Suffer Pt 2

So I decided to write a continuation of "Suffer". I highly suggest reading that story first then read this. I feel very angst at the moment and I definitely lay it on a little thick. I know I left things a little opened last chapter and I do cleared up some stuff. I still consider "Suffer" to be stand alone because i do like the open ending so this story is an off shoot of one of the possibilities. If people are interested I do have some sort of direction as to where this story will go so I hope you enjoy and please review.

"There you are!" Lucas exclaimed as he held out a beer for Nathan. "I was looking for you."

"Thanks." Nathan loosened his tie and gladly accepted the beer.

"What's wrong now?" Lucas questioned.

"Nothing, it's just that, I don't even know half the people here."

"That's no excuse to be hiding out here on the balcony." Lucas leaned against the ledge next to Nathan. He looked back at the party behind them and it appeared no one was looking for them. "This party is for you, you know. You should be mingling."

"You have to admit, it is a nice view, much better than at all that rain in Seattle." Nathan ignored his brother's comments and looked out at the sweeping gardens in front of him and in the distance, you can see the office buildings from downtown Charlotte.

"It sure is." Lucas agreed. "So how does it feel little brother, the prodigal son returns home to do right by his home state."

"It feels good." Nathan replied honestly

"I know the Knicks and the Celtics offered you a lot more money if you were to sign with them."

"Yeah but I figure, if I move back East, I may as well be close to home, especially with my nephew on the way." Nathan smirked.

"Don't tell Brooke that, she swears it's going to be a girl."

Nathan chuckled. "When do you guys find out?"

"Next week."

"It's going to be a long week." Nathan quickly remarked.

"I know." Lucas deadpanned as he took a big gulp of his beer. He loved Brooke but Brooke's pregnancy hormones defiantly left Lucas on the receiving end of Brooke's wrath.

"And have you guys set a date for the wedding?"

"It'll be 6 months after he or she is born." Lucas quickly replied and Nathan eyed him curiously.

"According to Brooke, it'll give her enough time to loose all the weight that I caused." Lucas held up his hands and made little air quotes with his fingers.

"Don't most people get married before the kid is born."

"We're being progressive." Lucas smirked and Nathan chuckled. He and Brooke had been going out for a while now, it was just a matter of time before they were going to get married, but what was unexpected was when Brooke found out she was pregnant.

"Well, between the baby and the wedding, I'm glad I got my little bro.. AKA future godfather and best man to help me out." Lucas wrapped an arm around Nathan's shoulder.

"I suddenly feel that this is going to be more of a burden than an honor." Nathan pulled back.

"Totally." Lucas laughed.

"If you're going to make me assemble baby furniture, I hope you know I'm just going to hire someone to do it."

"That's why you're godfather."

Nathan smiled, something Lucas rarely saw.

"And of course I get to plan your bachelor party."

"Well, you'll get Clay to plan the bachelor party for you."

Nathan paused and tapped his beer against Lucas. "Touché." Lucas was right, he would probably plan something but would have his agent do most of the heavy lifting.

"I'm glad you're back." Lucas paused but figured this was as right of a time as ever. "I've.. I've been worried about you."

"Me?"

"I'm your big brother, it's my job to worry about you." Lucas pointed out.

"By only by three months, I'm a grown man Luke."

"I know but still. We don't get to see you that often since you refuse to come back home."

"Huh?" Nathan was confused. "What're you talking about?"

"Nathan, don't think I haven't noticed that this is the first time you've been back home in over four years."

"It hasn't been that long." Nathan retorted even though his brother was right. "Fine, maybe you're right but you know how busy I am."

"Fine, you don't want to tell me."

"There's nothing to tell." Nathan lied.

"Right." Lucas took a sip of his beer and eyed his brother suspiciously.

Just then Nathan's phone started to beep and he was glad for the distraction, well almost glad for the distraction.

"Who's that?" Lucas asked when he noticed the annoyed look on Nathan's face.

"Alex DuPre." Nathan deleted her text message and put his phone back in his pocket. "Some girls can't take a hint."

"Well Nate, what do you think happens when you hit it and split it?"

"I accompanied her to one movie premiere, Clay's idea by the way, and everyone acts like we're getting married."

"Well that's what you get for letting Clay mess with your love life."

"Never again." Nathan shook his head. "And by the way, I never slept with Alex, though I'm probably the first guy to turn her down, which is why she keeps calling."

"Seriously, I mean, she is hot."

"Up until you talk to her and realize there's nothing in between her ears."

Lucas chuckled and gave a knowing smile.

"You'll find her." Lucas stated simply.

"Find who?"

"The one that's right for you." Lucas leaned against the ledge. "We're not as young as we used to be, you may have had that whole playboy thing down when we were in high school and college but I know you, you're looking for the one."

"Luke, I hate to burst your bubble but not everyone can be like you and Brooke with your big fancy wedding, kid on the way, and a big house with white picket fences." Nathan said bitterly.

Lucas was about to say something, something he wanted to bring up for a while now but they were suddenly interrupted.

"There you are."

