Disclaimer: I do not own anything at all I own this storyline but nothing else...
A/N: I'm sorry i'm sorry i'm sorry, Life sometimes suck and so do I, but thank you all for your reviews, your support and much more your patience. Hopefully I can repay you with this chapter... Thanks to my beta/sister for letting me time to use my own laptop so i could update and finally proofreading this for me. I'm gonna work hard to update the next chapter sooner rather than later. I hope you like this one and it answers a few questions and doesn't bring up a few more. Let me know what you thinki!
CHAPTER NINE
The black limo pulled up outside the Ritz Carlton and the doorman stepped forward opening the rear door, helping the young woman out of the backseat. Brooke looked over her shoulder as Julian exited the car behind her and followed her into the hotel lobby.
"Are you okay?" he asked gently
"Not really" Brooke replied as she continued walking
"Brooke" he reached a hand out to halt her.
"I just don't understand" she tried to blink back the tears she could feel forming.
"It might not be what you think"
"I don't know what I'm thinking!" she yelled exasperated walking a few more steps and taking a seat on a plush chair nearby. "Tonight was supposed to be all about us and after waiting for him all night I find him with that whore!" she threw her red beaded mask across the lobby.
"In her defense, she might not be an actual whore. I mean they accept money right so if thats the case... plus I don't think hookers usually get invitations to events like this."
"NOT HELPING!" Brooke glared at him
"Has anyone ever told you you're kind of dramatic?" he asked curiously
"Why am I here with you? Brooke said dumbfounded
"You're boyfriend...Lucas right? Is with the 'whore' wearing almost the same dress as you" he reiterated
"That whores dress was nothing like mine" Brooke seethed
"Definitely" he agreed quickly "Yours is way more gorgeous in every way. Why do you think I'm here?" he grinned boyishly.
"I'm asking myself that"
"Your dress" he reiterated
"Why do I always do this? I might as well have the word idiot tattooed on my forehead! And I'm better than this, I'm Brooke Scott for Christ-sakes!" she ranted before standing up and moving towards the elevator. When she realised Julian wasn't following her she turned around and asked "Aren't you coming?"
"Are you sure you want to do this tonight? I mean maybe we should do this some other time, there's no rush"
"I need to do this, and I'm not the type of person who second-guesses myself. If I wasn't sure I wouldn't have asked"
"With you I might actually believe that" he chuckled "But I think you should talk to Lucas tonight. It's more than likely not what you think and if you're this upset then I'd say you have something worth fighting for "he counselled "Besides we can do this another time if that's still what you want" he said as he stood up and walked forward a few steps and bent over to the floor picking up her mask
"This is not about Lucas" she denied watching him
"Maybe not. But clearly you're all about him and I think you should be. It's gonna be okay. You just need to talk it out, then kiss it out and then finish up by groping it out" Brooke couldn't help the laugh that escaped.
"You know you're something else Julian Baker" she said as he kneeled in front of her
"You're not so bad yourself Brooke Scott" he held the mask out for her
"I wish there were more guys like you out there" she sniffled as she accepted the mask from his fingers
"Me too!" he agreed causing her to laugh again
"Thanks" she said softly once she'd calmed down.
"You're welcome, I'll see you" he said with a soft smile before he turned and walked across the lobby. Brooke watched him leave before entering the waiting elevator.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Nathan sat in the back of the limo staring at Haley who was sitting as far from him as physically possible. His parents were across from them, Deb with a restraining hand on her husband who was trying to murder him with his glare. Nathan couldn't care less about his parents or their stupid party. His focus was the gorgeous girl who looked pained to be near him, Nathan could still feel the anger running through him. He'd acted first and thought second and he probably shouldn't have reacted the way he did. But he still hadn't been given an explanation as to why that assholes hands had been all over his girl. As the thought entered his mind, Nathan felt his hands involuntarily curl into fists by his side.
He looked over at Haley again who was staring out the car window. He knew she would be angry. She scolded him constantly that violence was never the answer, but he was not the kind of guy who could sit back and watch some guy all over his girlfriend. The car pulled to a stop in front of the hotel and Haley was out of the car and has disappeared inside within seconds. Nathan tried to follow after her but was stopped by the disapproving growl of his father.
"I'm not finished with you!"
