DISCLAIMER: I do not own One Tree Hill or any characters associated with it. I can only take ownership of the plot line and the other characters.
Nathan sat across from his agent unable to wrap his mind around what was happening. He starred down at the contract in front of him and then back up to his agent. "Nathan, I know that this isn't want you planned but the team had a fantastic offer and The Bobcats thought it was time that you moved on to another team." Nathan nodded angry at his team for blindsiding him like this, they hadn't even had the nerve to tell him themselves, and he had to hear it from ESPN. After being with Charlotte for almost six years now he thought they would have more decency then that, but Nathan thought wrong. Sighing one last time Nathan put the pen to paper and signed the contract.
Brooke sat at her desk working on new designs when she heard her door open. Looking up she smiled as Nathan came into the office but frowned when she saw the sad look on his face. "Nathan? What's wrong?" She asked putting down her pencil and walking around her desk towards him.
"Can I talk to you for a minute?" Brooke searched his face trying to find any indication of what was wrong and nodded motioning towards the sitting area in her office. Pulling him down on the couch next to her she waited for him to start. "I got some news today." He started staring intently down at his hands.
"What kind of news?" Brooke asked trying to draw out of him whatever was bothering him so much.
"Well it depends on how you look at it." He replied glancing up to look at her before looking back down at his hands. "I got traded to the San Antonio Spurs." He whispered bracing himself for Brooke's reaction.
"What?" Brooke asked completely caught off-guard by Nathan's news. Yes, she knew that trading was always a possibility but she hadn't really thought that the Bobcats would ever trade Nathan not after all that he had done for them.
"Yeah the Bobcats wanted a player of theirs and the Spurs said that they would trade him if the Bobcats gave them Sean and I. I signed the deal this morning."
Silence fell between the two as Brooke starred out the window of her office, her mind reeling from the magnitude of Nathan's news. "When do you have to leave?" Brooke asked minutes later, her mind still unable to process what was happening.
"I talked to the GM this morning and he told me and Sean that we were to report for training and practice at the end of the month, giving us time to get a place and settled in." Brooke shook her head starring off into the distance.
"What are we going to do?" She asked now focused intently on Nathan, while she envisioned the reaction her kids were going to have.
"There's nothing we can do, we can't up root the kids and your job is here. The only thing we can do is get ready for just seeing each other on the weekends. Sean and I are flying out to San Antonio to meet the GM, Coach, and the team tomorrow and to also find a place to stay while we're out there."
"Do you want us to come with you?" Brooke asked wanting to be with Nathan as much as possible before he had to report for work.
"Not for this trip but when I do move out there yeah I want you guys to come with." Brooke nodded and wrapped her arms around him. Nathan signed and pulled her closer to him trying to relish in their moment together. "Are you okay?" He whispered lightly running his hand through her hair. She shrugged not sure if she was okay or not, she was still too shocked. "I know it's going to be hard but we can do it, we'll make it work somehow."
"I know, it's just going to be different that's all. I'm so used to seeing you every day and now I won't." Nathan nodded pulling away but keeping his arm around her waist holding her to him.
"I guess I should let you get back to work, I'm gonna go pick up Adam and Megan from my mom and spend some time with them." Brooke nodded and stood up wrapping her arms around him one more time before he left.
She sat at her desk still in a daze about what was happening, for six years she's been comforted with the fact that Nathan wouldn't get traded, he had done so much for Charlotte that they would be crazy to let him go. To let him go would be like saying to him, oh thanks for your years of hard work and the two championships you've given us, but someone younger and more popular than you has come along and we think it's time that you move on somewhere else. Trading was probably the only thing that Brooke really hated about the NBA, she understood the training and practices hours and even the away games but trading was something she could never be okay with. How could they decide right before the season started that they were just going to trade two of their biggest players for some no-name from college, it made no sense to her. Running a hand through her hair Brooke decided to at least try and finish up the new designs so that her day wouldn't be a complete waste.
Nathan pulled up in front of his mom's house and took a deep breath, it was never easy to tell his kids, now seven and five that he was leaving and wouldn't be around as much. It almost felt as if he were about to tell his kids that he and Brooke were splitting up, he thought as he slowly got out of the car and made his way up the walk. As Nathan walked into the house he couldn't help but smile as Megan ran down the hallway giggling as Adam and Deb chased her. Megan crashed right into Nathan's legs and held on tightly begging him to keep her away from Nana Deb and Adam. He laughed and picked her up kissing her on the cheek.
"Hey Nate, is everything okay? I wasn't expecting you for another couple of hours." Instead of answering Nathan put Megan down and crouched down so he was eye level with Adam.
"Adam take your sister in the living room, alright? I've have to talk to Nana." Adam nodded and grabbed Megan's hand leading his little sister into the living room.
"Nathan what's wrong?" Deb asked as Nathan motioned towards the kitchen.
Waiting until they were in the kitchen and out of earshot of the kids Nathan took another deep breath. "I'm being traded to San Antonio."
