Walkaway Joe - The End
By Whitney
Chapter 6
There's a way to bring us back
Jake placed a round of shots down in front of everyone, and Peyton downed hers immediately, and then quickly reached over downing Brookes. She and Haley had been taking turns stealing Brooke's drinks to help her out. And now both were doubly drunk.
"You want to slow down there, Peyt?" Luke chuckled, but his eyes held a serious tint as he stared across at her. She didn't need him telling her how much she could drink, she was a big girl, able to do whatever the hell she wanted to do. It might have been a belligerent thought, but it held weight in her head at the moment.
"No I really don't Luke." She shot back a tight smile on her lips, as her tongue jutted out to lick the remaining drops of alcohol from her mouth. She knew that Luke was watching her, it was like a game. She wanted to see if she could still get to him, or if that red-headed harpy on his arm had completely pushed her out of his heart.
"Oh-kay," he raised his hands in mock surrender, "suit yourself." Peyton watched as Robin snuggled into his chest, her auburn tresses falling loosely against his bare arm. They looked so comfortable, it made her stomach rumble. She'd met Luke's past girlfriends, they'd never seemed this close to him and she didn't like it.
"So Peyton," Robin began, her earlier silence fading as she consumed more alcohol, "I hear you're quite the artist. Do you have a gallery in the city?"
Peyton stared back at her blankly. Who did this girl think she was? Was she actually supposed to respond to that question. She didn't feel like conversing with the little fairy at all.
"She's working on it. Her work's up at "Korsovs"," Haley rescued her friend, "perhaps you've heard of it, it's a little-"
"Yes, of course." Robin cut her off with a nod of the head. "You must feel very accomplished, it's a lovely space."
"You know much about art?" Peyton questioned, a scathing comment at the tip of her tongue. She was practically ignoring Haley, which Peyton found so completely annoying. It was clear she had a little crush on Nathan, all through the night she'd laughed extra hard at his jokes, and she'd even offered to go and get him a drink when he was out. It was sickening the way she was fawning over him with Luke right there.
"Living in the city how could I not." Robin returned pleasantly, and Peyton realized for some reason she was trying extra hard to be nice to her. She wondered what exactly she knew of her past relationship with Luke? Nothing Peyton hoped, she didn't want her personal business in this woman’s hands.
Haley placed her hand over her mouth to try and hide the laugh that was bubbling up. She would have been extremely annoyed by Robin's rude brush off if she wasn't completely amused by the way Peyton was handling the little twit. She was cutting her down at every corner. Haley leaned her head into Nathan, looking up to meet his equally amused gaze.
"This is a train wreck." Haley breathed into his shirt, trying to hide her face from the others. Jake and Brooke had barely come up for air since they got there and Tim was currently hitting on a waitress by the bar.
"You seem happier." He noticed, putting his arm around her upper back to hold her close against him. In truth he wasn't even paying attention to the back and forth between Luke's past and present. His thoughts had remained on Haley, she'd been so miserable earlier before the shots had been passed around. He could see the public life was getting to her, and he didn't like being the cause for her discomfort.
"I've been plied with liquor," she smiled up at him content, "of course I'm happy."
"Just what I like to hear." He rolled sarcastically, and she brought her hand up to touch his slightly stubbled face. Her fingers were gumby like, and it was clear she was barely in control of her motor functions at that point. He grabbed onto her hand to pull it away from his face, and she suddenly developed a rapt fascination with his fingers, moving them back and forth with her own fingers.
"God," he sighed, "you can't drink anymore." He spoke to her sternly like she was a child. But she didn't seem to heed his warning, she was still busy examining his hand. Slowly she brought it to her mouth, placing a small kiss against the inside of his palm. "Promise me you are through drinking." He ordered.
"I can't do that," she shook her head a little too hard sending her hair flying with her. She blanched as it slapped her face, and Nathan reached out to help her brush it away. The alcohol was really hitting her now.
"Is she okay?" Robin leaned across to him in a whispery tone. He had to admit he'd definitely gotten more of the vibe from her tonight and that just wasn't cool. First of all he wasn't looking, and even if he was the scum of the earth ready to cheat on his girlfriend he sure as hell wasn't going to become Satan by doing it with his brothers new girlfriend.
"Yeah." He nodded politely trying to refocus on Haley, but she seemed momentarily occupied by a stray thread on her skirt. So he was forced to pay attention the red head practically laying on top of Haley to speak to him.
"Do you need some help getting her back to the hotel?" She offered kindly.
"No, I-" He began, but Haley popped back into action before he could utter another word.
"No he can handle me just fine." She twisted her gaze back to Robin so she could see her eye to eye. She might have been drunk, but she wasn't stupid enough to not realize when some little whore was slobbering over Nathan. She could spot them a mile away, she was just surprised that Luke didn't see it.
"Oh, I was just-" she began again, and Haley fixed her with another glare.
"Yeah, I know what you just wanted. And it just isn't going to happen." Haley's voice remained calm and cool. She'd dealt with Robin's before. Robins face dropped at her tone, and she turned back to Luke without another word of apology.
"That wasn't very nice." Nathan chuckled down at her. She reached up roughly yanking his head down to hers where their lips crashed together. His lips were soft against her own, he barely applied any force. She wasn't satisfied though and pressed into him harder, urging his mouth open. Suddenly her lips were left bare, but it wasn't long before she felt him his mouth trailing down her neck, nipping at the sensitive skin around her collar bone. She felt one of his hands trace along the hem of her shirt, lightly rubbing against the revealed skin of her stomach.
"I'm ready to leave." She breathed into his ear. He nodded, his head brushing against her chest, causing her to shiver. They both got to their feet rather quickly gathering their things.
"We're gonna-uh go." Haley announced turning back around to snatch up her purse, while Nathan wrapped his jacket around her shoulders.
"No, Hales!" Brooke jumped up, making her way out of the booth and dragging Peyton along with her. "I need to talk to you guys first..." she saw Haley's hesitance, "just for a minute, please..."
"Lead the way." Haley finally agreed as she followed Brooke and Peyton through the crowd to the ladies room. Their usual spot of congregation. Haley looked back briefly to see Robin starting another conversation with Nathan while Lucas joined Tim at the bar.
"I hope I didn't offend Haley." Robin smiled back at him sweetly, turning her body so they were directly facing. Nathan really wasn't in the mood to talk to this girl. Not that he thought she had some nefarious intentions, he just knew a drunk Haley wouldn't be that rational, she'd already snapped at her once.
"No-uh," he shook his head politely, "she's just had a little too much to drink. Don't worry about it, I'm sure she'll feel bad about it tomorrow." And he knew she would. Haley was one of the kindest people he'd met in his life, sometimes too kind for her own good. She was loyal to her friends no matter what, which meant if Luke liked this girl, Haley would be as nice as possible...when she was sober.
"I have to say it doesn't seem like she likes me." Robin's voice dipped lower and he wasn't sure if she was looking for sympathy or being genuine with him. "I don't think Peyton or Brooke are too fond of me either actually." She looked down at Luke reflectively as she continued, "I guess I understand Peyton, Luke told me they dated on and off for a few years. But really I've tried to make this comfortable...maybe I'm just trying too hard." She sighed turning her gaze back on Nathan waiting for a reaction.
"It's just a weird day," he begged off, "everyone's tired from the wedding. I'm sure things will settle down. Peyton and Luke were over a long time ago we’re all friends."
"Not everyone." She sent him a bashful smile that he couldn't quite decipher. "How long have you and Haley been together?"
"Since high school." Nathan answered honestly, his eyes searching the crowd for the girls, for Luke, for anyone who could rescue him from this conversation. Jake had long since deserted the table to meet up with Tim and Luke, leaving him all alone with Robin. And he had to admit he wasn't entirely comfortable with how close she was sitting to him.
"Wow, that’s a long time." She sighed, "You guys never broke up?"
He felt like he was in an interrogation by the press, and he didn't like it. He didn't know this girl, and he really didn't want to be talking about his relationship with Haley, with her. "Not really." He shook his head distractedly hoping she would get the point.