"Whatever" Nathan muttered
"Get your ass back here son" Dan boomed
"Look I'm sorry I ruined your stupid party and I didn't kiss enough ass, punish me tomorrow"
"NATHAN!" Dan yelled as he started to walk off "GET BACK HERE NOW!"
"Dan!" Deb tried to calm him down, "This isn't the place" she motioned to the hotel lobby
"And the party was?" Dan asked incredulously
"I'm sorry I ruined your night "Nathan replied sarcastically
"WATCH YOUR MOUTH BOY!" Dan warned
"Dan!" Deb admonished again "Not now!" she said forcefully before turning to the younger Scott, "Nathan go upstairs and change out of those wet clothes, we'll talk about this tomorrow" she ordered
"Can't wait" he muttered again under his breath before stalking off towards the elevator
"Deb..."
"Not now Dan, you screaming at him causing a scene is only going to make it worse" she chastised him "I'm going to bed if you have any sense you'll come with me and do the same" she turned on her heel and walked away leaving Dan to duck his head and follow behind her silently.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Haley walked into the room she was sharing with Brooke slamming the door behind her. Brooke watched as the tiny blonde threw her bag and shoes on the bed before stomping off to the bathroom slamming that door as well. Brooke quirked an eyebrow when less than a minute later she stomped back out and stood with her back to Brooke, hands on hips. Brooke looked at Haley for a moment before obligingly undoing her corset after which the blonde stormed off to the bathroom again. When the door slammed shut again Brooke picked up the phone from the nightstand and called for room service.
A few minutes later Haley re-emerged dressed in sleep shorts and a tank top, her gown bundled up in her arms. She threw the dress down on top of Brooke's on the chair in the corner before flopping down on the bed beside the brunette. The two girls sat in silence watching the tv for a few moments until they heard a knock on the door. Brooke went to get their room-service but was met by the sight of Nathan instead.
"Wrong room" Brooke snarled before slamming the door in his face.
"Brooke!" Nathan yelled before banging his fist on the door
"FUCK OFF!" Brooke yelled back
"Open the damn door!" he yelled
"NO!"
"BROOKE!"
"There's no Brooke here!"
"FOR FUCKSAKES BROOKE!" Nathan pounded on the door
"WILL YOU SHUIT THE HELL UP!" The door to the left opened and a frazzled looking guy stuck his mussed head out "People are trying to sleep, considering this is a hotel" he growled
"Feel free to call security or better yet the cops" Brooke stuck her own head out her own door.
"That won't be necessary, sorry" Nathan apologised before pushing Brooke back into the room
"Are you trying to get arrested?" Brooke yelled
"Shutup Brooke! Why don't you go visit Luke? "
"Let me think about it? Um no!" she said crossing her arms over her chest "Now unless you've got a triple chocolate mud cake and a pint of cookie dough hidden on you then I suggest you leave"
"I need to talk to Haley"
"Good luck with that" the blonde muttered from her place on the bed
"Hales" Nathan said exasperated while she kept her eyes fixed on the television studiously ignoring him.
"I think Hales has spoken dumbass, now get out before I'm forced to throw you out"
"Like you actually could" he scoffed
"I made you cry at Christmas" she said smugly
"You pulled my hair" he retorted
"Right after I kicked your ass!"
"Whatever, I need to talk to Haley"
"No you need to go" Brooke said trying to push him backwards
"Get off of me Brooke" he tried to grab her wrists
"Prepare for an ass-whoopin!" Brooke threatened as she took out her earrings
"Like that'll ever happen" Nathan rolled his eyes
"After I kick your ass, you're gonna swallow those words and then you can kiss my ass!"
"No thanks I know where it's been" Nathan grimaced
"I hate you!"Brooke screeched punching Nathans arm
"The feelings mutual" he retorted
"Like you even know what that word means!"
"Face it Brookie I'm smarter than you!"
"Like hell you are!" Brooke launched herself at Nathan scratching at him. Nathan tried to fight her off before they both tripped and ended up in a heap on the floor. "Take it back before I turn you into mincemeat!" Brooke yelled before Nathan hooked his leg over hers and flipped her onto her back
"You're fucking crazy!" Nathan pinned Brooke to the floor a smirk gracing his features "And no match for me!"