"When?"
"I report at the end of the month but I leave tomorrow to meet the team and find a place to live."
"What about Brooke?" Deb asked instantly worried about her daughter-in-law.
"She's going to stay here with the kids because we can't up root them like that, it's not fair. I'll also be flying down every weekend and when I have time off."
"That's a lot of traveling." Nathan shrugged knowing that not coming home was not an option. There was no way that he could go months without seeing his children and Brooke.
"It's the only option and I know that when the kids have time off they might come out there she'll probably get them to as many games as she can."
"I can't believe it. You've been playing there for six years and they decide to trade you now."
"It's the nature of the beast, I knew that when I got drafted that I ran the risk of being traded at the drop of a dime." Nathan reasoned, trying to rationalize it for both of them.
"Yeah, but you've done so much for them. I mean you helped them win two championships and they just decide that they want some no-name college player, who seems to be more than he is, it doesn't seem right." Nathan nodded knowing that his mom was right but he still wanted to play and if that meant going to San Antonio then he would go to San Antonio.
"I still want to play, I still have some years left in me and I don't want to just say I'm done when I know that there's some more left in me."
"I understand that Nathan, but you're thirty six now and have two kids. You have to think about them."
"I am thinking about them mom, that's why I'm going to San Antonio. Yeah I'm not happy about being away from them but I want them to see that you can achieve your dreams. Both Brooke and I understand that with the NBA comes the possibility of being traded and she seems to be okay with it. Call me selfish but I want to live out my dream." Nathan replied angry that his mom would even bring up his children and insinuate that he didn't love them or care about them. Deb sighed and turned towards the living room where she could see Adam and Megan playing.
"Are you sure that Brooke's okay with this?"
"I know that it's not what she wants but she supports me just like I support her. We'll make it work no matter how hard it gets. I will not let another Nike incident happen." Nathan replied his mind flashing back to his second year at Charlotte when he got the Nike deal and how upset Brooke had been about his absence, since that day both of them had vowed to stand by each other no matter how much distance there was between them. "I'm not asking you to accept what's happening because even I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around it, but it's what's going on and hopefully after this season I can get traded somewhere closer to here, I just need you to be there for Brooke. She's going to have it hard for the first couple of months and I don't want anything to make it worse."
"I am happy for you, Nathan; it's just that I know how hard it is going to be on Brooke that's all. It's nothing about you being selfish, this is your job and people can get relocated for their jobs all the time. I also know that playing in the NBA is a dream that you've been working towards since you were seven. I'm just unhappy that it's happening now when your children are so young and won't really understand why you're gone all the time. You're a great father Nathan and I don't want you to look back in ten years and regret this decision." Nathan nodded glancing over to make sure that Adam and Megan were unaware of what was going on. "I, of course, will be here for Brooke and you as well. What time is your flight tomorrow?"
"I have to be at the airport at 5:30."
"Why don't I just come over later and spend the night that way Brooke can go with you to the airport?" Deb asked as Adam finally grew tired of playing in the living room and started walking towards the kitchen.
"Thanks mom." Nathan replied walking around the island and wrapping his arms around his mother. Deb smiled and hugged Nathan back.
"Now go spend some time with your kids Nate." Nathan nodded and turned towards Adam and Megan a huge smile spread across his face.
"Come on guys, let's go surprise mommy at work!" The kids cheered and led Nathan out of the house, giving Nathan the much needed distraction from the trading.
Brooke sat in her office looking over the designs when yet again she was interrupted. Looking up Brooke thought that it would be Nathan with the kids but instead she found herself looking at a tired and overwhelmed Haley James. "Hey Haley." Brooke greeted, already preparing herself for the worst.
"Hi Brooke." Haley replied falling into a chair in front of Brooke's desk.
"Are you okay? You look awfully tired and overworked." Haley sighed pushing some fallen hair out of her face.
"I've just been working really hard at the label lately. I'm putting the finishing touches on my album and looking for new artists, it's just so much to do."
"Why isn't Peyton helping out? I thought her job as label owner was to find bands for you." Haley looked up and leaned forward resting her upper arms on Brooke's desk.
"She hasn't been feeling well, she'll come in looking really tired and sluggish and for the past three days I've found her sleeping in her office during the day." Brooke pushed out a gush of air and leaned back in her chair flashing back to conversation with Peyton a month ago about how Peyton was so tired all of the time. Brooke sighed again and leaned forward on her elbows resting her head in her hands.
"I guess I can't keep putting off this conversation, I'll talk to her." Haley nodded and finally really looked at Brooke noticing the stiffness in her shoulders and slight exhaustion in her voice.
"Brooke, are you okay?" Haley asked leaning forward the concern for her best friend jolting her overtired system.
"Nathan's been traded to San Antonio." Haley's eyes grew huge and her mouth fell open.
"When did this happen?"