Instead he suddenly felt her hand on top of his, brushing it lightly. He was shocked by her action, and really had no idea what to say. He didn't want to misjudge her action and make a big deal out of nothing, but he also didn't think it was appropriate, given they had just met that afternoon.
"Sounds romantic."
He coughed uncomfortably, "Uh-huh." He nodded again. Finally she removed contact, as Jake and Tim came back to the table. For once he was completely happy to see his dopey friend.
"Tim!" Nathan greeted him loudly, jumping up from his seat and ushering Tim in between him and Robin. Robin slid down a little farther as Tim got in, and Nathan kept a tight smile on his face.
"Happy to see me buddy?" Tim joked, sending a thoughtful nod to Robin before turning back to examine Nathan's jittery form.
"Yeah, uh- Haley said something about visiting you up at your beach house. I was thinking we could come up in a few weeks for a weekend trip or something-"
"Yeah, man, it's a little loud," Tim motioned to the music.
"You're right it is," Nathan agreed, "Come on." He motioned for Tim to follow him, and Tim slid back out of the booth confused.
"Be right back?" Tim shot at the others still completely bewildered by Nathan's actions. Still he followed him to the hallway where the bathroom and the pay phones were and finally he stopped. "Something up man?"
"I don't know," Nathan shook his head, "Has Luke's girlfriend been acting weird to you?"
"No, but Peyton sure has tried to make things hard for her. I had to get away from all that tension. Jesus, you'd think she was trying to steal her boyfriend- or, well..." Tim thought about his words for a moment, but before he could come to any resolution with his thoughts, Nathan snapped him out of it.
"I'm not talking about with Peyton, I'm talking about with me? Don't you think she's been a bit-"
"Yeah man," Tim nodded with a short laugh, "she's been coming onto you all night. Why what did she do while you two were up there?"
"Nothing." Nathan shook it off. Tim had a big mouth, the last thing he needed was for Lucas or Haley to hear what was going through his mind. He figured once they got back to the city he would barely see Robin, and things would solidify with her and Luke. It was a stupid fan crush, he got them all the time. It would go away on it's own without all the drama of everyone knowing.
"Don't say anything okay?" Nathan directed at him.
"You're not gonna-" Tim began to ask, but stopped when Nathan's face turned cold. "Right, stupid question, of course nothings going on with you two."
Nathan rolled his eyes at the suggestion with disgust before walking back off into the club. Tim trailed after him, saying some quiet apologies as they made their way back to the table, where Robin and Jake were sitting silently, staring off into space. Obviously she hadn't put the moves on him.
"Brooke I really just want to go home." Haley announced as Brooke paced back and forth in the ladies bathroom.
"I have to tell him tonight. The longer I keep this from him the worse it's going to be. I mean I already feel like a complete liar when I talk to him, I should have just told him when I suspected it. Oh God, what if he hates me? What if he blames me and says he wants a divorce-"
"No," Peyton grabbed a hold of her shoulders firmly steadying her, "that isn't going to happen okay. Jake loves you, he married you, and he's lucky you're willing to wreck your figure to have his kids-"
"Oh no," Brooke shook her head assured of her words, "I plan on having a personal trainer, I'm too young to look like jello."
"So not the point," Peyton pointed out, "what I'm saying is. This is a good thing, and Jake will be happy about it. You just have to give him time. I mean you weren't just thrilled when you found out, were you?"
Brooke's eyes dropped for a minute before she looked at Peyton and Haley again, "Actually I kind of was. I mean I know my life’s about to change, like majorly. But I just kept thinking a little baby, an adorable little person part of me and Jake, how can that not be right? You know? God, I don't know. Am I crazy?"
"No," Haley shook her head firmly, a smile lit on her lips as she approached Brooke, "You should be happy. You're married, you're in love, you're going to have a little baby to take care of soon...you're blessed. You should be happy about that."
Brooke's eyes watered at Haley's words and she latched onto her friend for a soft hug, while she let her tears run free. "Thank you, I love you guys."
Haley pulled back brushing a stray piece of hair out of Brooke's face, while Peyton got a wet towel for Brooke to wipe under her eyes. "Well we love you too, you little mommy to be. Oh and by the way," Haley smiled, "I fully expect to be God-mother to this little rug-rat, Peyton can have the second one."
"Hey now," Peyton protested helping Brooke with her smudged mascara, "who says you get first dibs."
"My bank account." Haley smiled, "By the next one you'll be a famous artist, but right now, I'm the one who can foot the financial burden for this kid. And we all know how important that is, right?" Haley teased, and Brooke shook her head in agreement.
"You know I love ya Peyt," Brooke smiled, "but I think I gotta go with Haley for the first one. Perfect God-mommy material."
"Okay, I give in," Peyton smiled, "but I call the second one, and it better be a girl. I want to turn her into a punk rock chic."
"Well that settles it," Brooke grinned playfully, "Haley will be God-mother to all my children. We don't need anymore Peyton's in the family, one is enough."
"Ha. Ha." Peyton dead-panned.
"Now can I please go rescue my boyfriend from Luke's slutty little minx?"
"Oh God!" Brooke squealed at the new topic, "Could she try any harder. I swear she's been leering at Nathan all night! How does Luke not see that?"
"That’s what I want to know." Peyton agreed, ready to dish little Robin to the ground. "I mean first of all, she's not pretty. I mean hello, she has no shape whatsoever. And that hair, that hair is so from a bottle.-"
"It so is!" Brooke agreed, "And that dress she was wearing? Tack-EE!"
Haley laughed settling against the counter, when they got started with gossip, it took a while. And she had to admit, she really, really did not like Luke's girlfriend, or the way she was constantly eyeing Nathan. Haley herself wasn't a violent person, but Peyton was her friend, she could call in some favors.
"So then I'm not imagining things with Nathan, because I swear if she oohs and awes over him anymore, I'm going to throw up."
"Oh no, she was definitely cooing at him. I mean you guys are practically married that is just so entirely wrong." Brooke shook her head, "And Luke! Poor Luke he thinks she's some Madonna character, when she is obviously the Jessebelle of the bunch."
"Definitely a whore." Peyton agreed. "Now what do we do about her?"
All three remained silent contemplating the question. What could they do, short of murder, it seemed Robin was in their lives.
"Well I'm thinking violence if she pouts her lips at Nathan one more time." Haley spoke up and both Brooke and Peyton began to laugh. "What?"
"You wouldn't hurt a damn fly!" Brooke accused.
"Oh I didn't say I would, I'll sick Peyton on her."
Chapter 7
In the early morning
"Hi." Haley rolled over in the hotel bed as the morning light blared through the window onto them. She barely remembered the night before, and she had no idea how she'd made it back to the hotel, and managed to change into her pajamas, but she imagined that Nathan had everything to do with it.
He was laying beside her now, her arm draped over his bare chest. She loved the feel of his skin, it was so smooth and taut. She turned on her side to face him further letting her leg hang over his under the covers. He began to open his eyes slowly, letting them adjust to the brightness.
"Hey." He smiled back at Haley. Her hair was a mess, falling all over the place, and her nightshirt was twisted about her body. He reached out to smooth her hair down, letting his hand cup her cheek gingerly. He brought his other arm out to wrap around her tiny waist and jerk her against his body. She relaxed into his pull instantly burying her head in his chest.
"You smell good." He whispered huskily into the top of her head, as she nestled against his body farther. Her hand moved to trace circles against his bare skin. She dropped her mouth down to where her fingers once were and placed soft kisses along his chest, stopping at his nipple ring to admire it a moment before looping her tongue through the gold band. "Haley..." He groaned at the contact, and she giggled at his excitement. "Don't we have to meet them downstairs in a minute? Don't start something you can't finish." He warned in a low growl.
Suddenly he was left cold with out her warm body to hold, as she jumped out of bed, pulling her night shirt off on her way to the bathroom flashing him teasingly as she went. Nathan hopped out of bed following her into the bathroom. He leaned in the doorway watching her half naked form as she fiddled with the shower nozzle.