"Guys just stop!" Haley finally yelled both snapping to look at her. "Brooke you're giving me a headache, and don't smirk at me Nathan Scott because you're not any better. Just get out! I can't take anymore of this, just take your jealous immature overprotective self and get out!" she threw the pillow she'd been holding down on the bed in frustration.
"I can't do that Hales" Nathan denied still pinning Brooke to the floor
"Nathan I need you to go" Haley pleaded
"Not until we talk" he shook his head
"I can't, not tonight" she said rubbing a hand over her eyes
"Well I'm not leaving" he said defiantly. Haley stared him down for a few seconds before standing up from the bed and striding past him.
"Fine, I'll leave"
"Haley!" Nathan called out to the slamming door
"Nice work dumbass!" Brooke slapped him up the back of the head as she managed to wiggle away from him
"FUCK BROOKE!" Nathan yelled
"Do you ever think of anyone other than yourself?" she stood up and turned to face him with her hands on her hips
"Like you can talk" he muttered as he too stood back up dusting off his suit pants
"Actually right now I can, I'm thinking about Haley while you're trying to make yourself feel better"
"You don't know what you're talking about"
"So Hales taking off like a bat out of hell has absolutely nothing to do with you? And the reason you look and smell like a river right now has nothing to do with why she's been pissed off since she got back from the ball" Brooke challenged
"This wasn't my fault!"
"It never is" Brooke retorted while Nathan visibly winced "Look Nate, you're my brother and because unfortunately there's no credit note on family at the mall I keep you around, but Haley's my best friend and whether you meant to or not you've hurt her and I'll be damned if I let you ruin the chance of Haley and me becoming sisters one day"
"It's all about you Brooke"
"Normally I'd say you're right, but tonight is all about Haley. Tomorrow can be all about me"
"And you wonder why Coop calls you Orbit"
"He doesn't call me that"
"Not to your face" Nathan smirked
A second later Nathan ducked out of the room as something heavy hit the closed door. He chuckled to himself as he walked down the hallway until he ran into Lucas stepping off of the elevator.
"If you're looking for Brooke, then I wouldn't without protective headwear" he warned
"That bad?" Lucas winced
"Worse"
"Shit!" Lucas ran a hand through his hair.
"Sucks to be you man"
"I wouldn't get too ahead of yourself man, from the way Haley stormed off of the boat I don't think you're in her good books either"
"Yeah but unlike Brookie, Hales is reasonable and compassionate and has the ability to be quiet long enough for us to work it out. So good luck man"
"You really are an ass" Lucas shook his head
"Maybe, but I'm Haley's ass, well I will be, hopefully" Nathan said a little pensively
"Good luck" Lucas patted him on the shoulder
"You too" Nathan replied motioning to Brookes hotel room.
"Yeah" Lucas scratched the back of his head before scrunching his eyes closed and taking a deep breath before walking off towards Brooke's room. Nathan shrugged as he watched him go. When he was out of sight Nathan turned and ran towards the stairwell that Haley had disappeared into a few minutes prior. Reading the signs as he went, moments later he found himself entering the rooftop pool area. The space was barely lit with the exception of a few hurricane lamps and the pool lights inside the pool itself. He scanned the area, glancing over the sunbeds and red cabanas, landing on Haley's small frame at the far end of the pool. Her feet were tucked under her as her arms were wrapped around tightly over her stomach in an effort to keep warm. Nathan felt his heart both begin to beat rapidly at the sight of her while simultaneously dropping at the sight of her drooped shoulders and what he knew were a steady stream of tears.
Haley could be feisty when she was mad but at the same time she felt hurt more deeply. Her caring and kind nature were uniquely Haley but from time to time it caused her pain. How deeply she felt for others and her compassion were things that Nathan loved about her and undoubtedly were a big part of why he fell for her in the first place. But he hated when it caused her tears. And he hated to see her cry. Note to self; kick own ass.
Nathan slowly walked to the other end of the pool coming to stand about a metre away from her. Nathan thrust his hands into his pockets as he watched her; she was sniffling quietly and hadn't moved an inch from her position by the pool. Nathan stood still as he watched until the sound of her voice broke his thoughts.
"Are you going to just stand there Jackass?" Nathan couldn't help the smirk that came to his face.
"Always thinking about how hot I am?" he couldn't stop the ego. And he knew she'd call him on it.