"Nathan met with his agent this morning and signed the contract. He's flying out there tomorrow to do some stuff and then leaves to start the season at the end of the month."
"That's pretty fast."
"Well that's the NBA for you; they want to make sure that they've worked out all the kinks in the team before the preseason starts."
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm okay. Of course, I'm not overly happy about it, but it's Nathan's job and it's something that happens all the time. I know that it's going to be hard but we'll get through it and I know that Nathan will work really hard to get traded to a team closer or if he does stay in San Antonio then I'll start splitting my time between Tree Hill and San Antonio. Plus now that I've got this Peyton thing to deal with, I have something to distract myself." Haley nodded and stood up walking around the desk and wrapping her arms around Brooke.
"Greg and I are here for you, whenever you need us." Brooke nodded and took a deep breath trying to keep the freshly formed tears at bay. She had made this far without breaking down, she wasn't going to start now.
"I'm going to talk to Peyton today and figure this out. You just focus on your album and I'll handle the rest." Haley just looked at Brooke, wondering how she could turn her emotions on and off like that and just swift focus to something else, but instead of questioning it nodded and turned to leave throwing a see ya later on her way out of the door.
Brooke waited until the door shut behind Haley before putting her head down on the desk and trying to find the positivity in the jumbled mess she had been thrown in. With her head down Brooke lets the tears she's been holding back fall and for a good half hour she sits alone in her office silently crying. Sitting up she wiped her eyes and picked up the phone to make one of the most difficult phone calls that could quite possibly taint her relationship with her best friend.
"Hello?" Peyton answered sounding as if Brooke's call had woken her up.
"Peyton, it's Brooke." Peyton sat up in bed noticing how Brooke hadn't used one of her nicknames.
"Hey Brooke."
"Look I'm not going to beat around the bush with this. What the hell is going on with you? I mean you weren't happy at the company so you opened a record label and now you're not even going to the studio, but making Haley do everything. I don't understand you Peyton, I thought music was something you wanted to do."
"Brooke, I love the label I really do. I wasn't planning on not working, it just sort of happened."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Brooke asked starring out her window trying to remain calm.
"Brooke, I'm pregnant with twins." For a moment Brooke let herself go into the happy shock that usually accompanies a friend saying their pregnant before she slipped back into professional mode.
"Peyton that's great, I'm so happy for you and Luke. But this is business and I can't just ignore the fact that you're not doing your job. I know being pregnant and working is hard, but I think you should make a more conscious effort to try and at least do some work, whether it is at home or the studio I don't care. Just make sure that the work is getting done and that you're not pushing your only artist away." Peyton pulled the phone away from her ear and starred at it with disbelief, where had her best friend gone. Why was Brooke treating her as an employee and not the best friend that she claimed she was.
"What the hell Brooke?" Peyton asked her anger and confusion laced within her voice. "What is hell is wrong with you? I'm not just some employee and you can boss around, ya know. I thought I was your best friend and I thought that you would understand. I was going to call and ask if you thought it was a good idea if I hired a studio manager, but I can see that you just don't care. I don't know what the hell is going on with you but honestly I don't like this side of you."
"Peyton, you are my best friend and outside of the office I love you to death. But you also need to realize that business is business and you can't screw around with money and people's careers. A lot of money went into the label and there is a lot riding on its success. Haley is relying on you to help her finish her album and get her back on tour. We'll look into finding someone to run the label while you figure out what you're going to do." Brooke paused letting her words soak in and felt more tears begin to fall from her eyes. "I just don't get it Peyton, why can't you ever tell me anything? Why do I have to confront you about stuff? When did we get to the point that you feel like you can't tell me anything? Where did my best friend go?" Peyton sat silent on her bed wondering the exact same thing.
"I don't know what happened. I think we just grew up and things changed. Maybe we've grown apart."
"I guess maybe we have. I'll have Millicent call you later on this week to set up a meeting with Greg to find a replacement for you. Congrats on the twins Peyton." Brooke replied hanging up the phone and starring out the window. Shaking her head Brooke stood up and gathered her things, today had been an emotionally exhausting day and she just wanted to go home and spend some time with her kids and Nathan.
When Brooke walked into the house a half hour later Nathan had already heard about the fight between Peyton and Brooke. Nathan was just ending his call with Luke when he saw a very tired and drained looking Brooke walk through the door. Without a word Nathan set his phone down and walked over towards Brooke pulling her into his arms. She collapsed in his arms and let everything she had been holding back go. Nathan stood there without a word doing everything he could think of to sooth his distraught wife. He knew that nothing he did, could fix what had happened today between the two friends, but he was at least going to let her know that he was there and he would be there through everything no matter what team he was playing for, he would always be there.
A/N: I've finally updated! I can't begin to tell you how sorry I am that it's taking so long for these updates but school is yet again taking over my life. There are only two more chapters left and I hope to have them up soon. If you guys also have any ideas or suggestions for the story, please don't hesitate to tell me.
