Quote of the Day:

(To Sammy about his girly caffeine choice)
Dean: Your half-caf, double vanilla latte is getting cold over here, Francis.

Chapter Sixteen –I Ain't Missing You At All

"And just like that you kissed her?"

"Yep."

"And she didn't push you away this time?"

"Nope."

"You guys looked really happy last night. Looks like things are working out for you," Julian grinned as he searched his toolbox. It was seconds later when he pulled out a box of nails with the hammer. He held them up smiling before tossing the box at Nathan. "So what happened after that?"

"I brought her home like a perfect gentlemen," Nathan answered.

"And Mia and Chase?"

"Beats me," Nathan shrugged. "They were all over each other when Haley and I went to tell them that we were leaving. Chase said he'd get Mia home safely she hasn't called me yet. I bet Brooke knows." He rolled his eyes before smiling.

"What doesn't she know?" Julian chuckled.

"That girl knows everything," Nathan muttered as he shook his head.

"Tell me about it," Julian agreed. They started working on the tree house for the boys. They had been working on it all summer a little at a time. The thing was huge and surrounded a huge oak tree in their backyard. It was taking them a long time to build but the thing was nice. The boys couldn't wait to have a sleep over up here.

He had to admit he wished that Dan had built him something like this when he was a kid. It would have been cool.

"She say anything after you dropped her off?"

"Nah," Nathan muttered as he placed in the small window. "I told her about the concert tonight and she said she wanted to go. Then she kissed my cheek." He smirked as he thought about it. She totally caught him off guard with that but he liked it. It was just a soft little kiss but it meant a lot to him.

"Like a date?"

"I don't think so," Nathan replied as he thought about it. "I didn't ask her out like that. Normally I would just say hey lets go out sometime but with her it's different…she's different. I just told her about it and she said she wanted to go. So I'm going to take her."

"Sounds like a date to me," Julian pointed out.

"Everyone will be there," Nathan stated while looking at him. "The whole town will be there. You guys will be there. My definition of taking Haley out on a date doesn't include you guys and your nosy wife, not to mention my nosy ass sister-in-law."

He had a few ideas of what he would have wanted them to do on their date. Mostly it was just talking everything out and making sure that it was all in the past. He was over it and ready to move on, with her. He didn't want anything standing in their way.

"Dooly noted," Julian chuckled.

"I'm just trying not to push her to fast," Nathan explained after a few minutes of silence. "I don't want to scare her away by pushing her. I'm trying to take things slow. I just want her to trust me again."

Even the other night at Tric she had been a little hesitant with him. Taking things slow was the best idea. He didn't want to rush things. Last night having her with him around his family had been a dream come true. Last night had been perfect. He didn't want to blow things with her again.

"You know, I know what you're going through," Julian admitted with a soft smile.

"You do?"

"Yep," Julian nodded. "You ever heard the story about how we started? Did Brooke ever tell you?"

He searched his mind but he couldn't find anything. Sure he had heard Brooke gush about how much she loved Julian and how much he meant to her. But he couldn't recall hearing how they started. How didn't he know that? Brooke was so big on talking, how did he miss this story?

"I don't think that she did," Nathan answered.

"Man, I remember the first time I saw her," Julian grinned as he looked out at nothing. It looked like he was seeing her for the first time again. Then he was deep in thought as he continued with a huge grin on his face. "I'd never seen anyone like her. I had gotten to school late because I was fighting with my Dad. I was rushing down the halls trying to get to my locker before second period started when I first noticed her. She seemed pissed at the world and to make matters worse her locker wouldn't open." He chuckled.

"It was just the two of us in the hall so I figured I'd help her out. Before I could even get out a word the girl was glaring at me with these huge mean eyes. Even then she was the most beautiful girl I'd ever seen. Then she tells me not to bother because she wasn't interested and then she just walked away. Crushed my poor little heart." He held a hand over his heart and frowned.

"Romantic," Nathan quipped.

