Chapter 8: I'll Keep You My Dirty Little Secret
The dreaded weekend had come. "Friends Weekend", as Brooke liked to call it. Brooke was so giddy and convinced that this weekend at the cabin by the lake would change everything that was going wrong. Haley had to admire Brooke's positivity but there was no way that every problem was suddenly going to be solved by spending the weekend in a cabin with your closest friends. Besides, she had a lot of stuff to do before graduation and this cabin adventure was a distraction. She also was worried about seeing Lucas. He had been acting so weird, and he barely said two words to her in the last couple weeks.
Nathan too wasn't looking forward to this weekend but he sucked it up for Haley. The last thing he wanted was to be stuck in a small area with Lucas for the weekend, especially since he still felt the increasing need to punch Lucas in the face whenever he was around him. Maybe it was his anger, or maybe it was his overprotective instincts of Haley. Either way, Lucas was not his friend right now. The weirdest part of it all was that Skills and Bevin were coming. He understood why Mouth was. Mouth was the man, and the one person who was helping Nathan with his surprise for Haley. Skills and Bevin hardly were around anymore. Skills had been offered a full ride to UNC for basketball, so he was focused on the game while Bevin was focused on Skills, and Skills only. It was a shock to everyone when she announced that she was actually going to graduate with them, same with Peyton. Those two were never at school.
The car ride was long, and hot. Nathan was driving his new SUV with Haley in the passenger seat. Mouth, Bevin and Skills were all shoved in the back like a bunch of sardines. They had to tie some of their luggage to the roof because Skills overpacked. Nathan and Haley somehow managed to fit all of their stuff into the same suitcase, hoping it would save some space.
"Geez Skills, did you pack for the entire summer or something? Your bag is like 100 pounds dude." Nathan complained as he threw it into the trunk and slammed it shut.
"Listen man, I've always got to be prepared. Anything can happen out there."
"Skills, we are staying in a cabin not in the middle of the woods." Nathan rolled his eyes as he got into the car and buckled in.
"Whatever you say dawg. Don't come complaining to me when I have something you need."
For half of the car ride, everyone was chatting and laughing. Bevin was singing with Haley. It was nice. Nathan forgot how much he missed his friends, everything had been so hectic lately it was hard to keep up. The last half consisted of everyone falling asleep in the backseat and Haley promising to stay awake to keep Nathan company. Before he knew it she was passed out on his shoulder as he drove. He smiled to himself, she was so cute when she was passed out.
Once they arrived, everyone scattered to pick the best rooms. Most of the girls headed down to the lake, except Haley. She was about to go on a walk with Nathan when Lucas stopped them.
"Haley, can I talk to you?" Lucas asked, quickly looking away from her. He could feel Nathan's eyes on him, burning a hole into his head, and he was intimidated – though he would never admit that.
"Yes you can." Nathan responded for Haley, who shot him a look.
"Alone?"
"Yes, let's go Lucas." Haley answered before Nathan could get another word in. She absolutely hated when he did that, it made her feel like such a child. He scowled at Lucas and turned around walking towards the lake where all of their friends were at.
"So, what's up?" Haley asked, as they sat down on some rocks that they found that faced the other side of the lake.
"I know I already apologized, but what I did was really idiotic and you deserve another apology, and an explanation." Haley's ears perked up. Maybe this was going to lead her in the right direction in figuring out what was going on with Lucas lately.
"An explanation on why you've been as ass lately would be nice.." She chuckled but quickly stopped when she saw that Lucas wasn't kidding around. "Luke, seriously, what's going on?"
"Haley, I haven't told anyone this. Not even my mom." Haley's heart dropped. This was serious. Lucas told his mother everything; they were best friends.
"What is it Lucas?" Her breath hitched in her throat. She had a bad feeling about what was going to happen and she couldn't shake it off. Please don't be dying on me Luke, she thought to herself as she waited for his response.
