Author's note: I still own nothing and still wish I did. So, I had this written and wanted to go ahead and put it up. Hope you like it...I tried to follow the storylines of the show, but of course tweaked it to fit my story. You can probably tell I jumbled some of the stories and scenes to fit together how I wanted. Hope you like it...and any feedback is appreciated. Thanks a bunch! Hopefully I will get the next update done tomorrow...
Brooke Davis had been in Tree Hill for four weeks. She was settling into her new home and her new store. She was thankful for her friends. She had missed them all so much, she missed out on four years, missed Jamie's birthdays, Nathan's NCAA Championship, Lucas' book being published.
"Hey roomy," Peyton said as she walked into the space that Brooke Davis was turning into Clothes Over Bro's newest store, "so I've got a plan on how we deal with Victoria."
"Really," Brooke sighs. Her mother has been driving her insane since she came to Tree Hill. She thinks the company is going to suffer with Brooke not being in New York.
"Ready," Peyton asked, Brooke nodded sadly, "I'll get the shovel and you get ten feet of rope," she laughed, Brooke looked sad and miserable, "too much?"
"Maybe," Brooke sighed.
"Brooke, this place looks great," she said looking at a few of Brooke's latest creations, "just think, if I don't sign any bands soon, I can get a job here."
"I'm sorry darling," Brooke said trying to mimic her mother, "you're not nearly bitchy enough to work in one of my stores," she said, they both laughed.
"Well, dear," Peyton said snobbishly, "I don't believe you are bitchy enough to work in one of your stores."
"Well I don't know about that," Brooke said sarcastically, "I have references, just ask Lindsey."
"Lucas' Lindsey," Peyton asked.
"Does everyone call her that," she asked.
"Were you mean to her?"
"No," Brooke said defensively, "she was marking her territory and I just called her on it. She thinks I," she emphasized that word, "am after Lucas."
"She said that," Peyton asked surprised.
"She didn't have to it was obvious," Brooke said, "she showed up with this like bad luck bamboo thing and a story about how it was like a symbol of my dream, but I'm pretty sure it was just to guilt trip me."
"Brooke," she tried to interject.
"And then get this, she says to me, I just want you to know I'm here. What is that? I mean you are opening your own label, and this is not my first store or the start of my company, but does she bring you a lucky bamboo?"
"Yeah," Peyton laughed, "she did actually. She came by yesterday before she went to New York."
"I am such a bitch," Brooke said with a sigh.
"Well, on the bright side," Peyton said putting her arm around Brooke, "at least now you know you're bitchy enough to work here."
"No, really, I suck."
"Yeah you do, it's a wonder you have any friends," Peyton said, "but you do, you have me."
"Thanks ."
"I've missed this," she said, "you, this place, us, all of it."
"Lucas," Brooke asked.
"Yeah," Peyton said honestly, "I have missed him."
"I thought you had your Lucas stealing face on," Brooke laughed.
"Oh, honey that's not what I meant," she sighed, "I missed Nate and Mouth too, I mean Lucas and I ended that night in L.A. two years ago," she smiled, "and, I think you might have caught a glimpse of yourself in the mirror when you saw that Lucas stealing face."
"Peyt," she sighed.
"Ok, enough about Lucas, are you coming to my party tonight at Tric?"
"Wouldn't miss it for the world," Brooke said thankful for the change in subject.
Brooke Davis stood near the bar at Tric. She couldn't help but be a bit nostalgic as she stood there. This place was also filled with memories. She had missed it. They were all gathering at Tric to celebrate Peyton signing her first artist, and Brooke couldn't help but notice the new bartender who kept eyeing her as she waited on her friends.
"Wow," Haley said wrapping her arms around Brooke, "you look amazing."
"You too," she smiled, "hey hotshot, sorry I didn't have a present for you too," she said hugging Nathan.
"Oh, don't worry," he smiled at her, "that dress you gave my wife," he said as he put his arm around Haley, "it's a present for me too."
