Haley sat on the edge of her bed, toying with the wedding ring on her finger. Nathan had left for Charlotte a few days before, leaving her and Jamie in Tree Hill.
She'd woken up this morning to headlines and news stories all about her.
NATHAN AND HALEY: SHOTGUN WEDDING?
IS HALEY JAMES PREGNANT?
"Josie Kent, reporting live from Charlotte. I'm standing outside of Time Warner Cable Arena, where inside, the Bobcats are practicing for their third game of the preseason. The team is welcoming back point guard Nathan Scott, who was suspended from play after his second arrest of the year. Following a summer of volunteer work in his hometown, Scott not only found a new side to himself, he told ESPN yesterday, but a new love as well. Scott wed Haley James, a singer and longtime resident of Tree Hill. Rumors have been flying about the couple's quick courtship and marriage, with most citing a pregnancy as the spark that started it all. We will keep you updated on this story, as the Bobcats prepare for their next game, tomorrow night against the Chicago Bulls."
"Hales, I'm sorry about all of this," Nathan said as he sat in the locker room after his practice.
"It's not your fault," Haley sighed, wiping the few tears that had welled in her eyes, "I just wish you were here. I don't know how to deal with all of the press on our doorstep by myself. Lucas thinks we should stay in a hotel, but I don't know."
"You shouldn't have to go through this alone," Nathan continued, "Maybe you should call Peyton, see if you and Jamie can stay there tonight, and give this some time to blow over?"
"Yeah, Jake's in Savannah visiting his brother, so I'm sure she'd like the company," Haley replied, "I just miss you. Guess I was spoiled getting to see you every day."
Nathan smiled, "I miss you too babe, but you'll see plenty of me tomorrow."
"Can't wait," Haley smiled, looking down at the wedding ring adorning her finger, "I love you husband."
"I love you too," Nathan replied, before hanging up the phone.
"I can't believe these stupid vultures from hell," Haley angrily said the next morning.
She and Jamie had ended up staying at Peyton's, and after taking Jamie to school, she and Peyton were at the studio.
"Haley, I told you I could take care of them," Peyton said, "I have a pretty mean right hook."
"Thanks, but I just wish they could find someone else's life to mess with," Haley scoffed, "I mean, first they call me a gold digger, and now they think the only reason Nathan and I got married was because I'm pregnant?"
"I'm on your side here Haley, you know that, but you've got to admit, it was a pretty sudden thing," Peyton expounded, "To people on the outside, who don't know you, it's a rational explanation."
Knowing she was right, Haley said, "I just wish I didn't have to deal with them."
"Well, even if you weren't married to an NBA superstar, you're about to go platinum," Peyton smiled, "This album is going to change your life, Haley. You're going to have to keep dealing with piranhas of the media for a lot longer than you want to."
"Thank you, Peyton, for all that you've done to help me," Haley replied, "I couldn't have done any of this without you."
"I'm just the producer. You wrote all the songs, you're the one with the great voice. But yeah, you're right, you couldn't have done it without me," Peyton smirked.
It was game day, Nathan's first game back with the Bobcats. 10 AM, and he headed into the arena he'd called home for the past few years for the team's morning shootaround. As he walked into the locker room, the guys all started to clap and cheer.
"And the prodigal son returns," Damien said, hugging Nathan, "Welcome back man."
"Thanks guys," Nathan smiled, heading to his locker, which was in between Owen's and Nino's.
"Yeah dude, it's good to have you back," Owen said, "We played like crap last game without you."
Nino looked at Nathan, shaking his head, "I'm happy to see you Nate, but if you ever pull any of that stupid angry, drunk fighting shit again, you'll have me to deal with."
"Point taken," Nathan nodded, as Nino smiled, "Did Mel put you up to that?"
"Yeah," Nino continued, "She's excited to meet Haley and Jamie tonight."
When Nathan had first joined the Bobcats, he and Nino had become fast friends. He became somewhat of a permanent fixture at Nino and his wife Melanie's house. She had always insisted on making them a big dinner the night before a home game. Last night, he'd wanted to skype with Haley and Jamie before Jamie went to bed, so it was the first one he'd ever missed.
Everyone made small talk as they changed, but it all went quiet as Coach Bobby Irons walked in.
"Sorry to interrupt social hour, ladies, but I'd appreciate it if you all got your asses out on the court," he snarked.
