Chapter 10
Summary: Another night on the town and secret's revealed.
Note: Thank you guys for the reviews, they were great and that's why I decided to post so soon. I really enjoyed writing this chapter, it came out a little longer than expected but I'm sure you guys won't mind. There's been a little confusion about the pills, but don't worry, everything you need to know will be in this chapter. I'll have more to say at the end, enjoy and please review!
--
"Someone shoot me!" Peyton exclaimed. "Opps, sorry Hales." Peyton said, forgetting the company she was with.
Haley laughed. "It's not all that, trust me.. what's going on anyway?" Haley asked joining her friends at the lunch table.
"Nothing, my life is pathetic." Peyton sighed.
"It's not pathetic, right Haley?" Brooke said trying to cheer up her friend.
"No of course not, but I'm a little confused, what's going on?"
"Peyton got a letter from Jake." Brooke said.
"Jake!? What he did he say? Is he moving back?" Haley asked all excited.
"No." Peyton said bluntly. "He wrote to say hi and say hi to everyone.. blah blah.. and he included a photo of Jenny.. oh my God, she's so big."
"Aww, that's sweet." Haley said. "So what's wrong?"
"It was just another reminder of how much my life sucks… I mean this one here is always with Luke, you're back with Nathan, what do I have.. who do I have?" Peyton complained. Peyton wasn't normally like this, to be so needy but after the shooting, it made her start to rethink things. Her life was great but her love life, on the other hand, was lacking.
"Peyton! I might be living with Nathan but we are not back together." Haley stated.
"Hey bitches, what's up." Rachel said taking a seat next to the three girls.
"Peyton's lonely." Haley said.
"That's just a formal way of saying that you're horny." Rachel said.
"Rachel!" Peyton exclaimed.
"Oh I got a great idea." Haley said all excited. "Let's go out again, maybe this time a little less shots… we'll find you love yet P. Sawyer." Haley said with a smile.
"Oh I like how you think tutorgirl." Brooke said.
"If not love, then at least a good one night stand, what do you say Peyton, you in?" Rachel asked.
"Why not?" Peyton shrugged.
--
"Nathan!" Whitey yelled as he dismissed the team from practice.
"Yeah coach."
"You played like crap today, care to tell me why my star player is playing so crappy when we got states coming up."
"Nothing, coach.. just got distracted."
"Is it Haley?"
Nathan looked down.
"How is she?" Whitey asked concerned.
"She's good." Nathan lied, but somehow Whitey wasn't buying it. He didn't want to be too harsh on Nathan, these kids had a lot more on their plates than he ever did when he was a senior in high school.
"Well.. make sure you take care of yourself.. we'll need you out there." Whitey said.
"For once I agree with the old man." Dan Scott said interrupting the two men.
"I thought this place got a new security system to keep scum bags like you out." Whitey glared.
"I'm just here to make sure our new system is up to code, we're still working out the kinks since you made it in." Dan glared back. The two grown men gave each other a hard look before Whitey walked away.
"How are you son?"
"I'm ok." Nathan still felt a little uneasy around his dad. Sure he backed off him lately but he still didn't trust him.
"And how's Haley?"
"You actually sound like you're concerned."
"I am.. she's your wife and my daughter in law."
"Was this before or after your poll numbers went up?" Nathan shot back, unconvinced that his father was being sincere.
"After."
"Ha.. I knew it."
"After the shooting when I realized that it could've easily been you inside that school .. or Lucas. . . I may not have been the biggest fan of your marriage to Haley a Scott almost died that day, Nathan."
"Somehow I don't buy."
"Believe what you want son, I'm just glad you're okay and you and Haley are back at the house instead of the cramped one bedroom. . . you may not believe me but I do want what's best for you Nathan .. you and Haley." Dan said as he walked away.
Nathan went back to the locker room, where Lucas approached him.
"Are you okay? I saw Dan walking in."
"Yeah, I'm okay.. he was surprisingly nice.. something is up."
"Yeah, he gave me this I could've lost you in the shooting speech, I'm still weirded out by it."
"You think he's serious?"
Both brothers pondered for a moment before saying at the same time "Nah." They both laughed.
"Now that you're in a good mood, I have something to cheer you up." Lucas said.
"What?"
"Brooke told me that the girls are going out tonight.. to pick up guys for Peyton."
Suddenly the thought of Haley in a bar surrounded by guys started to make him sick. "I thought you said good news."
"I lied .. if I'm going to feel like crap.. I'm taking you with me."
