In Name Only - Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Five
Haley felt conflicted as the new day dawned. Part of her felt so relieved that she would soon be reunited with her parents and back in familiar territory but another part hated that she was about to hurt the man she loved with all of her heart.
The mere thought of hurting him pained her greatly and had kept her awake all night but she didn't know what else to do. Sure, she could tell him about Deb and what a humongous bitch she'd been ever since she'd turned up unannounced on their doorstep and while she felt fairly certain that Nathan would believe her and throw his mother out on her ass, she couldn't stop herself from picturing him not believing her. Blood was thicker than water, after all, and she knew first-hand just how manipulative Deb Scott could be.
The blonde seemed so confident in her abilities to split them up that it pretty much terrified Haley.
Plus, there was the fact that Nathan appeared to be enjoying having his mom around. Maybe if they weren't getting along she'd find it easier to confide in him.
“Mm, you're awake,” Nathan murmured sleepily, cutting into her thoughts.
Haley's eyes fell shut as she submitted to memory the feel of his bare chest pressing against her back, his knees curving into the backs of her thighs as he curled his body around her own. He fit her so perfectly and just picturing herself not waking up with him like this tomorrow morning made her want to cry.
“I wish we could stay like this all day,” he whispered into her ear before softly kissing her cheek.
Lifting her head off her pillow, she turned her face towards him and welcomed his kiss; trembling slightly when his hand slid around her front and began palming her breast. She was just about to turn over when the alarm clock went off, the shrill sound breaking the peaceful silence.
“Ugh,” Nathan groaned, resting his forehead against his wife's shoulder. Reaching over to the nightstand, he swatted the alarm clock until the annoying noise stopped. He gently turned Haley over onto her back and brushed away an errant lock of her auburn hair. “If it wasn't for the meetings I've got lined up all day I'd call in sick,” he told her. “So, to make this up to you, how 'bout I grab some takeout on my way home tonight and we pick things up where we left off?” Lowering his head, he nuzzled her throat and kissed his way down to the base of her neck as he waited for her response.
Knowing just what he would find when he returned home that evening weighed heavy in her heart and she fought against the tears she could feel forming. “That, uh, sounds perfect,” she finally managed to say.
“Great,” he replied. Popping another kiss onto her lips, he pulled back the covers and got out of bed.
Lying propped up against the pillows, Haley admired his deliciously naked form as he walked around their bedroom, grabbing clean underwear and then selecting a suit from his large walk-in closet.
“Liking the view, huh?”
Blushing, she nodded. Her body felt hot all over and, in that very moment with the way he was looking at her, she knew she had to be with him one last time before she left. Throwing back the covers, she climbed out of bed and closed the short distance between them. She wrapped her arms around his neck and rubbed the front of her body against him, sealing her mouth over his and kissing him hard and deep. Without saying a word, she slid her hand down his arm and then linked their fingers together, walking backwards towards the en suite bathroom and pulling him along with her.
“Oh, I like the way you think, baby,” Nathan told her, gazing hungrily at her as he eagerly followed her into the shower. .
* * * * *
“Finally up, are we?” Deb said cattily, giving Haley a pointed look as the young woman entered the kitchen and walked past her.
Picking up the glass jug from the machine, she poured herself a cup of coffee. “Looks like it, doesn't it?” Haley felt a complete mess and it had taken everything in her to get dressed after she had finally said goodbye to Nathan. She'd tried not to give herself away but it had been so hard not to cling on to him tightly when he'd kissed her for the last time before he'd left for work.
After taking a sip of her tea, the blonde set down her cup and saucer onto the counter. “I want you and Nathan here for dinner tonight,” she said, “I have something I want to say.”
“Really? And what might that be?”
“I'll save that for tonight,” she replied. “But just in case you're getting your hopes up that I might be leaving, don't. I'm not planning on going anywhere... at least not until Nathan's kicked your gold-digging ass out of here.”
Haley sighed. She wasn't lucky enough for Deb's announcement to be that she was heading back to Tree Hill.
