Chapter Two

Drunken Mistake

Brooke groaned when she heard her cell ringing. There was no way she was going to get up out of bed to answer it. It was way to early for her. She smiled to herself when it stopped ringing, but just as quickly as it had stopped it started up again. She reluctantly got up and searched for her phone. She was going to kill whoever it was calling her. Once she found her phone she flipped it open."Hello?"she didn't even try to disguise her anger.

"Brooke?"asked Nathan from his end.

"Yeah, that's who you called right?"she said grouchily.

"Yeah, uh, it's me Nathan."

"I figured that much. What's going on, and it better be important to have gotten me up this early?"

Nathan laughed."Well I have orientation this morning."

"Good for you."cut in Brooke.

"And I was wondering if you wanted to do something afterward, like have lunch, but I'm starting to change my mind about that seeing how rude you're being."he joked.

"Shut up."she laughed."So let me get this straight. You called me while it's still dark outside to ask me to lunch, when it isn't even breakfast?"

"Well yeah. I forgot you'd still be asleep."

"Because normal people are up this early?"

"Ha, ha. I just didn't want you to make other plans."

"You mean with my hundreds of friends here?"

Nathan laughed."Sorry. I guess I just wanted to have something to look forward to."

Brooke smiled, not expecting him to say something like that. It was kinda sweet."So hanging out with me is what you want to look forward to?"

"Well yeah, you're my new best friend here."

"I went from the best friend of your ex girlfriend to your best friend? I'm flattered."said Brooke propping herself up on her elbows now fully awake.

"Yeah, well don't get too excited. You're it by default. I don't have anyone else."

"Gee thanks. Just what every girl wants to hear, you want them because there is no one else."

"So are we on for lunch?"

"What the hell. I don't have anything better to do. What time do you finish that basketball stuff?"

"Orientation."

"Yeah, that thing."

"They said it should be over by 12:15 at the latest."

"Okay. If you give me directions I can pick you up. Mommy and daddy bought me a new car."

"Really? That's cool."

"Not really, but I'm not about to give it back."she laughed.

"Well I'll call you later when we get a break or something and give you the directions. I should let you get back to sleep now."

"Right, like I can do that. I'm awake now. There is no going back to sleep for me, thanks to you."

"Sorry. It's a good thing though, now you won't sleep away your morning."

"Hey, I like doing that."

"Whatever. I'll call you later."

"Bye."Brooke hung up and found herself smiling. Maybe this summer wasn't going to be that bad. Yesterday she and Nathan said they were going to keep in contact with each other, but everyone knows you never do, so it was a bit of a surprise that he called her just one day later wanting to hang out. She was really looking forward to having lunch with Nathan. She wasn't sure if it was because she was alone here, but she couldn't wait to see him again.

She got out of bed and headed to the restroom. She might as well get ready for the day.

Lucas groaned as the sunlight hit his face. He placed his hands on his head as if doing so would stop the pounding. It of course didn't work. There was no doubt in his mind he had a hangover, although he couldn't really remember last night. All he remembered was finding Peyton on the beach. The rest was a blur.

Lucas stilled his actions when he felt an arm grip his waist."Brooke?"he whispered to himself, wondering if it was her. Had she come back?He looked down and saw the mop of curly blonde hair and knew exactly who it was lying next to him. Peyton. He then looked to himself and saw he wasn't wearing any clothes and it didn't look as if she had on any either. What had he done? Had he really done the one thing he promised Brooke just yesterday he would never do? Had he really been that big of a bastard to do the one thing he knew would hurt her more than anything? He quickly shook Peyton, trying to wake her."Peyton. You have to wake up."

Peyton groaned at being forcefully shook. She quickly stopped when she realized it was Lucas shaking her from his position on the bed next to her."Lucas? What the hell is going on? What did we do? Did we..."she looked under the covers. She saw what she already knew."How did this happen? Were we really that drunk?"

"Apparently. There is no way I would have done this sober."he shook his head."I can't believe we did this to her again."

"Brooke is going to hate me."she began to tear up."Oh my god. I am going to lose her again. I can't let that happen. Lucas what are we going to do? She is going to hate us. She is going to hate me. I am the only one she trusted enough to tell about how she really felt about you and then the second she's gone I sleep with you. What a great best friend I am."

"Look I'm just as bad as you. I told her this wouldn't happen again, that I wouldn't hurt her again. Then she leaves and I go and do the one thing she's most afraid of. She is never going to trust me enough to be with me after this. I just messed everything up again. You'd think I'd have learned by now."he let out a sigh.

"Maybe we shouldn't tell her Lucas."he looked at her questioningly."I know what you're thinking, but hear me out. I don't want to be with you and you don't want to be with me, so there isn't that whole thing looming over us. Last night was a mistake. You and I both know that. We were drunk, sad, and most of all lonely. All we did was use each other. There were no emotions involved. It won't happen again. So what good would come out of telling her? Nothing. She will hate us both and we will lose her for good. She forgave us once, we can't expect her to do it a second time. I love her too much to let that happen and so do you. I say we just forget last night happened. What do you say?"she looked at him with pleading eyes hoping he would agree.