"I have a heart disease Haley. I inherited it from Dan; it's genetic. Nathan doesn't have it but I do. I guess I've been acting out because of it. I'm so angry. I'm angry that my bastard of a father who did absolutely nothing for me has given me this disease. I haven't even told Brooke because I'm afraid she's not going to want the baby anymore. I'm angry because now I can't play in the NBA because it could kill me. I'm scared too Haley. I'm scared to be a father. I'm scared I won't be able to support Brooke and the baby because I can't be in the NBA. I'm scared I'm going to turn into Dan.." Haley cut him off as she grabbed him in a tight hug. This explained it all; the irrational behavior, the constant drinking, the pushing everyone away. She felt him begin to sniffle and shake, as he cried a little into her shoulder. Her heart broke. She hated to see her best friend like this and she hated that there was nothing she could do.
"Oh Lucas, listen to me. You are going to be an amazing father to that baby, and Brooke is going to love you no matter what. She's going to love you for giving her this child and for loving her despite everything you guys have been through. You are going to do amazing things in this world Lucas Scott, even if it's not the NBA. You are going to be a role model for this little baby, and don't ever compare yourself to Dan Scott. You are a better man than he could ever possibly be." She said pulling away from him and reassuring him with her eyes. "But you need to tell Brooke and your mom, and if you need someone to go with you, I'm yours." Lucas smiled. He knew that Haley would always be there for him even when he was an ass to her. He just hoped she realized how serious this was. He had been doing his research, and he wasn't too fond with the results that he was finding.
- One Tree Hill -
Nathan was pacing around, skipping rocks into the water, waiting for Haley to be done talking to Lucas. Mouth had come up to join him and they were skipping rocks together, trying to make it into a friendly competition. Nathan could use the distraction. Man, they've been gone for a long time. He thought to himself as he skipped his last rock and sat down, staring at the water.
"Is everything okay Nate? You seem out of it. You didn't even care that I beat you." Mouth sat down next to Nathan. He knew when his best friend was upset, Nathan was pretty easy to read.
"Yeah man, I'm fine. Just got a lot on my mind I guess. Mostly stuff with Haley, some with Lucas. I can't stop thinking that she's going to hate our plan man." It was big, and it was risky. But, for some reason Nathan felt right about it, even if he did have his doubts.
"She's going to love it Nathan because it comes from you. She's not going to expect it either, which makes it even better."
"But what if she says no man? Wha.."
"Says no to what Nathan?" Brooke chipped in. She had been hiding behind some tree for a while now when she saw Nathan sit down with Mouth. She loved gossip and she knew they were talking about Haley because that's all Nathan talked about these days; that and the fact that he was playing for Duke next year.
"Damn it Brooke. How much did you hear?" Nathan couldn't believe he was so stupid. He shouldn't have even opened his mouth when they were outside and anyone could hear them. He thought that they were alone. He didn't expect anyone to be spying on him like some five year old.
"Pretty much all of it. You're proposing to tutorgirl aren't you?" Nathan blushed. "OMG WHEN!?"
"Keep your voice down Brooke! It's bad enough that you and Mouth know. I don't need everyone else to know!"
"Omg this is so exciting! Haley is going to FREAK!" Brooke squealed she was so excited. She had been calling Nathan and Haley "Naley" since they were in grade school. She knew they were going to end up together when she saw the way Nathan looked at Haley when he threw sand at her on the playground during recess.
"Brooke you CAN'T tell her!"
"Fine! I promise I won't Scott, but first you need to tell me all about how you're going to do this.." Nathan looked at Mouth who just shrugged. He did not want to be involved in this little deal with the devil that was going on before him.
"I'm just going to go get some sun… over here." Mouth pointed to a shady area in the distance not realizing what he was saying. It was the first excuse to come to his head when he realized that he needed to get away from the conversation. Besides, he already had helped Nathan with the entire thing so he didn't need to hear the conversation for the millionth time.
- One Tree Hill -
Haley admired Nathan as he ran around with the guys playing tag around the house. It was such a childish game but they all had been drinking so for some reason it seemed like a good idea. She loved how childish Nathan could be sometimes and wished that she could be too. She was pretty independent as a child and her siblings relied on her for a lot, even though she was the youngest. Her parents were too laid back growing up, and Haley always found herself to be more disciplined. That's probably why her siblings relied on her to play mom when their mother just didn't fit the par.