"More like how your ego's so big it literally can't stay in your head" she snapped. Nathan chuckled as he slipped out of his suit jacket placing it over her shoulders before he kicked off his shoes and socks and rolled up his pant legs, dipping his feet in the water as he sat beside her
"Wow it's heated"
"Kind of like you were earlier" she sneered sarcastically
"You always get me hot under the collar Hales"
"And you always act like a jackass"
"But I'm your jackass" he smiled sweetly while she glared back his earlier anger forgotten "Baby I get that your pissed but you're mine, and no-one elses and that means only I get to dance with you and touch you and look at you..."
"And talk to me, and think about me and be friends with me, and cheerlead with me, and eat with me, and go to school with me" she said sarcastically
"Who's trying to go to school with you" he mock glared
"This whole jealousy thing's getting a little old Nathan"
"I'm not jealous" he denied as she gave him a pointed stare "I'm not!"
"Tell that to Clay's face"
"Frat Boy shouldn't have been dancing with my girl" Nathan said stubbornly
"I'm not just 'your girl' you know?"
"I know, you're also my tutor" he deadpanned
"Right" Haley huffed, as she stood up Nathan grabbed for her hand "Don't touch me Nathan!"
"Hales where are you going?"
"It's late and I don't have a tutoring session scheduled" she bit out
"Hales I'm sorry, I was kidding"
"You're always kidding Nathan!" she said frustrated
"I know, and I'm sorry will you please just sit back down?" he pleaded
"Why should I?"
"Because it's not in your nature to walk off and leave this unresolved despite the fact that you want to beat my ass right now"
"You don't know me" she crossed her arms
"Yes I do"
"No you don't"
"I think I do Haley James" he flashed his most charming smile
"I hate you"
"And I love you so it evens out" he shrugged. Haley glared at him before grumbling something incoherently under her breath as she sat back down crossing both her arms and legs keeping herself a good distance from Nathan. "You're so cute when you're trying to be hostile" he pointed out
"I'm not trying, I am hostile!"
"But you still want me" he smirked as she rolled her eyes "Deny it all you want Hales, but we both know it's true"
"Can we please put your self centred opinions on ice and get back to the apology"
"I wasn't going to apologise"
"Yes you were"
"No I wasn't"
"Then why the hell are you here?"
"I haven't seen you in a week and I missed you?"
"Okay put charming Nathan away"
"But my pants are still done up and on" he said looking down at his crotch
"Oh my god!" she breathed out putting her hands over her flushing face as Nathan chuckled "This is not funny"
"You're the one who called me 'Charming Nathan' in summer and were referring to my di"
"Do not even think about finishing that sentence" she warned
"You brought it up, literally" he wiggled his eyebrows
"Deep breaths, deep breaths, deep breaths" she shut her eyes
"Just breathe through your nose" Nathan said innocently as Haley's mouth dropped open in shock. "The wide open mouth not helping the mental image babe" he said her mouth instantly snapping shut. "Haley?" Nathan finally asked as she continued to stare at him.
"You can't say that" she managed to get out
"Maybe I should cut back on the jokes" Nathan pondered out loud
"Yes you should" she nodded her head furiously
"Hales..."
"No Nathan, you don't get to Hales me! You're so infuriating! I've spent the last week in knots and not like the little ones that keep big things in place, and I'm definitely not in place, I'm angry and upset and shitty and over it! And despite that I look up and see your face in one of the gizzillion pictures of you I girlishly plastered on my bedroom walls or touch this damn bracelet and I get all mushy and teary and I miss you so damn much that I forget all the reasons you're an ass and should hate you but I can't and so then all I can do is be mopey and miss you and I spent the entire day today stressed and worried that I would look frumpy and tearstained and emotional and needy while you looked your usual drop dead gorgeous self and then you'd realise that I'm not good enough for you and that you were really destined for a supermodel or Madonna and that you were right in not wanting to have sex with me, because why would you want to when you could have sex with Madonna and Brookes gonna be heartbroken because her dream of us becoming sisters will never happen because you're a jackass and you don't want boring Haley James because you're married and having sex with Madonna" Her rant was cutoff by Nathan crashing his lips down on hers. Haley fought the kiss at first but felt her resolve slip as she melted into him. Nathan had one arm wrapped around her as the other cupped her cheek. Haley fully melted into him as his tongue roughly pushed into her mouth causing her to whimper. Nathan held on tighter as he ravaged her lips. Everytime he kissed her it got better and better. He kissed her deeper as her small hands roughly grabbed his hands forcing him closer to her. Nathan groaned at the sensation as her tongue came into play with his forcefully. Eventually they both pulled back resting their foreheads against one another.