Coach Irons was tough, but everyone loved him. He ruled with his famous "Iron Fist," but it gained him the respect of the players, and he was able to connect with them on a personal level.
As the team headed out, Bobby stopped Nathan, a hand on his shoulder.
"You're on a short leash here, Nate," he stated, "One more slip-up, and you're out, for good."
"It won't happen again Coach, I can promise you that," Nathan assured him.
"Get out there," Bobby waved him on.
As Nathan was about to walk out the door, Coach Irons called out to him, "Nice interview with ESPN, by the way Scott."
"As the Bobcats prepare for their third preseason game against the 2-0 Chicago Bulls, a familiar face rejoins them. Our own Josie Kent sat down with Nathan Scott earlier this morning to talk about his suspension, and how it's changed him, as a person and as a player."
"Nathan, first of all, welcome back to Charlotte," Josie said.
"Thank you, it's good to be back," Nathan politely smiled.
These interviews were never Nathan's favorite thing, but it was all part of the job. He'd tried to get out of this one, but Clay and Coach Irons had made it impossible.
"To most people, your suspension was inevitable. Your behavior wasn't exactly that of a stellar NBA player. How did the suspension help you?" Josie asked.
"I think it gave me the wakeup call that I needed. I was acting like, to put it nicely, an ass. I was making poor choices, which not only affected me, but my team as well. I came close to losing my dream, and after knowing what that feels like that, I never want to know that feeling again."
"You used your time off to return to the town you spent your first 9 years of life in. Why did you choose Tree Hill?"
"It was the place where I first discovered the game. I guess I wanted to remember why I fell in love with the game in the first place."
"I bet you're glad that you went back there, now, as it led you to meeting your now-wife, Haley."
Nathan knew that this would be a hot-button topic. He was blindly hoping that they would skip over Haley, but in reality, he knew it was inevitable.
"Meeting Haley was the best thing that ever happened to me. She didn't let me get away with being a jerk, and she made me want to be a better person, for her and for her, well, our, son Jamie."
"So meeting Haley was better than basketball, than making it to the NBA?"
Nathan didn't even have to think twice before answering, "Haley and Jamie are the best things that have ever happened to me."
Haley and Jamie weren't able to leave for the game until Jamie got out of school, but then Haley had gotten a frantic call from Anna at the café, about one of the waitresses not showing up for her shift. Reluctantly, Haley had worked for a few hours until Deb was able to come in and cover.
With Deb working, and Lucas and Brooke staying home with a sick baby Liam, Haley and Jamie would be going to Charlotte by themselves for the game.
With Jamie in his Bobcats jersey, and Haley in her Bobcats shirt with "Scott #23" on the back, they were ready to support their favorite player. Haley, though, was nervous about her first public outing as Nathan's wife.
The two walked towards the back entrance, as Nathan had instructed her, they met with a security guard at the door.
"Um, hi," Haley stammered, "I'm.."
"Haley," the guard finished for her, "Right this way Mrs. Scott. We've been expecting you."
She was initially surprised that the guard knew who she was, but then she quickly remembered that almost everyone did nowadays. The guard led them through a channel of tunnels underneath the arena, for their privacy, but before they approached the entrance to where their seats would be, Haley assured him they could find them themselves.
She stood in the hall, holding Jamie's hand, taking a deep breath.
"Haley?" she heard a voice call out down the hall.
Turning, she saw an African-American woman who looked to be a few years older than her, wearing a shirt similar to her own.
"I'm Melanie Jones," the woman said.
"Nino's wife," Haley nodded, "It's so nice to finally meet you. Nathan's told me a lot about you."
"All good things I hope," Melanie smiled, "He asked me to meet you here. Didn't want you to be thrown to the wolves for your first game. Come on, I told him you'd be sitting with me."
Walking into the arena felt like walking into a different world. It was already three-quarters full, and there was still an hour until the game started. Fans were cheering, music was playing loudly, and the players were on the court, warming up.
A security guard followed closely behind the three, as they made their way to their courtside seats, behind the Bobcats' bench.
"So Jamie, is this your first basketball game?" Mel asked.
"What?" Jamie yelled, not able to hear over the roaring crowd and music.
"I'll take that as a yes," Mel laughed, as a college-aged girl approached the group.
"You're Haley James, right?" she nervously asked.
