Author's Note: I know I shouldn't be starting a new story while my others are unfinished, but I can't leave these two alone! This one will be short and sweet and along to the song "Marry Me" by Thomas Rhett! And if you would like me to continue and I get enough reviews, I just might! :-p hehe
Nathan Scott held the wedding invitation in his hand, with a glass of whiskey in the other. He stared down at it and then looked at his reflection in the mirror. Dressed in a black suit and a black tie. He chuckled at the irony. No one would guess he was dressed for a wedding, they would assume he was dressed for a funeral. He was dressing to reflect what his heart was feeling: he was in mourning.
"The honor of your presence is requested at the marriage of:
Brooke Penelope Davis
and
Julian Andrew Baker"
Nathan's heart stung every time he read the invite, no matter how many times he read it the pain was still there. Brooke should be marrying him. Brooke Penelope Davis and Nathan Royal Scott is how it should be. He crumbled the invite up in his fist and threw it in the trash can. He adjusted his tie and took a deep breath before opening his dresser drawer and taking out a flask of whiskey. He tucked it neatly in his pants pocket. He was going to need it today.
She wants to get married, she wants it perfect
She wants her grandaddy preaching the service
Yeah, she wants magnolias out in the country
Not too many people, save her daddy some money
Nathan drove to the wedding venue, Country Club of Landfall. The venue was absolutely perfect for Brooke and it helped that her parents had been members of this country club for years. People were running around, paying attention to the last minute details of the wedding that was about to ensue. Nathan swallowed hard and got out of his car, walking towards the entrance.
"Nathan Scott! I'm so happy to see you!" Victoria exclaimed as she wrapped her arms around him.
He returned her hug and plastered a fake smile onto his face. "I'm happy to be here!"
"Brooke is going to be delighted! You should go see her before the wedding. She looks absolutely breathtaking!"
"I can only imagine, Mrs. Davis," Nathan responded politely.
"Please excuse me, darling. I have to make sure the flower situation has been taken care of." Victoria smiled at him before turning and walking away in a hurry.
Yes, Nathan should go see Brooke one last time. But he's not. He doesn't want to ruin this for her. This is the happiest day of her life. He should be happy for her. He made his way outside and smiled at the wedding venue. White chairs lined the aisle. The end of the aisle was a gazebo that was covered in red and white roses. And sheer white curtains were wrapped around the posts. The venue was placed beside the beautiful Intracoastal Water Way. It was so Brooke.
Ooh, she got it all planned out
Yeah, I can see it all right now
Nathan thought back to when Brooke was planning the wedding. He wanted to tell her how he felt the entire time, but he somehow managed to bite his tongue. She apologized to him for not being included in the wedding, telling him it was because Julian felt intimidated by him and laughed. She told him that Julian was crazy to feel that way and Nathan's stomach took a punch. But he only smiled and told her it was perfectly fine that he wasn't included in the wedding. He secretly didn't think he'd be able to handle it.
"Honey!" Deb greeted as she walked behind Nathan, putting her hand on his back.
"Hey mom," Nathan replied as he hugged her.
"Interesting suit choice," Deb noted as concern filled her eyes.
Nathan didn't say anything. He just looked at her with sad eyes.
"I'm so sorry, sweetheart. I know how you feel. I wish it were you two up there."
"Me too." Nathan said softly as he walked over to the back row of chairs and took a seat. He reached into his pocket, pulling out the flask of whiskey and took a sip.
I'll wear my black suit, black tie, hide out in the back
I'll do a strong shot of whiskey straight out the flask
I'll try to make it through without crying so nobody sees
Yeah, she wanna get married
But she don't wanna marry me
I remember the night when I almost kissed her
Yeah, I kinda freaked out, we'd been friends for forever
And I always wondered if she felt the same way
When I got the invite, I knew it was too late
Nathan remembered the night he had almost kissed Brooke. He remembered that night all too well. It was when she had come back into town to visit her parents. She had been in California, opening up a new location of Clothes Over Bro's and when she returned into town, her and Nathan were inseparable like they were all those years ago. They went out to dinner and had a little wine. Brooke was laughing uncontrollably as he drove them to the river court.
"Play Horse with me?" Brooke's eyebrows quirked as she held the basketball in her hands.
"Only for you," Nathan replied with a smile as she tossed him the ball and he began dribbling.
She was winning, obviously because he was purposely missing shots. She was absolutely horrible at basketball in reality. Something that made him love Brooke even more than he already did. He loved every single thing about her.
"You're letting me win, you jerk!" She shoved him and laughed.
"But if I beat you, I'm still a jerk, right?" Nathan asked, teasing her.
"You're always a jerk. You were the biggest jerk in high school." Brooke informed him.
"Yeah, I know. You're not the first girl to tell me that," Nathan chuckled.
"I always defended you though. I told them they didn't know the real you." Brooke said softly.
Nathan's eyes softened. "I always did the same for you."
Lightening filled the sky and a sound of thunder rumbled afterwards. A storm was blowing in.
"We should be getting home before we get drenched," Brooke said.