"I know," Julian chuckled. "I wasn't the most popular guy in school and well, you've seen her. She was so beautiful. I guy like me never would have stood a chance with a girl like that."

"One marriage and three kids later…"

"I had a plan," Julian grinned. "She was in three of my classes and in each one of them she sat all the way to the back of the class. Of course, I sat next to her even though I usually sat up front. Slowly we started talking and eventually we became friends. I think it had a lot to do with the issues I had with my father and the issues she had with her parents. I guess she figured we were a little alike with how our parents treated us. She was so broken those first few months. She wouldn't tell me what happened but I assumed that someone did a number on her. Girl was all kinds of pissed at all men. She was the girl with a broken smile."

"She had a broken heart."

"Yep," Julian nodded. "We all know the story right. But Brooke's stronger than anyone that I've ever known and eventually she changed. She started talking to more people at school and she found some new friends. She said she needed cooler friends and that she couldn't spend all her time hanging out with a mathlete –"

"You were a mathlete?" Nathan chuckled.

"I was the mathlete," Julian nodded. "Like I said, no way a girl like that would've gone for a guy like me. A few weeks before prom I got the courage to ask her to go with me. When I walked up to ask her she was already talking to Brian Wilson and I heard him ask her so I quickly walked away. I hated the guy. He was our you." He quickly explained.

"Jackass jock?" Nathan guessed.

"Yep," Julian nodded. "They were a perfect match."

"I thought you and Brooke went to prom together," Nathan muttered confused. He saw the pictures.

"We did. I didn't know she turned him down until later that night at this party. I had gotten a little drunk and Brooke showed up with Lisa and the girls. I don't know what came over me. They had karaoke and I got up on stage and I sang Maroon 5's She Will Be Loved in front of everyone that we knew. After I was done I asked her to prom with everyone listening. I was called gay for weeks." He shook his head.

"Dude," Nathan laughed.

"Hey, I got the girl didn't I?" Julian grinned.

"You did," Nathan nodded. "Still. I can't believe you embarrassed yourself in front of everyone you knew like that. What if she'd said no? Pretty risky move, Baker."

"She was worth it," Julian replied. "Plus, she didn't think it was gay and I was in love."

"It was," Nathan teased.

"We've been together ever since. I'm just saying that it wasn't so easy for her to get back into the ring…to trust someone again. It was hard. Maybe, Haley's afraid to get back in the ring again." He gave Nathan a knowing look.

"Especially, since I'm the one that knocked her out in the first place," Nathan nodded. "I get it."

"Brooke came around. I'm sure Haley will, too. It's not to easy for a girl to give out her heart once it's been broken before. I'm sure that Haley will trust you again."

"Even though I'm the one that broke her heart in the first place?"

Julian just shrugged his shoulders as they continued working on the tree house. They worked in silence after that and Nathan was grateful. He needed time to think about things. Julian made a lot of sense. Hopefully, things would go well tonight.

~***~

She got ready nervously. After spending most of the morning recording and then the rest with Olivia she had to rush home to get ready. Nathan would be here any minute now to pick her up for the concert and she didn't want him to have to wait. He was nice enough to take her.

Things were good with her a Nathan. They were talking now. She just didn't know what they were.

Were they friends, were they more? She didn't know yet. Last night at dinner with his whole family had been good. It was good seeing him around everyone like that. They had a good time and it was fun. He didn't bring up the kiss from Saturday night and neither did she.

Nathan was different. He wasn't the same boy she remembered. This Nathan was a family man, a good guy. He cared about other people and watching him around his family showed her that. The best was seeing him with Lucas. It had been so weird for her to see them act like brothers. She had enjoyed it. It was nice. She always wanted them to be that way she just never thought she would see it. It was like they had been brothers their whole lives and if she didn't know any better then she would have believed it. They were that close now. Nathan was just different in a very good way, but he was still the boy she had fallen for. She liked it.