"Don't stare." She shot at him self-consciously.
Nathan stayed silent approaching her slowly, and stopping only a few inches behind her. She lifted up her right leg slightly kicking softly behind her at his leg. He remained unmoved, his eyes still boring into her naked back. After a moment or two he moved forward again latching onto her hips and pulling her roughly against his body, his lips immediately dropped to her neck, biting playfully at the sensitive skin.
She bit her lip to stifle a moan, knowing it would only push him farther. She tried to still her body in his arms, but it was hard not to attack him when he was that close. Finally giving in she twisted around in his arms crashing into his chest, while pulling his face down to meet her own so she could kiss him properly. Her tongue jutted out begging for entrance and he gladly gave it.
His arms dropped lower on her back, letting his hands rest playfully against her butt. She giggled against his mouth, tickled by the sensation. Abruptly she pulled out of his embrace, pushing him back away from him softly.
"You were right the first time, we have to get downstairs to bid Brooke and Jake farewell. She said she was going to tell him about the baby last night, so I just want to make sure she's okay. And then," she bit her lip playfully as she eyed him lustily, "you can do whatever you want to me."
His eyes lit up with glee at her words, "Whatever I want?" He questioned almost giddy at the thought.
"Anything you want." She repeated, with a tiny smirk before turning her back on him and stepping into the shower after she discarded her underwear on the floor. Nathan watched the outline of her body behind the curtain for a moment before padding back into the bedroom to change into some clothes.
Peyton sipped her coffee carefully, her head felt like it was about to explode and the constant dinging of the elevator was not helping. The last thing she remembered from the night before was asking Tim to find her a bed. That morning she'd woken up in her own bed, thankfully alone. The elevator opened again, and Luke and Robin stepped on.
Just great. Peyton scowled at the sight of them. She was wearing some kind of wispy sun dress fit for the little waif that she was, and he looked as dashing as ever. The sight of them was making her physically ill, something even the alcohol hadn't done.
"Good morning." Robin chirped at her, and Peyton nodded in return, keeping her sunglasses firmly upon her nose. She looked like crap compared to the pretty little princess.
"So what're your plans today?" Luke threw out turning his attentions from his twiggy little girlfriend to Peyton. Peyton sighed softly before turning to face them finally. Luke was her friend she couldn't very well ignore him, even if he did have horrible taste in girlfriends.
"I don't know I'll probably tag along with Haley and Nathan, or see what Tim's doing. I don't know. What about you guys?" She returned trying to sound mildly interested in his response.
Before Luke could open his mouth, Robin jumped in, "Well we're having breakfast with Karen, and I thought maybe we could check out the shops. But Luke really doesn't like shopping. Do you?"
Peyton was about to scream "NO" as loud as she could so Robin didn't even contemplate thinking about some kind of shopping excursion, but Luke was quicker than she was.
"Peyton loves to shop are you kidding. You two should hang out, maybe I'll see if Nate and Tim want to head down to the gym in the hotel. I hear it's amazing."
"Oh I'd love that!" Robin exclaimed, and Peyton just watched as her day was planned in horror. Did Luke really expect her to spend the entire day with that bitch? There had to be some way she could get out of it. Maybe jump out of her hotel window, kill someone, sleep with Tim, anything was better than spending even a second with Robin Greene.
"Sure." Peyton gritted out finally finding no way to escape the nightmare.
"You guys will have fun." Luke assured, squeezing Robin's arm with as he sent a happy smile Peyton's way. The ride to hell was complete, paved with shopping time with Robin.
The elevator dinged in the lobby and Peyton rushed off before another word could pass between them. She spotted Brooke and Jake standing by the entrance with their bags, and she nearly ran over to them, ignoring all the questioning stares she was receiving.
"Something wrong?" Jake asked, his voice calm and smooth as always. Peyton had no idea how he stayed like that. He'd presumably found out he was going to be a father the night before, and it seemed even that hadn't fazed him.
"No big deal," Peyton lied not wanting to bring them down. "So how was the rest of your night, how did you-" She was going to ask how he took the baby news, but Brooke piped up before she could finish.
"Oh you know we did what married people do. I'll give you details later." She joked with a dimpled smile. Brooke's eyes were practically begging Peyton to just keep her mouth shut.
"I wish you wouldn't." Peyton joked back. And Brooke sent her a thankful nod.
"If you guys get lost around here, just give us a call in Aruba and we'll set you straight." Jake offered helpfully.
Brooke chimed in, "And if you take him up on that, I'll kill you."
"I wouldn't dream of it." Peyton assured, sending Jake a toothy smile before latching onto Brooke's arm and pulling her aside out of Jake's ear shot.
"What's going on?" Peyton questioned concerned.
"I tried to tell him Peyt, but I just couldn't. I just want to be happy for a while longer. When we get back I'll tell him-"
"Brooke," Peyton warned, "you were right last night. You can't keep waiting, he's going to be hurt that you didn't tell him. He loves you-"
"I know that! I just want to wait okay, and it's why decision, so just back off...Please Peyt, just let me do this my way."
Peyton nodded wordlessly as they returned to Jake by the luggage.
"So what's up with Robin and Nathan?" Jake wondered as they waited for the cab, and the others to come down. Luke and Robin had said a quick goodbye before disappearing into the dining area to meet Karen.
"Please tell me you saw her hitting on him last night?" Brooke turned to her new hubby. "I mean I need to know you can spot hussies like that."
"She was being friendly." Jake agreed, "come on it's not that bad." He tried to soothe the girls, "and besides she's Luke's girlfriend you guys better get used to her."
"They're not even sleeping together." Brooke threw out and both Peyton and Jake leaned in with interest. "Come on tell me you guys knew that. He had me reserve a double-bed room for them."
"That's...interesting." Peyton smirked pleased by the news. So they weren't as close as they appeared. Something obviously wasn't right in their relationship. She knew as his friend she shouldn't have been quite so gleeful about that, but if she was going to have to put up with a girlfriend, she could at least be tolerable, semi-friend material. Robin was neither of those things. Why couldn't he have just stayed with Claire or Molly, they were nice girls, non-annoying girls...non-threatening girls.
"What’s interesting?" Haley questioned as she and Nathan ambled up arm in arm. Peyton had no idea how Haley didn't have a hang over like she did, she drank just as much as her, if not more, yet her eyes were clear, her face peachy and perfect like always.
"The fact that Luke isn't having sex with Robin." Brooke filled in as she walked over to give Haley and Nathan a short hug. She whispered something inaudible to everyone else in Haley's ear before pulling back.
"Really?" Haley asked surprised at the subject of Lucas and Robin after nodding an affirmative to what Brooke had said.
"From what Luke says." Nathan agreed.
And all eyes turned to him, prodding him to go further. Sometimes he really wished he could just keep his mouth shut. He didn't want to be speaking about Lucas and Robin at all. He was still irked by her behavior towards him last night.
"That's all he said." He let them down easy, and finally they let him off the hook.
"So you still want me to beat her up?" Peyton asked with a short chuckle in Haley's direction, and Nathan turned to her with questioning eyes.
"What?" She shrugged, "I was drunk, over-dramatic. I'm sure it wasn't as bad as I thought it was." She brushed it off as she snuggled further into Nathan.
Peyton rolled her eyes, "Please tell me you are not going to take that passive aggressive bit-"
"Peyton!" Haley exclaimed, not wanting to get into at all. Whoever Robin was, and whatever she wanted didn't affect her. She trusted Nathan, and she could deal with Robin if Luke liked her...she hoped.
"Come on she was practically drooling on Nathan!"
"She wasn't." Nathan shook his head annoyed. It was just like Peyton to start something like this. He had his own suspicions about the girl, but he didn't want Haley to worry, she had to deal with enough.
