Hey guys! Thanks to everyone who has started reading this story and has left a review... it is greatly appreciated! I think this story is going to be more lusty than it is lovey, but it could change! Oh, and I always forget to mention it, but I don't have anything to do with OTH and that goes for all of my stories! :)
Ch. 2
The plane's landing into Tree Hill was exceptionally smooth and early, and Brooke didn't hesitate to exit the plane as quickly as possible. She had originally thought sitting next to the handsome stranger would provide an interesting and entertaining distraction from the flight. However, Julian Baker was infuriating and she wasn't planning on being stuck next to him or making small talk.
Brooke walked with short, quick strides through the Tree Hill airport. She reveled in the anonymity she experienced every time she came home and enjoyed the absence of photographers. She was able to bypass the baggage claim area and moved directly outside to hail a taxi. Sitting in the back of the fairly clean cab, Brooke began to regret not taking Haley up on the offer to pick her up from the airport. She argued that it wasn't necessary for Haley to go out of her way and that she would just meet her at Lucas's for the big dinner.
Thinking of the "big dinner" Brooke kinked her eyebrow as she tried to figure out what news Lucas was going to share with everyone tonight. Peyton had flown in from LA yesterday, and Brooke was the last to arrive this afternoon. Looking out the window, Brooke was at peace in her hometown and she was relieved that Tree Hill seemed to avoid the rapid growth of other small towns. She adored the activity and energy of New York, but she craved the slower warmth of this city.
She could literally feel the tense pain in shoulders relax when the cab pulled in front of her home on the water. Brooke had bought the small house with a red door in Tree Hill as a birthday present for herself a couple of years ago. Unfortunately, she wasn't able to spend as much time here as she would like, but she considered this house more her home than her loft in the city. Paying the fare and leaving the driver a generous tip, Brooke breathed deeply in the subtly salty air.
Walking into the house, she noticed that the light staccato of her heels was the only sound echoing through the quiet house. Smiling she bent at the waist to smell the fresh flower arrangement and looked at the card even though she knew exactly who they were from. Lucas. There were only three people in Tree Hill with a key to her house with the ability to make an in-door delivery, and only one person who would go the extra step to leave her favorite flowers.
Tree Hill was warmer than New York, but the breeze from the water made it almost chilly and she pulled the throw from the sofa over her shoulders. Brooke opened several windows and simply stood still allowing the breeze to tangle her hair. The sun was still bright outside and with the open windows there was no need for lights. Brooke carried her carry-on bag to her bedroom and laid on her bed. Closing her eyes and savoring the soft mattress, Brooke decided to take a quick nap before heading over to Lucas's house for dinner.
"Brooke? Brooke Davis?" Brooke groggily opened her eyes to the familiar voice calling her name. She looked around, but was surprised to be unable to see in darkness. Wow! What time is it? Her eyes adjusting to the darkness, Brooke gasped at the time on the clock near her bed. Damn! She had overslept and Peyton was here ready to ride over to Lucas's together. "In the bedroom, P. Sawyer!"
Brooke winced as Peyton turned the light on and she shielded her sensitive eyes. "Geez… Peyton, give a girl a warning!" She mumbled grumpily to her best friend.
The blonde laughed and plopped onto the bed next to Brooke, "Uh oh, did you wake up on the bitchy side of the bed Brooke?" She wrapped her thin arms around the still sleepy brunette, and playfully ruffled the raven hair.
"No, I was just woken up by the wicked bitch of the west." Brooke laughed in response and pushed the other girl off of her. It had been almost a year since the two women had seen each other, but they were instantly at ease with the familiarity of a lifelong, childhood friendship. "P. Sawyer I swear LA isn't good for you! You're blonder and thinner if that is even possible… I worry about my girl." Brooke hugged her close and was truly worried about the gaunt features and the bones she could feel along Peyton's back. She knew that Peyton stopped eating and sleeping when she was working too hard and when she was stressed, and lately Peyton had been both.
Peyton smiled broadly but it didn't reach her eyes and Brooke couldn't shake the feeling that Peyton was withholding something important from her. "Come on, Brooke, you're always worrying about me! I'm fine, but you're going to get us both in trouble with Luke. Let's go!"