She finally decided on a mini squirt, a black blouse, and black hills. Once she was dressed she put on a little makeup before checking herself out in the mirror. Then she was off downstairs when she heard him knocking. She opened the door smiling and it quickly widened when she noticed the long stem white rose in his hands.

"You look breathtaking," Nathan muttered while holding out the white rose. He looked nervous and it was a new look for him. How many times did she witness the great Nathan Scott nervous? Hardly ever that's for sure. It was cute. Especially, since he was nervous because of her.

She took it. "You got me a rose?" The thought alone had her heart melting.

"Yeah, well, you think they're romantic so…"

"It's beautiful," Haley smiled.

"You ready?" Nathan asked. "I don't want us to be late."

"Let's go," Haley nodded. She reached for her things before locking up and following him to his truck. He had the door open for her and she jumped in and he closed the door before getting in himself. Then they were on their way to Tric.

"You excited?"

"About the band?" Haley asked confused. Sure she was excited about tonight but it wasn't because of the concert. It was because she was with him. Ever since she had gotten back she had been fighting her feelings for him and she couldn't anymore. She wanted to try again with him. She wanted to give him another chance. She couldn't stay away from him now.

She had realized that Saturday night when he showed up with Mia on his arm and then again last night while sitting on his lap and watching the stars with him.

"Yeah, I heard they were good. Peyton's been trying to get them to play at Tric forever. She said everyone loves them. I've never heard of them…the Crashers?" He shrugged before smiling at her.

She laughed loudly. "It's the Wreckers, Nathan."

"Sounds the same to me," Nathan smiled sheepishly. They pulled up in the packed parking lot of Tric. She followed Nathan up the stairs and past all the people waiting in line and she felt a little guilty that they just got to walk right in. Once they were inside she spotted Brooke and Julian at a table. They headed towards them. "Hey."

"Look at you two here together," Brooke gushed. "Don't they look just adorable? Look how perfect! I'm so excited for you guys. This is like a new beginning! Tutor girl, you look smokin hot!"

"Where are Peyton and Lucas?" Nathan asked, trying to change the subject.

"Backstage," Julian answered. "Lucas should be back any minute now. You guys have a seat. Owen will be right back with our drinks."

"Is that Sam?" Nathan asked looking out across the club.

Sure enough Sam was talking with some guy Haley noticed. She glanced around again at the packed club before looking back at Brooke and Julian. She then took a seat and Nathan did the same.

"Yep," Brooke nodded. "They're just hanging out."

"Sure they are," Nathan joked.

Julian glared at him. "Why do you think I'm here watching them?"

"Oh, leave her alone," Brooke scolded him. "Anytime Jack is around her, Julian freaks out." She eyed her husband shaking her head before looking back at Haley and smiling.

"That kid better watch it," Julian muttered.

Haley watched amused as Julian glared at Jack and Sam. Nathan chuckled beside her before he smiled at her. Her heart couldn't help but pound in her chest. Then Lucas joined them and took a seat as Owen brought them drinks.

"It's almost time," Lucas said facing the stage. Peyton always had to stay backstage and make sure that everything ran smoothly.

"Let's get this whiny chick music over with," Julian teased as Brooke elbowed him.

Haley laughed as she watched them. Nathan was sitting close to her and as he started talking to Lucas he took her hand in his like it was nothing. He held it in his and her hand was on fire. She tried her best to watch Brooke and Julian as they had another disagreement but it wasn't working. When the lights finally went out she was grateful. Nathan was only holding her hand and it felt like she would pass out. Get it together, she shouted in her head.

This is what he did to her. He always made her lose herself in him. She couldn't control it. One touch –one kiss from him was all it took. She was a goner. The night of the storm when he had kissed her, she had wanted it. She wanted him. She always had. That would never change no matter what. She pulled away because as she realized this it terrified everything in her. Truth was he still had the same power over her and if she wasn't careful he would hurt her like before. She wouldn't survive it.

Either way she was tired of fighting him.

She wanted him too much to keep away.