“Right, then, I'm off for a nice long soak in the bath. I hope you haven't used up all of the hot water.”
Picking up her mug of coffee, Haley sauntered past her mother-in-law. When she reached the door, she turned and flashed the other woman a half-smile. “You should have plenty of hot water since Nathan and I shared a shower this morning.”
Going back upstairs, Haley returned to her bedroom and closed the door. Picking up her cell phone, she called the local cab company and confirmed the booking she'd made. Wandering around the room, she took slow deep breaths to try and quell the rising nausea she was feeling. She went and sat on Nathan's side of the bed and picking up his pillow, she closed her eyes and breathed in his familiar scent, whispering, “I'm so sorry,” into it.
She said a silent prayer that he would one day be able to understand her actions.
* * * * *
On the plane home, Haley was lucky enough to have gotten a window seat and she sat with her body slightly turned towards it. As soon as she'd sat down, she had made sure to put her ear buds in and turn her iPod on. She wasn't particularly bothered about what was playing, it was more to stop the passenger next to her from talking to her. She was in no mood to chit chat.
The exchange she'd had with Deb that morning had strengthened her resolve to get away from Chicago... at least for a little while though she couldn't help wondering just what the older woman planned on saying at dinner that night. No doubt, it would be something else that filled her with dread and foreboding.
Closing her eyes, she recalled the events of earlier that day.
In the time she'd been staying with them, Deb's routine never faltered... in fact, you could set your watch by it and as soon as Haley had heard the snick of the master bathroom door closing, she had made her move. Her duffel bag was stashed in the cupboard beneath the stairs so after grabbing it and double-checking she had everything she needed, she stealthily slipped out of the house and quickly headed for the end of the street where the cab she had pre-booked was due to arrive at any second. She'd kept looking over her shoulder while she waited, positive that her bitch of a mother-in-law was going to rear her head at any moment and spew more of her ugly accusations at her.
Thankfully, that hadn't happened and as soon as the cab pulled up, she'd jumped in and began the journey to the airport.
It had been tempting to leave Nathan a note but with there being a good chance that Deb would be the one to find it and more than likely destroy it, Haley decided against that course of action. Once she landed and was back with her family, she was going to call him and tell him that something urgent had come up and that she'd had to go home. Hopefully, it would buy her some time while she worked out what the hell she was going to do next.
Right now, she didn't have a clue as to what that was going to be.
* * * * *
Jimmy and Lydia exchanged worried glances as they drove their daughter back to their family home. It hadn't been that long since they had seen Haley during their trip to Tree Hill and upon laying eyes on her at the airport they had quickly noticed the change in her. Not only did she look tired but she looked defeated... something they had never witnessed in her before, not even when she'd been forced to drop out of college.
“Your mom's been cooking up a storm since you called,” Jimmy said, looking at Haley in his rear-view mirror.
“Thanks but... I, uh... I'm not all that hungry,” she replied, continuing to look out of the window.
Shifting in her seat, Lydia turned to face her youngest daughter. “So, what did Nathan say about you coming out to see us?”
Haley swallowed past the lump in her throat. Reluctantly meeting her mother's gaze, she said, “He doesn't know.”
“Wait, you just up and left without saying a word?” Jimmy chimed in, clearly surprised by what he had just heard.
“I was going to leave him a note but... I figured Deb would probably find it first and destroy it so I decided not to bother. I'll call him later.”
Lydia quietly sighed. “When we spoke on the phone I figured you were going to talk to him before you—”
“I needed to get away!” she exclaimed, her eyes welling with tears. “Ever since Deb's arrival I've felt like I can't breathe and I... I kept hoping Nathan would notice and finally realize what she's been like with me but he hasn't.”
The distress in Haley's voice made his grip tighten on the steering wheel. “You should've told him, honey.”
“She's his mother.”
“And you're his wife,” Lydia said. Extending her arm, she covered the brunette's hand with her own. “He's told you what Deb was like when he was growing up and, heck, we all saw evidence of it first-hand that day in the café.”