"Good idea," Nathan said as he bounced the basketball one more time and cradled it under his arm as he walked over to the car. They both slid into the car and drove in a comfortable silence to Brooke's house, the rain pouring down on the windshield.
When they reached Brooke's house, he parked the car and Brooke winced at how hard the rain was pouring down.
"Afraid to get wet? Think you'll melt?" Nathan teased.
"Shut up, you jerk!" Brooke punched him in the arm and laughed. "But yes! I don't want to get completely soaked!"
"Are you happy?" He asked her. Realizing what he had asked he quickly added, "In California?"
Brooke shrugged. "Tree Hill will always be my home and where I'm most comfortable. This is who I am."
"Do you plan to come back?"
Again, Brooke shrugged. "Business is booming there and Julian's movie career is in California."
Nathan's stomach dropped at the mention of his name. Julian. Big, hot shot movie producer. Brooke's boyfriend.
"If he loves you like he says he does, he would follow you anywhere you want to go. Trust me."
Brooke looked over at him and smiled a full dimpled smile and rested her head against the seat. "That's why I love you. You always know the right things to say to make me feel better."
That's why I love you. She said it. But what exactly did she mean by it?
"You know I love you, Brooke Davis," Nathan returned her smile and slowly leaned in closer to her.
"You do?" Brooke, whether or not she realized it, was leaning in toward Nathan as well. The rain had calmed down and was only sprinkling. It had grown quiet outside the car.
Nathan was leaning in to kiss her, his face only a few centimeters away from hers. She wasn't moving away. He was about to kiss her and she wasn't moving away. Her eyes closed. Brooke wanted him to kiss her! His heart was pounding now. Just as he was about to press his lips against hers, a roll of thunder rumbled through that was so loud it shook the car and made them jump apart.
"Oh SHIT!" Brooke exclaimed in surprise and then laughed, covering her mouth as her laughing increased.
"That was some serious thunder, huh?" Nathan laughed as well and rubbed his hands on his jeans. He was trying to blow off what had just happened, but it wasn't working.
"Well, I have to get inside. But we're still on for lunch tomorrow?" Brooke asked.
"It's a date." He replied with a smile.
They did go to lunch the next day. But the almost kiss was never mentioned. Not even once.
And I know her daddy's been dreading this day
Oh, but he don't know he ain't the only one giving her away
I'll wear my black suit, black tie, hide out in the back
I'll do a strong shot of whiskey straight out the flask
I'll try to make it through without crying so nobody sees
Yeah, she wanna get married But she don't wanna marry me
Bet she got on her dress now, welcoming the guests now
I could try to find her, get it off of my chest now
But I ain't gonna mess it up, so I'll wish her the best now
The guests began to flood in, taking their seats. Karen, Keith, Lucas, and Lilly walked by and gave him an apologetic nod. Damn. Did everyone know about his feelings for Brooke? Julian appeared at the front of the crowd, taking his place at the foot of the aisle. He stood there, proud and happy. Nathan wanted to kick his teeth in.
He could only imagine the dress Brooke had picked out. He knew she was beautiful in anything she wore. He regretted not seeing her one last time as a Davis. Maybe he could have stopped this. Maybe he didn't have to give her away. Maybe he didn't have to lose her. She was his. She had always been his. That's the way it was supposed to be. Nathan stood up, about to go find Brooke, but the music began playing. Nathan slowly sat back down. It was too late.
Peyton came down the aisle first. Then Rachel. Then Haley. Everyone stood up signaling it was time for the bride to come down the aisle. Brooke came from around the corner, her father standing holding his arm out for her to take. Brooke looped her arm around her father's with grace and she smiled lovingly up at him. Nathan had never seen her father so proud of her. Brooke looked absolutely breathtaking, just like Nathan knew she would. Her dress was strapless and her skirt had elegant ruffles. The back had a corset. Simple, but elegant. At least she didn't want feathers. Nathan chuckled at the thought. Brooke's eyes found his and her face lit up. She smiled the biggest he'd ever seen her smile, her dimples noticeable. He smiled back at her, genuine, but also fake. She seemed to catch on. Her eyes were locked on his until she passed by. He watched her walk down the aisle, each step full of grace. Julian was smiling at his bride.
Nathan watched as Brooke's father kissed her on the cheek and Brooke stepped in front of Julian. He couldn't watch anymore. He thought he could be strong enough to watch this, but he was very wrong. Nathan stood up and walked away from the ceremony. Guests were giving him odd looks, but it never slowed down his pace. What he didn't see though was Brooke's eyes following his retreating form or the sadness in her eyes. No, he didn't see that. He kept his eyes focused on what was in front of him as he escaped the heartbreak that was surrounding him.
So I'm in my black suit, black tie, hiding out in the back
Doing a strong shot of whiskey straight out the flask
I'll try to make it through without crying so nobody sees
Yeah, she wanna get married Yeah, she gonna get married
But she ain't gonna marry me Whoa, she ain't gonna marry me, no
So that's it! What did you guys think? Should I continue? Review if you think so :)