Sometimes All You Need Is Effort
Summary: Sequel to Sometimes All You Need Is Time. After years of being together, surpassing their college years with their relationship stronger than ever, an unfortunate event occurs in the lives of Tree Hill's power couple, forcing questions to be raised, and doubts to be silenced. Life can be a b**ch sometimes.
Disclaimer: I own nothing, but I wish I owned One Tree Hill. I will however own the box set series of One Tree Hill.
Chapter 2
xxx
"Brooke." Lindsey said as she nodded towards the brunette fashion designer curtly, only fueling the irritation Brooke already felt for the editor.
"Millie, would you please make sure Rachel doesn't come to my office for the time being, I don't want to have a murder in our hands while I attend to this."
"Sure thing Brooke, if you need anything I'll be out here." With that said, Millie walked towards her rather large cubicle, its large size especially given to her due to her wonderful skills as an assistant and just because Brooke wanted to reward Millie for being such an irreplaceable assistant and friend. As Millie walked to her seat, she couldn't help but feel protective of her boss and friend, hence the glare she darted towards the editor who looked unaffected despite its intensity.
Sighing, Brooke turned to enter her office without a second glance at Lindsey who took this as her cue to follow Brooke's receding figure. By the time she had entered Brooke's extremely spacious office, Brooke had made herself comfortable in the sofas that inhabited a corner of her office. Closing the door behind her, Lindsey cleared her throat, ready to say what she came to say when Brooke interrupted her.
"Why don't you sit down? Do you want anything to drink? Coffee? Tea?" Brooke asked with a sickeningly sweet smile, something everyone can agree to be a mere formality before she ripped Lindsey apart in her ever so famous Brooke manner.
"No thanks." Lindsey simply said, an answer to the seat and drinks offered. She didn't plan to stay in Brooke's office for long; she just wanted to say what she needed to and leave. It looks as if Brooke had other plans however because she gazed lazily and disinterestedly all the while the fake smile she had mastered to plaster on her gracious face since high school rested on her lips.
"No, I insist you sit Lindsey. I have quite a few things to discuss with you, and I'd prefer that you sit and make yourself as comfortable as possible." Brooke's tone was laced with an eerie formality that could only be heard when she was prepared to dismantle the target's argument or tear that person apart.
Lindsey, noticing the slight edge that was carried in Brooke's tone of voice, attempted to hide her slight discomfort and simply nodded.
"Now that we're all comfortable, why don't you start with that you planned to say when you came here? That way we can get all this drama out of the way and we can all move on with our lives." Brooke said calmly, authoritatively, readying herself for war.
"Looks Brooke, I don't know and I don't give a damn about what you might say but I just wanted to come and tell you that I hope you're happy."
"I'm sorry, why is it that I would be happy about YOU kissing MY boyfriend? Why would I be happy to see MY boyfriend feel so guilty about what happened when it was clearly YOU who threw your slutty ass at him?"
"Oh, that's so typical of you, blaming everything on others. Look Brooke, you and I both know I didn't come here to apologize for all the shit that is happening in our lives, but you can't pin the entire thing on me. I am entitled to my own opinions and I can tell whoever the hell I want about them. What I told Lucas was my opinion and you know what, I don't regret any of it at all. What I do regret is making Lucas feel like he can't continue to work with me."
"You're right, as an American we're all entitled to our own views, but it is NOT okay for you to kiss MY boyfriend! How old are you? This isn't high school, what you did has consequences and you're not just playing around people's feelings, but you're toying with people's lives. You should know better than anyone how Lucas and I feel about each other; you've read his both his books! What is wrong with you Lindsey? It's not okay to toy with people's relationship and it sure as hell is not okay to toy with MY relationship! You know, I was willing to forgive you for kissing Lucas and maybe you were somewhat not in the right state of mind, having spent hours and hours with Lucas, but honestly you are a stubborn bitch who will never realize your own mistakes. I even disregarded all those things you said about me because you're right, I was a slut back in high school, I'm not anymore and that's what matters. Your past and the mistakes you've made don't define who you are, it's the choices you make to correct those wrongs and change is what does. And for you to throw my past and use that against me when you don't even know me is something only a heartless bitch like you can do. And what's funny is you coming here today or you confronting Lucas about my past and my flaws didn't make him love you or make him love me any less. Instead, all it did was force him to cut you off from his life and my life. What you thought would bring Lucas into your open arms only drove him away. Don't you understand Lindsey, all this is your fault. Your actions has led to undesirable consequences, one you will forever regret because you and I both know just how amazing Lucas is, how much of a blessing it is to have him in our lives. You will always regret your decision in doing all this because now that Lucas wants nothing to do with you, you will never be able to have the privilege of being his friend."
By this time, both women were standing; ready to attack each other with more than just words.
"We'll I'm sorry for hurting your pathetic feelings Brookie…Does that make you feel better now? Does it because I don't give a damn about your feelings. You're just some slut who will end up hurting Lucas with your past habits and I just wanted to warn him. He could do so much better than you and I still can't understand how he doesn't see that. You should know better than anyone how great a guy Lucas is, and for him to settle with someone like you is just pathetic. He deserves someone who won't have guys tell him how much of a slut his girlfriend was. It's naïve of you to think that our past doesn't define us Brooke but it does, it's always there to haunt you and Lucas does not need all that baggage. You know what Brooke, I think Lucas is with you because you probably please him in those dirty ways you've learnt from your past, and he's only with you because no one loves you. Your mom, your dad, abandoning you, neglecting you, never wanting you. He probably feels sorry for you, so much that he stayed with you for so lo-"
A slap rang through large room, Brooke, her eyes steeled, not letting Lindsey have the satisfaction of knowing just how much hurt her words have inflicted on her. She wasn't going to give this bitch the satisfaction of knowing, no. Lindsey and her words were not worth her tears.