Haley remembered that day only too well. When her parents had paid her and Nathan an impromptu visit after Deb had called them to announce their daughter had married her son, the four of them had gone to Karen's Café for breakfast one morning and her mother-in-law had shown everyone her true colors.
“Nathan loves you, sweetheart,” her father said, “and he deserves to be treated better than this. Maybe he has been oblivious to what's been happening but given that his mom's been doing all of her meddling when he hasn't been around, you can't necessarily blame him for not picking up on any signals, especially if you've been keeping quiet about it.”
Running her hands through her hair, Haley released a heavy sigh. “Can we stop talking about this... just for a little while, please?”
“Okay,” Lydia agreed. “Just promise you'll call Nathan when we get home. Don't let him go back to the house and have Deb be the one to tell him you've gone.”
She bit her lip and, after a long moment, slowly nodded her head. “I promise.”
* * * * *
Nathan was getting ready to leave the office. His briefcase was sitting open on his desk and he was placing a few files he needed to work on over the weekend inside of it. Picking up his jacket from the back of his chair, he pulled it on and was almost to the door when his phone buzzed.
“Damn it,” he cursed under his breath. Going back over to his desk, he grabbed his phone. “Yes, Wendy?”
“I've got Haley on the line for you.”
He frowned. She usually called him on his cell phone. “Put her through, thanks.” Hearing the click of the call being connected, he said, “Hey, baby. I'm just about to leave the office so—”
“I, uh, I'm not at home,” she said quietly.
“Okay, where are you 'cause I can swing by and get you.”
Closing her eyes, Haley took a deep breath. “I'm at my parents' place.”
Nathan's confusion grew. “Has something happened? Are they okay?”
“They're fine,” she told him before forcing herself to say the following words, “It's me... I, uh... I need some space.”
He felt a sudden sharp pain in his chest. “Haley... I-I don't understand.” Dropping the briefcase he still held onto the floor, he slumped into his desk chair. “Are you leaving me?”
The seconds it took her to answer his question felt like an eternity.
“No... no, baby... I'm not leaving you.” Haley brushed away her tears with the back of her hand. “I've just been feeling really overwhelmed lately and I... I need a little time away. I'm sorry,” she said before breaking down into sobs.
“Don't cry, Hales.” As he listened to her crying, Nathan wished he was there to wrap his arms around her. He loved her so much but he couldn't help feeling guilty at having drawn her into a web of lies just so he could get his hands on his inheritance. She was still so young and she didn't deserve all the crap that came with being tied to the Scott family.
“I'm sorry for not talking to you first,” she said. She wanted to tell him about Deb and how she had been treating her ever since she'd shown up in Chicago. That she'd lied to her own son when she'd told him she wanted to make amends for her behavior back in Tree Hill. Her mouth opened and closed a few times, the words on the tip of her tongue but, for some reason, they wouldn't come out. She hated feeling like this... so weak and vulnerable. It wasn't like her at all.
“It's okay,” Nathan told her softly. He felt like she wasn't telling him something but he didn't want to push her, not when she was so upset. Things in Tree Hill hadn't been particularly idyllic for them what with his mother's interference but at least she'd had some friends there and he couldn't help wondering if maybe the reason she'd left was because she felt isolated. After all, she was at home alone all day while he was out at work though he knew she had recently applied to a local college.
“Nathan?”
Haley's voice cut into his thoughts and brought him back to the present. “Yeah, baby?”
Her tears fell faster at hearing the familiar endearment. “I-I miss you already,” she whispered.
Tears pricked behind his eyelids and he blinked them back. “I miss you, too.” The thought of going back to the house tonight and knowing she wouldn't be there was almost too much to bear. “Do me a favor, okay?”
“What's that?”
“Don't stay away too long.”
“I won't,” she promised.
They were silent for long moments, neither of them wanting to hang up the phone.
