Chapter 3

Nathan Scott walked out from his basketball practice to hear two voices coming from his Coach Whitey Durham's office. He recognized the coaches low, gruff voice but the other sounded oddly familiar but not at the same time.

Keith Scott sat in Whitey's office discussing the possibility of his other nephew joining the basketball team, over a beer. He and Whitey had their weekly chats, but this time it was about something a little more important.

"Coach you have to seem him play, I swear its like magic." Keith explained.

Whitey nodded along stopping to add his input. "And your doing this behind Karen's back? I don't know how much she would appreciate the idea that her boy may join the Raven's basketball team, and play in the same gym where she got her heart ripped out by your heartless SOB of a brother."

"You're right I didn't tell Karen because I knew she would be upset, but I'm begging you to give Lucas this chance. He's just as good, if not better then Nathan and it could really help him out when it comes time to start applying for scholarships. I will handle Karen later." Keith said.

"I don't know Keith, it doesn't feel right going behind Karen's back. But if you promise your just doing this for the boy." Whitey said.

Keith nodded. "Cross my heart. Now come with me."

Nathan had heard the whole conversation and hated every word of it. Lucas on the same team as he, it was just a set up for a whole lot of trouble. Nathan had always tried to keep his distance from that part of his family. It wasn't that he really hated Lucas or his sister, it was just that he was partially jealous. Sure he had a pretty good life on the outside, a big house, lots of money and a dad. But that dad was also Dan Scott. He had pushed and shoved Nathan his entire life and sometimes Nathan felt that Dan should have went to Lucas and Cassie and left him and his mom alone. But Nathan had been the unlucky one. Now he was being forced to play on the same team as the brother who he had avoided all these years. If Lucas was as good as Keith said he was, he could easily take Nathan's place on the team and take away any chance of Nathan getting a scholarship to college.

Nathan quickly left the locker room before Keith and Whitey saw him.

Keith drove to the Rivercourt where Lucas was playing basketball with some of his friends. Cassie was sitting on the bleachers with her coat wrapped tightly around her, cheering on her brother.

"See Coach. He's amazing." Keith said.

"I'll admit he's good, but are you sure putting him on the team is a great idea? I mean he would be playing with the brother he has avoided contact with for so long, and he would more then likely have more run ins with Danny." Whitey said.

Keith nodded. "I know, but I think he could handle it. He's a strong kid, and if he can't he always has me to back him up."

"You love that kid a lot don't you." Whitey said smiling.

Keith again nodded. "Like he was my own, and in my heart he is. I would do anything for Karen and her kids."

"What about the girl? What's her story?" Whitey asked pointing to Cassie. "She sure does remind me of Karen at that age. I've seen her around the school and everytime I do I think I've gone back 17 years and am looking right at Karen."

"She's just like her mother. She's bright, funny and beautiful. It's just a shame she's had to go through a life like she has. You know Karen didn't have much growing up either but what she did have was the love of two good parents and Cassie has grown up with just as much love as her mother did." Keith smiled at the young girl.

"Does she play basketball like her brother? I suppose it would be a good thing if she didn't because then she really wouldn't have any of Dan in her."

"Well she can play pretty well, heck she's just as good as her brother when she wants to be. But she never really wanted to be a basketball star. Shes always been more of a dancer. She was in dance lessons for years but then quit when money started becoming a problem. She's given up a lot and she's been through a lot more then most girls her age, but Cassie is probably one of the happiest kids you'll ever meet." Keith said. "I've been trying to get her to join the Cheer squad but she doesn't really want too."

"Too bad, the Ravens Cheersquad could use a level headed girl like her." Whitey said. "Well I've seen all I need to see, I'll talk to Lucas about joining the team, and you handle talking to Karen."