Karen appeared on stage and Haley tried her best to focus up there. The crowd started clapping and Haley glanced down at their joined hands. No one else at the table seemed to notice. Nathan squeezed her hand as the crowd cheered again. Finally she tore her eyes off of their hands and made it to his perfect face. How did he still make her feel like this? He was just holding her hand. It was ridiculous to feel like a seventeen year old girl again, but she did. Her stomach was doing flip flops. She felt her breath catch in her throat as she watched him. Then she released it slowly. Looking at him was like being on a high that you never really came down from. Everything just faded away.

The cheering faded away, Brooke and Julian's laughter, everything. It was all gone. She couldn't hear anything. Nothing.

Looking away from his perfect face she finally glanced on stage.

Her heart stopped beating. Her whole body froze as everything slowly came back to her. She could hear clearly now as the cheers of the crowd died down. Her eyes were glued to the stage as she watched him get ready. When he stood in front of the microphone, her whole body tensed. What was he doing here? She dropped Nathan's hand instantly.

"How's everybody doing tonight?"

The crowd cheered and yelled at him. She couldn't seem to look away.

The band started playing and he pulled his guitar close. "This one's for you Haley." His eyes found hers as the song started. How did he know she was here?

Every time I think of you, I always catch my breath
And I'm still standing here, and you're miles away
And I'm wonderin' why you left
And there's a storm that's raging through my frozen heart tonight

God, that song. It was her favorite song. It had been ever since she left Tree Hill. She always thought of Nathan when she heard it. Of course, she never told Chris that tiny detail. And now he was playing it for her. This could not be happening!

"Do you know him?" Lucas asked as he glanced at her. Then everyone at the table was looking at her. She could feel their eyes on her but she couldn't look at them. They were waiting.

She couldn't lie. Not now.

"We were engaged," Haley whispered still in shock.

I hear your name in certain circles, and it always makes me smile
I spend my time thinkin' about you, and it's almost driving me wild
And there's a heart that's breaking down this long distance line tonight

"Oh," Brooke muttered as realization hit her. She glanced back up at Chris before glaring at him with all the anger she could.

Julian sent Nathan an apologetic look. "Major info overload."

"I don't understand," Lucas mumbled confused.

She couldn't answer him. She couldn't find the right words. The song continued and his eyes didn't leave hers the whole time and neither did Nathan's. She wanted to look at him so badly but she was too afraid. He didn't know about Chris. No one did except for Brooke.

How had she not realized that he was the opening act for the Wreckers?

How did he know she was here?

This was all too much. The song was over before she knew it and he started on his next one, his eyes still glued to her. She tore her eyes away from him and glanced down at the table. She needed to get out of here. She couldn't be here anymore. She stood up and reached for her purse.

"I'm sorry."

And then she was pushing her way through the crowd. She was out the door of Tric minutes later and the fresh air was nice. Everyone was inside of the club and the parking lot was empty. She found herself standing next to Nathan's truck trying to get her breathing back to normal. How was this happening? She stood there for minutes.

"Haley!"

She turned and was faced with Chris. He was standing there out of breath and still holding his guitar in his hands. He was bent over holding one of his sides taking deep breaths.

"Please just listen," Chris said out of breath.

"What are you doing here?"

"I'm on tour with the Wreckers. It's all happening for me now," Chris explained as he took a step closer. She crossed her arms over her chest.

"That was your dream, right," Haley muttered.

"Our dream, Haley. Look, I'm sorry about the wedding. I freaked out at the last minute and I took off. I'm also sorry that I wasn't man enough to tell you to your face. That doesn't mean that I don't love you. You know that I do. You and me, we're it. The time we've spent apart has been really hard for me. I'm ready for us again. I'm really ready. I know that now," Chris stated as he took another step closer.

What, he needed time away from her to realize that she was the one? She wasn't buying it.

She shook her head. "You're wrong."

"I'm sorry that I hurt you and you have every right to be pissed –"

"I'm not mad at you," Haley muttered.

"What? You're not?" Chris asked surprised.