“I'd better let you go,” Nathan finally said, hesitating briefly before continuing, “If there's anything you need just call me, okay? I don't care what time it is. I'm here if you need me.”
Haley wanted to tell him that she did need him, that she would always need him but, right now, she wanted some time to herself to think things through. She knew she was running away... that when Deb realized she'd left Chicago the older woman would view it as a triumph. “I know and thank you.” She toyed with a loose thread on the hem of the sweater she was wearing. “I'll call you in a few days.”
“Okay. I'll, uh... talk to you soon.” He didn't know if he should say the words but he couldn't let her go without making sure she knew how he felt. “I love you, Hales.”
Pressing her fingers against her lips to muffle the sob she felt bubbling up in her throat, she took a long, slow breath before speaking. “I love you, too, Nathan.” Quickly ending the call, she tossed her cell phone aside and curled up into the fetal position on her bed as she broke down.
“Oh, Haley-bop,” Lydia soothed as she took a seat beside her daughter and rubbed her hand up and down her back.
Feeling her mother's familiar touch, Haley threw herself into the older woman's arms, burying her face into the crook of her neck and hugging her tightly as she cried her heart out.
* * * * *
“Honey, is that you?” Deb called out when she heard the front door open. She hoped it was him and not that witch of a wife of his, although she figured Haley would be with him since she hadn't seen her all day. After she had gotten dressed that morning, she had barged into her son's bedroom ready to continue with her plan to get rid of the little minx who, she felt, was solely responsible for the division between her and Nathan but there had been no sign of her.
As the blonde had walked through the house, checking the kitchen, living room and finally Nathan's office and still finding no sign of her soon-to-be ex-daughter-in-law, a smile had crept onto her lips at the thought of having forced her out of the house.
“Nathan?”
“Yeah, it's me,” he replied.
She didn't fail to hear the sadness in his voice and, as sick as she knew it was, she couldn't help the lick of satisfaction she felt unfurl in her belly. Not wanting to appear too eager, she didn't rush out of the kitchen like she wanted to but when she did exit the room and saw Nathan standing with his back against the front door, the sense of satisfaction she'd felt a few seconds ago turned sour at the devastated expression he wore. Even after all the shit she and Dan had put him through over the years she couldn't remember ever having seen him look so crestfallen.
“What's happened?”
Nathan tiredly ran a hand through his hair. “Nothing,” he replied. “I'm going to take a shower...”
“Dinner's almost ready,” she said when he didn't continue.
“I'm not hungry but thanks. I'll see you in the morning,” he told her before he moved towards the stairs.
Deb watched him go. He was halfway up the stairs when she asked him the question she was dying to know the answer to. “Where's Haley? I haven't seen her all day so I figured she must have been with you.”
He paused mid-step. “Uh, something's come up so she's gone home to her parents for a little while.” He didn't wait for his mother's response, continuing his way upstairs and heading for the solace of his and Haley's bedroom.
Once inside, Nathan closed and locked the door behind him. The last thing he needed right now was a barrage of questions when he didn't have any answers to them. Despite his conversation with Haley a short while ago, he was none the wiser as to why she'd up and left so suddenly and without talking to him about it first.
Taking a seat on the corner of the bed, he leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees, racking his brain to try and come up with a single reason for her leaving. He stared into space but when his sight came back into focus, his eyes caught the photo frame that sat on top of the dresser across from him. The picture was one that Brooke had snapped of him and Haley outside the courthouse on their wedding day. He remembered that day so vividly, especially the part when he and Haley confessed their real feelings to each other.
Releasing a heavy sigh, he pushed himself up off the bed and made his way into the en suite bathroom. He stripped out of his clothes, tossing them into the hamper before stepping into the shower cubicle and sliding the door shut behind him. Bracing his palms on the tiled wall in front of him, he ducked his head and finally let free the tears that had been threatening to fall ever since that phone call, letting them mingle with the powerful spray of water raining down upon him.
