"Chapter 2"
Brooke glanced at herself in the mirror and nodded in approval at her appearance. A car door slammed and her heart clenched. This would be the real test. She crossed the room reaching the door just as the bell rang. Counting to ten she took a deep breath and pulled it open.
"Hey Luke"
"You look fabulous" His admiring gaze lingered on her. She wore a blue sweater and dark jeans tucked into black suede boots. Her long mocha brown hair fell in wild curls around her shoulders.
"Thanks" she blushed
"This is for you" he handed her a single white rose. "I want you to know how much I appreciate you coming with me"
Brooke smiled and brought the rose to her nose and sniffed. "It's beautiful"
He smiled and waited expectantly. It only took Brooke an instant to realize what he was waiting for. But he was Peyton's boyfriend, and off-limits right? What was she supposed to do? She laid the rose on the side table and took a step closer to Lucas. She leaned forward and lightly brushed his cheek with her lips. She started to step back when his arms tightened around her and pulled her close. When his lips lowered, Brooke slipped from his arms and forced a bright smile. She headed towards the stairs, her heart racing, her brain pure mush.
"Hey where are you going?" Lucas called out
"Upstairs" Brooke called out "Come with me"
Lucas stared. Was she asking what he thought she was? They hadn't slept together yet and he wasn't sure he was ready. Not yet anyway.
"Luke?"
His gaze shifted to the stairs. But it seemed as if she were more beautiful than usual…
"Aren't you going to help me with my bag?"
"Your bag" he echoed
"In my room, I know we're only going for the weekend, but it's kind of heavy"
"That's why you wanted me to come to your room" he asked "to carry your bag"
"Why else?" she asked kinking her eyebrow
He didn't know what she was up to but he decided to play along. "I thought maybe you wanted to get an early start. You know this will be our first weekend trip together."
Brooke's breath caught in her throat.
"I agreed to go to the wedding with you Luke, nothing more."
"You invited me upstairs"
"To-get-my-bag"
"So you don't want to sleep with me?"
"No I don't"
"Not even a little bit" His boyish smile caught her off guard and she had to smile. He reached over and took her hand planting a kiss in her palm
"Okay, we'll play it you way this weekend. Just lots of kissing."
The drive to Tree Hill was a long one, but Brooke didn't mind. She and Lucas talked the entire way and kept her laughing the whole ride.
"Nate wants us to go to mom's club, do you mind or are you tired?"
"No way" she smiled "We can go"
She clapped as they passed the "Welcome to Tree Hill" sign. "I'm so excited" she chirped
He laughed, "I thought you hated weddings"
"What do you mean?" she started, "I love…" then she remembered who Lucas thought he was talking to. His girlfriend did hate weddings.
"Peyton?"
"Yeah, well I'm thinking it'll be fun since I'll be with you" she told him. He took her hand in his "We're gonna have a great time this weekend.
x-x-x
After stopping at Lucas' house to drop off their bags, and change their clothes, they headed to Lucas' mom's club TRIC to meet Nathan and Haley. Brooke hadn't spoken with Haley about the switch and she hoped she wouldn't blow her cover. They walked into the club hand in hand and Nathan called them over from the table where he and Haley sat.
"Hey Luke, Hey Peyton" Nathan said as they sat down
"Hey guys" Brooke smiled
Haley narrowed her eyes "I need to use the bathroom…Peyton, could you come with me"
Haley grabbed her arm before she had time to answer.
"What's going on Brooke?" she asked closing the bathroom door behind them
"It's a long story"
"Give me the short version"
"Jake wanted Peyton to go to Aspen with her, he said he has a reason for leaving without an explanation, she didn't want to lose Luke in case things don't work out with Jake so here I am."
"I don't think this is a good idea Tigger, someone could get hurt"
"It's only a weekend Hales"
"O.K, if you say so, I only hope you know what you're doing"