"Gee thanks."
--
"Don't wait up." Haley yelled as she was about to run out the door.
"Haley!" Nathan said catching her before she could leave.
"Be careful tonight."
"Yes, I know.. don't worry I won't come in stumbling like an idiot next time."
"You're not an idiot.. but do you have money?"
"I'm ok.. geez Dad, relax."
"I'm not your Dad, I'm you're husband." He said honestly, placing some loose strands of hair behind her ear. "And I worry about you."
"Don't worry.. I'm fine." She tried to say in a more upbeat tone, trying to lift the seriousness in the air. She moved away from Nathan and made it out the door. Nathan watched as she got in Peyton's car.
"I'm fine." Haley's words reverberated in his mind.
As he saw the car pull away, Nathan muttered to himself. "No, you're not."
--
Lucas came by a short time later and the two were playing NBA live in the living room.
"So what do you think their doing now?" Nathan asked.
"Well on my way here, I called Brooke .. they're probably taking their 3rd shot with every guy in that bar hitting on them."
"Thanks for the rosey picture big bro." Nathan said sarcastically. "I tried calling Haley but she didn't pick up."
"Nate, don't worry about it, they're going out for Peyton, Haley wouldn't go to a bar to hook up with some random guy, she's not Rachel.. and for all you know, she could come back drunk again, which means little brother, that you can help her out again."
Nathan smiled at the image and although he would love nothing more than to spend the night with Haley, something else kept bothering him. "Dude, relax .. it's going to be okay.." Lucas said as he saw the serious look on Nathan's face.
"Have you noticed anything different with Haley? Like her personality?"
Lucas put the controller down. "I know what this is about."
"You do?"
"Did Brooke tell you or Rachel?"
"What're you talking about?"
"Haley and the shooting." Nathan looked perplexed. "Ok, maybe not.. nevermind .."
"No Lucas tell me."
"K fine, it's crazy and coming from Rachel, I'm not sure how much to trust it .. but Rachel has this crazy notion that Haley could've avoided getting shot and she purposely didn't." Lucas said really fast. "I know it's really crazy to think.. you know how Rachel like to start trouble… I know Haley, she would never .."
"I know."
"What?"
"I overheard you and Brooke after the funeral."
"Oh."
"It's ok.. I talked to Haley about it."
"You did? Wait .. so it's true!?" Lucas was now very worried.
"Yeah.. sort of… look I took care of it." Nathan said as Lucas was flipping out.
"Nathan, you better tell me what's going on.. she's my best friend .. I have a right to know."
"I know that but you have to trust me on this one Luke, we talked about it." Nathan said recounting the night out in the racetrack. "Don't worry about that, it's kinda how I got to her to stay here… look can we just drop this."
"Fine, Nathan, I'll leave it alone… for now… but what is it then?" If that wasn't the problem then Lucas wondered what is.
Nathan sighed and buried his head in his hands. "You're not going to like this." He said and started to tell Luke. Afterwards, Lucas became very angry and defensive.
"If you weren't my brother, I'd swear to God I would lay you out!" Lucas was fuming.
"I wouldn't joke about this."
"You're calling my best friend … YOUR WIFE, a junkie … how am I supposed to react.. I've known her all my life Nathan.. there's no f way!" Lucas was about to storm off.
"Luke .. just hear me out .. go to my bag, front pocket." Lucas gave him a dirty look and finally went to the corner of the living room, where Nathan had his bookbag. He did as he was instructed and pulled out three empty prescription bottles for pain medication, all under the name Haley James Scott.
"This proves, nothing." Lucas seethed.
"Look at the dates."
Lucas took a closer look and his claw clenched and he held back tears in his eyes.
"I found two last week in the trash last week, while I was cleaning. The other one was a few days ago in the trash in the bathroom."
"I don't believe you." Lucas said in a low voice.
"Lucas I wouldn't lie about this."
"No.. that you were cleaning." Lucas sank to the coach and put his head on his forehead. Nathan smiled, knowing that Lucas was having just as hard of a time as he was.
"I'm so sorry Nate..What're we going to do?"
"I .. I don't know." Nathan stammered.
--
Brooke excused herself from the group as she made her way to the bathroom. When she stepped out, she stopped to pick up her phone.
"Lucas Scott, are you checking up on me?" Brooke said answering the phone.
"Maybe I am." He teased. "So are you girls holding them vultures off with a stick."
"You know it." She teased.
"No, I'm serious.. you are fighting them off."