* * * * *
Downstairs, meanwhile, Deb couldn't contain her smile. She'd done it and so damn easily. She hadn't even had to play her hand and reveal that she knew their marriage was a sham that Dan had orchestrated.
Another reason for her to hate Dan more than she did already.
Entering the kitchen, she retrieved a plate from the cupboard and spooned some of the chicken casserole she'd made onto it before setting it down onto a tray along with some cutlery and a bottle of water. Picking up the tray, she carried it upstairs and once outside Nathan's door, she forced herself to lose the smile that seemed to stretch from ear to ear.
“Nate, I've brought you some food.” There was no answer. Deb sighed under her breath. “Nathan?”
“I told you, I'm not hungry,” his muffled voice came through the door.
“Honey, you have to eat.” When she didn't get a response, she added, “I'll stay out here all night if I have to.”
A few moments later the door flew open and she fixed a smile onto her face, doing her best to ignore the pain she saw etched upon his face. “Here you go—”
“I know you're trying to help,” Nathan interrupted, “but I told you, I'm not hungry. When I am I'll get something myself.”
“Okay,” she nodded. “How about you at least come downstairs and watch some TV with me?”
“Mom, I—”
“C'mon, honey. I've been here a while now and I feel like we haven't really spent much time together. I'll even let you watch a basketball game,” she coaxed.
Nathan watched his mother with an incredulous look on his face. She was acting like everything was fine and wasn't even acknowledging Haley's absence. He didn't want to ask the question but he needed to see her reaction to it. “Did you say or do something to Haley?”
The question took Deb by surprise but she quickly recovered and feigned ignorance. “I'm sorry, what?”
“You heard me?” His eyes were fixed on her face.
“What exactly has Haley been saying?” she said, trying to shift any blame onto the young woman's shoulders.
“Nothing which is why I'm asking you. Everything was fine this morning and yet she calls me just before I left work telling me she was at her parents' place and was going to be staying with them for a while.”
Hope flared in her stomach. Surely, getting rid of the little minx couldn't really be this simple. “I thought you said something urgent had come up.” Realizing she was still holding onto the tray, she bent forward and placed it down onto the floor before straightening up and facing her son head on. “Just what the hell is going on here?”
Nathan covered his face with his hands, running them through his hair afterwards. “I wish I knew,” he mumbled.
“Oh, honey, I'm so sorry.”
“Just tell me... did something happen between the two of you?”
Deb shook her head. “No,” she lied. “I hadn't seen her all morning and so I figured she must've gone out while I was getting ready. The later it got, the more I thought she'd end up coming home with you.”
Placing her hand comfortingly on her son's arm, she asked, “Had the two of you been fighting?”
“No which is why none of this makes sense.” Closing his eyes for a brief moment, Nathan leaned against the wall and released a heavy sigh. “Maybe I should go after her and get her to talk to me... find out exactly why she suddenly felt the need to leave.”
“I'm not sure that's such a good idea,” Deb was quick to say. “It's just... well, I think giving her some time and space might be the best thing you can do.”
“I don't want her thinking I don't care about her.”
Who cares what she thinks, Deb wanted to scream at him but she kept the forced smile on her face. “I'm sure she doesn't think that. Just give her a little time and I'm sure she'll come back when she's good and ready. Now, stop this brooding and come downstairs and spend some time with me.” Picking up the tray from the floor, she walked towards the stairs; a smile that could only be described as devious creeping onto her lips.
Glancing into his bedroom, he saw the touches that Haley had added to it since she'd begun sharing with him and, in that precise moment, he didn't want to be in there... at least not without her. Going inside, he quickly gathered together the things he would need and headed towards the guest room that he'd initially given to her when she'd first moved in.
If... no, when – he corrected – she came home, then he'd move back into their bedroom. Until then, the guest room would suffice.
* * * * *
Standing by the long window behind his desk, Nathan stared blindly out of it. With Haley gone time seemed to be dragging and this past weekend had felt like a damn eternity. He remembered not so long ago wishing the day away so that he could rush home to be with her but now... the thought of being in the house without her caused a sharp pain in his chest.