Complaining loudly about having to get up, Brooke complied and dragged herself to the bathroom to freshen up. She debated changing clothes and finally decided to change into the red cocktail dress from her newest collection. The deep, dark red which was almost closer to a maroon was more flattering than a bright cherry red for her fair complexion. The form fitting dress was short, low, and amazingly sexy just like most of the COB line. She decided to wear her new favorite high heels that helped to elevate her height a few inches and enhanced her tone legs. Stepping out of the bathroom she could hear Peyton's low whistle of admiration and approval for her ensemble.
Brooke winked at Peyton and dabbed perfume behind her ears and along her neck. She was momentarily reminded of her earlier conversation with Julian on the plane as the fragrance wafted towards her nose. She shook her head to clear her thoughts of the frustrating stranger and gazed at Peyton, but that made her only shake her head harder with confusion at Peyton's outfit.
"Peyton? Please don't tell me Goodwill-chic is back in style on the west coast!" Brooke inquired and exclaimed in the same statement regarding Peyton's fashion sense. Peyton looked down at her outfit with amusement. Wearing skinny jeans, faded rocker t-shirt, fitted leather jacket, and boots – it was the go-to, generic Peyton outfit that Brooke had seen a million times over the years, but never failed to be criticized.
"Oh I missed you B. Davis!" Peyton laughed and threw her arm around her friends shoulder as the two made it out to her rental car.
It had been five years since the now famous love triangle played out in high school, but it seemed like ancient history as Brooke and Peyton pulled in front of Lucas's house. Holding hands and giving each a look of support, the two women walked confidently towards the door. This would be the first time Peyton saw Lucas since he left her alone in a hotel room, after she rejected his marriage proposal, and Brooke knew how difficult tonight would be for her. Peyton may have rejected Lucas, but she continued to love him and hold hope for reconciliation in the future. Tonight was the first step in Peyton Sawyer's plan to win Lucas Scott's heart for the second time, and Brooke Davis would be there to provide her support for the fragile blonde.
Taking a deep breath, Brooke squeezed her friend's hand a little tighter and then rang the door bell. Almost immediately the door flew open and she was enveloped into a massive hug. Smiling broadly her dimples blazing, Brooke was amazed at how quickly Nathan had bulked up playing in the NBA. Grasping his bicep in her hands, her eyes twinkling, she teased him in a flirty tone, "Why Nathan Scott what big muscles you have! Haley James Scott is one lucky woman."
Laughing and blushing Nathan squeezed her again before hugging Peyton, "I'm the lucky one Davis, and where have you two been?! Lucas has been waiting." Nathan looked pointedly at Peyton with the last statement about Lucas, but he wasn't surprised to see her blush and avoid his gaze.
"Brooke! Peyton! Finally, where have you guys been?! Lucas is starting to get pissed, you're ruining his big announcement." Haley wrapped an arm around each of the girls for a quick hug as she grilled them about their tardiness.
"Easy tutor mom, don't give us detention." Brooke rolled her eyes at Haley's slightly teacher-ish tone with her, but tightly hugged her a second time. Peyton was Brooke's oldest and best friend, but Brooke would always have a strong, sisterly bond with Haley that transcended the role of friendship. As the godmother of Haley and Nathan's son, Jamie, Brooke made sure she came to Tree Hill every couple of months and she had only deepened her relationship with the Scott family.
"Brooke!" Despite all of the history and pain she had experienced because of the handsome blonde heading in her direction, she couldn't help the lump that rose in her throat as he looked at her and smiled. Lucas strode across the room with purpose and determination and swept her off her feet when he embraced her, turning her around the room. Peyton lowered her eyes to hide the tears at the sight of Brooke in Lucas's arms, but she quickly tried to hide the hurt she was feeling when he touched her tentatively. Looking up and blinking rapidly to stop any tears, Peyton held Lucas's blue stare over the top of Brooke's head and she smiled weakly.
Lucas slowly released Brooke from his arms and kissed her on the top of her head, but never dropping his eyes from Peyton. Brooke softly patted his chest and then gently pushed him towards Peyton, once again giving her blessing for the two no matter how much it hurt and cost her. Lucas and Peyton melted into each other and silently held onto each other as if they were the only people in the room with close to fifty friends and family. Nathan and Haley were waiting to quickly hold onto Brooke as she watched her best friend and her first love reunite again before her eyes. She gave them each a shaky smile and then excused herself to get a drink. A strong drink!
Making her way across the room, it took Brooke nearly fifteen minutes to reach the makeshift bar to get a glass of wine. Pouring herself a rather large glass of Merlot, she didn't take time to actually taste the wine, but simply gulped and grimaced against the slight burn. She speedily finished her wine and decided in that moment to get drunk. She reached for the bottle of wine to refill her glass, but it was quickly snatched up from the side.