"Relax Luke, we're just sitting and chatting."
"Oh good."
"How about you? What're you up to?"
"I'm heading over to Nathan's right now to play NBA live."
"You two certainly live exciting lives." Brooke joked.
"Real funny.. look I'm almost there, promise me that it'll just be strictly a 'girl's only' event.. but if you make out with Rachel, can you phototext it to me."
"Get your head out of the gutter Scott.. don't worry we're here for Peyton."
"And Haley?"
"Don't worry.. she's still in love with Nathan.. there's no way she's going to talk to … another .. guy." Brooke trailed off. "Look Luke, I gotta go."
"Okay bye."
Brooke's mouth was wide opened as she saw two guys sitting at their table talking to Haley and Peyton. Brooke scanned the bar and saw Rachel by the bar.
"Who the hell are those guys?!" Brooke demanded.
"Oh I met them at the bar and introduced took them over to the table .. the hottie with Peyton is Chase, his cutie friend Damien is talking to Haley."
"I don't care about Peyton, but Haley!? What're you trying to pull?"
"Nothing.. Haley deserved a little fun… besides, Damien's the least of her problems."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"She might be trying to kill herself again." Rachel said flatly. Brooke nearly dropped her drink. "Close you're mouth Brooke, I'm not Lucas… come here." She dragged Brooke off to a quiet spot in the bar.
"What the hell Rachel?" Brooke was now fuming.
"You're not going to like this.." Rachel said and she took a deep breath and proceeded to tell Brooke how she noticed that Haley was always taking her pills.
"I can't believe you pulled me over for that, those are prescription!"
"Really, how many times do you see Haley pop a pill, she's been out of the hospital for a while and I don't see anything wrong with her shoulder during practice."
Brooke started to recall everything Rachel just told her but she didn't want to believe her. "You're over reacting!"
"Really, well just look."
They looked on from a distance as Haley left the table carrying a bottle of water and what was clearly her pills that she pulled out from her purse. Brooke swallowed hard, remembering that Haley just took pills when they were getting ready to go here. Seeing the stunned look on Brooke's face, Rachel turned to her and said:
"Now do you believe me."
--
Brooke, Rachel and Haley eventually made their way back to the table. Chase and Peyton were chatting as were Haley and Damien. Rachel and Brooke were giving each other weird looks and were talking as much.
"Oh, I love this song… care for a dance." Chase said standing up and offering a his hand out to Peyton. She smiled and took it as the two made their way to the dancefloor. Damien stood up a moment later, "What do you say Haley?"
Brooke gave Haley the look. "Sure.. I'll meet you out there."
Damien went off to the dance floor and Haley turned to Brooke.
"Look Lucas, I already know what you're going to say?" Haley said turning to Brooke.
"Lucas?"
"Yes, cuz I can already hear the same lecture that he would give me if he were here right now.. don't worry it's just a dance." Haley said.
"Yeah, Brooke it's just a dance." Rachel chimed in.
"Thank you Rachel." Haley said.
"You're welcome .. oh by the way.. you have change for a twenty?"
"Yeah.. it's just get it in my purse.. it's next to Brooke's jacket.." Haley said as she made her way out to the dance floor.
"Glad you can make it." Damien said as the two began to dance. She was enjoying herself, for the first time in a long time she was having fun. She was pleasantly surprised that Damien was acting like a gentlemen, he didn't try to grope her or anything. A slow song started to play and he reached out his hand and she took it.
"So how do you like Duke?" She asked.
"I love it, but it gets rough sometimes, especially with practice?"
She looked up into his blue eyes and dark hair. "Practice?"
"Yeah, I'm on the basketball team."
"Basketball.. really?" Just her luck she thought as she smiled.
"Why Haley, do you have a thing for basketball players?"
She smiled and looked at the other direction. "Something like that."
He smiled as he spun her around and the two embraced closer and shared another laugh.
Meanwhile, once Haley was out of earshot and out in the distance on the dancefloor, Brooke said:
"What the hell are you doing!?"
"I'm just getting change." Rachel said innocently.
"My ass."
"Look, I just need two tens. Haley said it was ok to get it from her purse."
Even though Brooke didn't like to poke inside Haley's purse, she did say it was okay and Brooke wanted to prove Rachel wrong. Brooke hesitated for a moment before opening the purse and sighing in relief.
"What did I tell you? They're prescription!" Brooke announced victoriously. She held it carefully to Rachel so that others wouldn't see.
"Look at the date, moron." Rachel simply said.
