Chapter 6

Jamie was laying down in his bed reading. He felt better now that he'd apologized to Haley and cried. Nathan came into the room and sat down on the bed. Jamie sat his book on the bedside table and sat up.

"Hey Dad," Jamie said.

"Hey son," Nathan said. "Your mother told me about your breakdown tonight."

"I felt bad for hurting her and you," Jamie said.

"If you felt bad why did you keep it to yourself for so long?" Nathan asked. "Why didn't you just talk to us?"

"I don't know," Jamie said. "I just let the guilt eat me alive until I couldn't take it anymore."

"Remember what I said Jamie," Nathan reminded his son. "If something's bothering you, you can always talk to me."

"Thank you Daddy," Jamie said.

Nathan and Jamie hugged tightly.

"I still think something's bothering you," Nathan said. "You still haven't told me or your mother why you were acting the way you were."

"Just teen stuff," Jamie said.

"I wish you'd tell me," Nathan said. "I know you'll tell me what's been going on when you're ready. Now it's after midnight. We both need to get some sleep."

Nathan got up and turned Jamie's lamp off and Jamie lied down on his bed and got under the covers. Nathan kissed his son on the forehead and began to leave the room.

"Wait," Jamie said.

Nathan stopped and turned around.

"Can you stay with me for a little bit Daddy?" Jamie asked.

Nathan laid down next to his son.

"Do you remember the when you were 5 and I had you stand on my shoulders to reach a pair of my shoes from the top shelf of the closet?" Nathan asked.

"Kind of," Jamie replied.

"Well you were taking a long time and my shoulders were staring to get sore." Nathan said. "Do you remember what you said when I asked if you could find the shoes?"

"I found the shoes a long time ago," Jamie replied. "I just like the view from all the way up here or something like that. I was such a strange child."

"No," Nathan said. "You were a funny child. I can't believe you're 16."

"Not to mentions I already beat your score in basketball and I'm just a junior," Jamie said.

"That too," Nathan said.

"Daddy," Jamie said. "Do you think Mommy is pregnant?"

"Maybe," Nathan said. "I could be wrong. What do you think about possibly having another little brother or sister?"

"I'm not sure," Jamie replied. "I've never really thought about you and Mommy having more children."

"I just want you to know that if we ever do have another child, that doesn't mean your mother and I love you and Lydia any less," Nathan said.

"I'm 16," Jamie said. "I'm too old to think stuff like that."

"Glad to hear that," Nathan said. "Now I've really got to get to bed. I love you."

"I love you too," Jamie said. "Good night."

"Good night," Nathan said.

Nathan got up and went to his and Haley's room where Haley was holding her stomach.

"What's wrong?" Nathan asked.

"I feel a little queasy," Haley said.

"Well you ate a lot today," Nathan said.

"Nathan," Haley said, "if I am pregnant will you love the baby as much as you love Jamie and Lydia?"

Nathan lied next to his wife.

"Of course I will," Nathan said. "You never have to ask me that question."

"I love you," Haley said. "Kiss me."

Nathan and Haley shared a kiss.

"I was thinking about Jamie's game tomorrow night in Charlotte," Nathan said. "I rented a hotel room for just you and me. After the game we will enjoy a nice romantic night, room service included."

"I like room service," Haley said.

Haley's phone began to ring.

"Who would call at this hour?" Haley asked.

Haley picked up her phone and looked at the screen, which read "Peyton S."

"What Peyton?" Haley asked. "It's past midnight here."

"I just read on Twitter that Chris Keller is going on tour with Garbage," Peyton said.

"Yeah," Haley said. "He's really excited."

"He can't go Haley," Peyton said. "He needs to record new material that I need to hear before I will even consider letting him go on tour."

"You're right Peyton," Haley said. "I'll tell him in the morning."

"No," Peyton said. "His flight leaves to Burlington Vermont at 4 AM."

"Why can't you just call him?" Haley asked.

"He won't answer his phone," Peyton replied.

"Okay," Haley said. "Goodbye Peyton."

Chris was in the living room of his apartment packing to go on tour. He began to whistle "Only Happy When It Rains". As he packed he heard a knock on the door.

"It's open!" Chris shouted.

Haley walked in and Chris excitedly hugged her.

"Oh Haley," Chris said. "Thank you for coming to say goodbye to me before I go off on tour! Chris Keller's going to miss you."

"Actually Chris," Haley said, "I've come to tell you that I can't let you go on tour.

"Say what?" Chris asked.

"I'm sorry Chris," Haley said. "But you haven't released an album in nearly 4 years. You haven't even written any new material. Peyton called and we decided that you need to focus more on your next album. You don't need to be going off on tour."

"Well you can't do that!" Chris shouted.

"Yes we can," Haley said. "You signed a contract saying Peyton and I are in charge of you. What we say goes."

"Well I know what my first song is going to be!" Chris angrily shouted. "It's called The Manager From Hell!"

"I'd watch what you say to me!" Haley said angrily. "Peyton and I spend a lot of money so that you can have a record deal! You're being a spoiled brat!"

Haley stormed out and Chris fell to the couch.

"Chris Keller is not happy!" Chris shouted.