Crossroad

Chapter 1

Family can be described in many words. But for me it has always been complicated. My family is tight yet twisted. My best friend is also my sister. We've both turned our passions into careers. I'm the owner and creator of Clothes over bros. Peyton is the owner and manager of Red Bedroom records. She's in love with Jake Jagielski. And fully intends on waiting for him. He had to leave Tree Hill in a desperate attempt to get back his daughter Jenny from her evil mother Nikki. That was 4 years ago. There has been no contact between Jake and Peyton since then. I admire her strength and willingness to hold on and believe that he will be back for her. Like he promised. But as time goes on I fear what the silence means.

She's full of hope and optimism. She lights a candle for Jenny on her birthday every year. When it comes to Jake she revisits the places in town they shared memories. I go along with her whenever she needs me. Which hasn't happened. Since the first time she started this tradition.

Watching this entire situation up close. Makes me feel as if my own problems aren't even worth mentioning. But she never makes me feel guilty for talking about it. Lucas Scott was the one boy I would have lost it for. Which makes it all that much more hard to take knowing that he's engaged to Lindsay. Seeing their engagement announcement. Was like a knife through my heart. We dated in high school broke up at the end of senior year. We had a pregnancy scare during junior year. I ended up losing the baby though. If I'm being honest our relationship shifted after that. And I don't think either of us ever fully recovered. I've dated since then Chase, Julian, but it never ends up lasting I never got over really got over him. I went to college in New York. He went to LA and focused on his writing career. He came home and told us about meeting this woman. I remember looking at him. Seeing that smile on his face. That he used to have looking back at me.

I was one of the first to leave Nathan and Haley's that night.

Going home sketching through my tears. Months later. We met up with each other in New York I had a business meeting and he was there for some fan event. And it was all over. We met for dinner. It was like old times. The banter and level of comfort was there. We ended up taking a taxi back to the hotel. Walking down the hallway together. After the richness of the food and the amount of alcohol we had drank between us. I figured it would be an uneventful night. How wrong I had been. He Put his hand at the small of my back. He had said he knew how clumsy I could be and I smiled at him. Eventually we reached my door. I fumbled with my getting my key through the slot. Achieving success turning the knob slowly. Walking inside. Hearing his footsteps behind me. The door closing gently as I felt him take my hand. I had already kicked my shoes off and was in the process of getting out of my dress. When I felt him put his hand on my shoulder. Gently unzipping the zipper in the back. His hands began to roam my skin. As I looked back at him.

"You didn't have to stay I can take care of myself." I told him. His eyes looking back at him.

Our eyes locked. As he brought his hand to my face caressing it gently. "I know that." "Independent, Strong, beautiful, brave, "I gave up on us." "I should've fought harder for you." He said. His eyes blue eyes darkening.

"None of that matters now Luke." I told him. Turning back around. "You should go we're tired and nostalgic." I said. Trying to keep my breath steady.

Getting out of the remainder of my dress. Grabbing a t shirt from my bed. As I felt him grab my hand and pull me closer to him.

Taking me in his arms. Leaning over kissing me.

…

The remainder of the events of that night. Are relived only in my memory. Passion never being something we lacked. It wasn't until the morning after that I came to senses.

Leaving not contacting him. I wouldn't be the girl who took the guy from someone else. Leading us to right now. Where I'm buying a wedding gift for the married couple to be.

Wondering if this is what people meant when they said. Love was about sacrifice.

Nathan and Haley are living the American dream. A new addition the nanny they hired. Who seems to be everything they could dream of. And yet Dan seems to be the only one not willing to welcome her into the family.

…

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