A sudden knock at his already open door brought him out of his reverie and he quickly ran a hand over his tired face and through his hair. “Come in, Brian,” he said, taking a seat at his desk and gesturing for his second-in-command to follow suit in the chair opposite.
“What's up?”
“I was wondering, could you fill in for me at the banquet tomorrow night?”
Brian's eyes widened slightly. “You're not coming?” In all the time he had worked for the company, he couldn't remember Nathan not attending the prestigious ceremony.
Nathan shook his head. “Unfortunately, something last minute has come up and I'm not going to be able to make it.”
“Uh... sure, I'd be happy to stand in. I hope it isn't anything serious.”
“Thanks,” Nathan said, not bothering to elaborate on his reason for not attending. “I've already emailed Ross to apologize for my absence and to let him know you'll be taking my place but if you could apologize to him again when you see him I'd really appreciate it.”
“No problem,” Brian replied, briefly hesitating before he decided to continue. “Listen, I just wanted to say... if you ever want to talk, don't hesitate to let me know, okay.” The man sitting in front of him looked haggard and drawn, two words that rarely, if ever, described Nathan Scott, and it didn't take a rocket scientist to tell that something was deeply troubling him.
He nodded at his friend and colleague. “Thanks, man. I'll, uh, keep that in mind. You and the team enjoy yourselves tonight but—”
“Don't worry,” Brian chuckled, “I'll make sure they all toe the line and don't overdo it at the free bar.”
“You know me too well,” Nathan said, smirking. “I'll let you get back to work, then.”
Pushing up from his chair, the blonde stood up. “I'll see you later.”
“Yeah,” he replied with a small nod.
Once the other man had left the office, Nathan went over to the door and closed it before resuming his place by the window. The last thing he felt like doing was going to a banquet even if it was an important event in his company's calendar, although up to a few days ago he'd actually been looking forward to attending it since Haley was going to be accompanying him.
Glancing at his watch, he saw that it was still relatively early. Turning his head, he looked at his desk and the files strewn across it. He had a ton of things he should be doing but all he could think about was Haley. He wondered what she was doing right now and he contemplated calling her to check in and see how she was.
Despite her telling him that she missed him he had yet to hear from her which made him ponder whether she would want to hear from him. His fingers itched with the desire to pick up the phone but he finally decided against doing it.
As much as it was killing him to be apart from her, he knew he needed to give her the time she'd asked him for. Hopefully some time with her family would help her deal with whatever was troubling her and maybe then she'd come home and be able to confide in him about it.
Closing his eyes for a brief moment, Nathan took a few deep breaths before returning to his desk. Work had been his salvation before when things had gotten tough and he decided to focus on that again now because if he didn't do something, he knew he'd end up driving himself insane.
* * * * *
“So, have you decided when you're going back home and kicking the Wicked Witch's ass?”
Haley couldn't help smiling at her best friend's description of her mother-in-law.
“Whoa, are my eyes playing tricks on me or is that a smile I see?”
“Whatever, Peyton,” she said, her lips curving upwards even more.
“Seriously though, Hales, when are you going back to Nathan?”
Haley bit her lip. “I don't know. I mean, I want to be with Nathan... I miss him so much but... the thought of seeing her again makes me feel sick to my stomach.”
The curly-haired blonde nodded sympathetically. “I get that but he needs to know the truth and he needs to hear it from you. You've left him alone with someone who, from everything you've told me about her, won't hesitate for a second in painting you as the villain while she tries to come out of this smelling like roses.”
“Yeah,” Haley mumbled. “What if he doesn't believe me?”
Peyton was silent for a long moment as she gathered her thoughts. “Look, I may not have met Nathan yet but from what you and your parents have told me about him and his past, he sounds like a stand-up guy and I truly think he'll believe you. And as for the witch, you show her the Haley James I know and love. That girl wouldn't stand for any of this shit and would kick her ass into next week.”