"Hey guys," Peyton said as she and a younger brunette approached the trio.
"Hey," Brooke smiled.
"This is Mia," Peyton said, "and this is Brooke and Nathan and you know Haley."
"Hi, Mia," Brooke said shaking her hand, "Peyton tells us your music is amazing."
"Thanks," she said shyly.
"Hey," Lucas said as he, Skills and Mouth approached the group.
"Where's Lindsey," Peyton asked.
"She's in New York still," he sighed, "she'll be home tomorrow."
"Ok guys," Peyton smiled as she motioned towards the bartender, "bring it in." She starts handing drinks to everyone.
"Thank you," Brooke smiled at the dark haired bartender who handed her a glass.
"You're welcome," he smiled.
"B Davis," Peyton called, they all noticed the obvious flirting, "ok, it's been way too long since we all hung out together, and this is the first time we're all drinking together…"
"Legally that is," Brooke smiled winking at Peyton.
"So here's to hanging with our crew, old and new," she smiled at Lucas wanting him to know she really did welcome Lindsey in to their group, "and everyone getting what they want," this time she smiled at Brooke.
"Thanks for the invite," Mia said quietly to everyone, "usually I'm at home online on Saturday nights."
"We're gonna have to work on your rock star image," Peyton chuckled as she wrapped an arm around the younger girl.
"Well let's start now," Brooke said with a smile as she signaled the bartender, "Hales?"
"No," she said.
"It's my turn to be responsible for a change," Nathan said as he kissed the top of her head, "go."
"You know you've really come a long way in the last month," she smiled at him, "and I'm glad to have you back. So is Jamie."
"To the girls of Tree Hill," Brooke said as they all four raised their glasses.
"The beautiful ladies of Tree Hill," the bartender said smiling.
"I'm Brooke by the way," she said.
"Owen," he said shaking her hand.
"Let's dance," Peyton said pulling them to the floor with her.
"Why are women so screwed up," Lucas asked as he and Nathan sat down.
"Let me guess, Brooke or Peyton?"
"Yeah," he sighed, brooding, "we're having trouble with this friends thing. I mean with Peyton it was easy, it is easy. How is it so easy with her, but," he sighed, "with Brooke…"
"Easy," Nathan said taking a drink of his bottled water, "you and Peyton were never really in love."
"Yeah well Lindsey isn't doing too well with it either."
"Yeah," Nathan smirked, "but you seem more upset about Brooke."
As the evening started to wind down everyone started to make their exits. Peyton and Mia were in the studio, Nathan and Haley had already gone home to get Jamie. Brooke sat at the end of the bar. Mouth and her assistant Millicent had just left after what Brooke was certain was a date.
"Yo baby girl," Skills said as he stood behind her, "it's good having you back."
"It's good being back," she said hugging him, noticing Lucas standing there.
"Well, I am going home, do you need a ride," he asked.
"No," she smiled looking towards the bartender, "I think Owen is going to drive me home tonight."
"Well, you ready," Skills asked as he looked to Lucas. He had been the designated driver, and Lucas had a few too many drinks to drive, "I'll be outside."
"Alright," Lucas said watching Skills walk away, "this was fun," he said looking at Brooke.
"Yeah, it was," she smiled.
"Brooke," Owen said, "I'll be done here in about five minutes."
"Ok," she smiled at the bartender.
"You sure you don't need a ride," Lucas asked.
"I'm gonna wait on Owen."
"Ok," he leaned in to hug her, he held her close to him and she had her head against his chest, "he is not good enough for you," he whispered in her ear.
"Hey," she said pulling away from him, "don't do that."
"Do what," he asked.
"He's not good enough for you," she said pushing him back, "I don't want you saying things like that to me. That's not fair to me," she said looking into his blue eyes, "and it's not fair to Lindsey either."
"Brooke," he sighed.
"Go, Luke, just go," she said turning away from him.
I felt that this was a good ending for this chapter...the titles of each chapter are songs, and the story of course is titled after Kate Voegele's new CD...enjoy?