"Yeah she really was." Brooke agreed with Peyton. "I mean she was like hanging on your every word Nate, tell me you aren't that blind. What does she have some fairy dust she's dropped all over you guys to make you so willing to see some painted on halo above her head? I really am curious?"
"Jesus, aren't you supposed to be in the bliss stage." Nathan grumped at Brooke annoyed by her accusing tone. He didn't need to deal with it right now, or ever if he had his way.
"Come on you guys." Jake tried.
"You yourself said you saw it honey," Brooke turned putting Jake on the spot.
"I just said...it's not my business." Jake shook his head.
"Cabs here!" Nathan announced as it pulled up outside. And Brooke glared at him for a moment before pulling Haley and Peyton into hugs and saying goodbye, as Nathan and Jake shook hands.
"I can't believe Tim didn't come down." Brooke pouted, and as she said his name, Tim slid up in front of her still in his robe, his hair a tousled mess.
"Hey! The wake up call didn't wake me up and-"
"Tim, cab waiting." Brooke pointed before pulling him in for a rough hug, and disappearing behind Jake into the car, as everyone watched them pull off. Their lips already attached halfway out of the driveway.
"So what're our plans?" Tim looked around at them expectantly.
"How about some clothes." Nathan suggested the obvious, and Haley and Peyton giggled.
"Hey now," Haley joked, "I kind of like him like this."
"All the ladies do." He sent her a smirk, and Nathan tightened his grip around her waist, causing her to break into full out laughter.
"Okay I have a date in hell with Robin to shop, and I'm not doing it alone. So you're coming Haley, say goodbye Nathan-" Peyton grabbed onto Haley's arm to pull her away, but Nathan held onto her firmly.
"We have plans." He informed her plainly not letting Haley out of his grasp. He was used to Peyton pulling Haley away, he was used to Peyton always being around. But this was the one time he actually had a vacation and he wasn't letting Haley out of his sight.
"Luke wants you and Tim to go to the gym with him. Brotherly love, Nathan." Peyton pulled on Haley a little bit more.
"Okay first," Haley pulled away from the both removing their grips on her, "ow, and secondly," she turned apologetically to Peyton, "I promised I would spend the day with my boyfriend, remember him, the one I always bitch at for not being around enough. Besides I am not subjecting myself to-" Suddenly Haley cut off as Robin and Luke walked up, Karen in tow.
"Hey!" Peyton rushed over to Karen making a big show of it, Haley followed behind her giving the dark-haired woman a tight hug. She never got tired of seeing Karen, she missed her so much at times.
"When Luke said you guys were out here, I wanted to say a quick goodbye before I got a cab to the airport. Nathan. Tim." She greeted the boys, and they smiled in return, Karen had such a commanding presence, and she did it with respect, not fear.
"I was just saying how sorry I was Karen couldn't go shopping with us today." Robin beamed at Karen, and then turned her smile on Peyton. Karen was the only one who returned the kind gesture.
"I'm sorry I'll miss it." Karen spoke kindly.
Robin turned to Haley suddenly, "Will you be joining us Haley?"
"Hmm?" Haley looked back at her surprised by the sudden attention, it was the first time the red-head had really acknowledged her since their meeting, and she wasn't sure how she was supposed to react. She could vaguely remember being a bit bitchy to her the night before.
"Peyton and I were planning to go on a little shopping spree, I was hoping you'd join us..."
"Come on Hales, I want you guys to get to know each other. Just don't tell her too many embarrassing stories." Luke smiled happily at the prospect of his girlfriend and best friend hanging out. He knew out of all the girls Robin would get along with Haley the best, she was just the most welcoming always had been.
"I-" Haley looked to Nathan for a rescue. She did not want to be stuck on an all day excursion with Robin and Peyton, she could just feel the catfight coming. Besides she was dying for some one on one time with Nathan, she needed it.
"I'd love to get to know you better." Robin laid it on thick.
Nathan remained silent on the sidelines, and Haley finally gave in, "Sure, why not."
"Okay so I need to go back and change in the room, and then maybe we can meet down here for lunch, say three hours?" Robin already jumped in taking control.
"I hate early lunches," Peyton broke in, "How about we make it one?" And Peyton was never one to follow orders. Robin nodded in agreement and she and Luke headed back to the elevator.
"So what do you guys want to do now?" Tim questioned still noticeably in his robe.
"You two are on your own," Haley announced to Peyton and Tim before grabbing Nathan's hand and dragging him onto the nearest elevator.
"Peyt?" Tim looked to her hopefully.
"If I slept with you do you think they would label me insane? I could use that to get out of this afternoon-"
"Thanks." He laughed dryly.
"Or you could shoot me. Why don't you just shoot me?" She sent him a hopeful smile, and he pulled her under his arm to walk to another elevator going up.
Haley waited impatiently as the elevator climbed the floors. She just wanted to get to their room and rip his clothes off. And then she wanted to take some drugs to help her deal with the afternoon she'd agreed to with Robin. She couldn't help it, she just didn't like the girl.
"This is taking forever." Haley sighed impatiently glancing over at Nathan on the other side of the elevator. He looked so good in the morning, insanely good. His hair was still tousled from sleep, his face still stubbley from not shaving.
Nathan watched her out the corner of his eye. He liked when she got like this, she wanted him. He stepped a bit closer to her taking in a whiff of her perfume. He loved the way she smelled, soap mixed with the expensive London scent, it was driving him crazy waiting to get her into their room.
Unable to wait any longer he backed her up against the back wall of the elevator, leveling his arms above her shoulders to block her in. She smiled up at him coyly, pretending not to care, as he stared down at her intently, taking her in. She was wearing a black cotton t-shirt that clung to her curves and dipped in a v-shape revealing a small peak at her breasts.
Haley reached up, letting her fingers brush through his hair, and then letting them trail down his face. His hand found hers trapping it against his skin and pushing it over slowly to meet his lips, where he placed a few soft kisses against her skin. She closed her eyes as the sensation took her over. Her other hand snaked under his shirt rubbing against his muscled stomach.
"Your hands are cold." He whispered down to her as he continued to watch her. She continued her exploration up his chest pushing his shirt up with her hands. He flinched when he felt her tug on his nipple ring. She had a special fascination with that he had come to find.
Her leg snaked up his hoisting herself further up his body, as he pressed her against the elevator panel harder. His hand slid up her bare leg pushing her skirt along with it, he squeezed her thigh as he felt her mouth drop down to his chest.
"This is so wrong." She laughed amused by their current actions.
"Why?" He chuckled, his breathe nearly catching in his throat as she continued to place wet kisses along his chest, her tongue was the ultimate weapon.
"Because anybody could stop this thing and see us," she slid away from him, and he groaned in frustration at the loss of contact. Haley ran her hands down the buttons on the panel, stopping at the "stop" button. "If we're going to do this, we're going to do this right." She smirked before pressing down on the button making the elevator come to a halt between floors 13 and 14.
"I love you." He announced happily as he pulled her back into his arms, capturing her lips roughly with his own. Haley pulled away again, a mischievous smile on her lips. He felt her cold hands once again press against his stomach but this time they traveled south and she began to unbuckle his belt. He stared down at her in awe watching her as she went. Suddenly she stopped bringing her eyes back up to his.
"Do you have something?"
"What?" He began pulling at her shirt, his mind hazy with lust. He couldn't focus on anything but touching her, kissing her, he needed her now.
"Come on Nathan," she pushed him away a bit, "I told you I had to change my prescription this month, we have to use-"
"Oh." He nodded realizing where she was going with it. He shook his head regretfully, "I don't."
"Oh." She sighed let down and began to move away from him, but he quickly pulled her back, dragging her lips back to him, and kissing her hungrily.
"Nathan," she stopped him breathless.
"So we don't use anything, it doesn't matter, c'mere." He grabbed for her again, his fingers latching onto the buttons on her skirt and popping them. Her hands went down to his own to stop him, but he wasn't persuaded.
"Nathan, we can't." She tried again, but her voice was weak. She wanted him as much as he wanted her. Still she hadn't completely lost her mind, Brooke was the prime example of "one time is all it takes".