She shook her head no before looking down. She hadn't planned on talking to him anytime soon. He took off and he hadn't called since. She was surprised that he wanted to talk to her now. Him leaving their wedding had hurt her. She couldn't deny that. But she also knew that it was wrong to feel that way because she wanted to run as well.

"Like I said it's all happening for me now. This tour is just the beginning and I want you to know that I played the duet for Michelle and Jessica and they loved it. They think it could be a huge hit. I told them about you. About how amazing you are and they want you on tour with us," Chris said as he pushed his guitar until it was hanging around his back. "I want you on tour with us. This is it, Haley. This is our shot to make it…together. Why do you think we came to play here?"

Here he was offering her everything she had ever wanted from him. It's what their whole relationship had been about. Music. And he was trying to give her what she wanted. A chance to make it as an artist. He was telling her that Michelle Branch and Jessica Harp –the freaking Wreckers, wanted her on tour with them.

Her dream.

Still she couldn't wrap her head around the whole idea.

She wasn't ready to leave Tree Hill yet. She had just gotten back. Things with Lucas were finally back to normal, Brooke was easily becoming one of the best friends she'd ever had, and then there were the five kids that she'd fallen in love with. She couldn't leave so soon. Plus, there was Peyton. They were working on her music and she just couldn't walk away from that. But most importantly, there was Nathan. Things were finally getting back on track with them. She couldn't just walk away like that. Not now.

She didn't want Chris helping her make it. This was her dream and she was going to get there without him. She glanced up and he was still waiting for her answer with a smile on his face.

"You know you want this, Haley," Chris insisted.

"You're wrong," Haley muttered shaking her head. "I don't…"

"This is it. You only get one shot in this business, Haley. I'm giving you yours. We can be recording first thing in the morning if you just say yes. All you have to do is say yes and then get on that bus with me. Your dream is a bus ride away."

Standing here with him now while he offered her her dream, she still couldn't bring herself to say yes. Saying yes would mean one thing. It would mean that going on tour with him meant that they were back together and she didn't want that. She was done pretending.

"I want to say that I'm sorry," Haley started. "You're a great guy, Chris. You really are and a part of me will always care about you but I can't go with you."

"Yes, you can," Chris said confidently. "I love you."

"No, you don't," Haley whispered painfully. "You don't really know me…you never have. I never let you see the real me. I was afraid that you wouldn't like who I really am. I'm not who you think I am. I'm not the girl you fell in love with."

"Haley," Chris started.

"I love small towns and I hate living in the city. Yeah, it's great but I love the peace and quiet here. I love puppies and you hate them. I hate Quentin Tarantino movies and –"

"Whoa," Chris held up his hands. "You didn't like Pulp Fiction? You said it was good!"

He smiled and she laughed before shaking her head. "That's what I'm trying to tell you. I was afraid to be myself and I hated that movie. I was afraid that I wouldn't be enough for you."

"It doesn't matter. I love you," Chris declared.

"We would have never worked out," Haley continued. "I would never be enough for you…and eventually you would have realized that. I can't be who you need right now, Chris."

"Chris Keller wants you, Haley James!"

She ignored his attempt at humor.

"I'm not the girl for you, Chris. I'm sorry that it took me so long to figure that out. It would have saved us a lot of heartache, huh?" He nodded as she reached into her purse and pulled out her engagement ring. She held it in her hands looking at it for a few seconds before handing it to him. He took it hesitantly and she could tell that she had hurt him. She hated it. "I'm sorry."

He shook it off. "I guess if it was meant to be then I wouldn't have run like that for our wedding day. I shouldn't have done that. I'm sorry if I hurt you. Chris Keller realizes his mistake."

It seemed that he was back to talking in the third person. "I'll live," Haley muttered.

"You can still come on the tour with us. I mean it. They love the duet, Haley. Your dream can be just a bus ride away."

"I can't."

They stood there for minutes, his eyes locked with hers. He was trying to convince her to go but it wasn't working.