Haley's eyes welled with tears. “I hate feeling like this, Peyt... so weak and timid. It's not me at all yet Deb has had me constantly tied in knots.”
“You're too sweet for your own good. I know we're always told to respect our elders but hell, sometimes you just need to tell them to shut the fuck up and stop disrespecting you.”
The auburn haired young woman's mouth dropped open before she burst out laughing. “Maybe I should bring you to Chicago with me,” she teased.
“Hey, if you want me to come with you I'll be there and I'm more than happy to tear a strip off the hag.”
The offer was tempting but Haley knew she needed to do this alone. She'd let Deb Scott get her own way for far too long now and she needed to put things right once and for all.
And the first thing on her list was finally telling Nathan everything that had been going on since his mother's arrival.
* * * * *
“There you are!” Deb exclaimed as soon as Nathan entered the house. “I was expecting you hours ago.”
“I had some stuff to finish up at the office,” he informed her as he passed by her and went into the kitchen. Opening the fridge, he grabbed a beer from the shelf and popped the cap. He was just about to take a nice long drink when the bottle was snatched away from him. “What the—”
“You've been drinking too much lately. How about I make us both some hot chocolate and we sit and watch the late news together?”
“Give it back, Mom. I've had a long day and all I want is a nice cold beer and then to hit the sack.”
“Honey, don't let her do this to you. Do you really think she's sitting at home moping over you? She left you remember so chances are she's clubbing the night away with her friends and isn't giving you a second thought.” Deb did her best to hide the sudden nervousness that swirled around her stomach at the hateful glare he shot her with. “Nate, I—”
“I'm going to bed,” he said icily, snatching back the beer bottle from his mother.
After he'd gone, she sighed heavily. “Damnit, Nathan,” she grumbled under her breath. “You're supposed to be hating her, not me.”
* * * * *
Upstairs, Nathan sat on the side of the bed in the guest room he was currently using, his head in his hands; the words his mother had thrown at him invoking unpleasant and unwanted images in his mind. He was picturing Haley at a club with some faceless guy pressing up against her, his hands wandering everywhere while hers did their own exploring.
He felt sick.
Straightening up, he picked up his cell phone from the nightstand and without thinking about what he was doing, he selected the first name in his list of contacts and impatiently tapped his foot while he waited for the call to be picked up.
“Nathan?”
He felt a surge of relief at the sleepy tone her voice held. “I'm sorry, Hales... did I wake you up?”
“No, it's okay. I was just reading a book in bed, hoping that it'll help me fall asleep.”
“You haven't been sleeping either, huh?”
“I... I miss having you in bed beside me,” Haley told him.
“God, I miss that, too, baby... so damn much.” Swallowing past the lump that had formed in his throat, he asked, “Can I come and see you this weekend?”
“No,” she replied.
That two letter answer made him feel like his heart had shattered into a million tiny pieces. “But—”
“You can't come here,” she quickly interrupted, “'cause I'm coming home to you.”
Nathan squeezed his eyes shut as her words registered. “Really?”
“Yes, really,” she said tearfully. “Can you do me a favor though?”
“Anything. Just name it.” There was a long pause and for a moment he thought they might have gotten disconnected. “Hales, you still there?”
“Uh huh,” she finally said. “Please don't tell your mom that I'm coming back... at least not until after we've talked.”
Nathan's free hand clenched into a fist upon hearing his wife's request. “What did she do?” He tried to hold back the surge of anger that suddenly shot through him.
Haley ignored his question. “Promise me you won't tell her.”
“Fine,” he reluctantly agreed. “I won't breathe a word.”
“Thank you,” she said softly. “I promise I'll tell you everything when I see you.”
“When will that be?”
“Tomorrow.”
For the first time since she'd left him almost a week ago, Nathan smiled. “Seriously?”
“Seriously,” she confirmed.
He could hear the smile in her voice. “Thank God for that,” he whispered.
“I know this will sound all cloak and dagger but could we maybe meet at that park you took me to that day when you were showing me around the city?”
