AN: Thank you for your continued support and for everyone who reads. I enjoy reading your reviews and hearing your predictions for the story as well.
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~~~ "I'm Never Alone, I'm Alone All the Time" ~~~
* Chapter Fourteen*
Dan Scott drove his black Escalade into the parking ramp of his office and right into his spot. He glanced at his phone making sure he hadn't missed a call but was also checking the time. He had been anxious since he received a call from Daunte the day before. It had been days with no communication from Daunte and Dan had begun to doubt himself. Maybe Nathan was still having some trouble adjusting to getting back in the game and that's all his strange behavior was about? All his second guessing came to a screeching halt when Daunte confirmed he had new information on Nathan however refusing to discuss it over the phone.
A vehicle pulled up next to Dan's and Daunte quickly got out. Dan mirrored his actions and they met face to face in between the two vehicles.
"Thank you for meeting me here so quickly Dan." Daunte said.
"I'm glad you've finally got some information for me. I was beginning to think there wasn't anything to find." Dan noted looking at the large manila envelope Daunte held in his hands.
Daunte smiled a sly grin and then said "It appears your client has been busy on the court judging from his last game against the Nets. He's almost good enough to bet some serious money on."
Dan pulled a long white envelope from his inside sport coat pocket and handed it to Daunte.
"This is the rest of your payment we discussed earlier thus concluding our business transaction." Dan stated wanted to move this meeting along.
Daunte took the envelope from Dan and then handed Dan the information he'd been eagerly anticipating.
"Inside you will find some recent call logs and text messages from Nathan's phone going back a few months as well as photographs from his away game in New York yesterday. It was a pleasure doing business with you and please let me know if you need my services again." He concluded. Daunte hadn't expected Dan to open the envelope right there as he made his way back to his car. He studied Dan's eyes as he glanced at the photographs knowing they would cause a reaction. One Daunte wasn't sure of exactly. Dan's head shot back up and his eyes locked with Daunte immediately.
"Daunte one more thing! I want to know everything you can find on the woman in all the photographs with my son." Dan demanded coldly.
"I figured that's what you'd say." Daunte replied.
Haley climbed the tour bus steps dragging her suitcase behind her with all her might. She was greeted by the rest of the band as they sat around the kitchen table on the bus.
"Well if it isn't Miss. Cosmo! How'd the shoot go Hales?" Walker joked as the rest of the band laughed in response.
"Haha guys! The shoot went just fine. How are you all doing?" She asked as she quickly found a seat next to Quinn. She hated to admit it but she was more tired from the last 48 hours than she thought she'd be if that was even possible. Her head quickly found its' way to Quinn's shoulder. Quinn tenderly patted her sister's thigh hoping it conveyed the concern she had for her.
"Things are good here. We're just getting amped up for the show tonight and were kinda talking about the last few weeks of the tour actually right before you got here." Quinn stated but eyed Chris for approval before she proceeded. He obliged and gave her the nod of approval she wanted.
"Catch me up then." Haley said as she tried her best to stifle a yawn.
"Well, we've got just around three more weeks or so of this leg of the tour. Then we have a small break before awards season begins. We're rumored to possibly be a performing act at the MTV Music Awards this year." Quinn said.
Chris picked up where she left off and added "Then we've got the second leg of the US tour to complete. Somewhere in all of that we need to come up with a conceptual idea for our next single, get it approved by the label, find a director who we want to work with, shoot the video and we should put in some serious work on the long list of songs we've started writing but have yet to finish."
Haley listened taking in all the information hoping she would be able to keep it all straight.
"Ohh and Peyton requested we try and rework some of the show before we head out on the second leg too. She suggested maybe throwing a popular cover in the set list." Walker added.
They sat in silence as the information sunk in before Haley decided to speak.
"Well, it looks like we've got a busy few months coming up here. Everything will work out just fine guys. Don't worry about it." She said hoping her cheery tone sounded genuine.
Quinn and Walker seemed satisfied with her response before quickly engaging in mindless banter. Chris however could read through the lines of bull shit and was beginning to sense something might be off with his fearless band mate Haley James.
Nathan had settled back into his routine quickly after his trip to New York. His days were filled with practice, working out, media events and of course game days. He continued his daily communication with Haley through the last few weeks of her tour. He would call when he could and leave heartfelt messages when he missed her. To his surprise Dan had backed off a bit from his overly critical and demanding approach to managing his career. Nathan hadn't given it too much thought having actually felt grateful his father was finally listening to him. Come to think of it, Nathan couldn't remember the last nasty exchange he'd had with Dan. Finally he felt his life was on track, professional and privately and it felt good.
Haley continued her fast paced schedule the remaining three weeks of her tour. She had thrown herself into work hoping it would help keep her focused on her job but also make the days go faster. She was looking forward to her break and being home for a while. Nathan would still be required to leave for away games but at least she would be home in L.A. for a while. They had been looking forward to spending even more time together. They were currently in route towards California for their last show of the tour which was in L.A. at the Staples Center. Out of pure luck Nathan was off that day and excited to finally see The Fire Pistols perform.