"Why not?" He stared back at her finally releasing her from his grasp. The mood was definitely broken this time. Haley buttoned her skirt back up, and straightened out her shirt before looking back up to face him.
"We just have to be careful. Look everything will be back to normal next month with my prescription, we can just use a condom until then, it's- You'll live." She finally snapped irritated with his sulky behavior.
"I just don't think it would be the end of the world if we weren't so careful." He sighed heavily leaning in to press the button. The elevator dinged to their floor, and Haley stayed still shocked by what he had said.
Chapter 8
You give it all away
Haley continued down the sizzling concrete sidewalks her mind a million miles away from where she was. When they'd gotten back to the hotel room, Nathan had practically ignored her turning on the TV and announcing he was going to take a nap. She busied herself with repacking their suitcases, and mulling over his previous words. She didn't know if he was just careless, or if he actually understood what he was suggesting. Either way it infuriated her, they hadn't even talked about marriage more than once or twice in passing, and now he just thought they could have a baby.
"Hales, you okay?" Peyton asked from beside her as the walked the shopping district with Robin. They'd gotten lunch earlier than planned at Haley's request, she didn't feel like sitting around her hotel room with Nathan, while he pretended she wasn't even there.
"Fine." She shook her head, and sent Peyton a small smile. She knew she'd confide in Peyton at some point, but not while Robin was lurking around. She barely knew the girl, and she definitely wasn't ready to share her most intimate secrets.
"Oh I love that!" Robin exclaimed as they passed a dowdy red suit in one of the shop windows. She motioned that she was going to check it out and Peyton and Haley settled onto a bench outside the store.
"Now tell me what’s wrong." Peyton ordered concerned. Haley had been acting funny since lunch, and Peyton was really starting to get worried. She was usually so out together, but at the moment she looked anything but. Her hair was pulled into a messy pony tail, and she was wearing a pair of worn velour track pants and a white tank top. Not at all usual Haley wear. But her clothes weren't the only thing out of sort, she had barely taken an interest in anything that afternoon, only smiling when the situation forced some kind of reaction.
"Nothing," Haley shrugged trying to fake some light-hearted reply, "Nathan and I just got into a little argument. Everything will be fine." Haley finished, biting her lip to stop the tears that had sprung up in her eyes. She didn't know why this was making her so emotional. It wasn't the end of the world, she and Nathan fought from time to time, they always got over it. For some reason the subject of a baby was getting to her, pulling at strings inside her heart she didn't even know were there.
"I don't believe you." Peyton stated bluntly, but remained still letting Haley come to her. She knew it would do her no good to push, Haley always did everything in her own time.
"Nathan just said something that got to me," Haley turned to Peyton facing her head on. "You know I have a good life. I mean I feel lucky every day. I have a job I enjoy, a man I love, money could never be a problem. These are the things that should complete me, and they do..." Haley took a breathe before continuing, "But sometimes I think maybe this isn't everything. Maybe there's this whole other world I'm not a part of. Like marriage...children. These are things that I just don't think about most times, because I am content in my life, but...sometimes I do...think about them."
Peyton nodded, running a hand through Haley's hair before speaking, "What does Nathan say about it?"
Haley laughed shortly, looking down at her tightly folded hands, "We've never really talked about it. We have busy lives, I've just always accepted that marriage and babies were things we just weren't made for. It wouldn't be fair to expect him to change his whole life for a child, and I don't even know if I'd want to do that. I like my job, and it just wouldn't- a baby wouldn't fit...right?" Haley turned to Peyton her eyes pleading for answers. Tears began to spill down her barely make-upped face, and Peyton reached out a hand to wipe them away. "It's just sometimes, I think a baby would fit into my heart in the perfect place...complete me." Suddenly she shook her head, wiping at her face roughly and steeling herself all over again. "It's just stupid to talk about this stuff. I'm happy. I don't even know where that came from. I'm sorry-"
"Haley," Peyton tried to stop her from shutting down again. Haley did this a lot, she could open up and shut down faster than anyone Peyton had ever seen. In part Peyton knew it was because Haley felt like she had to be strong for everyone else. "You know I'm here for you right? Nothing you said sounded stupid, it sounded human. If a baby is really something you want, then you have to talk to Nathan."
"No," Haley shook her head shortly a tight smile forming on her lips, "things between Nathan and I are good, they're settled. For the first time in our lives we have everything we want, and I'm not going to screw that up."
"Do you really have everything you want, though?" Peyton pointed out somberly. But before Haley could answer Robin twitted out of the store with a few new bags. Haley jumped to her feet quickly, and Peyton reluctantly followed behind.
"God these stores are insanely expensive." Robin complained with great exaggeration. Then she giggled a bit turning to Haley, "But I guess you really don't have to worry about stuff like that."
Haley's eyes grew wide with shock at the insinuation, as did Peyton's. But before Peyton could pounce, Haley sucked it up and smiled, "Not really."
Robin seemed to take her answer in stride and continued, "I read that you and Nathan live in the towers, I had to meet an investor in the bar there once, it's amazing."
"You should see the penthouse," Peyton taunted, "Haley decorated the place herself, it's amazing, and huge, God that place is huge and the view-"
"You exaggerate just a bit there, Peyt." Haley laughed, not enjoying her home life on display. She knew she was lucky to have what she had, but that didn't mean she wanted to gab about her fabulous designer curtains all afternoon. Brooke was the one who had convinced her to buy those in the first place.
"Are you kidding it's a castle."
"Sounds like it." Robin smiled, "I'd love to come by and see it some time with Luke, maybe the four us can do dinner?"
Haley smiled feeling the pressure to answer. She did not want that girl in her home. She was going to kill Peyton when she got her alone for leading the conversation to that place. Still she was caught. "I'd love that." She lied, hoping they could move on now.
"Just make sure you call," Peyton broke in again, "Nathan and Haley are busy, busy, busy. Always doing charity things. I'm sure you've read about Nathan and the children, and Haley's constantly working, right Hales?"
"Uh-huh." Haley nodded helplessly.
Robin immediately latched onto the mention of Nathan, "Oh yes!" She exclaimed, "I saw the piece on Nathan and the underprivileged kids, he's so kind to do something like that. You're a lucky lady."
"She sure is." Peyton grinned wildly. "But so is he, they're so insanely happy together. Nathan just can't get enough of Haley. Isn't that right Hales?"
"You seem to be the authority." Haley snapped, completely uncomfortable with the whole conversation. She knew Peyton was trying to stick it to Robin, but she could feel this conversation going downhill and she didn't want to be a part of it.
"I have to admit," Robin smiled over at Haley some more, "when Nathan said you two had been together since high school, I was kind of surprised you two weren't married yet."
Haley winced at her words. Her dislike for Robin was suddenly pushed into high gear. She'd been perfectly nice to this girl all day, and now she was just being a prying witch. She'd known her for less than 24 hours and she was prodding into her marital status, and when the hell had Nathan talked to her about them? Haley was about to respond when Peyton beat her to it.
"That’s a little rude don't ya think?" Peyton put her on the spot. She felt bad for using Haley to goad the girl, since little Robin had turned it around on Haley who had been nothing but nice to her. "I mean really."
"Oh, I'm sorry," Robin stuttered, but both Haley and Peyton could tell she was hardly being sincere. "I didn't mean to pry, I guess I just got ahead of myself. I feel like I already know you all so well, from what Luke's said, and you and Nathan, Haley," she motioned to Haley, "you're all over the papers. I have to admit I'm a bit of a gossip hound. I hope I didn't offend you, I honestly meant no harm."
"Don't worry about it," Haley shook it off. She didn't need to deal with this girl, she had enough on her mind. Although she did plan on asking Nathan when he'd gotten so in-depth about their relationship. That she did not appreciate. "So where do you guys want to go next."
"Gossip." Peyton announced happily, "it's this hot little clothing store Brooke told me about. You have hardly bought anything Haley, take out your credit card and get to charging, spending Nathan's money is always fun."