Once the boys were done, Nathan approached Haley with the smirk that drove her crazy. He kissed her lips softly and then the nape of her neck and she felt her body tense up. He knew what to do to drive her crazy, and her neck was her weak spot.
"Nathan Scott, what are you doing?" She asked playfully as she responded immediately to his touch.
"How about that distraction you promised me earlier?" Nathan whispered in her ear as he nibbled at it playfully.
"Well, what makes you think that you deserve it?" She loved to tease Nathan like this. It just made things more heated.
"I think I've been a pretty good boy. Plus, I won every single game of tag." Haley laughed at this. It just sounded so ridiculous but cute at the same time. "Besides, what's wrong with wanting to make love with the girl that'll be my future wife someday?" Haley's heart pace quickened. This was the first time that Nathan had mentioned anything about her future, and she was surprised. She knew that Nathan was the one but she was afraid that he would think it was too early for her to even think that.
"I guess you deserve a grand prize then Mr. Scott." She kissed his lips and aggressively guided her tongue into his mouth.
"GUYS! Get a room PLEASE!" Brooke yelled as the two broke apart from their kiss and laughed. Nathan nodded and grabbed Haley's hand as he led her upstairs to their room. "OMG EW. Thanks guys! Now I'm going to have a gross image of Naley in my mind!"
"Stop calling us that Brooke!" Nathan responded, as Haley giggled. She loved the nickname and thought it was cute. Besides, she never had a couple name with any of her previous boyfriends (except for Chris Keller but they didn't date and he made it up for them so it didn't count).
"Hey Brooke, can I talk to you?" Lucas appeared in the doorway looking nervous. Brooke could tell her was nervous because he was playing with his hands.
"Sure Broody, is everything okay?"
"Yeah, we just really need to talk about something."
"You're not leaving me and the baby right?" Brooke's heart dropped. She hoped that wasn't the case. Sure, they had been having some problems lately with the aftermath of the prom incident but she knew the storm would pass. . . or she hoped.
"No of course not Brooke. I could never leave you, I love you too much." He kissed her forehead and she fell into his chest.
"Then what is it? You're scaring me."
"Brooke, I have a heart disease. It's hereditary."
- One Tree Hill -
Nathan looked at Haley and smiled. She always fell asleep after they had sex. It was like her ritual. He found it cute, mostly because she was cute and sexy and it meant that she felt safe in his arms. He loved that. Having sex with Haley was different, something Nathan never experienced before and he liked it. With Haley it wasn't just sex, it was so much more. It was making love. He had been with girls before but none of them felt like Haley. They didn't feel like home. It was like their bodies were the last two pieces of a puzzle, connecting the entire thing and fitting together perfectly. He was made for her and she was made for him and he loved it. He couldn't believe he had been so prideful before and didn't realize that she was the "one" this entire time. Sure, he still had some things to work on when it came to his pride, but she made it easy. She made him want to be a better man, the perfect man for her. Someone that was good enough to be seen with the Haley James. Haley mumbled something and squeezed Nathan. He looked down at her and kissed her forehead, and she smiled. She looked up at him.
"Ah, did I fall asleep again?" She giggled. She always did this.
"Yes, but I don't mind. You're kind of cute when you're asleep Hales." He kissed her forehead again and pulled her hair behind her hair, gently caressing her face. She melted at his touch.
"Creep." She joked and he shrugged.
"What can I say? I just can't stop looking at my beautiful girlfriend."
"And future wife right?" Haley responded laughing. She loved that Nathan had referred to her as his future wife. It was good to hear it from his mouth, and that she wasn't in her own fantasy world.
"You got that right Hales. When the timing is right, I'm going to get down on one knee and give you the most beautiful ring and ask you to be mine for the rest of my life. And on that day, I will make you the proudest."
"You already make me proud Nathan. You always will." She smiled and kissed him softly on the lips. She loved that Nathan confided in her and found his confidence within her. Nathan had always had a hard life, trying to be enough for his father.
"I will love you until the end of time Haley James. Always and forever." He kissed her back and started playing with the bracelet he made her on her wrist. She was so perfect, they were perfect for each other and he couldn't wait to be her husband.