A/N: Thank you for the reviews!
Chapter Ten
Friday night Nathan found himself standing in front of his parent's house, his childhood home, with no desire to go inside. After work he had driven the long way home, took a shower until the hot water ran cold, and procrastinated so long Lucas and Brooke went ahead without him. He wasn't late but he was damn close he thought with a grimace. He really didn't want a lecture from his father about punctuation.
Nathan walked into the house and went straight to the kitchen. He knew his mother would be there alone, while everyone else would be in the den or living room talking. He was glad to see he was right as his mother was putting food into serving dishes. Without a word he started to help her and took the bowls to the dining room table.
"Hi sweetheart, thanks for the help," Karen said hugging her son when they were finished.
"No problem mom, I'll go get everyone," he said with a genuine smile, something he didn't do very often, and usually only for her.
Within minutes everyone was gathered around the table. The conversations were pleasant until dessert. Nathan thought he was going to get away with out having the "Haley" discussion with his dad but he was sorely mistaken.
"I heard Haley is back in town and you've seen her. How long until your marriage is an actual marriage again?" Keith Scott asked his son.
"I don't know how many times I have to tell you I'm not what makes her happy, she doesn't want to be stuck in this damn town. Let it go," Nathan snapped stabbing a piece of apple pie.
Brooke, Lucas, and Karen sat silently. They knew it was going to end one of two ways. Option one Keith drops the argument and everyone acts like the outburst never happened. Option two Keith pushes the issue and he and Nathan get into yet another fight.
"I will never let it go. Haley is good for you. She loves you she just made a stupid mistake. You know her parents, they weren't the most stable influence."
"Seriously?! You think she left me because her parents weren't normal? She left because she didn't want to be tied down to me. She wanted to tour and have a music career. I spent a long time being angry about it but you know what, I'm not anymore! As long as she's happy I don't give a damn what you think!" Nathan shouted as he stood up and stormed out.
It was a little after two am and Nathan still hadn't come home. After passing out by the pool a few nights before Brooke was getting worried. Lucas had gone to bed awhile ago since he had to be up early for basketball practice, the team had a game Saturday night, and they needed all the help they could get.
Brooke took out her phone and scrolled though her contacts. Her finger hovered over Haley's number for what felt like minutes but was mealy seconds before she hit send. She was surprised when Haley answered on the second ring.
"Hello?"
"Haley I hate to call you this late, or early depending on your point of view, but-"
"If you're looking for a drunk Nathan he's pounding on my door," Haley said cutting her off.
"I'll come get him," Brooke said letting out a breath, glad he was okay.
"Actually Brooke don't, I'll take care of him," Haley said, a smile starting to form. With a quick good-bye they hung up and she headed for the door.
When she opened it Nathan was standing there with emotions written all over his face. She wasn't sure if he was more mad or dare she even think it sad and hurt. He didn't say anything to her he just walked forward, maybe stumbled was more like it, and wrapped his arms around her.
Haley stood shocked for a few seconds before she wrapped her arms around his middle and held on for all she was worth. It felt amazing to be in his arms again, even if he was drunk, she didn't want him to let go. Unfortunately they couldn't stand in the doorway forever so she pulled back and almost missed the tear that ran down his cheek.
"Do you want to go sit down in the living room?" She asked, a slight shake in her voice.
He didn't answer her for fear his words would slur and crack with emotion so he simply nodded. Haley took his hand and lead him to the sofa. "I'm going to go get you some water and aspirin to hopefully prevent a hangover," Haley said sitting him down and heading for the kitchen.
When she came back he was starring straight ahead at the cabinet that held her awards and albums. She could see the unshed tears in his eyes and hated the pain she saw behind them. If she could go back in time and do it all over again she would stay with him and say to hell with the music. However, since that wasn't an option she'd try to comfort him now and fix her mistakes later.
Haley sat down next to him and handed him the pills and water. He took them with no argument, though his hand was shaky so she reached out to steady it while he took a sip of water to swallow the pills. After taking them she set the water glass on the coffee table in front of them.
"Nathan, are you okay?"
"Honestly, I-I don't know w-w-w okay is," he slurred out with a laugh.
"I'm so sorry Nathan. I wish I could take it all back. I love you, I never stopped loving you Nathan," Haley said tears gathering in her own eyes.
"It's o-okay, I-I'm not m-m-mad," he said taking her hand.
Haley wanted to believe that with all her heart but she knew he was still mad, she had seen it that morning in the café. "How about I get you up to bed then in the morning I'll make you pancakes if you're still talking to me," she said with a sad smile.
"On-only if you s-s-stay with me," he slurred out as they went slowly up the stairs.
Haley wanted to tell him no, that if he was sober and knew what he was saying then she wouldn't hesitate, but she didn't have the will power to tell him no. "Yea, I'll stay with you."
She took him into her bed room and pulled down the comforter and sheet before sitting him down on the edge of the bed. She slipped his shoes and socks off then sat back on her heels unsure what to do about his jeans. Thankfully he had no such reservations as he undid his belt, button and zipper and slid them off and onto the floor. In nothing but a t-shirt and boxers he slid down into the blankets and patted the bed beside him for her. Lucky for her, she was dressed for bed due to the late hour, she slid in next to him and was surprised when he pulled her close. Haley laid her head on his chest and was lulled to sleep by the beating of his heart, but not before she felt his lips on her temple and him whisper I love you.