"Serendipity, Brooke Davis."
It took Brooke a moment to recognize the gorgeous face and the striking grin in front of her as the same frustrating face of Julian Baker from her flight. Her eyes widened as he poured her another glass of wine and then clinked his own glass to hers. She could almost hear the laughter from his eyes and she couldn't tell if she was getting angry or turned on or maybe a little bit of both from his teasing grin. She didn't want to give him the satisfaction of asking the obvious question or confirming his earlier prediction of them sharing drinks. So Brooke simply held her glass up in recognition of his toast with a lifted eyebrow and walked away.
Brooke could practically feel Julian's eyes undress her as she walked across the room back towards Haley and Nathan, and instead of feeling self-conscious by his intense stare, she felt electrifying and alluring. But at the same time she was trying to fight the entire What the fuck is he doing here?!
Julian chuckled at Brooke's stubborn refusal of his greeting and watched her walk across the room. Any other woman would have intended to brush a man off by walking away, but he knew by the way she moved her hips and flipped her hair that Brooke intended it as an invitation. Julian gradually made his way closer to her across the room, but was in no hurry to reach her. Instead he actually preferred to watch her interact with her friends and pretend to ignore his presence in the room.
Finally reaching the five high school friends, Julian stood closely behind Brooke and was pleased to smell the same intoxicating perfume from the flight. Julian knew for the rest of his days, he would always associate this spicy vanilla scent with Brooke Davis and it would result in an instant erection similar to the one he had now. Brooke felt Julian brush behind her and she shivered at the lightest of contacts along her back. She unconsciously licked her lip and ran her hand along her neck. Hearing Julian chuckle softly near her ear, Brooke looked up to see the large mirror across from her and met Julian's gaze. His eyes told her not only that he had seen her reaction to his close proximity, but that he was equally affected by her.
She was about to turn to confront Julian, when Lucas noticed him standing behind Brooke. "Julian! I want to introduce you to everyone." Lucas quickly made the introductions, but Julian didn't stop him from introducing him to Brooke. Julian used the opportunity to hold Brooke's hand and lean close to her, pressing his stubble-covered cheek to hers. "Serendipity, Brooke Davis, serendipity." Brooke was beginning to hate that word. Julian reluctantly released her hand and stepped around her so that he was once again dangerously close to her backside.
Lucas had the expression of a kid on Christmas morning and clapped his hands together. He looked at Julian expectantly, "So ready to make the announcement partner?"
Julian was still in a position to see Brooke's facial expression in the mirror across from her and he smiled broadly as he could totally read What the fuck?! cross her beautiful face. Julian nodded his head, showing Lucas his approval for the announcement, and Brooke found herself once again shivering as she felt the movement of his head near the top of her head.
Lucas began hollering and waving to get everyone's attention and Brooke temporarily forgot about Julian and the effect he was having on her when Peyton giddily fell into her arms, her face flushed with excitement. Lucas silenced the room and people crowded around to hear his big announcement. Peyton and Brooke stood together with their arms wrapped around each other. Julian looked at the two breathtaking women and smiled, and then quickly frowned. Since when do I see two beautiful women embracing and I admire their friendship and not picture them naked and in bed with me?!
"I'd like to thank everyone for making the trip here tonight." He looked at Peyton and Brooke, "Especially to some of you who traveled thousands of miles to be here to help celebrate an amazing achievement. I can't imagine sharing this news with anyone other than each of you." He then turned to scan the crowd, including everyone in his announcement. "As you all know, I wrote a book about our lives in high school. But now it isn't only going to be in print, it is going to be a movie." Lucas couldn't continue as the entire room erupted into shouts of congratulations. Everyone rushed forward to shake his hand, to hug him, or some other physical show of support, and in the mad rush Julian was shoved into Brooke as she turned to move away from the crowd.
Julian instinctively reached out and wrapped his arms around Brooke and drew her close to protect her from the small mob of well wishers. Likewise, Brooke automatically reached to Julian's neck and waist for safety. Brooke's face made contact with Julian's sturdy chest and she breathed in his woodsy and clean scent. She couldn't remember a sexier smell on a man and it made her stomach clench with desire. She looked into his dark brown eyes and she saw his lips drawn tight in protective concern for her and she knew that she wanted Julian Baker, and she wanted him now.