"The bottle was half empty and it was only filled two days ago…Unless the directions say take 1 every 3 hours then you're right …. Oh but what's this .. take 1 pill every 8 hours or as needed!" Rachel read from the label.
"No, this is a mistake, she prolly left some at home or in her locker or something."
"Haley's not a squirrel who hoards her nuts for the winter.. face the truth Brooke Davis cuz you already know I'm right."
Brooke swallowed the lump in her throat, she Rachel was right. Brooke started to recount all those times Haley had a bottle of water in her hand or how she complained about her shoulder when there was nothing wrong with it.
Flashback
"You were not a bitch." Brooke responded and Peyton shot her a look.
"Ok, you were.. but Haley has bigger things on her mind right now.. I'm sure it's water under the bridge."
"What's under the bridge?" Haley asked, dropping a big pile of books down on the table and taking a seat.
"Haley, what're you doing? Did you like clean out your locker? You know you shouldn't be lifting so much with your bad shoulder."
"Yeah, I know .. will you help me carry the rest of this? My shoulder is a little sore." Haley took out a bottle of water and some medicine her doctor's prescribed.
"You know it." Brooke smiled.
"Yeah.. I'm here too if you need any help." Peyton chimed in.
"What bridge were you guys talking about? If it's Molina Bridge just outside town then you can help me out Peyton by jumping off it."
"Ohh, harsh tutorgirl.. maybe I should start calling you Peyton Marie Sawyer."
Haley took a sip of her water. "It's been a long day long day and it's only lunch… look Peyton if you want to help, you can come by after school and help us pack my things."
--
The two girls sat in an awkward silence. Brooke took a sip of her drink and looked back on the dance floor, where a slow song was playing. She saw Damien twirl Haley and she could tell that Haley was having fun.. with another guy. "Oh Haley.. what're you doing?" Brooke said to herself.
Rachel noticed the worried look on Brooke's face, especially when she followed her gaze to see Damien and Haley comfortable on the dance floor. Brooke was already worrying enough, Rachel thought. She didn't need to hear anymore bad news. Rachel fiddled with the straw on her drink, thinking back two days ago.
--
2 days ago
"What do you mean I'm out of refills?" Haley asked annoyed in the pharmacy section of CVS.
"I'm sorry but you're out of refills, you have to go back to your doctor and get another prescription from him, but if you want we can call him and if he gives us the okay, we can refill your prescription." The salesperson said.
"No, that's okay." Haley huffed and turned around. She was already at the doctor's a couple of days ago and going to him again would be suspicious. Frustrated, she made it out of the store and almost ran into somebody. "Sorry." She said to the tall dark man wearing a suit.
"Mrs. Scott?" He asked.
"Yeah.. do I know you?" She was a little weirded out that he knew her.
"I'd doubt that, but I recognize the mayor's heroic daughter in-law any day."
She tried to feign a smile. "I'm sorry to be nosey but I couldn't help but you back there in the pharmacy, is everything ok?"
"Just a misunderstanding over my prescriptions."
"From the shooting?"
She nodded. "You know a good friend of mine is the general manager of the store, he owes me a few favors, I'm pretty sure he can help you out."
"Oh you don't have to, it's not a big deal."
"It's the least I can do, after what you did, just wait here."
Haley waited out there for a good 5-10 minutes. She debated whether or not to go or not. When the dark skinned man appeared reappeared with her prescription in tow.
"Here you go pretty lady."
"I really don't know what to say… thank you soo much." She said, giving the man a hug. "I'm sorry to be rude, you know me but I don't even know you."
Reaching out his hand, "I'm Rick but most people just call me by my last name, Daunte."
"Well, Daunte." Haley said shaking his hand. "Thank you so much for your help."
"Believe me the pleasure was all mine." Daunte smiled back. "Believe me." He muttered as she walked away.
Haley left shortly thereafter, but unbeknownst to her, a certain nosey red head was hiding out behind one of the isles and saw the whole thing.
To Be Continued . . .
Note: The next few chapters will definitely be very interesting so I hope you stick around for the ride, I'm very excited to reach this part of the story. Now that you read the chapter, the pills are for pain, in particular her shoulder, if you go back to the end of chapter 3, you'll know what I mean and the flashback that Brooke had was from Chapter 8. These were one of the little "seeds" I placed in the story, just in case I wanted to make it longer.. but as you can tell I am going to make it longer. As far as anymore surprises are concerned, you'll have to wait. Thank you again for the reviews, the feedback is what makes me write faster.