"Did that feel like I wanted to have sex with Madonna?" he asked
"No" Haley shook her head before opening her eyes "Hence why I'm so confused"
"I'm sorry baby"
"I don't want you to be sorry; I want you to talk to me"
"I know"
"Why can't you let me in?"
"I want to Hales, it's just..."
"You keep giving me these mixed signals, I mean, you flirt and talk a big game, but then we make out and you just stop. I don't understand" she blinked back tears
"I know baby, I'm sorry. I don't want to hurt you"
"But you're hurting me now!"
"I know" he closed his eyes putting both hands on her cheeks and leaning in to leave a soft kiss on her lips. "The last thing I want to do is hurt you, god I could never want that, it's just..." he trailed off
"You said that already! Nathan please, if you don't want me then just say so!" she pleaded
"No Haley it's not that, there's no way it could ever be that, you've got to believe me that that is not it! God I want you so much it physically hurts but"
"But what?"
"I don't know, it's like I hit this wall, everything is good and you're perfect and I don't know I just can't, but it's not you, it's never you. Trust me when I say that you're the sexiest thing I've ever seen and that it's a fulltime job not ripping your clothes off 24/7. But I need some more time, when I told you I wanted to wait until it was right for us I meant it, we'll get there I know it, I just need some more time"
"It's just hard Nathan"
"Well yeah" he smirked while she rolled her eyes "I know it sucks Hales, but I also know that when it's the right time for us it's gonna be awesome"
"Really?"
"Of course, haven't you heard I'm really good in bed"
"There's the ego again" she rolled her eyes again
"Admit it Hales, you love me and my ego"
"I may love you, but your ego not so much and you're still an ass!"
"What why?" he looked confused
"You tackled Clay overboard!" she exclaimed
"No, I punched him in the face and then he tackled me overboard!"
"You shouldn't have been fighting him!"
"He shouldn't have been hitting on my girl!"
"He wasn't hitting on me, we were dancing"
"He shouldn't have been dancing with my girl!"
"It's just dancing Nathan" Haley said incredulously
"There's no such thing as just dancing with frat boy"
"You're impossible, Clay is harmless"
"Did I tell you he hit on Taylor?" Nathan asked smugly
"No, but she did and from what she said she rather enjoyed it" Haley retorted just as smug
"So you enjoyed dancing with Clay?" Nathan asked with a raised eyebrow
"Yes I did" Haley replied emphatically
"Haley!"
"Because that's all we were doing you jackass!" she yelled
"He's the jackass!"
"Did you consider cutting the jealous crap and asking me why I was dancing with Clay?"
"Because you enjoyed it apparently" Nathan muttered agitated
"Because he's a nice guy and whether you believe it or not he was being a good friend to me and to you"
"Not" Nathan scoffed
"Nathan Scott stop being so juvenile!" Haley yelled
"I can't help it! I searched that entire damn boat for you, trying to hide from the Devil Scotts and keep Luke from whining like a little bitch and I find you with him, and that's helping and being a good friend how?"
"He was keeping the ass known as Damien West from hitting on me"
"By hitting on you himself! Wait what did you just say?" Nathan felt his fists involuntarily clenching
"Damien" Haley repeated watching Nathans reaction closely
"West" Nathan gritted out
"Clay dancing with me doesn't seem so bad now does it?" Haley quipped.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Brooke stood at the door staring at the tall blonde boy. His shoulders were drooped and his hands were thrust into the pockets of his suit trousers. Brooke appraised his form for a minute before her eyes snapped back to his face. Those eyes were a window to his soul and although it made her feel like a sap she could feel herself losing herself in their depths. As soon as the thought surfaced Brooke buried it staring Lucas down with a steely resolve.
"Can I come in?" he asked quietly. The second he opened his mouth Brooke felt her anger melt away. She was still upset but she loved him too much and had missed him too much to argue with what her heart wanted. She stepped aside letting him enter the hotel room and once he was in the centre of the room he turned to face her.
"I'm sorry about tonight I know how important it was to both you and your parents and trust me when I say you're the only girl I wanted to be with tonight. We were just talking, absolutely nothing was going on and nothing happened with..'