Lindsey still cradling her cheek whipped her head and faced Brooke, almost ready to attack her, but instead she smirked.
"Did I hit a nerve there Brooke? Don't worry Brooke, mommy and daddy isn't here to see you cry so go ahead. You know, it's very unhealthy to bottle things up like that, didn't mommy and daddy teach you that? Oh wait, they didn't teach you anything."
Brooke felt her blood boil. She didn't give a damn if Lindsey attacked her with her past, but her relationship with her parents was off limits. Her non-existent relationship with her parents was something she never enjoyed talking about, and for Lindsey to throw that in her face was the last straw. She didn't give a damn how much Lindsey threw her promiscuous past at her, but to make fun of the one thing that hurt her more than ever, the issue of whether or not she deserved to be loved, by her parents, by anyone, was something Brooke will never ever tolerate. So many times in the past had she cried her eyes out, wondering was she so terrible; did she do something so horrible that even her parent didn't give a damn about her. So many times in the past did she find herself hating her very being, hating herself for being someone even her parents could never love, and this didn't stop until Lucas showed her she was worth it. She was worthy of love, and that her parents were stupid to not love her the way any parent should love their child. Lucas showed her she was worth everything, she was worthy of unconditional love. And because of Lucas, Brooke had learnt to respect herself, to stop throwing her body to sex-hungry boys, but instead learn to love herself, her body. She was worth more than any price a man could put on her, she was worthy of respect, loyalty, admiration and adoration, hell even success as evident through the millions of dollars she was worth now that Clothes Over Bros had become one of the leading companies in the industry. She was worthy of it all. And she wasn't going to let some slutty home wrecker tell her otherwise.
"You know what Lindsey, you're right. Yes, my parents never wanted to spend time with me, they never stayed with me for more than a day. They never told me they loved me, they never told me they were proud of me. They never wanted to know me as a person, always giving me money so they didn't have to deal with me. You're right. But you're also wrong, because the one thing my so-called parents taught me was, we, the Davis', do not tolerate people's shit. So let me tell you something Lindsey, so what, if my parents were never there for me? I've got a family that I would never trade even for the entire world. I have Karen, a woman whose heart was so big that she took me in and treated me as if I was her own daughter. I had Keith, a man who although was so unfairly taken away from this world, had taught me lessons I will forever cherish and loved me like a daughter. I have Peyton, my best friend who yes had hurt me, but loved me so much that she was shared her parents with me, seeing me as not her mere best friend but also her sister. I have Nathan, the boy I grew up with who protected me even from his jackass of a brother in high school who hurt me. Nathan who loved me and saw me as his family, who I could relate to in more levels than you will ever understand. I have Haley, my loving best friend who is practically the sister I never had. Haley who has always been there for me, loving and treating me with respect that I didn't deserve back then. I also have Jamie, my godson who loves me more than I can imagine. My godson who admires me and does not see me as some stupid girl in high school. And I have Rachel, who may be a handful but who has my best interest at heart. A best friend and sister I will never give up. And most importantly I have Lucas, the man who adores me more than anyone, the man who you seem to love as well. A man who chose me instead of you, a man who loves me for me and not because he felt sorry for me. Sure, my parents were never there for me, but I don't really care because I have all these people here with me and they're more than enough. And you Lindsey, sure you had your parents with you, but if we compare you and I, we both know who is the screwed up one. I'm not the one who threw myself at an man who is happily in a relationship, I'm not the one who came here and tried to hurt someone. I'm not the one who is a poor excuse of a human being, especially considering you were brought up by your parents. I'm actually the one who is loved by the man you supposedly love, I'm the one who is happily in love with Lucas, who loves me. So Lindsey, yes my parents never loved me or even cared for me; but I'm the one with the happily ever after. What do you have? A very angry Lucas and oh, it looks like a very angry Rachel."
Lindsey looked confused at Brooke's last comment until the office door slammed open. Turning around, Lindsey saw an extremely and rather violent looking red-head who was walking towards her, her posture prepared to attack.
Before Lindsey had the chance to say anything, Brooke had already stepped forwards and grabbed a hold on Rachel who was doing what she can to get out of Brooke's grip.
"Brooke, damn it, let go. I want to give this slut a piece of my mind."
"Rachel don't. She's not even worth the effort." Brooke simply said before Rachel stopped in her tracks and stared into Brooke's eyes. Rachel knew that steeled expression. Brooke meant business and she didn't have the patience to deal with Rachel's antics.
"Okay." Rachel muttered as she squeezed Brooke's arm softly, just to remind Brooke that she was there for her.
"Now, Lindsey, if you don't mind, I'd like to get back to work now. And please don't ever show you back-stabbing face ever again because I won't be held responsible for anything that will happen to you, courtesy of my friends and family. And if I ever hear that you bother any one of my family, I will make you regret it."
