Disclaimer: I do not own anything from One Tree Hill.

Chapter

1

"Hey, Luke." Brooke smiled softly at Lucas as he entered her house.

"Brooke, hi." Lucas smiled, awkwardly at Brooke and put his hands in his pockets.

"What's up? You seem nervous." Brooke laughed. She picked up the latest addition of magazine off her counter and dropped it into a golden wicker basket next to her cream couch.

"Nope." Lucas shook his head and his blue eyes followed Brooke's every move.

"Um, Peyton's not here do you need---

"I didn't come her for Peyton." Lucas interrupted, his voice stronger than he'd intended.

"O-kaay. What can I help you with then?" Brooke asked, confused. She cocked her head to the right and stared at Lucas, anxiously. She had a meeting with Julian about costumes in twenty minutes and didn't want to be late. Plus, she still had to drop Sam off at school and get dressed into the black skirt, white blouse, black blazer combo she'd set out of her bed. As of now she was wearing a gray mini-skirt and purple tank-top, which was not exactly appropriate for a business meeting with Julian.

"I just...wanted to...talk to you, I guess." Lucas replied, lamely.

Brooke fought the urge to roll her eyes. What did he want? Didn't he know she was busy?

"Um, okay. About what?" Brooke sighed and took a seat on the edge of her couch.

"Mind if I sit down?" Lucas asked, hovering next to the couch.

"Sure." Brooke nodded and waited as Lucas sat down. What was wrong? He seemed so...serious.

"I just wanted to talk to you...." Lucas trailed off and looked at the floor.

"You said that." Brooke shrugged.

"I...." Lucas stared into her brown eyes and leaned over to her.

"What?" Brooke asked, softly.

"I love you." Lucas whispered quietly, letting the words hang in the air. He did, he loved her.

"Lucas...." Brooke warned, her heart beating rapidly. Peyton would personally kill her if she knew. She and Lucas were engaged they were going to be married.

"I love you." He repeated more firmly.

Then, he surprised her by reaching over and kissing her.

"Lucas....I...I mean, Peyton,...

"Brooke, listen. It was a mistake. Peyton was a mistake." Lucas told her.

Brooke blinked back a tear. She loved him too, so much. She'd tried to avoid it but she did, she loved him. Then, she thought of Peyton. "We can't, Lucas. You know that."

"I don't know that. I love you, Brooke." He continued to repeat himself.

"I love you too but---

"Good, that's all that matters." Lucas protested.

Brooke stared at him. How could he simply say Peyton was a "mistake"? How could he tell her he loved her? After he broke her heart so many times before.

"Look, if you don't love me I---"

"Brooke? You in here?" Brooke heard the door slam shut and heard Peyton's unmistakeable voice.

Brooke gasped and her eyes widened in fear. She jumped off the couch and sprung over to the door.

"Peyton! Hi!"

"Hey. Is someone in here? I thought I heard someone talking." Peyton searched around the corner.

"Um. Yeah. Actually, Lucas is here. Looking for you. He, um, thought you'd be here, I guess." Brooke stammered, hoping Peyton wouldn't jump to any conclusions.

You're being stupid, why would she think anything. You're just paranoid, Brooke told herself, angrily.

"Oh. Luke!" Peyton grinned when she saw her fiancee seated on the couch.

"Peyton." Lucas replied, cordially.

Brooke let out a deep sigh and placed a cool hand on her forehead. She couldn't help but feel angry towards Peyton for coming in at that moment. She loved Lucas and knew, in that moment, that she would fight for him. She also thought, in the back of her mind, that she would win.