Nathan wanted to ask her so many questions but he held off on doing so in case she changed her mind about returning home. The most important thing was to have her back with him... everything else could come later. “Sure.”
She blew out the breath she was holding. “Thanks. I'll call you once I've landed.”
“Okay. I could come and meet you at the airport,” he suggested.
“It'd probably be easier for me to just take a cab but thank you. I know how busy you are with work and—”
“You come first,” he interjected, “and you always will.” Wanting to lighten the mood a little, he added, “Besides, I am the boss so if anyone gets to play hooky it's gonna be me.” He felt the weight that had been pressing down on him lessening a little more when he heard her tuneful laughter.
“I'd better go,” Haley said a few moments later.
“Yeah,” he murmured. “You're really coming back, right?”
She hated the uncertainty she could hear in his voice. “Yes, and I promise I'll call you as soon as I can after we've landed.”
“Okay,” Nathan agreed, nodding his head even though she couldn't see him. “I'll see you tomorrow, then.”
“See you tomorrow,” she echoed. “I love you, Nathan.”
“I love you, too, Hales.” The smile that graced his lips remained until he heard the sound that signaled the call had been disconnected. Now, all he could think about was his mother's role in Haley's decision to leave.
He should've known she would be involved. It was all he could do not to march downstairs and demand to know what she had done but, deep down, he realized that the best way of dealing with her was to wait until after he'd spoken to Haley and found out the whole story.
As hard as it was going to be, he was going to do his best to let his mom believe that nothing had changed. It was what he'd promised his wife and like he'd just told her, she came first with him and always would.
* * * * *
Knowing he was going to see Haley today, Nathan had been restless all day. He'd hardly slept a wink and in the back of his mind he couldn't help worrying that she would call him back and tell him she'd changed her mind.
Even though he knew he wouldn't be able to concentrate on anything, he went into work earlier than usual although part of that reason was so that he could avoid seeing his mom. Her acting as if nothing was wrong was grating on his last nerve and despite not yet knowing the ins and outs of Haley's departure, he was absolutely certain Deb had orchestrated it. He'd warned her about what would happen if she didn't accept his wife and if she'd thought he was bluffing she was in for a rude awakening.
He'd had enough of being manipulated by both of his parents and the fact his mom was still doing it all these years later showed him that she hadn't learned a damn thing.
“Hi.”
Nathan had been pacing up and down the grassy area in front of the gazebo which was situated a short distance from the children's play area in the park Haley had suggested for their meeting place. Hearing her soft familiar voice behind him had him pausing mid-step before he whirled around to face her.
“Hi,” he whispered. His eyes roamed all over her, drinking her in. She looked beautiful though he could easily see the strain etched upon her face and in the slight slump of her shoulders. Without thinking about it, he closed the short distance between them and cupped her face between his palms. His lips claimed hers in a soft tender kiss but when she moaned into his mouth he couldn't stop himself from deepening the kiss. One arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her towards him, while the fingers of his other hand threaded through her hair.
For her part, Haley gripped the lapels of Nathan's suit jacket as she kissed him back, trying to tell him without words just how much she loved him.
“I-I can't believe you're here,” he murmured against her lips after they had drawn apart to breathe in some much needed air.
Haley reached up and lightly caressed his cheek. “I'm here,” she affirmed. Resting her head on his chest, she banded her arms around his waist and held on tightly to him. “I'm so sor—”
“No!” he interrupted. “You've got nothing to apologize for. The only one to blame here is my mom and if anything, I should be the one apologizing to you.”
“What? No, no, Nathan. This isn't your fault.”
He shook his head. “Yes, it is. I should've noticed that she was up to something and—”
“She made sure you weren't around when she...”
“When she what?” he asked when Haley trailed off.
Taking Nathan's hand in hers, she laced their fingers together and gestured with her head towards the nearby gazebo. “Let's go inside and sit down. It's probably better that I start from the very beginning.”
TBC