"I know" she said softly
"I didn't know she was gonna be there and she was gonna be wearing wait what?"
"Lucas it's okay, I know"
"You know what exactly?" he asked looking for clarification
"That nothing happened with that dress colour stealing Brooke Scott wannabe " she said stiffly before breaking out of her daze "Sorry" she apologised causing Lucas to chuckle loudly Brooke's eyes narrowing in response. "Luke I may be totally cool understanding girlfriend of the year nominee material right now but I wouldn't push it" she warned.
"Right sorry" he replied seriously "You know I would never do anything to hurt you, I really wanted tonight to be special for us" he lamented
"Well it was memorable" Brooke said a little sarcastically as she stepped closer "But it's not over yet" she smiled cheekily
"No it's not" Lucas said placing his hands on her hips before leaning in to leave a soft kiss on her lips "God I missed that" he breathed out when they pulled apart
"Luke?"
"Yeah babe"
"I didn't say stop"
"Your wish is my co" Lucas was cutoff by Brooke attaching her lips forcibly onto his. They kissed passionately for awhile before air became a necessity.
"Have you talked to your parents yet?" Lucas asked
"Way to kill the mood" Brooke rolled her eyes before flopping herself backwards onto the bed. Lucas chuckled at her pout before laying himself beside her and placing his hand on her hip rubbing the exposed skin between her sleep shorts and tank top.
"I'm sorry I know tonight didn't turn out as you had hoped" Lucas apologised.
"I wouldn't say that" Brooke giggled "I'm in a hotel room with the hottest guy in North Carolina and my brother fell overboard, win-win" she smiled
"Technically he was pushed"
"Either way he ended up overboard" Brooke pointed out
"Good point" Lucas conceded "Although you're wrong babe I could definitely be considered one of the hottest guys in the southern states, if not the country not just in North Carolina"
"You've been spending way too much time with Nathan"
"Babe, I've always spent too much time with Nathan"
"And they say that college is supposed to encourage maturity" she mocked
"Hey" he grabbed her by the arm as he placed a chaste kiss to her lips."I've always been mature for my age" he protested
"True" Brooke agreed "But you lose points because you're friends with Nate...and Tim"
"I can't really argue with that" Lucas looked pensive "Especially after his behaviour tonight, although I should've expected it after he spent most of the night whining like a little bitch that he couldn't find Hales, he's so whipped"
"Like you can talk"
"I am not whipped" Lucas denied
"Face it baby you're whipped' she said smacking him with a pillow challengingly 'but on the plus side" she whispered in his ear "You're whipped by me" Lucas closed his eyes and gulped, letting his eyes open when he felt Brooke shift so she was straddling his waist before dropping a soft kiss to his neck.
"I guess I can be whipped when it's you" he gave in tangling his hands into her hair, pulling the elastic out so her hair framed them as their mouths met hotly while Brookes fingers worked to rid Lucas of his shirt. When they'd broken apart, Lucas rested his forehead against hers staring into her bright eyes "I love you Brooke Scott"
"I love you too" she smiled
"But Nathans more whipped than me" Brooke sat back on her heels and crossed her arms over her chest as she glared down at him "You can't argue with that" he defended his statement
"Really?"
"Definitely" he nodded as Brooke pulled her tank top over her head and dropped it beside him on the bed, smirking at the look of awe on his face. "Not" he managed to get out as he sat up and captured her lips again.
"That's what I thought" Brooke giggled as he flipped them over.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Nathan you need to calm down" Haley said putting her hands on his waist in an aid to stop his angry pacing
"I can't, I'm gonna kill him Hales, I'm gonna rip off his stupid Damien West arms and beat him to death with them! He'll rue the day he ever messed with Nathan Scott!" he exploded
"It's scary how much you sound like Brooke right now" Haley muttered her head snapping to look at Nathan who was glaring "Sorry, not helping?"
"What the hell was he even doing there?"
"I don't know, his dad is a pretty successful businessman and gives alot of money to charity, and it was a charity event full of successful people giving alot of money to charity so it seems reasonable that he would be there and that'
"Haley!"