Chris headed towards the back of the bus noticed Quinn's curtain on her bunk pulled back again. He made an extra effort to remain quiet until he got to the back living room before he shut the door.
Walker was seated on the couch playing a video game while Haley lay stretched out on the other half of the couch. She was half watching Walker's game while occasionally answering text messages from Nathan he presumed.
"Quinn is taking yet another nap in her bunk. You think she's really sleeping or do you think her and Clay are having like phone sex or something? I know it's been around a month since she's seen him and all." Chris joked as he found a seat.
Walker laughed out loud at Chris while he continued to play his video game. Haley looked over at Chris as she tried to hide her growing smile. Her sister was always a fun and easy target to make fun of and Chris generally took advantage of any open opportunity.
"I heard her snoring earlier when I went to the bathroom so I'm sure she's sleeping this time. I haven't seen Nathan in the same amount of time and you don't see me resorting to cyber sex do you?" Haley pointed out.
"I don't know what you James sisters do in your bunks at night with the curtains closed. Ewwww I don't want a visual please stop talking about that." Walker finally said having to resort to pausing the game to instill the seriousness of his request.
"Ok ok chill out dude." Haley agreed.
Chris looked down at Haley's half eaten bowl of spaghetti and said "You barely touched that! Are you gonna finish that?"
Haley looked at the bowl then back at Chris. "Nope, I just don't feel like spaghetti now for some reason. Have at it and I'll find something else that sounds good to me in a little while."
Chris happily enjoyed Haley's left overs as the three of them continued to pass the time on the bus. They were scheduled to arrive in LA tomorrow mid afternoon. She couldn't wait to finally be home!
Dan sat at his desk looking at all the papers spread out in front of him. He had pieced together the information he'd received about Nathan and the woman he had begun seeing. Dan had tried to provide him with countless opportunities to come clean about the relationship but Nathan had refused to do so. Upon finding out more information about Haley James, he was confident the relationship between the two was not in Nathan's best interest professionally. Basketball players were to date models, socialites and beauty queens. A woman who would keep her mouth shut and look pretty all while standing at his side at events and his games but women whom were beneath his career and fame.
Daunte had gathered information about Haley's past romantic relationships with a surprising amount of information accompanied by photographs. Dan was thoroughly pleased with the information he had to work with now. He had taken time to develop a plan of action to remedy the problem otherwise known as "Haley James". His first step was tonight at the banquet which Nathan was planning to attend alone. Or so he thought.
A few hours later, Nathan finished tying his tie as he watched himself in the mirror. He wasn't overly excited about attending the banquet mainly dealing with the press line but it was a cause he was passionate about and believed in. He finished in the bathroom just as the limo pulled up in front of his house. Dan quickly stepped out and headed towards the house. Nathan opened the door once Dan was right outside.
"I just need to grab my phone." Nathan announced as he headed into the kitchen to retrieve it from the charger.
"Just hurry we don't want to keep a lady waiting too long." Dan replied nonchalantly as he studied Nathan waiting for the reaction he knew was about to come.
Nathan quickly turned around after picking up his phone and headed back to face Dan.
"A lady? What are you talking about?" He asked.
Dan offered a meek smile as he answered "Your date for the banquet tonight. She's waiting in the limo and I have to say she is definitely a keeper."
Nathan shook his in anger and replied "Dan I intended on attending alone tonight like I have been for quite some time. My intention was to keep all the press on the charity at hand not who I show up with. I do not need or want you to set up a date for me! Why the hell am I just hearing about this now?"
His mind was racing of what was happening and most importantly what he was going to tell Haley.
Dan chuckled as he headed back towards the front door. "Sorry son you know how it is sometimes. What's there to complain about anyway? You're going to be in the company of a gorgeous woman for the next three hours. It could be a lot worse. Now get your shit together and get in the limo. I expect you to be nothing short a perfect gentleman to her as well." He finally said before he walked through the now open door. He walked to the limo and quickly got back inside.
"What did he say?"
"Don't worry about that. Stick to the plan and do the job you were hired for. Understand?" Dan stated looking harshly at the woman in the limo.
All she could do was nod in agreement.
Nathan stood stunned for a moment before ripping his phone out of his pocket where he had just placed it.
"Dammit Haley pick up the phone!" He shouted as the phone continued to ring.
"You've reached Haley James….congratulations and leave me a message…BEEEEPP"
"Hales, its me…..listen….uhhh I'm about to leave for the event tonight and it's not going as I planned so far. It's such a mess…. I really want to talk to you about this personally not over a message. I'm gonna try you again uhh call you a little later.." And with that Nathan quickly hung up again knowing he sounded like an idiot.
