities."
"There have been many creative people who suffer from mental illnesses -- its almost as though their creativity comes along with it," I said. "Look at Van Gogh - he was plagued with delusions and psychotic attacks."
"Maybe that's what's wrong with Lucas," Nathan smirked and Lucas threw a couch pillow at him.
"There are plenty of athletes with issues too, trust me," Nathan said. "Some can't handle the performance pressure, others can't handle how easy it is to access drugs."
My heart leapt in my throat, "I hope none of those things are a problem for you?"
Nathan shook his head quickly. "It's definitely a different life - but I think its pretty empty for the most part -- not my scene and especially not the drugs," Nathan said, looking over at me.
"So, Hales, catch me up on Tree Hill. I hear things here and there from mom but how have you been?" Lucas asked.
I told them stories about the restaurant and classes.
"I hope to get into Hotel/Restaurant Management at a major resort....that's what I'd really like to pursue," I said.
"That does sound like fun," Lucas replied.
"Where would you want to go?" Nathan asked.
"I don't know - maybe California or Florida - or even the Bahamas."
Nathan looked over at me in a moment of surprise. Almost as if he'd never quite thought about the fact that I may eventually leave Tree Hill. I was waiting for him to speak, but he remained silent.
"Well I think that's wonderful," Lucas spoke up in response.
A moment later, Lucas' phone began to ring.
"It's Lindsay, I need to take this," Lucas replied as he hurried to the next room.
Nathan walked over to the kitchen to make a couple of drinks for us and I followed him there.
"I hope this hasn't been weird or anything --I mean, I know you wanted to talk, so I hope it wasn't a problem that Lucas was here," Nathan said, taking glasses out of the cabinet.
"No, not at all," I replied. "Lucas is one of my best friends. I am glad he's here - its great to see him."
"I know he's happy to see you too," Nathan grinned. "I don't know if he ever told you this but right after we broke up, he barely spoke to me for a month."
I laughed, partly in surprise. "Really? I didn't know that."
"Yeah - he said I was making a big mistake and that I'd regret it. He knew that you were hurting too and I think he felt like he was in the middle," Nathan said, "...but he was right, it was a mistake--all of it."
I looked at him for a second.
We had been sidestepping everything since he got back -- and Lucas had only been the excuse. He wasn't bringing it up but I wasn't exactly anxious to either. I think I was scared that talking about it would somehow ruin the evening -- for once I just wanted things to progress the way they would without analyzing and talking everything to death.
Nathan narrowed the gap between us, pinning me to the counter.
"So, what do you want to do now?" he asked me in a husky tone.
The mood had suddenly changed drastically.
I could see the change in his eyes - they had darkened a bit and were staring right into mine.
"I don't know -- I mean, are you tired? Were you and Lucas just going to hang out here or did you want to go do something?" I asked him.
"That's going to depend on you," Nathan said, never breaking eye contact with me.
My breathing became a little shallower although I didn't notice it at first.
If there was one thing we never lacked - it was an attraction to one another.
"Maybe we should just head to my place and talk," I said to him almost in a whisper because I couldn't manage to find more of a voice at that moment.
Nathan only nodded silently, backing up to give me some space.
At that moment, Lucas walked back in with his cell phone in hand. He only looked between us briefly, not ready to ask questions.
"Well, I'm gonna see that Hales gets home alright," Nathan said, grabbing his keys off the counter
"Aww, Hales, you aren't staying longer?" Lucas asked. Then he looked from me to Nathan. He got an amused expression on his face. "....well, I know Nathan did say you guys wanted to talk and stuff, ya know catch up," he trailed off.
Lucas looked at Nathan, "I won't wait up man -- I'll just crash on the couch."
Nathan gave him a look and I could feel my cheeks flush with embarassment.
I guess it would be obvious that Nathan was staying with me if he didn't come back for the night -- even though Lucas had known of my past with Nathan, it was still like talking about it with an older brother and I know it was definitely not something Lucas wanted to think about.
We said our goodbyes and headed out the door.
We drove the 10 minute distance to my apartment.
He pulled up to the front of my apartment and parked the car.
"Did you want to come in and talk for awhile?" I asked him.
He nodded silently and got out to walk around and open my door.
I stepped out of the car and shut the door when he pinned me against the frame of the car.
Within seconds, he'd crushed his lips to mine in a kiss that became intensely passionate.
After a few seconds, he pulled away and it was evident we were both breathless.
"Maybe we should take this inside," Nathan said, his eyes boring into mine with a hunger that I hadn't seen in quite a while.
We went into my apartment, then to my room, where we remained for the rest of the night.
~~~~
The next morning, I woke to find Nathan's arms wrapped around tightly around my middle.
It was warm and cozy under the covers and I didn't want to get up.
I looked over at the clock to see that it was 10AM.
Luckily, I was off work until that night so I wasn't in a rush to leave the warm retreat of the bed.
Nathan nuzzled my neck, only stirring a moment from my movement as I turned and then drifting back to sleep.
I watched his face as he slept.
It was ridiculous how good looking one person could be, even in the morning and while asleep....or perhaps it was more ridiculous that I was watching him while he slept...
I then decided that coffee would be necessary if I was ever getting out of bed. I managed to head to the kitchen to brew a pot.
A few moments later, my apartment was filled with the delicious aroma of Starbucks Breakfast Blend.
Nathan walked in, his hair tousled and his eyes still heavy with sleep.
"Morning," he said sleepily and leaned over to kiss me.
"Good morning," I replied with a smile.
"I smelled that coffee and had to have some," he said with a grin.
I poured a cup for him and one for myself and got the sugar and milk to add to both cups.
I was standing up looking at a newspaper that was on the counter when Nathan put his arms around my waist and snuggled against the back of my neck.
We talked for a few moments about the day ahead.
"I want to take you to the park today, if you don't have plans. We never really got the chance to really talk about everything and we could be alone there," Nathan said.
I smiled, "Alright, that sounds great."
"I'm gonna go take a shower and we'll talk more....we can spend the whole day together....I just don't want to miss a chance to work things out," Nathan said, leaning down to kiss me.
"I would like that," I said, trying not to show that I was beaming inside.
Nathan smiled, "Alright-- well, I'll be out in a few minutes."
He gave me a quick kiss and walked back into the bedroom.
I smiled, truly feeling like things were headed in the right direction.
I continued to drink my coffee a few moments until my peace and quiet was interrupted by the doorbell.
I was confused -- I didn't get many visitors at 10AM on a Friday morning.
I opened the door and was shocked when I saw Todd standing there with a bouquet of fresh flowers.