Lindsey, stood dumbstruck at Brooke. Somehow, she looked unaffected by it all. Lindsey had been so sure that her parents comment would somehow undermine Brooke's confidence but it didn't seem like it. Not at all. Instead, it was Brooke's comment which undermined hers. Brooke was right, despite it all, Brooke had Lucas…
xxx
Lucas kept his eyes on both the door and his phone, willing for one of them to show any signs of Brooke. It was eleven thirty in the evening, way past office hours. She was never this late, even when there was an upcoming show she had to prepare for. Brooke usually got home at around six and at the latest eight p.m. but it seemed today was an exception and to make matters worse, he couldn't reach her on her phone. Brooke always answered his calls, and when she didn't, she would always call him back immediately. But he had already left her almost thirty minutes worth of voicemails and still no response from Brooke. He had also attempted to call Millie and Rachel, but neither girls were answering his calls. And he was worried sick about her. Something must have happened at work that resulted this. He continued to stare at the two objects for a few more minutes before he grew sick of waiting and decided to look for her himself. He could do more good out there, actively looking for her than waiting in their penthouse. Writing a short and simple note in the event Brooke came home, saying that he'd gone out to look for her and call him immediately if she saw the note, Lucas left the note on the key table and headed out.
Stepping out into the busy evening New York streets, Lucas anxiously called for a cab. The streets were bustling as ever, with people trying to get home as fast as possible. Thankfully, the traffic wasn't as bad as it usually was considering how late it was, but it was still there. A cab drove up to a waiting Lucas and Lucas without hesitance jumped into the vehicle, giving Rachel's address.
While he sat in the car, Lucas tapped his foot lightly, hoping that Brooke was okay. It wasn't really Brooke's nature to do this. She would always call him if something came up that prevented her from getting home to him. And even if something did stop her from coming home, she always got home before eleven. The fact that Millie hasn't called either just fueled Lucas' worry. Millie was always the responsible one who always answered her phone and the fact that whenever he called, he could only get to her voicemail was frustrating and worrisome.
After all the drama with Lindsey, Lucas did not need any more drama to happen in his life. Brooke's abrupt MIA status was something that was most likely a result of drama, and drama that affects his Pretty Girl affects him, hence his anxiety. Also, if drama did decide to knock on Brucas' doorstep, the two would usually handle it together and hence whatever it was that happened to Brooke must have had a serious affect on her Brooke.
"Damn it Pretty Girl, where are you?" he muttered softly as he once more tried to reach her on her phone.
xxx
"Brooke, talk to me." Rachel whispered as she watched her brunette friend pour another shot down her throat. After Lindsey's departure, the brunette simply stared ahead, almost as if under a spell. Rachel had attempted to coax her friend to say something in order she could do something to help her, but the brunette merely turned to Millie, who was apologizing profusely about letting Rachel outrun her and enter the Brooke's office, and told her to give her all the paper work that needed to be dealt with today.
Rachel, shocked, watched Brooke carry on as if nothing had happened. About to voice her concern, Brooke simply gazed at Rachel and asked her to leave and that they'll talk after work.
By the time Brooke had finished work and attended the meeting, Rachel was sitting in Brooke's office waiting to talk. Turns out, Brooke's definition of talk at that particular point in time was to go to their favourite New York bar and drink the night away. Leaving the office at an already very late hour, the brunette dragged the model to go drink and the two have stayed at the bar since. However, Brooke made sure that no news of the day's event ever got back to Lucas, forcing both Rachel and Millie to promise her that they would not tell, call or answer Lucas' calls. Protesting, the two eventually gave in to Brooke's demand who promised she'd like to tell him herself, but for now she just wanted to forget…just for a while.
Now as Rachel and Brooke sat in the bar, with Brooke having drank an incalculable exorbitant amount of alcohol. Although Brooke could hold her alcohol very well, having a very high tolerance for alcohol, she was already feeling the profound and strong effects of the depressant take control of her body.
"I don't…I don't want to talk about that bitch, Slut! No, no, no, let's go…go somewhere, anywhere! Let's party! Let's go. I want to have…" Brooke's sentence trailed off as her eyebrows furrowed together, having forgotten what she was about to say.
"C'mon it's time to get you home Brooke."
"No, no…" Brooke shook her head profusely in protest. "Let's not go home Rachel…I like it here. Here is where I like it."
"I know sweetie, but it's really late, and Lucas is going to be worried sick about you." Rachel reasoned with an intoxicated Brooke, who seemed to light up at the mention of Lucas.
"LUCAS! I love Broody! You know that right? He's so sexy…" she slurred slightly and giggled at her thoughts. "I love my Boyfriend and he loves me, not Lindsey that slut. She was so stupid, trying to steal my Lucas away…" Brooke whispered as it seemed that the topic began to sober her up slightly.
"Yes she is Brooke. C'mon Brooke, let's take you home, we can talk tomorrow when you're regretting that huge hangover you'll get for drinking the entire bar's alcohol supply."
"You should have heard her Rachel…she said Lucas was only with me…because…because he felt sorry for me…ME! I'm BROOKE PENELOPE DAVIS! CEO OF CLOTHES OVER BROS! But she, that bitch…that man-faced bitch…said he felt sorry for me...because my stupid parents didn't love me…" Brooke muttered as her facial expression turned into a deep frown.
"I know sweetie, and she'll pay for that I promise you."