"Sorry" she smiled sheepishly as he started to pace again
"I can't escape him! He has this sick fascination with torturing me. But messing with you; that's just not gonna happen. I'll kill him first and bury him under the river-court so every dunk is a personal screw you to the asshole, what was he even doing there anyway?" Nathans rant was cut-off when Haley grabbed his face bringing it down and crashing his lips against her own. She kissed him fiercely for a few moments, Nathans arms instinctively wrapping around her.
"Mmm' he moaned as they pulled apart.
"Yeah that too" Haley agreed before slapping him on the chest "God Nathan, you're so easily distracted! I know I shouldn't complain because it's a good thing because you're easily distracted by me and I'm your girlfriend so that should be the case but it makes it hard to have a serious conversation with you one minute you're ranting and raving the next you're kissing me and you're mind goes blank although Brooke says your mind is always blank but she has to say that because she's your sister and a younger sister at that and that's what younger sisters do although me not so much despite being younger than my sisters although I guess I have done some little sister stuff there was this one time with Taylor..." this time she was cut-off by Nathans lips on hers. He kissed her for a few minutes his hands on her cheeks. When he pulled back she looked up at him "I was rambling wasn't I"
"Just a little, but it's nice to know that you're easily distracted by me too, but then again who could blame you?" he smirked
"Right" she crossed her arms
"I was joking" he said wrapping his arms tighter around her
"You better have been when you were talking about murdering Damien, because although he's an ass and I can't stand him, you can't kill him because the state of North Carolina would frown upon it and they'll send you to jail and that can't happen because I need you here and anything else is completely unacceptable" she blinked back tears
"I'm not going anywhere baby I promise" he said kissing her again. Haley melted into the kiss her arms uncrossing to grip his biceps.
"And I promise I'll never not kiss you like that" Haley tried to get her breathing back to normal
"You better" Nathan said playfully
"C'mon" Haley took Nathans hand and pulled him down to sit beside her wrapping his arm around her as they both placed their feet into the pool. Haley started to play with his fingers as he dropped a kiss to her temple. "I know that tonight didn't pan out the way either of us expected or wanted; but Nathan you can't react in that way. You have to trust me, I love you and no-one else, I think I've made it quite clear and if we're going to make this long distance thing work then we have to trust each other"
"I know that Hales"
"You say that but your actions don't reflect that, you can't beat up every guy who talks to me"
"But Hales"
"But nothing. I love you end of story, period. Now I need you to show me that you love me by apologising to Clay"
"No way" Nathan denied emphatically
"Yes way"
"Haley"
"Nathan, as I was saying before your hardheaded temper tantrum; Damien was being his usual assy self. I tried to get rid of him without causing a scene but he wouldn't take no for an answer. Clay intervened, had a few words and then I dragged him away before it could turn into a fight. He was helping us out; well he was until you swooped in like a knight in shiny ass-hat"
"I'm not an ass-hat"
"That's a matter of opinion"
"Hales"
"What it's true, besides don't interrupt. You had no right to start that fight, he was doing the right thing and you just stormed in there"
"It wasn't like that" Nathan denied
"Oh really?' Haley asked
FLASHBACK
"WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON HERE!" Nathan yelled as he spotted Haley who was currently dipped in the arms of Clay frat boy Evans whose hands were suspiciously close to her ass.
"Nathan" Haley froze staring at the angry blue eyes of her boyfriend
"Hay Nate' Clay greeted lifting Haley back to a standing position and turning her so they were facing the dark haired boy.
"Don't" he warned looking between the two before focusing his eyes back on the blonde boy "Get your hands off of my girlfriends ass" he gritted out
"Technically my hands are just over her ass" Clay quipped back, before anyone could utter a word Nathan had shot his fist out connecting cleanly with the other boys eye.
"Crap that hurt!" Clay grabbed his face
"Nathan!" Haley admonished as Clay stumbled a little bit
"Ow!" Clay cried out again when Nathan punched him again the force knocking him backwards into a cocktail waitress the tray of champagne flutes going flying drenching a nearby woman as the rest smashed into shards on the dancefloor.
"Oh my god" a few people exclaimed as the band stopped playing. Nathan looked at the other boy enraged as Haley helped him to his feet. Clay shrugged free of Haleys grip before turning to her and apologising "I'm sorry Haley for what I'm about to do but Nate needs to cool off" he said nonchalantly as he shrugged out of his jacket and handed it to her. Before Nathan could swing at him again he lunged at the raven haired boy, the force of Clay hitting Nathans midsection sending them both sprawling backwards and as the entire party looked on in shock Nathan and Clay tumbled arms and legs flailing over the railing into the murky water below with a loud 'SPLASH!"
