AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is my first OTH fanfiction. Please review and let me know what you think. Also, I should mention while I always liked Brooke and Julian, a part of me hated the fact that he had dated Peyton first. Can't Brooke have her own guy for once? And I've always liked Clay so I thought this would be a good chance to put them together and see what would happen. If you're a fan of Quinn or Julian, just so you know I don't plan to bash them in this story. Note: The opening scene would take place just after the season 6 finale. Only Brooke didn't go after Julian in that episode. The scenes in New York take place between seasons 4 and 5.
Brooke took a long sigh as she set in her luxury SUV outside Nathan and Haley's home. Usually, she would be in a rush to get inside and hang out with her friends and adorable Godson. But, today wasn't feeling quite like herself. Ever since "she'd let Julian go" as her friends would say, she'd been keeping to herself. Or wallowing as Haley would say. Still, as excited as she was tonight to celebrate Nate finally making it to the NBA; she was a little bummed that she'd be ending the night alone…again. While she was so happy for her friends, a part of her couldn't help but be a little jealous. All of Naley's dreams were coming true and she was still in the same place she'd been for years now.
Despite all of that, she smoothed at her fabulous Brooke Davis original red cocktail dress and began to walk up the driveway. She could see cars parked all down the street letting her know that Haley had invited most of Tree Hill to celebrate Nate becoming a Charlotte Bobcat. She walked into the house and began to survey the scene. She saw Mouth, Millie and Skills all hanging out over by the TV, which was showing a basketball game. She was just about to walk into the living room when she heard Haley yell "Brooke!"
"Hey Tutorwife," she answered as she saw Haley coming toward with a huge smile on her face.
"I'm so glad you came," exclaimed Haley as she pulled Brooke into a hug.
"Well, it's not like I could miss a Naley celebration like this?" Brooke responded. "So where is the new star of the Bobcats?"
"He's around here somewhere. I swear it's like the whole town showed up for this," Haley answered as she glanced around the house looking for where he husband had wondered off to. And then she and Brooke saw him approaching.
"Hey Davis," she heard the guest of honor call as he came walking toward her. "Glad you could make it."
"I wouldn't have missed it, Nate," she answered. "Congratulations," she exclaimed while giving him a hug.
"Aunt Brooke!" she heard Jamie yell as he came running toward her and grabbed her legs. "Check out my new jersey," he said while showing her the Charlotte Bobcat jersey he'd slipped on over his clothes.
"That's great, Jamie," she said smiling at her cute Godson and playfully ruffling his hair.
"It has Daddy's name and everything," he grinned while twirling around to show her the back of it.
"Very cool", his aunt answered while leaning down to talk to Jamie. "Did your Dad get that for you?"
"I got it for him," a male voice stated.
Brooke didn't even have to look up. She knew that voice all too well. But she did look up to see those blue eyes she knew so well stare back at her. She managed to rasp out, "Clay?"
"Brooke Davis, looking good as always," Clay answered confidently while looking straight in her green eyes. He was surprisingly calm for a guy who hadn't seen her in years.
She wasn't. What was he doing here? Why now? How did he find her? All of these questions swirled in her head and yet she couldn't manage to get the words out of her mouth.
Fortunately, Nathan did. "Davis, how do you know my agent?" he asked as he and Haley anxiously awaited her response.
Oh, how could she answer this she thought as her mind began to drift back to the first time she'd ever met Clay Evans.
It was a crisp spring morning in New York City as she speedily walked through her neighborhood on the Upper West Side. It had been about a month since Lucas Scott had showed up to meet with a publisher and ended up sending her into a working frenzy. He had the nerve to make a pass at her mere hours from asking another woman—her best friend to be exact—to marry her. Fortunately, she had the good sense to turn him down. But, doing the right thing doesn't always leave you feeling the right way. While in her head she knew she'd made the right decision to turn him down, her heart was plagued with thoughts of what might have been. It was enough to drive her crazy. Fortunately, she'd managed to channel all her restless energy into her work, which made her mother very happy. Hey, at least someone was happy, she thought.
She was in the midst of launching a new lingerie line for Clothes Over Bros along with the new magazine. Both were set to debut in the coming months. Given all the hours she was putting in, the girl needed some caffeine to kick off her morning, so she was making a quick stop at her local coffee shop.
Brooke stepped in line behind a woman holding a toddler in her arms. The toddler was facing Brooke. Brooke couldn't help but stare at the cute little girl who she guessed would be about a year and half old. The little girl was adorable with her curly blond hair and blue eyes. Brooke couldn't help but feel her heart ache a little as she stared at the child. The longing for a child was a new feeling Brooke had been experiencing lately. Given she was in earlier twenties, she thought this was a bit odd to feeling this way already. She had years to start a family, right?
Just then the little cutie reached out and grabbed Brooke's hair. As Brooke winced, the mother turned around. She was a pretty twenty-something with blond hair and blue eyes that matched her daughter's. "Maddy, don't do that," she exclaimed as she gently pulled the toddler's hand away from Brooke's hair. "I'm so sorry."
"That's okay," Brooke replied genuinely.
"Oh, my God! You're Brooke Davis," the woman said as she got a complete look at her. "I love your clothes."
"Thank you," Brooke said smiling and noticing the woman was wearing one of her designs. "That top looks great on you."