"Well, then I guess this is goodbye," Chris said sadly.

Haley nodded. "Yeah." Then she closed the distance between them. She hugged him. They had some good times together. It was a few seconds later when she pulled away but he grabbed her arm.

"Haley, wait." Then his lips were pressed to hers and he was kissing her. She stayed completely still. When he didn't stop, her hands made it to his chest and pushed until he stopped. She quickly took a step back. Out of the corner of her eye she noticed someone watching them. Turning nervously she noticed Nathan standing there. His hands were in his pockets as he stared at her blankly. It felt like her heart nearly fell out of her chest.

"I wanted to make sure that you were ok," Nathan muttered.

Her mouth was suddenly dry. "Can you take me home?"

"Sure," Nathan nodded. She took off walking towards his truck without looking at Chris. Once she was inside she locked the door before putting on her seatbelt. It was a few minutes later when Nathan finally got inside. They left Tric in silence. Her eyes stayed on his tense body as he drove. She couldn't look away from him.

How had this happened? She knew then that she should have told him about Chris. She should have told him the whole reason of why she came back. She didn't want to keep things from him and she didn't want to hurt him. The silence dragged on. It was becoming unbearable. The tension was thick.

She didn't know what to say to him.

They were only halfway to her house. The car ride felt like forever as they sat there in silence. His body was still tense and she could tell that he was thinking about everything. He was focusing on the road and hadn't looked her way once. When they finally pulled up to her house, she felt relief rush through her.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you," Haley whispered.

"You were engaged to him," Nathan stated.

She felt her heart pound loudly in her chest. "Yes…but it was a mistake."

"You kissed him," Nathan added.

How could she explain it to him? What would make him understand? She felt her head spinning. Her hands were shaking as he finally turned to face her. His eyes were still soft as he gazed at her. The look he gave her sent shivers up her spine. She couldn't find words that would explain the different between him and Chris. They were different. They both meant different things to her. But Nathan meant more. A lot more. They really didn't even come close. Words wouldn't be good enough.

"Kiss me," Haley whispered.

He looked at her surprised for a few seconds before slowly leaning towards her. She met him halfway. His lips landed on hers slowly and once they touched she felt like she was on fire. His hand made it to her cheek and he caressed it as his lips moved over hers. The kiss was perfect as she melted into him. When he finally pulled away, he let out a deep breath.

"That kiss wasn't half as good as this one," Haley explained with a soft smile.

"Really?" Nathan smiled as he reached for her hand. She nodded before squeezing his hand in hers. Her heart was pounding in her chest. "Then what did he want?"

"I told him goodbye," Haley mumbled. It didn't matter what Chris wanted.

"So you guys are over?" Nathan asked hesitantly. "I mean if you were going to marry him…Brooke told me what happened…how he took off before the wedding. Is…is that the only…if he hadn't of ran…"

"I wasn't going to marry him. The day of our wedding I couldn't –I couldn't stop thinking about you. I was hiding with Chris. You have nothing to worry about. I promise. Besides, Nathan, I don't want Chris, I want –I want you," Haley whispered shyly.

"You mean that?" Nathan asked.

She nodded. "I do."

His lips landed on hers roughly. He kissed her hungrily and she kissed him back with just as much force. She was on fire again as his hand moved up her arm and landed on her shoulder pulling her closer to him. His tongue brushed against her bottom lip and she quickly opened her mouth. When his tongue brushed against hers she couldn't help but moan into his mouth. His hand was running through her thick locks and he pulled her face closer.

This felt so damn good. It's why she couldn't keep away from him. She couldn't fight it. She wanted him. When he pulled away minutes later, she felt lightheaded. His forehead was resting against hers as she breathed him in. He was so intoxicating. She didn't know how but he sucked her back in. Could she really do this again? Was it worth it? She wanted him too much to back away now.

"Please don't hurt me again, Nathan."

AN: Song was "I ain't missing you at all" by John Waite or Tyler Hilton, which ever you prefer. Please review.