Brooke Davis looked out of her Chicago townhouse and wondered 'What's the meaning of my life if I cannot seem to be happy?' She also wondered why she couldn't seem to get an available man in her life. Because every time she looked around every man she seemed to attract or were somehow attracted to her was either A) Married/Older. B) Unavailable Emotionally. C) Crazily Possessive. D) Childish/Liar Or E) Insecure/ Jealous of her standing in society. Ick! Given she was attractive and very successful to be her age. After all her new fashion line was going fabulously well and her magazine which débuts next week will be the newest and biggest fashion magazine since Elle and Cosmo. Her life was going very well.
Well in one prospect anyway. Big ambitions, big dreams mean zero personal life. Not to mention a romantic personal life. Well that seemed to all go to hell anyway. She took a deep breath and blew out a gust of air. She needed to get a man. She was lonely and sick of going home alone at nights. But then again she was also sick of the losers that had been popping up in her life lately.
Loser number one, Mr. Crazily Possessive: Owen Morello, whom she thought would be normal (to her standards) turned out to be possessive and a macho womanizer. They didn't make it to three months, what a waste of her time and personal energy.
Loser number two, Mr. Unavailable Emotionally: Chris Keller another man she thought was normal or as normal as a rock singer could be, he turned out to be an overzealous lover and was hopped up on drugs most of their relationship to really actually care about her. But then the crying and begging to give him another chance after the break-up was too much. The drugs thing just wasn't her deal and she knew he was high when he called her. They lasted a year.
Loser number three, Mr. Married/Older: Nicholas "Nick" Chavez was very sweet and understanding after the whole Keller thing and was so mature seeing that he was twenty years her senior. He was charismatic and charming and funny and very handsome. She often wondered while he was with her why he hadn't been taken. But then one day while they were getting coffee outside of the cafe she met Sophia Chavez. His wife of nine years! It was just like that show Cheaters. She immediately terminated the relationship after the confrontation. That relationship of lies lasted four months.
Loser number four, Mr. Childish/Lair: Felix Taggaro was at first very sweet and intensive. But as soon as he got in front of his friends he turned into an immature asswad. Not to mention that when she got into her apartment she found him fucking another woman who happened to be her college alumni. He lied badly and said that he wasn't doing anything wrong. That relationship lasted about five months.
Loser number five, Mr. Insecure/Jealous: Chase Adams had always kept her on a tight leash. He always said it was because he liked knowing where she was and that she was an extremely beautiful woman. But to her it meant I control every move you make don't think of straying or I'll hurt you. That didn't even last a month. Ha! It shouldn't even have lasted that long.
Brooke was just sick to death of those types of guys. She had called it quits on the dating scene for almost a year now because of them. And it was a good decision on her part. But now she was getting restless. She was steadily approaching the big three-o and she still didn't feel complete.
And whenever she was feeling a bit restless she needed to visit one person. Her very best friend since high school. Lucas Scott. He was the only guy/friend she could really count on for good advice, good humor, and he was very dependable where she was concerned. He was the only successful relationship she had maintained since… ever.
She decided right then she needed her friend. So she drove all the way across town and knocked impatiently at his apartment door. He asked gruffly, "Who is it?" She said her name and he answered the door almost immediately a worried and weary look on his face.
"Lucas we need to talk." She said as soon as he swung open the door.
His dark brows knitted together in confusion and humor. "Whatever happened to 'hi, how are you, anything new happen today?' Instead I get a 'We need to talk.' greeting. What kind of greeting is that for your best friend? That's very bad form Brooke." He pointed out with a slight smile on his uniquely handsome face.
"Sorry." She then hugged the tall man and said very quickly and insincerely, "Hi, how are you… How was that?" she asked sauntering into his apartment and immediately dropping on his black leather couch.
He scoffed playfully, "Great. Assuming that I ignore the insincerity of your voice."
"Oh God Lucas, I really don't have time for this! I need your help."
He sat next to her, his face changing from humor to concern. "What is it Pretty girl? Are you in some kind of trouble?"
She sighed and looked into his trustworthy blue eyes, nervousness twisting her insides. "Yes."
His eyes widened at his heart started to race at the thought of his best friend being in an unsavory situation. "What is it? What's wrong?"
"I need you to do something for me."
"Anything. What is it?"
She took a deep fortifying breath. "I need you to tell me why am I attracting all these deadbeats?"
He looked quite shocked by the question and by the serious look in her hazel green eyes. "You're serious?"
"As a heart attack."
"Jesus Brooke I thought this was serious!"
"It IS serious!"
Lucas rubbed his temples then asked, "What brought this on? I thought you weren't dating ever again after the last one?"
Brooke got up and began pacing the floor as she explained, "Well I've been doing a lot lately and I have all this success and I'm still not fulfilled. And I've been thinking why that is? So I looked over all the things that I had wanted before I became the dreaded big three O. And the only thing I'm missing is a family of my own."
"Ok…biological clock is ticking hmm?"
