Naley 18: Choices We Make
"What about me and Lucas?" Haley felt her palms starting to sweat. She had been meaning to tell Nathan about the incident with Lucas but it had happened so long ago that it was such a blur and she didn't see it as being of any importance. Nothing had come from it.
"You guys kissed. I saw a picture. Why didn't you tell me when I asked you if there were any other guys Haley?"
"It was in high school – like freshmen year. I didn't see it as being important Nathan, honest."
"It is important though Haley. It's important because I asked you if there were any other guys after I found out about Chris. Why did you lie? And don't give me any of that "it's not important" crap. It is. You obviously lied about it for a reason so just tell me."
Haley was speechless. She didn't know what to say. Nathan was right; she had lied about there being more guys. She just didn't want to tell him because she was embarrassed. Lucas was her best friend, basically her brother. No one was suppose to know about it so how did Nathan see a picture? Someone was trying to make a wedge between them and she had the perfect idea of who it was.
"Haley. Look, I'm not mad that it happened because it was before we were together. I am just upset that you lied to me when I asked if there were any more guys. Does that make sense?" Haley nodded, biting her lip afraid of crying. It was true, if she had asked Nathan if there were any more girls and he had lied to her face about it and then she saw other evidence she would be mad too. "Now, are there any others besides Chris and Lucas Haley?"
"No, I promise on my grandmother's grave. Lucas and I were never supposed to kiss. We were just fooling around at the café one day and he just kissed me and I didn't pull away but it was gross. It was almost like kissing my brother. Chris Keller, we had a thing stupidly when I was trying to make you jealous like I told you. I had a boyfriend freshmen year before Lucas, you remember Jesse, but that's it. Scouts honor."
"Please don't let me down again Hales. I don't like to have to see these things from other people, especially my father."
"Wait – Dan showed you that picture?" A lightbulb went off in Haley's head. Dan must have been the one to be pulling all these stunts. He had to have a wingman though, but who?
"Nathan, your father has been out to get me for a while now. He must have been behind the kidnapping because who else would go out of their way to attack me? And then when he came up to me at my car and threatened me, now this whole stunt. He can't be doing it alone though. There is no way he had that picture. Someone from our grade must have had it."
"I am going to kill that Bastard." Nathan was fuming. He should have known that his father was trying to break them apart. No matter what Nathan did, Dan was never happy.
"Nathan, do you think he is linked to Chris's death? Chris was the one who saved me from the kidnapper and now he's dead and then Dan comes and tries to break us up with that stupid picture."
"I honestly wouldn't be surprised since he killed Keith like it was nothing. Damn, why do I have to be related to such a fucking jerk? Leave it to the Scott family to do something fucked up."
"Nathan, stop that! You're not your father!" Haley pleaded with Nathan. This was an ongoing struggle with both Nathan and Lucas. Nathan took it harder because he had been with Dan under the same roof for most of his life. Dan had been a genuine human being at one point in his life but it was obvious that some traumatic event caused him to go off the deep end.
"That's not the point though Hales. We HAVE to do something before he tries to do something worse like kill you or something insane like that!"
"We have to do something is right, but we just have to figure out how to catch him." This was going to be impossible. Dan was a mastermind and he was great at manipulating people; that's why so many people did whatever he told them. He was a terrifying man but it was even more terrifying to think of what Dan could be capable of.
- Friends First then Love -
Brooke and Karen were at the café after it closed, discussing different ideas for the gender reveal. It was rapidly approaching which meant that Lucas would be home soon and she couldn't wait. It was awfully lonely back at home, well Karen's house. Karen was great at keeping Brooke company; but Brooke missed Lucas's big, warm arms holding her at night. She just wanted things to go back to normal for a little while. With all of the fuss from the weekend at the lake, to graduation and Nathan proposing to Haley, to Lucas turning to drugs and going to the hospital for collapsing due to his heart, it was too much to handle. She also was tired of fighting with Lucas. It had been constant lately and she was trying her best to remain patient because she knew that he didn't mean to act this way. Things continued to be bad and she was just wondering when it was going to be her turn to be happy again.
Karen had been a saint to Brooke. While Lucas was away, Karen took Brooke to her doctor's appointments and sat with her during the ultrasounds. They both cried when they heard the baby's heartbeat and Brooke wished that Lucas had been there to hear it too. Karen was the one who held Brooke when she cried, and made her dinner. Karen was like a second mother to her and she was so thankful but she wanted her Lucas back.
She sat at the counter playing with the napkins when Karen had interrupted her thoughts.
"Still thinking about him?" She asked, smiling softly at the lost girl that was in front of her. She really liked Brooke and thought that she was a good match for Lucas and she couldn't wait to meet her grandchild.
"Yeah, it's hard not to. I know he will be home soon but I just feel so lost without his broodiness."
"I know hunny but he will be home in a couple of weeks, just in time to know the sex of your baby. That's exciting isn't it?"
"Yeah, I guess so. I just don't want to screw this up like Victoria did. She hated me the second I was born. What if I don't love this child automatically? Isn't that what's suppose to happen?"