End of flashback
"I can't believe he did that?" Nathan shook his head
"He had to stop you pummelling his face somehow"
"Are you defending him?"
"No, but I won't defend you either, and trust me it's gonna get worse, what did Dan say?"
"Hmmm" Nathan winced
"I thought so" she shrugged
"Okay maybe I overreacted"
'Maybe?"
"Okay I did, but I still don't like Clay" he said stubbornly
"You don't have to"
"Huh? Since when? You were all give me a C! Ten minutes ago"
"You don't have to like Clay but that also doesn't mean that I have to hate him. He did a nice thing for us and whether you like it or not that's how it is and you have to accept it. Besides I think you two might get along if you just try and furthermore rather than hating on Clay you could use that energy to love me instead"
"When you put it like that" he grumbled
"Thats my boy...kind of"
"I can definitely love you" he said softly leaning in and leaving a soft kiss "That's if I ever get away from Dan and his colourful punishments to ever see you again"
"Yeah he knows how to dish them out, and although they're horrible I wouldn't call it colourful"
"After running Dans version of suicides, the puke is very colourful" Nathan replied
"Ewww" Haley shook her head "Although I'm sure he'd be easier on you when he knows that you've accepted responsibility for your actions and have apologised to Clay" Haley said sweetly
"Haley" He closed his eyes
"Nathan" she trilled back grinning
"Fine, but I'm doing it for you, and my stomach" he said annoyed
"I love you baby"
"Yeah yeah, tell it to whoever has to clean up the vomit" he grumbled before brightening "Can I at least pummel Damien? He was an ass and it's only fair I give him a black eye or two"
"Nathan"
"What?"
"Violence never solves anything"
"Thats where I beg to differ, being violent against dropkicks like Damien is practically mandatory in the gentlemans handbook and by beating his ass I solve the problem of him hitting on you"
"There is no logic in that" Haley argued "Can't you just be the bigger person and move on and be happy and successful and stick it to him that way? It's not like you can't rub it in his face by winning the whole NCb thingamabob this year"
"The what?"
"The thing that you play for when you play sports you know the whatsamacallsit?"
"Are you speaking english?"
"You're the athlete you should know what I'm talking about!"
"Not even a trained speech therapist would know what you're talking about"
The NCAb or NCBA" Haley said annoyed "I don't even like basketball" she muttered
"Do you mean the NCAA?" Nathan snickered
"That's what I said!"
"Not even close" he started to laugh
"If you're just gonna laugh then I guess I should go" she tried to stand up.
"Oh no you don't" Nathan reached out grabbing for her but the sudden action caused her to lose her balance and she tumbled backwards into the heated pool.
"Na'than!" she shrieked before hitting the water with a splash.
"Oh shit baby I'm sorry" he apologised as he reached a hand out to her as she pushed her hair back from her face.
"I'm sure you are" she grumbled as she reached for his hand but instead of letting him pull her out of the water she dug her heels into the floor of the pool causing to Nathan to stumble of balance and fall into the pool himself. When Nathan resurfaced all he could hear was the peals of laughter coming from his girlfriend.
"You think thats funny?" he asked grabbing her around the waist and dunking them both
'Nate!" Haley whined as she tried to swim away from him
"I'm sorry baby"
"No you're not" she pouted as she continued to put distance between them
"I am, just come back over here"
"No" she shook her head
"Please" he begged as he slowly moved after her
"No" she repeated before splashing him in the face, her laughter being heard immediately after
"You're so gonna pay for that" Nathan brushed the water from his hair before diving after her. Haley screamed as she tried to swim away but his longer arms and legs gave her no chance. Mere seconds later he had her boxed into the side of the pool. "I think you need to make it up to me"
"Wwhat did you have in mind?"
"Mmm I don't know" he said huskily as he slowly leaned in and left a lingering kiss on her neck "Maybe something like that"
"Like this?' she opened her eyes before turning her head so she could leave a lingering kiss of her own on Nathans neck
"Mhmmm" he agreed closing his eyes "Or maybe just some of this" he smiled before wrapping his arms securely around her waist before pushing off with his feet, letting himself float backwards with Haley in his arms.