She nodded shamefully. "Yeah I want kids. But I also want a husband. But it seems so impossible since all the guys that show up are such…" she struggled to come up with the proper term for the guys she always seemed to attract.
"Losers?" He supplied helpfully.
She grinned and nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah. Exactly!"
"I don't know why you seem to attract them. But I think I can guess."
"Please elaborate? What am I doing wrong?"
He shrugged and blew out a breath. "Maybe because you look at the surface instead of skin deep?"
She considered the things he said and shook her head, taking immediate offense. "I can't believe you just called me shallow!"
"Not as an insult. Well, maybe as an insult." She looked and grabbed a nearby piece of rolled up newspaper and swatted him with it. "Hey! Look at all the guys you had gone for… not one of them thought about you. They were all selfish in a way. They all were what I call male model types. You have never gone for the guy that wasn't to your standards 'attractive'. Or if he was a little off in that department you looked at his career. Rather his bank account could match up to yours. Face it Brooke, you're as shallow as they get." She hit him again. "Hey! You asked for my opinion and I gave it. So I don't know why you're hitting me for."
She stood to her feet expecting to go for a complete showdown. "Maybe it's because I didn't expect for you to sound like a moron!"
"Have I ever led you wrong before?" Brooke grumbled darkly and slunk back into her seat. She shook her head slowly. "As I said before I don't know. It's only a guess and judging by your defensive attitude there; I guessed right."
She made a face at him but then sighed, "Ok. Maybe I am a little bit shallow. But who isn't these days? You yourself have a thing for girls who model."
"Um, no I haven't." He then broke out laughing. "I don't know what you're talking about."
She gave him a look that said be serious. "You joke. But I'm serious."
He sighed and brought her closer to him. "I know. You want me to do a hook up for you? Talk to all the guys I know?"
"I don't care. Do what you want."
"And that's your problem! You don't care enough about who you pick." He said, looking at her with concern.
Lucas sighed and shook his head silently. How could a woman be so blind? He had been there for her for years and still she failed to see him in that light. All the guys he had witnessed walk in and out of her life had been major assholes and of the FUI alumni—aka the—fucked-up-individuals—each and every one of them. As far as he was concerned they were all idiots who didn't know how to treat a good woman correctly.
"There's one thing that they all had in common though." She mused breaking the silence but also following his thoughts.
He looked down at her at the soft tone of her voice. "What's that? They were all different from each other as night and day from each other, well except; from wanting to use you in some twisted way."
She tapped her fingertips on her chin thoughtfully, "Well they were all really jealous of our friendship—they all were sure that you had romantic feelings for me. But I know that's not true and that they were just jealous. I mean we're friends."
He chuckled ironically. What do you know? Those morons did have a brain. "Yeah, friends. Speaking of, it's been forever since you and I did anything together."
She groaned and looked up at him. "Oh I know! It's just that I've been so damn busy with this launch and getting my deadlines finished that I couldn't…"
"Well you're not busy now? What do you say? Want to go do something?"
She sighed and looked at him annoyed. "I'm sick of going places. I just got back from Milan."
"Ok we can stay in and watch movies."
She smiled at him with gratitude. "Thanks Lucas. I really appreciate this."
He sighed and got up and went to the entertainment center. "Ok… what's the verdict of: A) A Time To Kill? B) Bourne Identity? Or C) Unfaithful. You know, seeing that you like those kind of movies."
"Or D) My Best Friend's Wedding."
He looked at her with true horror at the thought. "No way are you going to make me sit thought that movie again. You wouldn't do that to me!"
"Well all the movies you suggested had violence in it. Right now I don't want to see that stuff."
"Right, like My Best Friend's Wedding doesn't have a tinge of violence in it."
"It's not like Julia Roberts hit Cameron Diaz upside the head with a snow globe! And it's not like that sexy guy who plays Michael is a maniac at driving and shooting up the reception because Julia tried to ruin his wedding!"
They then burst out with laughter. "Nice argument!"
She blushed with merriment. "Hey I tried." she sighed and said, "Look if you don't feel up to watching My Best Friend's Wedding then I shouldn't make you—"
"Well it's not like I would croak and die if I saw it one more time." He sighed and put the DVD in the DVD player. "Even though I would like to see something with a little action in it."
As soon as he sat down she scooted toward him and laid her head on his solid chest. "You know, there's one thing that's a constant in my life."
"What's that?"
She looked up at him and said softly, "You."
He smiled and gathered her closer to him, "And you'll always have me. I'll always be here for you Brooke."
She looked up at him and said, "Promise?"
He nodded and kissed the top of her head sweetly. "I promise."
She smiled; feeling the comfort Lucas always created and snuggled closer, unwittingly making his night hell.
-x-
Brooke felt much better after her heart to heart with Lucas, full of confidence and she felt as if she were on top of the world. Which figuratively she was. But still she hadn't felt like it in a long time. And it felt really amazing.
"Brooke!" Julian Baker shouted out as he stopped by her office.
"Oh Lord…" she plastered on a fake smile. "Hi Julian. How can I help you?"