"Technically, but not for everyone. Brooke, there are tons of moms out there who don't feel connected to their child at first and that's okay; that doesn't make them any less of a parent or less loving towards their child. Most are consumed with the shock of brining a life into this world and are scared of messing up. Besides, I see the way you talk to the baby at night, and I hear you sing to the baby all of the time. You are going to make a wonderful mother Brooke and I am here to help you and Lucas every step of the way. I was in your shoes once, and I like to think that Lucas and I turned out okay." Brooke smiled at the wise words coming from Karen and leaned in to give her a hug. She had won the lottery with Lucas's family – they were like the family she had never had and she was incredibly thankful for the opportunity.
- Friends First then Love –
Haley was rummaging through the basement, trying to sort through her and Nathan's stuff. They had moved into this apartment a couple weeks ago and were so overwhelmed with unpacking and the amount of shit that they had, that they just threw it into the basement. They were still slowly unpacking, a couple of boxes at a time. It was annoying, the entire process Haley thought especially since they were only going to be here for the duration of school. It's not like this was going to be their forever home, but they still had so much stuff. She came across her guitar case and stopped for a second, pondering if she should take it out. It had been a while since she played, and she missed the music. It definitely could be something to relax her with all the stress that was coming her way with Dan trying to ruin her, school approaching and the wedding. So, she picked it up and took it upstairs, opening it and smiling to see her guitar. Truth was, she hadn't played it since high school when she ran into Chris Keller at Karen's café during a mic night. He had begged her to keep playing and to sing with him and they had done a lot of open mic nights together. She missed him some days, he had been an amazing friend. That's probably why she put her guitar away, because of those memories and Chris being gone.
So, she picked it up anyways and started strumming, her fingers moving so effortlessly over the strings. Growing up she had always played piano and keyboard, and she still loved it, but Chris had been the one to open her eyes to the possibility of playing guitar and he was the one who had taught her how to play. She played for a little, reminiscing on her musical days and then set the guitar next to her keyboard in the other room. Nathan had been so understanding when she mentioned wanting to have a place for her music, in case she decided to go down that path again. He had agreed and encouraged her to go back to playing music, when he set up the spare bedroom as a mini music studio for her. It should have been used for a guess bedroom, but they figured if their friends really wanted to crash, the couch would be just fine. Haley put the guitar down and left the room, distracted and surprised when she heard the doorbell. She wasn't expecting to see anyone and Nathan was out with his team practicing.
She opened the door and frowned when she saw Dan staring back at her smiling.
"Well hello there Haley, long time no see."
"What do you want Dan? Haven't you done enough damage in the past few months?"
"I just came here to give a friendly reminder to my daughter in law to back off seeing as she didn't take my first threat too seriously. Need I remind you again Haley or do you understand this time?" His voice was so peppy and manipulating that Haley wanted to slam the door in his face, but that would be letting him win. She had to be strong for herself and for Nathan and most importantly, for Chris.
"Listen Dan, I'm not going to say this again so pay attention. Nothing you do or say will get me to leave Nathan. We love each other, and if you haven't noticed he is still doing pretty great with basketball so clearly I'm not a distraction. I suggest you stop showing up at my doorstep with these threats because I have no problem going to the police station and letting them know about your little threats. Also, I know you killed Chris so I am sure the station would love to hear that story. Now leave my apartment before I make a quick call to the police." Haley smiled sweetly at Dan who stared at her completely speechless for a good second. It felt good to stand up to Dan.
"You have no proof about Chris."
"I don't? Try again Dan." She said, slamming the door in his face and locking the door and the deadbolt. It was true, she did have no proof about it but she didn't want him to know that. She sighed a breath of relief when she heard Dan's footsteps walking away and his car starting as he drove down the street. Leave it to her to choose to fall in love with the man who had a crazy father.
- Friends First then Love -
Nathan's game sucked. He was embarrassed, and he knew the coach was embarrassed for him. He couldn't focus, no matter how hard he tried. He didn't know why either. Everything was fine with Haley and his friends. He just didn't have the heart to play today and it was kicking him in the ass. They had their first scrimmage game coming up, just to see where they would be at for the season and Nathan was lacking motivation. It was important that they did good for this game because it was what was going to set the tone for the rest of the season when it started. He cursed himself for agreeing to an October wedding because that's when the season began and he couldn't fuck that up either. He sighed. It was July and he was already swamped with basketball summer camp and pre-season training. He didn't realize how exhausting basketball could be and how he never seemed to get a break from it. But then again, the NBA wasn't going to wait. They were going to start watching him now as a freshman. He had a lot riding on his shoulders for the next four years and that made him sick.
"Scott! Where's the focus at bro?" He whipped his head around toward his teammate Eric, who was calling his name.
"Sorry man – I won't let it happen again." He didn't know why he was bowing down to this kid but Eric was a beast on the court and the only person that Nathan knew would be a challenge for him. The rest of the team was decent, but no where near Nathan's level.
"Listen, I get it – pre-season jitters and all that jazz. The moment you realize scouts are going to be up your ass for the next four years, I've been there. I know exactly what will help you." Eric was a senior, and currently the captain of the team. Everyone worshipped him.
"What's that?"
"Steroids. They will not only help you build muscle but they're great at enhancing your game. I use them all the time, no one's said anything."
"I don't know man. That's some serious shit."
"Just think about it and let me know okay? It might help ease your mind." With that, Eric was off, leaving Nathan standing there utterly confused. What was he suppose to do?