"It's not true right Rachel? Lucas, my Broody boy loves me…I know he does…"
"Yes he does Brooke, he loves you more than anything in the world. Don't let that back-stabbing whore ever make you doubt that fact."
"Okay…okay Rachel." Brooke whispered more so to herself, trying to convince herself that Rachel was right. "Thank you Slut, I love you this much..." Brooke replied as she stretched her arms as far as possible.
"I know Brooke, and I love you just as much. Why don't you let me call Lucas so he can come pick you up? He's probably brooding and worrying about you right now." Rachel suggested, hoping Brooke would let her call. Only Lucas can really get through Brooke when it came to these things.
At the mention of Lucas worried sick about her, Brooke seemed to have sobered up significantly. "I don't want to Rachel…I don't want him to see me this way…not tonight. Can you just…can I just stay at your place tonight?"
Rachel sighed. At least she managed to stop Brooke from drinking more. "Of course you can Brooke, but at least let me call him. He's probably stressing right now and it can't be good for his heart."
Brooke cursed at herself at the mention of Lucas' heart condition. Putting him in this position was selfish and the stress Lucas would undeniably be feeling right now was not good for him. How could she have forgotten about this important fact and keep Lucas in the dark about her whereabouts. As she silently scolded herself, Brooke nodded her head, allowing Rachel to fish out her phone and dial Lucas' number.
Moving off in private to talk to Lucas, Rachel sighed at her friend's current state. Man was Brooke going to regret drinking so much. Lucas immediately answered his phone, not even letting it ring for a second time.
"Rachel, thank god, have you seen Brooke? Where is she? Is she with you? What happened? I've been trying to reach you, but you wouldn't answer. Is everything okay?"
"Lucas, calm down. She's with me."
"Oh thank god, where are you guys? I'll come and get you. I'm at your place right now. Where are you?"
"Lucas, go home."
"What, why? What happened? Give the phone to Brooke, I want to talk to her. Is she okay?"
"She's fine Lucas. Just go home. She's not coming home tonight, okay? She'll see you tomorrow and you can both talk tomorrow."
"But Rach-"
"Please Lucas, Brooke needs some space right now. I'm only telling you this because it'd probably explain everything to you, but Lindsey came by the office today. Brooke just needs some time to herself. I promise you can talk tomorrow. I'll even drag her to your place tomorrow, okay?"
"Lindsey…what did she do? Damn it! God Rachel what happened? Just let me talk to Brooke, please…" Lucas said as he felt his blood boil in anger. What the hell did Lindsey do? Here he thought everything associated with Lindsey was over, but for her to come and pay a visit at Brooke's place of work was crossing the line. Lindsey had no right to come and visit Brooke, not after all the things she's said about Brooke. His anger was beyond belief now, and Lucas found himself struggling to control his anger. There was no way he was going to let this go. For Lindsey to do this, and result in Brooke not wanting to come home and see him and talk to him, was unforgiveable. Lindsey had definitely hit a nerve in Lucas and he'd be damned if he let this go. No, enough was enough and he wasn't going to let anyone hurt his girlfriend.
"Lucas please. I really need you to do this for me. For Brooke. She'll explain everything tomorrow, I promise." Her voice certain, there was no use arguing with her because she wasn't going to let Brooke's wishes be ignored.
"Alright. Rachel, just please, take care of her. And tell her I love her." Lucas said softly, sounding defeated. There was no way he was going to see his girlfriend tonight, but the least he could do was let her know he loved her dearly.
"I will Lucas. Goodnight." And with that, the dial tone rang in Lucas' ears as he clenched his fist.
xxx
Her door pounded loudly waking Lindsey from her slumber.
"I'm coming!" Lindsey yelled as she sluggishly reached for her door.
"WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING!?" Lucas roared as he stepped into the apartment. "WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU LINDSEY!? I THOUGHT THE LAST TIME WE SPOKE I MADE MYSELF CLEAR THAT YOU STAY AWAY FROM MY FAMILY! BROOKE IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON TO ME AND FOR YOU TO COME IN HER PLACE OF WORK AND DO WHAT YOU DID IS UNFORGIVABLE!" He was yelling and he couldn't find the will or even the control to stop. He has had enough with his former editor, ruining his life and verbally attacking Brooke. She didn't deserve any of it and he sure as hell wasn't going to stand there and let this kind of behavior continue, especially when this kind of behavior led to a rift in his relationship. He didn't fight for Brooke throughout high school and maintain the relationship they have today just for Lindsey to come and ruin everything. He had put too much invested into his relationship with Brooke, too much to lose. His entire happiness was on the line and he'd be damned to let anything take that away from him and he'd be even more damned if he let anyone hurt Brooke. He had promised long ago that he'd to anything to protect her and rescue her from it all and he wasn't going to start breaking his promises to her again. He had already broken far too many promises and he wasn't about to start that unfortunate habit this time round. No, Brooke was his everything and he wasn't going to let anything or anyone hurt her, or make her doubt her worth.
"Lucas..." Lindsey stood there, her mouth gaped wide open in shock. Never had she witnessed such a terrifying side of Lucas, yelling uncontrollably, his fist clenched so tightly that it looked like no blood circulated in them. "I'm sorry, I just…it's not fair that you fall for someone like Brooke!"