Nathan walked out to the waiting limo and climbed inside. He looked across from his seat and saw a tan, thin blonde dressed in a corvette red evening gown looking back at him with a seductive smile.
'This is not good.' Nathan thought to himself as the limo pulled away.
Haley was fast asleep in her bunk unaware she had left her phone in the back living room before she laid down for "just a little bit". Little did she know she just missed a very important phone call.
Suddenly Nathan had become increasingly more nervous as the limo brought him closer to the venue holding the banquet for the evening. He was going to have to walk the press line prior to entering and he knew how it would look once they exited the limo together. He kept trying to rack his brain trying to find a way to spin the situation in his favor but in that moment he failed to come up with anything logical.
"Well, here we go Nathan I'm so excited!" the blonde stated as the limo pulled to a stop.
He gave her a half smile not sure of what else to do.
The driver got out and quickly opened the door for Nathan. He reluctantly climbed out and was greeting instantly by an eruption of flashes and people calling his name. He glanced over across the limo and saw Dan had snuck out on the other side probably ensuring Nathan was forced to assist his "date" out of the limo.
"Nathan can you give me a hand?" She asked him in her best innocent voice knowing she was anything but innocent.
Nathan caught the death glare from his father and felt the cameras all over him. In that moment he knew he didn't have a choice but to play along to some degree. He extended his hand and helped her out of the limo. She didn't miss a beat as they walked towards the press line together and looped her arm around his.
Walker was in the kitchen on the bus fixing a snack before they started their last traditional movie night on the bus. Quinn emerged from her bunk following her nose to the kitchen.
"What on earth is that smell? It is absolutely dreadful." She announced as she held her fingers over her nose.
Walker looked back in shock. "What are you talking about Quinny? It's our favorite movie snacks; microwave popcorn and ruffle chips with French onion dip! What else would I make for you and me to eat?" he asked back.
"I don't know but that dip smells awful. Are you sure it's not expired?" She asked still covering her nose from inhaling the odor in question.
Walker looked at the container and then answered "It expires three weeks from now and I just opened the sealed package. What's wrong with you?"
"Nothing, I'm gonna get outta here and wait for the movie to start." Quinn replied, grabbed the popcorn and bounced off towards the living room.
Haley was sipping on ginger ale in a last ditch effort to settle her stomach. She had been feeling a bit anxious of their impending arrival in L.A. but also after she listened to Nathan's message. She had tried him back but it had gone straight to voicemail. She wasn't sure what was going on with him noting she had never heard his voice sound so uneasy before. She lifted her head off the pillow once Quinn entered the room.
"Is that new bus driver behind the wheel again Quinn? I swear he's the one making me motion sick here. I feel like I'm gonna puke." Haley complained to her sister.
Quinn sat next to her and answered "It's actually Frankie driving Hales."
Haley didn't reply but just put her head back down trying to keep her thoughts from racing.
Chris sat silently listening to the exchange between the sisters before he stood up having finished his last beer and headed to retrieve another one before the next movie started. He walked up to his band mate who was nearly sticking his nose in the French onion dip container.
"Dude, what the hell are you doing?" Chris asked as he opened the refrigerator to get another beer.
Walker stood back and thrust the container towards Chris. "Do you think this smells spoiled?"
Chris took a whiff and answered confidently "No why?"
"Quinn came out here and carried on about how awful the dip smelled." Walker stated feeling somewhat still puzzled. He collected the rest of his treats pausing to put the dip back in the refrigerator not wanting to deal with Quinn complaining anymore. Chris watched Walker head towards the living room as he dug around in the kitchen looking for a little something to eat. He bent down and opened the lower cabinet underneath the microwave. He saw a package of cookies in the back and excitedly dug them out. He had found Walker's secret stash and was thoroughly pleased with himself. He remembered when Walker bought the cookies at a gas station and refused to share them with anyone. Chris quickly dug into the package but was surprised to only find three cookies left. Before he knew it, he had devoured the last of the forbidden cookies. He panicked briefly trying to figure out what to do with the container. He could put it back empty but knew he'd have a better chance of convincing Walker he finished the package himself after one too many beers on the bus if the package was gone.
Chris lifted the lid off the garbage container quickly and quietly. He looked down before he carefully moved items to the side in the garbage until he found the perfect spot to hide the empty cookie package. He was about to place the package inside but something else caught his eye. He picked up the item that now held his full attention and placed the cookie package in its place. Chris glanced towards the back of the bus and the living room door was still closed. He hesitated a moment not sure if he really wanted to proceed any further on his own. His mind began to race taking in the recent events and his curiosity got the best of him. He flipped open the edges of the box that had already been opened and peered inside noting it wasn't empty. He carefully pulled the item out and stood there in utter shock for a few seconds.
He looked at it closely just to make sure his eyes weren't playing tricks on him. There were definitely two lines which signified pregnant. Someone was pregnant. But the real question racing through his mind was which one of his lovely band mates was indeed with child?
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