"I have my own money, thank you," Haley laughed lightly, sometimes Peyton could really amuse her. "But you're right spending his is more fun, lets shop!"
Peyton threw a comforting arm around Haley's shoulders, while Robin trailed behind them. Peyton wasn't as forgiving as Haley was, not in the least. And she was making a mental note to make sure she spoke to Luke before they flew out. He needed to know Robin wasn't as "nice" as she purported herself to be. And Peyton was ready to slap some sense into him.
Tim watched concerned as Nathan slammed yet another ball into the hoop, he was obviously working out some kind of aggression and it didn't look good for the person he was pissed off with.
"Everything okay, man?" Tim questioned when he grabbed up the ball to try for his own shot. He was a bit rusty on the court nowadays, and he looked pitiful next to Nathan, but he was used to that.
"Fine." Nathan gritted, "Shoot."
"You sure?" Luke came up beside his brother. He'd felt the tension as well. Nathan had been in a grumpy mood since he dropped by his room to see if he wanted to join him and Tim for some basketball at the hotels indoor courts. He'd seen Nathan like this before, but Haley was usually the one to calm him down, unfortunately she was no where around.
"Did I ask you two, to baby sit me?" Nathan snapped annoyed with their persistence. He knew it wasn't their fault he was in a bad mood, it was his own fault. He'd been an ass to Haley earlier and now she wasn't even answering her cell phone. This trip was turning out to be a nightmare, he'd primarily been happy about it to be alone with Haley, but it had started off on the wrong foot, and continued to go south. The elevator excursion was just the prime example. He wasn't sure what he meant earlier, and that was why he ignored her. She always liked to talk about things, and he did as well, when he knew what to say. Right now he had no idea where his own mind was, and that didn't put him in a good position.
"Chill out," Luke grabbed the ball from Tim making a perfect shot. "We're just trying to help. Are you still pissed about Haley going shopping with Robin and Peyton, I just wanted her to get to know Robin, man, I didn't think it would be that big of a deal."
"I don't care what Haley does," Nathan bit back irritated with his voice, "can we just play."
"Trouble in paradise?" Tim snickered good natured, and Nathan threw the ball hard, smacking him in the stomach when he caught it. Tim winced momentarily before sucking it up and making another shot. "Sorry." He sighed defeated.
"Is this about Haley?" Lucas continued to prod, and Nathan just shook his head fed up with their constant questions. He walked over to their water bottles, and checked his cell phone again. One message. The voice that came across wasn't the one he wanted, it was Brian talking about some pictures of him and his friends in the gossip pages talking about how hot the Miami nightlife was. Whatever he didn't care.
Tim and Lucas stayed on the court observing Nathan for a minute before turning into their own conversation, their voices low so Nathan couldn't hear them.
"I guess they got into a fight or something." Tim threw out.
"Maybe we should call Haley-" Luke began still appraising his brothers slumped form by the wall. He'd forgotten what it was like when Nathan and Haley fought, Nathan self-destructed and Haley shut down, he didn't want to deal with either of them like that at the moment.
"Nah," Tim shook his head, "let them deal with it." Tim had learned a few things over the years about Nathan and Haley. And the number one thing was don't get involved, if you got involved you got yelled at and things escalated. Peyton had warned him about that the last time he visited them in the city and Haley got pissed off about some article Nathan was doing. He learned not to interfere then.
"Nathan you still playing?!" Lucas called over to him, heeding Tim's warning. Nathan shook his head that he wasn't and walked off the court, taking his things with him. Lucas shrugged tiredly, he hated when his brother got like this. "Great."
"So you and Robin, serious?" Tim questioned as they continued to throw the ball around, more evenly matched without Nathan outshining them both. Suddenly they didn't suck so much, which put the mood more at ease.
"Maybe, jury’s still out," Lucas shot and easily made his shot before turning back to Tim to talk. "I mean she's different than most girls I've dated. She's smart, beautiful, accomplished, and really easy to just be with. I don't feel like I have to carry her with people, she carries herself."
"The girls don't like her." Tim stated, and watched for a reaction. Lucas just shrugged so he continued. "I mean I think Peyton might-"
"Peyton and I have moved on with our lives. If she doesn't like Robin, it's not my problem. Besides Brooke and Haley do."
"Brooke doesn't like any female outside of Peyton and Haley, and I wouldn't exactly say Haley was fond of her either. You sure know how to pick them pal." Tim chuckled dryly continuing with his next shot.
"What do you mean about Haley?" Luke turned to him with interest. He didn't really expect a warm welcome from Peyton or Brooke, they were never that friendly to outsiders, but Haley always made the extra effort. It bugged him to think she didn't like Robin, since her opinion still carried a lot of weight with him.
"I don't know," Tim begged off, "things just seemed a little chilly with them last night."
"It's all in your head man," Luke laughed it off, "Haley likes everyone."
"Right." Tim agreed, not wanting to rock the boat.
The cute sales boy helped Haley slide the pretty new heels Peyton had picked out on her feet. He was young, probably 19, 20 and he was definitely flirting. She smiled and laughed along with him, after all she didn't want to hurt his feelings, and she was willing to think about anything but the semi-fight she'd had with Nathan or the complete annoyance Robin had become. Ryan, as his name tag read had become her distraction. That was until her purse started to vibrate and her ringer went off. Annoyed she pulled out her cell and flipped it open to see who was calling.
"LB!" Blared threw on the caller idea, and she smiled slightly at the code name. She'd punched it in jokingly when she'd first done her address book and he'd insisted she kept the title, being as it spoke so highly of himself...Lover Boy. Still the small memory didn't erase her complete irritation with him, so she slammed it shut again and pushed it back into her purse, she didn't want to deal with him right now.
"How do they feel?" Hot boy Ryan asked.
"Fine," she smiled standing up and walking in them to see if it was even possible. Peyton had a flare for the outrageous, and the heels on these things were extremely high. Still they did amazing things for her legs, even in track pants, which she'd folded and hiked up her legs so she could see the full effect of the shoe.
Robin and Peyton looked down another aisle silently. Both continued to sneak peaks at Haley and the cute sales boy. Robin was the first one to speak.
"I guess she must get attention like that all the time."
Peyton looked back at Haley momentarily. She wasn't what you'd call a vixen, and she didn't have model height, but Haley definitely had something about her that the male species gravitated towards. Especially the "bad boys" of the bunch, after all Haley had snagged the baddest of them all. Peyton imagined it had a lot to do with her soulful brown eyes, and perfectly shaped body, but also with her kind presence. There was something about Haley that just screamed "caring", you could lean on her and she would be there without question. That was attractive to anyone, and you noticed it about her the first five seconds you were in her company.
"Yeah," Peyton agreed with a small smile. She loved Haley, she'd become her best friend in the time she'd lived in New York, more like her family. She'd never been short with advice or help, and she was always welcoming. It was hard not to take advantage of that, but Peyton tried to give back as much as she could. She would do anything for Haley, which was why she was keeping an extra hard eye on Robin. Haley didn't need anything else to worry about, especially not Luke's bank bitch.
"Well she's very beautiful." Robin commented again, and Peyton could feel the envy radiated off the red-head. "I can see why Nathan is with her."
Peyton nearly rolled her eyes at the obviously jealous comment. Yeah, of course Nathan appreciated Haley's beauty, he had eyes. But Peyton knew like everyone else in their circle of friends that Nathan was with Haley because he loved her, and he didn't know how to do anything else. It had always just been there between them, unexplainable, undeniable, it just fit from the very first minute.
"Yeah," Peyton nodded her tone short and factual, "because he loves her."
"I'm sure." Robin agreed, flashing a brilliant white smile Peyton's way before edging down the aisle. Peyton finally let go of the disgusted sigh she was holding in and went to join Haley in the vacated chair next to her, while the hot boy clerk went to look for another shoe.
"He so wants you." Peyton giggled, and Haley rolled her eyes playfully before dissolving into giggles herself. Haley's purse began to vibrate again, and Peyton snatched it up before she could answer it herself.