"WHAT?! WE'RE NOT FIVE YEARS OLD DAMN IT! THIS ISN'T A MATTER OF BEING FAIR OR NOT! YOU'RE RUINING PEOPLES LIVES, MY LIFE! I LOVE BROOKE! I WILL NEVER EVER LOVE YOU! WHY CAN'T YOU UNDERSTAND THAT? I WILL NEVER EVER FEEL THE SAME ABOUT YOU AS I DO TOWARD BROOKE! WHY CAN'T YOU GET THAT THROUGH YOUR THICK-HEAD?!"
Lucas words cut through her, her heart feeling as if it was being ripped in half. She felt her eyes began to tear as she stared defiantly at Lucas. It wasn't supposed to be this way. Lucas wasn't supposed to ever hurt her. Lucas wasn't supposed to throw her away. It was Lucas. He rescued people. He was supposed to rescue her and protect her. It wasn't supposed to end this way. She wasn't supposed to feel like falling apart. It just wasn't fair this way. He rescued Haley, he rescued Peyton and he rescues Brooke. He continuously rescues Brooke. But why didn't he rescue her? Why didn't he save her?
"Lucas…"
Seeing the tears in her eyes, Lucas managed to calm down slightly. Lowering his voice but maintaining his cold exterior Lucas shook his head.
"Lindsey you need to understand, I will always love Brooke. Even if one day she realizes how much better off she is without me and that she can do so much better, finding someone else who will deserve her and would never hurt her, I will still love her. I don't give a damn about her past, because it's that past that made her into the wonderful woman she is today. I don't care if all the Victoria Secret models threw themselves at me, I will never love another woman as much as I love Brooke. I'd rather live alone for the rest of my life than be with anyone else. So please, Lindsey just leave me and my family alone. I really need you to understand this Lindsey. I need you to understand that you, or Peyton or anybody else in this world can never replace Brooke. I don't want to be with anyone other than Brooke. So please listen to me when I tell you I've really had enough of you and your antics. If things continue the way things are going right now, don't blame me I take legal actions against you Lindsey. I don't want to, but I won't have a choice if you keep doing this. Look Lindsey, you were my friend, my editor so you should understand the extent of my love for Brooke and what measures I'll take to protect her. Your opinions only hurt her and I will not tolerate it. If this keeps going, I'm going to be forced to take legal actions against you and that can potentially destroy your career and the respect people have for you. I don't want to do that but I'll have to. For my sake and Brooke's sake. And please understand Lindsey, this isn't a threat. I just want you to understand that action have consequences, some very unpleasant."
"But Luca-"
"No buts Lindsey. Enough is enough. I really won't be held accountable for any actions taken against you if you keep this up. I hope this is going to be the last time I have to talk to you about this or anything at all." With that, Lucas left her penthouse, leaving Lindsey behind, hopefully for good.
Lindsey stood in her apartment, its doors wide open, after Lucas walked out of it, out of her life for good. She stared, in denial, not wanting to believe what had just happened. Brooke was right, despite all her efforts to win Lucas, although her tactic was rather awful, it was Brooke who won in the end. It was Brooke who got the happily ever after. It was her who got the short end of the stick, the end that screwed her over. The end that brought about her loss in a colleague; a friend.
Brooke was right. Despite her wonderful upbringings, her parents' extensive love and care for her, she was the one who screwed up. She was the one who tried to destroy someone's relationship. She was the one who became someone she never wished to be.
Brooke got the happily ever after. Brooke got Lucas.
All Lindsey now had was the dirt on her floor, the dirt that was on Lucas' footwear.
She had become something expendable. She had become forgotten, disgusting and trivial. She had become dirt.
xxx
She felt her brain pound against her skull, so much so that it feels almost as if her brain was about to explode from the confines of the bone structure.
"My god, what the hell happened last night…" Brooke whispered to herself as she groaned when the headache intensified.
"You deserve that headache you know, drinking an entire year's worth of alcohol. Here's some aspirin. It'll help numb a small percentage of the headache."
"Thank you. And Slut do me a favour. Talk soft. You've got a terrible voice." Brooke muttered as she consumed the small heavenly pill.
"Now the last time I've heard that, I threw a drunk Peyton into Lucas' bed." Rachel smirked.
"Thanks for the mental image." Brooke replied as she fell back onto the bed.
"You're welcome. How are you feeling now?"
"The same way as I look. Horrible."
"Yeah you do look like crap. But I was asking about what happened yesterday."
"Same answer."
"Well you should really talk to Lucas, he's been calling me since 5 this morning."
Brooke peeled her eyes open at the mention of Lucas, regretting it immediately as the blindingly rays of the sun attacked her eyes. "How did he sound?" she whispered as her mind wandered to a worried Lucas. She hated having to have him worry about her, but after yesterday's little confrontation she didn't want him to see just how affected she was by Lindsey's words. And she wanted to comprehend Lindsey's statements, just because she couldn't let her words go.
"Stressed and worried sick. How else do you think?"
"Shut up." Brooke muttered. She really shouldn't have thrown herself into alcohol last night. She's had enough experience from her high school days to know the result but it seems she never learns from her lessons. Scoffing at herself, her past definitely was something that was worth the scrutiny from others. Her damn stupid high school past.
"What's the time Bitch?" she muttered as she realized she should probably get ready for work.
"Ten thirty."