"Haley James-Scott, now, but yes," Haley replied, hesitantly.
"Can I get a photo? I saw you in concert five years ago. I'm a huge fan," the girl rambled, "I'm Amelia Irons. My dad is the coach of the Bobcats."
"It's nice to meet you Amelia," Haley smiled, as the two posed for a photo, taken by Mel.
Amelia left, after chatting with Haley and Mel for a little while.
"How does it feel to be famous?" Mel asked, a knowing look on her face.
"I would hardly call myself famous," Haley replied, but just as she said that, she noticed that there were a lot of press there taking photos, not just of her, but she knew that she was probably their main focus.
Mel took a sip of her drink, "Welcome to the BWC."
Haley gave her a confused look, before Mel elaborated, "Basketball Wives Club. Photo ops and crazy fans are part of the territory. You'll get used to it."
"Come on Haley, we don't have much time," Mel said, as she led the group down to the bench.
"Are you sure this is okay?" Haley asked, holding Jamie's hand.
"I've been doing this for five years, Haley. Trust me, it helps them see us before the game," Mel insisted.
The team had just gotten done with warm-ups, and had about five minutes before they had to head back to the locker room. Mel quickly left the group to go to her husband, leaving Haley and Jamie to wait for Nathan.
Standing nervously behind the bench, Haley's nerves melted away when her eyes caught those familiar blues.
"You made it," Nathan smiled, taking her hand and interlacing their fingers.
"You looked great," she replied.
"I'm a little nervous," Nathan said, looking around at the crowds, "I have a lot to prove."
"You'll be fine, I know it," Haley assured, looking at the man she loved.
"What do you think of all this Jamie?" Nathan asked, looking at the wide-eyed little boy.
"This is awesome," Jamie smiled.
"Scott, let's go!" Coach called, standing by the tunnel to the locker rooms.
"That's my cue," Nathan sighed, "I'll see you later, okay? I love you."
He turned to walk away before Jamie called out, "Nathan!"
Nathan turned to look at the boy who was now his son.
"All you can do is your best, okay?" the five year old smiled.
As the starting lineups began, the crowd roared.
"And at point guard, please welcome back #23, Nathan Scott," the announcer said.
Haley was surprised to hear boos from the crowd. Not a lot, but enough to be heard, and she could tell by the split-second change of the look on Nathan's face that he'd noticed. This just made her, Jamie, and Mel cheer even louder from him. He looked to her in the stands, pointing to his heart and then pointing to her and Jamie.
Thankfully, the team won their game, and Nathan had scored 30 points. Her first game in the "BWC" had been a success, thanks to Mel and Jamie. She wouldn't have been able to do if she'd been all alone.
She'd taken a few more photos with, it was hard for her to say, fans. She and Jamie waited patiently with Mel for the guys to come out of the locker room.
"There he is mama," Jamie pointed, running out onto the court and jumping into Nathan's arms, "Nathan, you were so cool. You did the fade away two times. Remember when you taught me how to do that?"
"I sure do bud," Nathan smiled, setting Jamie back onto the floor as he started running around the court.
"Jamie, stay close sweetie," Haley called out, but it fell on deaf ears.
"He's fine Hales," Nathan assured her, "This place is crawling with security. He won't get far."
"You played great," Haley smiled, wrapping her arms around him, "I knew you had nothing to worry about."
"I just did what Jamie told me to: the best I could," he replied, placing a kiss to her forehead, "But I couldn't have done it without my beautiful wife."
"Hey, what about me?" Jamie questioned, looking at the two of them with his arms crossed.
"I couldn't have done it without you either, Jimmy-Jam," Nathan smiled, "You give pretty good advice for a five year old."
"That's what they tell me," Jamie said matter-of-factly, making Haley and Nathan laugh.
"Do you really have to get back tonight?" Nathan asked, "You can't stay?"
"Ugh, I wish we could, but I have to work tomorrow, and I promised Peyton I would make time to help her in the studio too," Haley sighed, "She's really starting to stress about my album coming out next month. You'll try to be home for that, right?"
"I wouldn't miss your album release party for the world, Hales," Nathan assured her.
"Hey, Haley, are you free tonight?" Peyton asked, as she sat at the counter at Karen's during the morning rush.
"Jamie is going to Andre's for a sleepover," Haley answered, "Nathan and I were going to Skype. Why?"