"I can't believe it's really you," the woman smiled. She then turned and grabbed the guy in front of her, who Brooke guessed was the father of Maddy. "Clay, look who it is."
The blond man turned around. He was strikingly handsome with his broad shoulders and his boyish face. His eyes seem to shine as he looked Brooke up and down. Brooke got a strong suspicion that he was checking her out, which she felt was quite tacky for him to do right in front of his wife and child.
"Clay, it's Brooke Davis," the woman exclaimed seeing that the guy was not recognizing Brooke.
"Uh… right… your friend Brooke, long time no see" he struggled hoping that was right.
Brooke giggled at his bumbling effort.
The woman began shaking her head. "We're not friends, you dork. She's the fashion designer for Clothes Over Bros," the woman said shaking her head. She then turned to Brooke, "You'll have to excuse my brother, if you're not in Sports Illustrated, he probably doesn't know you."
"Hey, I read other stuff," he argued.
"Yeah, comic books," she countered. "You're a real renaissance man."
Brooke couldn't help but smile at their sibling banter—she also found herself liking the fact they were siblings and not a couple for some reason.
"Graphic novels," he grumbled but then quickly set his sights back on Brooke. He gave her a boyish grin and added, "Well, Ms. Davis, I apologize for not knowing you before, but I can promise you I'll never forget you now."
Despite the over-the-top line, Brooke couldn't help from smile at him. He was quite cute.
His sister however, proceeded to roll her eyes and lightly smack the back of his head. "Don't embarrass yourself, she said condescendingly. She then turned to Brooke. "I'm Molly Watson," she said extending her hand to Brooke. "This is my daughter, Maddy, and this Casanova wannabe is my brother, Clay Evans."
"So nice of you to travel few hundred miles to embarrass me in front of a beautiful woman, Molls," he added smirking while reaching out to shake Brooke's hand.
He couldn't help but hold her hand a little longer as if he would never get a chance to touch it again. Brooke gave him a slight smile as she stared into his eyes and then gently pulled her hand away.
"So, Ms. Davis, do you live in Manhattan?" he asked.
"Getting creepy," Molly whispered making Brooke giggle.
Clay sent his sister an annoyed look and then turned to Brooke, "The reason I ask is because I'm still fairly new to the City. Just started NYU this fall. And I'm playing tour guide for my sister and niece here while my brother-in-law is at his conference. But frankly, between us, I don't think there is a conference...the poor guy just needed a break from my bear of sister," he added with smirk. Molly quickly hit him in the arm making Brooke laugh. He continued, "Anyway, I thought if you knew the City well, you'd like to join us and share your expertise?"
Brooke had to appreciate his boldness. Since she gained a little fame, most "non-famous" guys, tended to be a little intimidated when they found out who she was. For a moment, she let herself get swept up in the idea of being able to take the day off and hang out with them. She was definitely envious of this closeness these two siblings shared and little Maddy was absolutely adorable. And a spring day touring New York City would be a lot of fun, but she had a Board Meeting and her mother would kill her if she missed it. No day would be worth that.
"I'd love to, but unfortunately I have a meeting I have to be at," Brooke said. "Thanks for the offer though," she added while grabbing her coffee from the barista. She felt bad as she saw the look of disappointment floated over his face.
"Well, it was very nice meeting you," Molly added.
"You too, Molly," Brooke said genuinely. "You guys enjoy, New York. And Clay, take your niece to the carousel in Central Park… I think she'll love it."
Clay smiled back at her. "Will do. I hope to see you around, Ms. Davis."
Brooke smiled back at him briefly and turned to walk away. Clay continued to stare at her as she walked away noticing the way her hips swayed quite sexily in the form fitting purple dress she was wearing. She was without a doubt the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen.
Molly noticed his stare and quickly nudged him in order to get his attention as she handed him his cup of coffee. "I can't believe you hit on Brooke Davis. I swear I can't take you anywhere."
"What?" Clay added. "I think she liked me, didn't she Maddy?" he said while reaching down to play with the toddler's hands. Maddy proceeded to giggle. "See, Maddy knows what's up. If not for her meeting, she'd be hanging out with us."
"Yeah, I don't think there was a meeting…I think she was just turning you down gently," Molly responded.
"I think she just knew that there was no way we'd be able to hook up since you were here so she decided to pass. I mean why play if you know you can't score?" Clay added smugly while reaching out and picking up Maddy. He then looked at Maddy and lowered his voice "Your Mama is such a cock block."
"Hey, don't say that to my little girl!" Molly snapped. "Let's just go to Central Park."
As they proceeded to walk, Clay couldn't let it go. "So you really don't think she liked me?"
Molly could see he was a little hurt at the thought that a girl might have actually not liked him. "I'm sure she thought you were charming. I'm just saying Brooke Davis is on whole different level. She dates famous guys… in fact I think she might be dating Nick Lachey," she commented.
"So, what's he got that I don't?" Clay asked.
Molly just sent him a look that clearly said really. She'd never seen her brother this worked up. Usually, women were a dime a dozen for him. Brooke Davis had a really done a number on him.
"Okay, I'm gonna give you 98 reasons why I'm better than that dude," Clay stated making Molly roll her eyes and think this was going to be a long afternoon. "Number one…