"SHIT!" Brooke screeched as she sat straight up, a move she instantly regretted as the headache got worse. Now her brains really did feel like it was about to blow up. "Dammnit."
"Don't worry slut, I called Millie to cancel everything you have today. You have too much to deal with as it is. And don't stress, she's already handled everything and rescheduled all your meetings. She said to rest for now and she'll send over the important urgent paper work you need to sign later. So chill. Why don't you actually worry about your inevitable talk with Lucas?"
"Gee thanks you could've told me that before you scared the hell out of me. Don't you have work?" Brooke asked completely ignoring Rachel's comment about Lucas. She felt terrible, her head was throbbing, her heart was aching and her mind kept racing. Although intoxicated last night, Brooke was sober enough to be aware of the troubles that lingered in her mind, sober enough to be kept awake until the early hours of the morning. She had spent the night, exhausted her body wailing for her to catch some sleep, while her mind rejected the notion. Her mind kept her anxious, tossing and turning, while her body begrudgingly obeyed her minds wishes. It wasn't until four a.m. did her mind relent to the exhaustion and let her finally succumb to sleep. Yet despite the six hour sleep she got, she still was exhausted.
"I'm dressed and ready to leave. I don't have to get there until 12 so I've got time. And I don't want to get there any earlier than I need to since you didn't fire Jacob's stupid ass. And we need to talk about what happened."
"No we don't. And he's good at his job that why I didn't fire him."
"Whatever, and yes we do. Look Brooke, what happened sucked, but you're gonna have to talk about it soon. I'm worried about you okay? There I admit it, I worry about your fat ass. So please just talk to me. And Lucas since I promised him you two will talk today."
Feeling guilty for making both Rachel and Lucas worry about her, Brooke laid back down before speaking. It really was no use in hiding her emotions, keeping them in check because as much as she hated to admit it, Lindsey's words affected her more so that she let on. Her words hurt, and sure Lindsey didn't know her but it didn't cushion the blow and accusations she made because in the end those words all hurt the same.
"She said the only reason Lucas was with me because I was a whore who knew how to satisfy him. And that he felt sorry for me because my parents didn't love me."
Rachel muttered a string of blasphemy, her anger so evident. Brooke waited for her to finish her insults before continuing. Soon enough, Rachel knew everything that occurred in her office and by the time Brooke finished speaking, she was in tears, and Rachel had abandoned her seat and wrapped her arms around Brooke.
She really shouldn't be upset about what Lindsey had said but she couldn't help it. Whoever said sticks and stones break my bones but words can never hurt me was a lie. Whoever said those words had never been in Brooke's situation. They were a dumb ass who had a naïve outlook on words and its effect on people. At least with sticks and stones, the pain gradually diminished, but with words, they don't. The words would always be there, replaying in her head over and over again, the darts of knives cutting her every time and it wasn't going to go away any time soon. It really was no use, no matter what she did, her past always came back to haunt her and that's what scared Brooke. She was afraid that sometime in the future, her past would finally do what it was meant to; end her happiness. She was afraid that Lucas would realize the enormous baggage that was attached to her and abandon her the same way her parents did. That despite Lucas being there first hand and witnessing her foolish past, acknowledging and accepting it, a time will come when he could no longer do both. That Lindsey's words and any other future associates who share the same thoughts would finally convince him and Brooke herself that she didn't deserve anything that he had so lovingly and selflessly given her. That was what Brooke was afraid of. She didn't want to see Lucas yesterday because she knew he would take those insecurities away, reassuring her that everything will be okay and that it would never happen, but Brooke couldn't face that. She couldn't face her Broody, not when she was felt so weak and guilty for not trusting him that he would never let her past weaken his love for her. She didn't want to tell him about her doubt in him, her doubt in his words. He didn't deserve any of that, they had been together for years and he had in those years showed her his commitment to her and their love. He never showed his doubt in them, in her. He continuously made sure she was confident in them and yet she couldn't help but let Lindsey's words wedge their way into the foundation she and Lucas built and weaken the structure. She didn't want to feel this way, but she really couldn't help it. Lucas didn't deserve any of this, he didn't deserve to be with someone who didn't have faith in them, letting an individual who was basically a stranger come and cast doubt in them. He deserved someone who believed in him, someone who would never doubt him. She didn't deserve him.
xxx
Lucas spent the entire night tossing and turning in their bed, with Brooke's usual side of the bed unusually empty. All night his mind wandered to how she was doing, was she okay, was she thinking about him, why didn't she want to talk him, what did Lindsey say to her…all these questions swarmed in his head resulting in his famous brooding. Not a wink of sleep did he manage to catch, and by the time his clock struck five a.m. Lucas had called Rachel. She was probably still sleeping, but the hour wasn't too unreasonable and he really couldn't wait any longer. He was driving himself insane just thinking about her and the only way he could keep himself sane was to find anything about her and how she was doing. Rachel did of course angrily answer the phone, scolding him for calling at such an unreasonable hour, (but in Lucas' defense Brooke often woke up at this hour to work in her home office before she made her way to her office in COB headquarters later that morning in order she come home early). After the red-head's expression of irritation, Lucas had asked how Brooke was, and Rachel surprisingly rid of the irritation and answered all his questions according to what she knew. After ten minutes of talking she ended the call, wanting to get back to sleep and threatened to hurt him if he called again. Of course, now he was slightly satisfied but still that didn't prevent him from calling Rachel again and again, up to the point she turned her phone off.