"I was going to go to Wrightsboro," Peyton explained, "There's an open mic night at this coffee shop that my friend Julian goes to. There's a girl that's been playing there, and he says that she's really good. I was hoping you could help me scout the talent?"
"But I promised Nathan…" Haley began.
"Lover boy can go without seeing your face for one night, Haley, please? This would really help me out. I want to make sure I make the right choice before I sign someone else," Peyton pleaded.
"You owe me big time Peyton," Haley sighed, picking up her phone to text Nathan.
Can't Skype tonight. Have to help Peyton "scout new talent." Rain check? 3
A few minutes later, during what she presumed was a water break at his practice, he replied:
Call me when you get home, though. Need to hear your voice!
She smiled, knowing that being away from her, even for the week and a half that it had been, was killing him. They had just gotten married, and already 200 miles were separating them.
Always and forever. I love you.
The coffee shop had about ten people in it, including Haley and Peyton. Not a huge crowd, and only a few performers at this open mic night, but Wrightsboro wasn't exactly known for its music scene.
A man sang the last note of "Jailhouse Rock" very off-key, finishing before exiting the stage with weak clapping from the "audience," if you could call it that.
A young girl took the stage next, looking completely nervous, her long hair hiding her face, as she sat in front of the microphone, guitar in hand.
She began to play "Hallelujah," and as soon as she started to sing, goosebumps formed on Haley's skin. Her voice was incredible. A little shaky, from the nerves, but there was raw talent that was clearly there.
"She's great, right?" Peyton whispered to Haley, who nodded, as they kept listening to her.
Soon, she was done, gathering WAY more applause than the last guy. To their surprise, she set her guitar behind the counter and put on an apron and began to clean the counters, as closing time approached.
"Excuse me," Peyton said, as she and Haley approached her, "That was a great performance."
"Um, thanks," she nervously answered, "What can I get you?"
"Actually, I wanted to talk to you about music," Peyton replied, "I'm Peyton Sawyer, and I run a music label called Red Bedroom Records in Tree Hill. This is Haley James Scott, she's one of the artists I represent."
Mia's eyes widened as she heard Peyton say the words "music label."
"What's your name, first of all?" Haley asked.
"Uh, I'm uh, Mia," the girl stammered, "Mia Catalano."
"Do you have time to sit down and talk for a minute?" Peyton asked, as most of the people had left already.
The three sat down at one of the tables.
"So tell us about yourself Mia," Haley smiled.
"Well, I'm 18, and I work at a coffee shop," Mia said, blushing when she realized that they were in the coffee shop she worked in, "I've lived in Wrightsboro my whole life."
They discussed her background in music, her family, and what she wanted to do with her life.
"Would you be willing to move to Tree Hill?" Peyton asked.
"I'm barely scraping by, paying my rent with this job," Mia began.
"I own and manage a café in Tree Hill, Mia," Haley interjected, "You'd have a job."
"Here's my card," Peyton said, handing it to her, "Think about it, and give me a call."
"I have a good feeling about her," Haley smiled as they drove back to Tree Hill.
"You know, Haley, you're a great singer," Peyton began, "But I've always admired how great you are with people. If Mia says yes, would you want to help with her record?"
"You trust me that much?" Haley questioned.
"Well, I'm going to need some help at the studio here soon, especially when the baby comes," Peyton said, smiling.
"Peyton, no way!" Haley replied excitedly, "How long have you known?"
"Just a few weeks," she answered, "Jake and I wanted to wait to tell everyone, but you know how I've been getting really sick? I couldn't keep saying it was the flu. I knew you would start to catch on."
"I'm really happy for you guys," Haley smiled.
"Everything is starting to come full circle," Peyton stated, "Five years ago, Brooke, and Lucas, and you and I were in high school, and now we all have kids of our own. It's kind of like we're finally finding our way to our happy endings, you know?"
"Isn't that what life is about?" Haley began, "If we're not out there looking for the ones we want to be with forever, then what are we doing?"
Sorry for the month between updates everyone! I received some very negative feedback from some guest reviews that really hurt me, and I felt like I couldn't effectively write this story anymore.
However, thanks to the amazing reviews and words of encouragement from MelBelle033, I am back writing this story! Huge shout-out to her, and definitely check out her story, "Worth the Fight," a Friday Night Lights fanfiction inspired by my story!