Both brothers whipped their heads around and Nathan felt his stomach turn into knots. He only hoped that he didn't look so shock even though he was. What was she doing here? He thought.

"Brooke has been trying to get a hold of you."

"How come she didn't call?"

"Cuz you left this?"

Lucas took his cell phone from her hands. "Thanks, Hales, you're a life saver."

Haley smiled warmly and then turned to Nathan. "Hi Nathan."

Haley extended her hand.

It took a second for Nathan to recover but he extended his hand and shook her hand. He felt the softness of her skin and her warmth radiating from it. He quickly took his hand back.

"Haley, this is a surprise." Nathan now turned to his brother.

"Brooke wasn't feeling well so Haley was gracious enough to accompany me tonight. Now if you excuse me, I have to check up on Brooke."

Lucas left the two alone but there was an awkward tension in the air. He hadn't seen her in over four years. The last time he saw her was back home in Tree Hill where realized that his home was with her and he could never have her.

"So." Haley cleared her throat.

"How have you been?" Nathan attempted to make small talk.

"I'm good. Budget cuts forced me to just be a part time teacher at the high school now."

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that."

"It wasn't that bad because I actually run Tric."

"I always pegged you to run the café instead of Tric."

"You and I both but Karen thought that I would be better at bringing a young crowd to Tric and so far it's been working. Thanks to Peyton, I've actually gotten some good bands to come through and perform in little ol' Tree Hill, and speaking of big names, welcome back. Everyone is really excited to have you play for the Bobcats."

"Thanks." Nathan gave a half smile. Four years later and she was just as gorgeous as he remembered, if not more. It was clear that Brooke finally made her way into Haley's closet. While her attire wasn't skimpy, as often the case was with Brooke's wardrobe, Haley was able to exude class yet look incredibly hot. Her knee length cocktail dress hugged her body just right and she showed just enough cleavage to let the whole world know that those babies were real.

"My daughter is actually in a co-ed youth basketball league that Skills coaches, they're so excited that your going to play for the Bobcats. The kids really look up to you."

"I didn't know I was such a role model." Nathan felt the temperature rise and he loosened his tie a little. "How.. how is Madison?" He choked out.

"She's good, so much bigger now." Haley went inside her purse and showed Nathan a small picture of her. She looked just like her mother. Nathan smiled but only for a second and handed the picture back to her.

"She has her father's nose." Nathan replied bluntly.

Haley tried not to let his words bother her but she pushed forward. There was a reason why she came tonight. "She handled the divorce better than I thought she would."

Nathan cursed at himself for his outburst. He thought he was better than that, had moved passed it but clearly old wounds are hard to heal.

"I'm sorry it didn't work out for you and Chase." Nathan said honestly and Haley actually believed him.

"It wasn't mean to be." Haley sighed and leaned over the ledge and looked out over the view she saw the Scott brother's admiring when she walked in. "I wish I had known that sooner."

"Don't." Nathan replied. "Don't do this."

"Do what?"

"You know what." Nathan took a step back. "Suddenly, you're hear talking about your divorce and how it wasn't meant to be. Sorry Haley but it wasn't mean to be for us either."

"What're you implying Nathan?" Haley was a little annoyed.

"Why are you here?" Nathan crossed his arms.

"I wanted to see you." She answered honestly. "I know I messed things up, and it seems that you won't let me forget it but I just wanted to see you and talk to you, that's all."

"I'm sorry." Nathan shook his head. "I just didn't expect to see you tonight." Nathan swallowed hard. He knew he would have to see Haley, talk to her too but he wasn't ready for to do it now.

"I just don't want things to be awkward. I know before all this, we were friends once. I was hoping we can have at least that."

"And friendship is all you want?" Nathan found himself asking.

"I'm not going to lie to you and tell that I haven't thought about having more. But I know I messed up, I wasn't honest with you or myself before, I won't make that mistake again. I don't expect.."

"Expect, what?" Nathan raised his voice. "That now you're single again, that I'd come running back to you."

"No, that's not what I said."

"But that's what you want?" Nathan paced back and forth.

"I didn't say that."

"So you really only just want to be friends?" He questioned. She was about to open her mouth but paused.

"God, Haley!" Nathan threw his hands up in frustration. "Your husband cheats on you and I'm the fucking consolation prize!"

"No, it's not like that."

"Really?" Nathan huffed out. "He screws you over and you think I'm just going to take you back after all these..." Nathan is shocked when he feels Haley's hand slap him hard across the cheeks. She has tears in her eyes and it looks like she's surprised at herself as well.

"He didn't cheat on me."

"What?"

Haley tried to calm her shaky voice. "It was my fault my marriage ended. I was the one that was distance, I was the one that pushed him away that he had to confide in another woman." Haley paused and continued. "One night, he came home in tears. He almost kissed this other woman. Before things escalated he was able to stop it and he ran home to beg me for forgiveness. I watched him as he went on and on about how sorry he was, that he didn't mean for this to happen, how much of a failure he was as a husband where none of it was his fault. I wasn't mad at him, I was mad at myself. That's when I was finally told him about you.. about us. I was never over you Nathan, I still loved you. I married Chase for all the wrong reasons. I think in the back of my mind Chase always suspected something but either way, we agreed to end it." Haley wiped her tears.