"Haley James's phone?" Peyton tried to stifle her laughter as she answered and Haley relaxed back in her seat ignoring the whole thing.
"Put Haley on." Came a gruff voice, and Peyton giggled some more before replying. She mouthed to Haley that it was Nathan, but Haley just shook her head, so she preceded.
"Miss James, is unavailable, a cute shop clerk is hitting on her and-"
Haley jumped up snatching the phone away from Peyton and walking away with it before bringing it to her ear to speak with Nathan. She loved Peyton, but pissing her boyfriend off even more was so not what she needed AT ALL.
"Hello?" She blew out harshly, she really didn't want to be speaking with him right now.
"Where are you?" He asked immediately and she rolled her eyes at the obvious jealousy in his voice. Nathan had calmed down a lot over the years, in fact he even avoided violence most times, but his jealousy was still as bad as ever.
"Shopping, but then you knew that Nathan, so why did you call?" She questioned annoyed. She didn't feel like babying him over some non-threat today. Thankfully it seemed his previous insanity had faded and his voice came out calmer.
"I'm sorry about earlier." He apologized right off the bat. He knew he'd been a prick, there was no sense in denying that. He still had no idea what he wanted to say to her, he just knew he wanted to hear her voice, make sure she was okay. "I wish you were here." He breathed over the line, and he could hear her sigh on the other end.
"We should probably talk about it..." Her voice trailed off. Honestly she really didn't know what she would say. She didn't have the answers, she just knew they had to at least try and work out what had happened. It wasn't some silly tiff over his jackass agent or the press, this was about a baby. Or there lack there of.
"Yeah." He agreed tiredly, "When are you guys coming back?"
"Soon," she promised, but then added regretfully, "but Robin's already pulled us into dinner engagements with her and Luke. Apparently she wants to eat on the water...maybe after that we could sit down and...talk about it." Haley finished nervously.
"Okay." He nodded on the other end, even though he knew she couldn't see him. He was trying to steel himself for the fact that it was coming and he couldn't avoid it. "So I'll let you go..." He announced.
"Okay," she smiled softly on the other end, "I love you."
"I love you too." He assured as they clicked off their phones.
Chapter 9
Not everything is gonna be the way you think it ought to be
Haley opened their hotel door and quickly deposited her shopping bags on the floor before walking all the way into the bedroom. Nathan had obviously fallen asleep watching the sports channel because he was still dozing when she came in. She tiptoed past him, grabbing up her lap top and placing it down in front of her on the sofa so she could catch up on some work.
She worked at a prominent New York publishing company editing the books they produced. She loved her job, reading was fundamental to her life, it brought her more joy than most things. Still she yearned not only to read but to write, she'd been working on her "novel" since she moved to New York, and she'd barely even scratched the surface of what she wanted to say. Mostly because she had no idea what that was a lot of times.
Nathan began to groan across the room, and she could tell he was coming out of his slumber, which meant she had about fifteen minutes to work, because he took the longest time to actually open his eyes when he woke up. He could lay there for hours, eyes closed yet fully awake. She had no idea what that was about, and she didn't get it even when he tried to explain. So she stopped asking, and he stopped explaining.
"Haley?" His voice was groggy. She lifted up from the sofa, shutting her laptop quietly before padding over to the bed and climbing on next to him. He still remained on his back, eyes closed. She leaned over him watching him carefully for a minute before dipping down to place a light kiss on his lips. As she began to move away, his arm snaked around her neck forcing her back down upon him.
His eyes were open now. He smiled up at her, happy to see her back. Her face was flushed from the sun, she'd probably gotten walking the streets all day, providing a rosy glow to her otherwise pale complexion. She twisted on top of him, bringing her entire body to laying position on top of his own. She laid her cheek contentedly against the soft cotton of his shirt, and buried her hands under his back.
"I'm so tired." She breathed exhausted, as he reached out a hand to move her hair away from her face. She sighed happily at the gesture, her whole body felt dead. She hadn't completely recovered from the wedding, and the earlier days outing hadn't helped. "Do you think Luke would hate us if we begged out of dinner. Because I'm thinking that bubble bath sounds so good right about now."
Nathan chuckled jovially, as he ran his hands up her back in a soothing manner, tracing circle along her bare skin under her shirt. He brought a hand up to her head, letting his fingers loop through the rubber band holding her hair in place and pulling it out to let her hair flow messily against chest. He continued to stroke her head caringly, while she nestled further into his embrace.
"I think they'd get over it, but I know you, you won't cancel."
"Why," Haley's head shot up annoyed and she rolled off of him to her side of the bed, turning on her side immediately so she could face him. "I swear I have had enough of Robin to last me a life time. Every other word out of her mouth is some kind of dig at me, and I'm tired of it-"
"Was it really that bad?" Nathan asked concerned, turning to face her as well. Bringing an arm out to lay against her waist, he didn't want to break contact with her, it felt too good to touch her.
"Yes!" Haley exclaimed, "I don't think I have ever met a more rude person, and the worst part is she tries to act like she's isn't even saying anything offensive." Haley sighed heavily, "She really just bugs me."
"Well then lets not go," Nathan returned practically as his fingers slipped beneath the waste band of her pants, teasing the soft skin on her hip. "I don't really like her either, so-"
"That's not the way she tells it," Haley rolled her eyes, turning over to lay on her back and breaking contact with him again. "According to her, you guys are old pals already. Oh and by the way, when did you talk to her about us?"
"What?" Nathan returned annoyed by the brush off Haley was giving him, "I didn't talk to her about us."
"You told her something." Haley accused just as annoyed. She was nervous about the talk they were supposed to be having later. It was all she could think about since they settled upon it and she knew she was taking it out on him, which wasn't fair.
"She kept pestering me, okay. I was waiting for you to get back from the damn bathroom, and Jake and Luke just abandon her with me. I didn't want to talk to her at all-"
"Why? What did she do?" Haley could see he was bugged out by something. Nathan never usually minded female annoyances, he always brushed them off. But he seemed to actually have an honest dislike for Robin and that worried her.
"She hit on me." He bit out finally before jumping off the bed, and walking out into the living room area, where the mini bar was to get a drink. Haley hopped up just as quickly following behind him, hot to hear what he was talking about.
"She hit on you?" Haley repeated, rather loudly, and Nathan continued to ignore her by pouring one of the tiny alcohol bottles into a glass, before dropping a few ice cubes in after it.
"Yes," he sighed, "but I didn't want to say anything and get all this started. It's not like we actually have to be around her much longer."
"What did she do?" Haley questioned, no where near the vicinity of giving this topic up. She had a mild distaste for her that morning, a dislike for her after the afternoon, but now she was getting pissed off, and she wasn't even drunk. It took a special kind of person to make her this angry.
"She didn't really do anything, just the way she was looking at me, talking to me, touching me-"
"TOUCHING YOU!" Haley's voice screeched, and Nathan stomped towards her to calm her down, handing her the drink he'd just fixed.
"Would you please calm down." Haley eyed him a moment before swallowing down the contents of the glass, and then allowing him to seat her on the couch. He took a place beside her. "She just touched my hand, okay. And then Jake came back thank God, and I got out of there. She asked about me and you, look I would have said anything so she didn't just jump me-"
"Did you think she was?" Haley asked alarmed once more, but still a little bit calmer than she was a minute before, minus the alcohol.
Nathan rubbed at his eyes tiredly, "I don't know, she was coming onto me though, and it was uncomfortable so I didn't stick around to find out." He watched Haley stare ahead blankly for a minute before continuing, "You know I really don't like this anymore than you. She's my brothers girlfriend, what the hell am I supposed to say to him tonight, or to her if she tries it again?"