Now he stood restlessly in his kitchen, with nothing on but his boxers, tired but with the anxiety that governed his state of mind he couldn't let himself rest at all. He continuously stared at his phone, waiting for her to call him, just to hear her voice. God he missed her. At this point, it was obvious that Lucas Scott was completely and utterly in love with Brooke Davis and felt that he couldn't live without her. Brooke must have been very distressed to put Lucas through this, which only intensified his worry for her. He willed for his phone to ring, almost pleading the inanimate object to reveal Brooke's caller ID but no phone call came.
It wasn't until 11:50 that their penthouse door creaked open. Lucas hearing the front door open rushed towards it, staring at Brooke's exhausted figure.
She looked tired; like she had trouble sleeping. The same problem he had. It didn't matter though, because she was there, in front of him. She wasn't MIA, she was there, in the flesh. And she looked beautiful. She looked as beautiful as ever. She was perfect. Standing there in front of him, her eyes boring through his very soul, boring through his heart. The heart that was overflowing with love and affection for her and only her. He could see it in her eyes. The love she had for him. But something else was there. Something that wasn't quite right. Something he didn't like. It didn't matter. He'll figure it out. They'll figure it out. They will figure everything out. It's what they did. They always figure things out. Because they were perfect for each other. Despite all the hurt and wrongs they had inflicted on each other in the past, they figured things out and found the happiness so many in the world yearn and sought for. He needed them to figure it out. His happiness and his life was on the line. He needed her.
"Brooke…" He whispered before leaping towards her and enveloping her tiny figure into his arms.
"Hey Broody." She whispered back hesitantly, her arms wrapping around his torso tentatively.
Lucas, hurt with her timid behavior towards him begrudgingly pulled away from her, not wanting to push her despite his yearn for her to tell him they were okay, that everything was okay.
"Are you okay? I'm so sorry about Lindsey, I took care of that. You're okay right? What did she say to you? I can't believe she stopped by your office. She seriously crossed the line there. Brooke, is everything okay? Why didn-"
She cut him short by leaping into his arms once more, her eyes covered in tears. Lucas immediately wrapped his arms tightly around her petite body, closing his eyes, relishing the warmth that her body exuded, simply glad over the fact that she was in his arms again.
"Brooke…" he whispered, unsure of what to say to the crying girl in his arms, not wanting to say anything incorrectly in the event she would close herself off.
"I'm sorry for making you worry…" she sobbed softly as the guilt that she felt shook her to her very bones.
"I'm just glad you're home." Lucas replied in hopes to reassure her that they were okay, that everything was fine.
"Me too…" she whispered more to herself.
"Brooke, I don't know what Lindsey said but please don't liste-"
"I know Luke. Can we not talk about it just yet? I just…" Brooke trailed off not knowing how to finish her sentence. Truthfully all she wanted was to stand there in Lucas' arms and just feel okay again, but there was too much to talk about, too much unvoiced concerns and insecurities in her to allow her lips to say those words.
"Okay, we don't have to talk about it now. C'mon." Lucas suggested before leading Brooke towards their bedroom, his hands tightly clasping hers, in fear that she would just disappear.
"Lucas…" She didn't want to be in their bedroom, not now, considering just how valuable the room was to her. She didn't want it to be stained with anything, hell she didn't want anything to happen between the two of them while this issue was looming over their heads.
"Just trust me." That as all he said as he closed the door of their room. Silently, he removed her bag from her arms. He soon began unbuttoning her shirt, his soft yet slightly calloused hands, traced against her smooth skin, lightly yet firmly at the same time. Taking her shirt off, Lucas' fingers moved onto the stencil skirt that hugged her hips perfectly. Lingering his fingers on her bare skin, Lucas slowly removed her skirt. She stood there, in her undergarments, silently watching his every move, careful not to move, not to say anything. Soon his fingers left her skin, abruptly, leaving her craving for his soft and comforting touch. He left her side, making his way towards their closet, where a neatly folded gray hoody lay. Taking the priceless piece of clothing, Lucas made his way back to her. Stopping in front of her, he slowly put the hoody she loved so much on her. By the time the hoody was on, Brooke looked as if she was going to collapse from exhaustion yet her eyes looked restless. Leading her to their bed, Lucas slowly eased her into their mattresses' embrace. He was just about to make his way into the kitchen to make her tea to help her sleep better when she grasp for his hand.
"Just stay with me…" she whispered, pleading him. She didn't want to be alone right now. Not when everything was so chaotic in her mind. She needed him to protect her from the hurt she was feeling. But he couldn't. She knew he couldn't. Especially if he had no idea what it was that was hurting her.
"I was just going to make you some tea Brooke." He tried to reassure her that he'd be back. He wasn't about to let her leave him again. Not after the turmoil of last night still fresh in his mind. He just wanted her to feel relaxed, to feel better.
"I don't need tea, I just need you…"
Lucas simply nodded, before lying beside her and wrapping his arms around her. She burrowed herself deeper into his embrace, relishing the wonderful feeling of having his arms around her once more. Dropping a kiss on her head, Lucas tightened his hold of her and listening to the relaxing pace of her breathing.