He leaned on the doorjamb, looking at her with heat in his eyes. "You have a date yet for the premiere?"
She continued working, looking at the spread for next month's issue. "I'm working on it." She said offhandedly, her eyes glued to the floral patterns of the models skirt as if it were the most interesting design in the world.
He came inside her office without being asked and placed both hands on her desk, his eyes making contact with hers. "Because if you come up short on a date you know you can always call me."
She wanted to tell him to get lost but she remained polite. "I'll think about it." Not! She wanted to say but she still had to be polite. "Is there anything else I can do for you?"
"No. Just remember that I have first dibs on the last dance." He said with a wink.
She smiled sweetly. "Actually I have someone in mind for that. Thanks."
"Alright, but in case you change your mind, you know where to find me." He then sauntered out of her office, a sly smirk on his face; as if he knew she had no one to escort her to the premiere.
Julian had been after her for months; noticing that she was constantly single, and also knowing she didn't particularly want anybody. Lord knows how many times she had shut down his advances—and there had been many of them. She sighed and put her face in her hands, thinking of anyone she could contact to take her to the party. She came up with only one name; Lucas Scott.
-x-
The next day she and Lucas had met up for coffee on her break. Brooke was nervous because she knew that there was a very good chance that he would say no to her. And when she was nervous, she fidgets and when she fidgets he would do that squinting thing with his eyes and demand answers. So she controlled her fidgeting as best she could and Lucas still eyed her suspiciously so she went ahead and decided to tell him of her proposition. "Lucas I need your help!"
He looked at her warily. "Again Brooke?" he shook his head and said, "I knew you took me here for some reason."
She looked at him with those enchanting hazel green eyes. "This time it really is an emergency. The premiere of my magazine's launch is tomorrow night and I don't have a date!"
"OK… What does that have to do with me?" he asked before biting into his delicious butter toasted English muffin.
She bit her lip hopefully and asked, "Would you be my escort?"
He looked at her weirdly. "Why don't you just hire a guy for that?" He suggested as if that was the most obvious thing in the world. Which damn him it was.
"Because it is a waste of money! And why would I do that when I have you to escort me for free."
He laughed harshly and shook his head repeatedly. "No! No! And no! Like hell I will! You know how I feel about public appearances."
She grasped his hand across the table and said, "Please? I'm desperate!"
"If you're so desperate why don't you just buy the date?"
"Because… I don't want to. C'mon! I'll do anything and plus it's the biggest accomplishment that I have ever had and I would like you to be there for me. Please?"
He hated himself for this but he knew that she must be truly desperate to be begging him like this…rolling his eyes he muttered lowly, "I must be crazy. Out of my mind."
Lucas scoffed then said, "Alright, I'll do it."
She squealed with happiness and got out of her seat to hug him close. "You won't regret this! I'll be sure to do whatever you ask the next time you want me to do something!"
"Yeah, whatever," He loved how her hazel green eyes taken a glow whenever she was happy.
"Now I have to go find me a dress… and you a tux."
"Hey I can dress myself—"
She chuckled and shook her head with feigned sympathy, "I know how much you want to believe that—but you don't sweetheart. I promise I will pick out an exquisite tuxedo for you that'll make you look fabulous."
"Yippee!" he said sarcastically, knowing he was in for a night of pure hell. He knew how those evenings ended. Brooke in some other man's arms, laughing and having a good time, then she would take the party to his or her apartment and he would end up alone and bored. Oh joy for Lucas.
"Oh c'mon, don't be like that." She said with a pout. "Lucas this is important to me. I want—no I need your support."
"And you have it. But why do I have to be there?"
She smiled and replied with a careless shrug, "Because you have to."
He cocked his head to the side and smiled at her, "Says you."
"You're going to have fun I promise!" she then leaned down and kissed his stubbled cheek and tossed bills down on the table saying, "Okay since you have agreed to go I have to hurry up and find your tux. Thank you Lucas!"
"Yeah, yeah you're welcome!" he grumbled playfully a slight smile on his face from the tingling kiss she left on his left cheek.
After Brooke left the coffee shop, she had went to shop after shop looking for the perfect tuxedo for Lucas and had came up with exactly bupkis. That is until she saw a black on black tux and instantly thought of her brooding best friend. She smiled as she felt the fabric and had to admit that it was of great quality.
"Have you found what you're looking for Ms. Davis?" The sales associate asked after Brooke had been feeling the fabric for some time.
"Yes…I would like to buy this tux. It's for a friend. We're attending this really big party and he needs a tux. I have his measurements already and can you put a rush on this? I will pay you triple for the trouble."
"Of course. When do you need it by ma'am?"
"I need it before one o'clock tomorrow."
She smiled and said, "We can definitely accommodate you. Please come this way…"
-x-
Not even twenty four hours later Lucas opened the door of his studio apartment to find a box on his doorstep. He bent down to pick it up then opened it to find a note inside. 'Pick me up at five-thirty. PS you're going to look great in this…Love B. Davis.'
He chuckled and removed the tux from the box and grinned. His Brooke sure knew him well…it was just his style…only better.