"I'm .. I'm sorry." Nathan found himself saying.

Haley gave him a sad smile. "I'll never forget those last words you said to me. You told me I'd suffer and you were right. Not only did I hurt myself but you, Chase and my daughter along the way."

Haley looked up at Nathan's deep blue eyes. "I see the way you look at me, that look of contempt and disappointment. You're never going to forgive me, aren't you?"

"Deep down, when I think about it, I do forgive you. I just, I just can't forget." Nathan turned away from Haley.

"I.. I understand." Haley said softly and she hung her head down and was about to walk away.

"It took me four years to come back home." Nathan started to speak. Haley stopped and looked back at him.

"A few months ago, I was doing this interview. This reporter was touting all my accomplishments, how they nicknamed me the rock because I was always so calm and cool under pressure. He said I was fearless, that I wasn't afraid of anything." Nathan lamented. "That's when it hit me that he was wrong. I wasn't fearless. On the court maybe but I've been scared of this place ever since I left. I was scared to run into you, to see you and your daughter .. to see Madison grow up and see her look like a perfect blend of you and someone who isn't me." Nathan hung his head down.

"I came back because I didn't want to be scared anymore." Nathan looked back at Haley with sad eyes. "I came back to be free of you."

Lucas picked up the pace and ran outside to see Haley give one of the valet drivers her ticket slip.

"Haley, where you going?" He caught up to her and saw that she had been crying. "What happened?"

"I told you it was a bad idea for me to come here."

"What happened with Nathan?"

"Exactly, what I knew would happen. He stayed away from Tree Hill because of me, because of what I did to him."

"He said that?"

Haley nodded and she sank into his chest as she sobbed harder.

"Oh Hales, I'm so sorry." Lucas padded her back.

"I don't know why I'm crying. This isn't a surprise. I know he hates me."

"He doesn't hate you." Lucas pulled away and looked down at Haley.

"He came back home to be free of me Luke. I .. I should've never came."

"Hales.."

"Look, my car is here." Haley saw the valet driving coming up.

"Look, let me drive."

Haley shook her head. "No, it's okay. I just.. I just want to be myself right now."

"Hales."

"Please, Luke. I'll be fine okay."

"Fine but you're still coming over tomorrow for breakfast okay."

"Tell Brooke, I'll be there." Haley tried to muster a smile as she got in her car and then quickly drove away.

Nathan walked inside the restroom and turned on the sink. He splashed some cold water on his face and took a deep breath. He felt like he'd been suffocating. He grabbed some towels and started drying his face. Seeing Haley threw him into a loop. This wasn't how it was supposed to happen. He was supposed to be calm, cool. He wasn't supposed to tell her the things he did. He tried to block out of his mind what Haley had told him, that she was never over him. He couldn't and wouldn't let himself go there. She had ruined him once already. He wasn't going to give her another chance. He needed to break away from her, to finally move on with his life.

Nathan heard the door open and Lucas came walking in. He looked around and looked underneath the stalls to make sure they were alone.

"What're you doing?" Nathan asked as Lucas came back to the door and locked both of them inside.

"What did you do to Haley?"

Nathan turned away. "Not now Luke."

"Nathan, you can cut the crap out. I know okay."

Nathan looked at him curiously.

"She told me. Well I sort of forced it out of her but that's not the point."

"Wait, so you know?"

"Yes and I can't believe that you never told me! I've been waiting for you to tell me!"

Nathan felt a bit of pain in Lucas' voice. There were times when he wanted to tell Lucas, tell anyone but he didn't want to relive the pain, to know you put your whole self out there and got burned. "She's your best friend Luke but more than that there was nothing to tell. We had our moment in the sun.. at least I thought we did but it didn't work out." Nathan shook his head. "It was a long time Luke, it doesn't matter now."

"You're kidding me right? You're here sulking in the bathroom and I had to see Haley run out in tears. It does matter."

"I didn't expect to see her tonight." Nathan stood up and glared at his brother. "Thanks by the way." He narrowed his eyes at Luke. "She made her choice Luke. I can't just forget the last 4 years didn't happen and you playing matchmaker with Haley or any of Brooke's friends isn't helping."

"But you love her, Nate."

"It doesn't matter, love wasn't enough."

"I know Haley messed up.."

"No Luke, you don't know!" Nathan raised his voice.

"Then tell me. All I've heard is her side."

"She broke my heart, she broke me Luke. What else do you want me to say?"

"I'm sorry Nate." Lucas padded his back. "Look I know you don't want me to meddle and fine, I won't do anything."

"Thank you."

"But I think you're making a mistake. She's that one Nate, I don't know how I never saw it before but you two were in front of me this whole time and I didn't see it."

"I told you Luke, we had our chance."

"She thinks you hate her."

Nathan couldn't help but snort. "I don't hate her." He shook his head. "I just haven't found a way to stop loving her." He said sadly.

End?