"I love you." Lucas whispered before finally succumbing to sleep's sweet embrace. The two lovers fell asleep, feeling as content as their situation would allow them as the presence of one another brought comfort.
xxx
Lucas slowly woke up from his slumber, feeling refreshed and satisfied, his arms instinctively searched for the warm body that rested with him. However, his hands only felt cold sheets, the place where Brooke had previously occupied empty. Lucas sat up, his eyes squinting instinctively, his face beginning to form his brooding expression as he desperately sought for any sign of Brooke's presence or any evidence that she did come over and that he hadn't dreamed the whole thing.
"You're awake." Her voice wafted through the open doorway of their room, her hands cradling what seems to be a hot cup of drink. She stood there, in his hoody, looking slightly wary of herself.
"Depends." He whispered back, his lips forming a grin, glad that she was really there.
"On what?"
"Whether you're real or not."
She stepped towards him, sitting on the edge of the bed and softly caressed his fatigued face. He leaned into her touch, relishing the comfort she gave him.
"Real enough?" she uttered softly, her voice bringing him more comfort than she'd ever realize.
"Seems like it." He whispered back.
"You were worried weren't you?." she said slowly, her eyebrows furrowing in a pensive manner.
"Hmmm?"
"That I was gone." She stated. It wasn't supposed to be this way. He wasn't supposed fear or worry about whether or not she'd stay or even think of the notion that he had dreamed the entire thing. Sure in the past, when things got hard, Brooke was more of the person who took the flight response rather than fight, but that was because she was afraid of getting hurt by Lucas. Ever since the whole Peyton debacle back in high school occurred, whenever the two fought, they'd always stay. Stay and fight to the finish. They never feared that the other would simply give up and leave, disappear or hide. That was never the case between them. But somehow, her disappearing on Lucas had made him fear that she'd leave, disappear again.
"A little, I was more afraid of the idea that you coming over was something I dreamed about." He replied sheepishly as he scratched the back of his head.
"Either way, it's not supposed to be like this." She replied, ready (as she'll ever be) to talk about everything. It was time.
"Like what?"
"You being scared that I'd be gone when you wake up. It's never supposed to be like this." She could feel it, the words that lay trapped within her, ready to burst through her lips, and destroy them.
"You're right. I'm sorry for doubting you." She hated him for blaming himself. She really didn't deserve him. She was the one who ran away and he is the one apologizing. She was the one who was doubting him. She was the one who didn't believe he'd love her forever and ever. She didn't deserve it.
"No, don't apologize. It's my fault, I should have just came back home and talked to you after Lindsey's confrontation yesterday. I'm sorry. I just needed to think."
"I understand, I just wished you called or something. To let me know you were okay, to hear your voice." He really wished she called him, he could understand taking the time to think, but to cut him off completely and so abruptly had hurt him. He wished she had called to tell him that she was okay and she just needed some time to think. He wished she called him and told him Lindsey had come, instead of letting him hear it from Rachel. He wished she would tell him it was all okay, that she and he were okay. He wished for a lot of things, but most of all he wished Lindsey never came to her office. He wished this never happened because at least then, Brooke didn't look so disappointed.
"You're right. I should have called. But after everything with Lindsey I just couldn't."
"What did she say Brooke?"
She stared at him, defiant almost, not wanting to tell him anything that Lindsey had said, but she couldn't. It was time to tell him everything. She had delayed everything for as long as she could, and he deserved to know. Sighing, Brooke finally let herself say it.
"I think we should take a break. From us."
xxx
A/N: Hey everyone, it's good to be back on FanFiction. I've finally finished all my exams and have officially become an adult (according to state laws). How exciting! I've spent my time so far by catching up on the television shows I've missed (Arrow, Elementary, Castle Marathon etc.), I've even began to start watching Smallville since I've become so obsessed with Marvel and DC comics characters and interpretations (My obsession with Nolan's The Dark Knight Trilogy is seriously becoming a problem. I bought myself a Bluray copy of all three movies. My love for Selina Kyle and Nolan's interpretation of her is seriously ridiculous. I love how in the entire TDKR, Selina was just Selina. No mention of the word Catwoman anywhere because let's face it, Selina Kyle IS Catwoman. Catwoman isn't Selina Kyle.); and I've also began catching up on reading. I've managed to read through The Girl who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson which is excellent, and I'm now halfway through The Girl who Kicked the Hornet's Nest. Also another exciting thing that is happening to me is learning how to cook. I've finally learnt what a kitchen is and finally discovered its location at home so hopefully I don't burn the house down. The only thing missing now is fixing the problem of my non-existent love life. How fun…
Anyway I think that's everything that's happening right now. I can tell you guys, I'm back on FanFiction officially. And so I will be updating more often (hopefully)!
So REVIEW! The more reviews I receive the faster I will update (I PROMISE I WON'T WAIT FOR AN ENTIRE YEAR TO PASS OR SOMETHING!). All reviews are very much appreciated. Please give me your thoughts and inputs on the story, I'd really love to hear what you've all got to say.
And to:
LoveWritingxoxo: I'm so glad to be back love! It's been a long time! And thank you, that was the desired effect, for readers to hate Lindsey, and I can't be more happy that you felt that!
dianehermans: Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
shakeyshay69: Unfortunately, I had Brooke be a bit hesitant to share and be open with Lucas, but don't worry, I love the idea of having an open and honest relationship, so I'll be sure to put that back in soon enough.
Love,
The Author :)