Haley bristled irritated by the whole thing, "Oh," she shook her head assured, "she is not going to do it again. I will pull her cherry fried locks right out of her hair if she-"
She was cut off by his mouth crashing down upon hers insistent for entrance. She moaned softly against his mouth before she felt his tongue sweep in. She brought her hand up to caress his face, but he shoved it back clasping onto her wrists and pushing her back against the soft cushion of the couch so he was on top. He let one wrist go, as his hand traveled down her shirt pushing up at the cotton material when he hit the rim. She lifted up strained for a moment before he had it all the way off, and his mouth dropped back down to occupy her lips.
She slid her free hand up the back of his shirt, digging her nails in slightly, causing him to flinch, before viciously attacking her mouth again. She felt his calloused hand push insistently against her bra strap as his mouth trailed down her shoulder sucking with great vigor against her bare skin, she cried out and within moments her mouth was once again occupied with his tongue. She urged his shirt over his shoulders throwing it aside, and sliding under him slightly so her mouth could meet his chest, while her hands worked on the draw string of his pants.
Nathan stilled her for a moment reaching on the back table for something, finally he produced an up-opened box of condoms and ripped into them frantically trying to get what he was looking for. She repositioned herself before pulling him back down on top of her. Her leg came around locking his body against her own, while his mouth moved down her body, he hovered over her stomach causing her to shudder at the sensation, while her hands ran wildly through his hair.
"Nathan..." she begged, and he took a moment to look back up at her before smirking and moving on.
Peyton slumped dejectedly against Tim's bed as he mulled through some files in his lap. She'd come up to bug him right after they got back from shopping, knowing Haley needed a little alone time with Nathan.
"I just hate her. She was wretched to Haley, never sparse for a snide comment. And then she goes on about how beautiful Haley is, like she wants to emulate her, it was freaky. I just hate her." Peyton repeated for the 1000th time, and Tim appraised her briefly before turning back to his papers.
"What did Haley say?" He questioned a bit concerned. Peyton knew that Tim loved Haley, he loved Haley, like Peyton loved Haley, she just had this ease about her.
"Nothing, she was completely nice to the little whore. Even when she started fawning over Nathan again...Oh!" Peyton shouted to signal there was more, "And she insulted Haley talking about money with her. Like Haley just mooched off of Nathan or something- she was an utter bitch and I wanted to kill her by the time we got back here. I would have too if Haley hadn't stopped me. I'm still contemplating poisoning her drink tonight at dinner."
"Yeah," Tim sighed, "I tried to tell Lucas, you guys didn't really like her, but he wasn't too receptive."
"Oh of course not," Peyton rolled her eyes, "his head is so far up her-"
"He likes the girl, hey if she hadn't hit on Nate, I would say she was okay too."
"But she did." Peyton reminded him, "And even worse the Haley thing. She just doesn't need that little twit right now, she has enough on her mind."
Tim perked up putting his last file down and facing Peyton completely, "Nathan seemed a little out of it today too. What’s going on with them?"
"Just stuff," Peyton hedged, "they'll work it out. They always do."
"So what're you going to do about Robin?" He returned their conversation to it's previous venue. Robin would've been okay to him had she not messed with Haley and Nathan, they were like his second family and that just wasn't cool. Hell they were pretty much his first family, since his own were assholes most of the time.
"Poison her." Peyton stated dryly before flipping the channel on the TV and settling in again.
Haley was shocked out of sleep by the persistent ringing of the phone beside her. She and Nathan had fallen asleep on the couch, yet currently she was all alone, wrapped in some blanket she didn't recognize, she would have much rather been wrapped in her boyfriend.
"Hello?" She answered into the phone, her voice still haggard from sleep.
"Haley," a cheerful tone blared through, "it's Robin. I just wanted to confirm our dinner plans and see if you and Nathan wanted to get drinks with me beforehand, Lucas is still sleeping, the poor thing, it seems he was tired out from playing basketball this afternoon."
Haley cringed at the sugary sweetness of her voice, and her lack of a vocabulary. Who talked like that anymore? Haley pulled herself into an upright position, wrapping the blanket around her body like a sarong.
"I'll have to ask Nathan first." She lied, "He's pretty tired as well. I'm sure Tim and Peyton wouldn't mind. I'm not even sure we'll be able to make it to dinner unfortunately." She found it was easy to let a person down when she didn't like them, and knew they were hitting on her boyfriend behind her back.
"Oh please come," Robin begged, "I had so much fun with you today, and I'd love to see Nathan again before we leave."
Haley blew out a short sigh annoyed, and mumbled, "I bet," under her breath.
"Haley?" Robin called into the phone, and Haley grinded her teeth as her voice once again washed over the line. The only thing she wanted to do was kill that girl, not get drinks with her.
"Alright," Haley relented, "we'll meet you down at the bar at seven."
"Good, can't wait." Robin chirped before hanging up. Haley slammed her own phone down, and let out a loud cry of anguish. Within seconds Nathan slid into the room, half of his face still covered in shaving cream, his features a mix of concern and fear.
"What?" He jumped, "What's wrong?"
"Everything," she sighed dramatically, "your little whore has just weaseled her way into drinks with us, minus Luke at seven. I better watch myself she might find some way to get me out of the way so she can have you all to herself-"
"That’s not even funny." He shook his head annoyed, before walking back off to the bathroom. She followed behind him still sporting the wrap around blanket.
"Come on I was kidding, I know she's not your whore. She's Luke's whore, she just wants to be your whore." Haley laughed amused by her own words. Robin was just one big fat WHORE.
"What am I supposed to say to her?" He looked to Haley with worry, as he continued to shave over the sink. Haley pulled the razor from his hand and positioned herself on the sink in front of him to finish for him.
"I'll take care of her."
"Oh you will?" He laughed and she shushed him so she could continue her task with out cutting him. She stared at him in concentration running the razor along his chiseled jaw, she could close her eyes and still know every contour she'd done this for so long.
"I just feel bad for Luke. This is the last thing he needs after his break up with Molly."
Nathan watched his girlfriend thoughtfully, as she brought the rag up to his face to brush away the remaining spots of shaving cream for him. "She was a married woman, baby, Luke knew where that was headed."
"I don't know why he gets involved with these woman." Haley sighed heavily, thinking about her friends disastrous love life. It had been a wreck since his break up with Peyton, one misstep after the next, and Robin seemed to be the worse. How tactless could you be, hitting on his brother?
"Because he's Luke, and he's still not over Peyton, or their relationship." Nathan shrugged, still content to watch her. Every expression on her face was beautiful, and he just stared in wonder, he could never get tired of looking at her.
"Well that’s deep, don't tell Peyton that though. I think she's actually moving on."
"Yeah she seems like she's moved on." He laughed shortly, and she slapped as his clean shaven face playfully. It was true, Haley knew Peyton was still holding a little hope for her and Luke, and Haley didn't think it was entirely healthy. For some reason Luke had built this unmovable wall between them, and every time Peyton tried, he shut her down even harder, and she got hurt even worse than the last time. It was a horrible cycle, she refused to support any longer.
"You know I feel like we're so lucky to have what we have. I don't know what I would do if I were Peyton, and I couldn't be with you. I think I would just die." She turned her eyes downcast at the thought, but he brought a gentle hand up to guide her face back to his own. He watched her with such care and love.
"No you wouldn't, you're strong, you've always been strong. I would go insane, but you...you would be okay."
She smiled up at the compliment, and leaned in to give him a tiny kiss before pulling back and meeting his eyes again, "No, I wouldn't." She assured.
He pulled her into an impulsive hug, crushing her against his bare chest. They pulled back after a minute, and his face was full of mischief.
"What?" She questioned wary of his intentions.
He brought his hand out to meet the top of the blanket she had tucked like a towel, and he let his finger dip below the fabric teasing her naked flesh beneath. She closed her eyes happy with the sensation. He walked further into her causing her to uncross her legs and rewrap them around his waist.
"You look sexy in this." He purred in her ear, as he kissed her neck, his hand still massaging the fabric looser. She bit her lip to stifle the moan bubbling in her throat, but it was no use, the blanket slowly dropped from her body, and he met her mouth with a hungry kiss that once again consumed them.