Lucas thought about what she said. She did have a point. He didn't want to be with Peyton, he wanted Brooke. Last night had been a mistake and it definitely wouldn't happen again so what was the harm in pretending it never happened at all? This way when Brooke came back they would still have a chance."Okay. I agree. Last night never happened."

Peyton nodded. Without a word she quickly got out of bed and got dressed. She made her way to the door and without glancing to Lucas she walked out. There was no need to look back. She was never here.

Brooke pulled up to the building with the address Nathan gave her. He'd called her earlier and gave her the direction. She of course had been completely clueless as to where this place was, but luckily for her she had a navigation system in her new car. She just punched everything into the machine and it led the way. She found this place with no trouble.

She wasn't sure if she should go in. She'd decided to leave a little early thinking she'd have trouble finding this place, but since she hadn't she was now early. There was no way she was going to wait for him in this car. She got restless and decided to go look around for him. It would definitely keep her entertained.

She'd gone around the whole building before she got fed up and just asked someone where the orientation was being held. She'd been wrong, this was not entertaining. Once she found the room she stood in the open doorway. Her eyes immediately found Nathan and she smiled.

Within a few minutes Nathan looked her way and gave her a little nod. She waved back. Nathan smiled before turning back to the man talking. He was about to look to Brooke again when he felt someone nudge his shoulder.

"Hey, dude. Is that your girl?"asked the guy sitting next to him.

"Her?"asked Nathan pointing to Brooke. The guy nodded."Na, she's just a friend. My brothers ex to be exact."

"You brought your fine ass brothers ex all the way to Cali with you?"

Nathan shook his head."She's visiting her parents for the summer."

The guy nodded."I'm Josh by the way. Oh and don't worry, I'm not interested in her or anything, just curious. I gotta girl."

"It's cool. I'm Nathan."

"So Nathan where exactly are you and your brothers ex from?"

"Tree Hill, North Carolina."

"Never heard of it."

"Not many people have. It's a pretty small town."

"Do all the girls look like that in Tree Hill?"

Nathan laughed."Na, Brooke's one of a kind."

"Well then lucky for you to get to have her all to yourself for the summer here in Cali."

"It's not like that."

"Sure if that's your story."

The orientation ended ten minutes later with a stern order not to be late for the 6:00 am session the following morning. Nathan gathered his bag and began to walk down the bleachers.

"Yo, Nathan."yelled Josh.

"Yeah?"

"Where you headed?"

"I'm just gonna take her to get something to eat."

"Alright then. I'll catch you later. Have fun with your friend."he patted his back before jogging off.

Nathan rolled his eyes before making his way to Brooke."You were here early."

Brooke nodded."I know. I was worried I wouldn't be able to find this place so I stopped shopping a little early."said Brooke as they made their way to her car.

"You went shopping by yourself?"

"I've never needed someone for that."she laughed."And thanks to someone who shall remain nameless I was up really early and needed something to fill my morning."

"Sorry about that."

"Don't be. I had a ton of cash to spend thanks to daddy and his guilt of not picking me up yesterday."Brooke stopped in front of her new bright red Mercedes. She deactivated the alarm.

"Damn! This is your new car?"asked Nathan as he walked around the car."This is one sweet ride."

"Yep, I guess you can say we are officially rich again. This car and the wad of cash I found on my dresser yesterday proves it. We, Davis' are back on top of the social latter."

"I guess that makes you happy."said Nathan as he continued to check out the car.

Brooke shrugged."I'm not going to say I don't love being able to shop without having to look at the prices, but it's funny because I saw my parents more when we were going broke. They were actually acting like parents then."

Nathan looked up from the car when she said that. He swore he heard a hint of vulnerability in her voice. He could tell the parent issue made her feel sad. He'd bet anything that Brooke would give up the new car and all the money to have her parents in her life more, but he knew she'd never admit that. He was the same way. He would have given everything up just to have his parents get along and to make his father less Dan like, but that would never happen. He'd given everything up though, to be with Haley and look how that turned out. He was 17 and divorced. He decided not to give her some deep comment on what she said. He knew his input was the last thing she needed. Right now she needed a friend."Well if the aren't around at least they know how to spoil you. I know it doesn't make up for anything, but it's something."

Brooke laughed."Hey, I'm not complaining. I love this car. It's so freakin fast."

"Man, I'd kill for a car like this."he said as he ran his hand along the car.

"Hey, don't say that to a girl whose about to spend the afternoon alone with you."she joked.

Nathan laughed."I wasn't kidding."

"Whatever. I guess if you're done drooling over my car we should go. Do you wanna drive?"

Nathan looked at her." Are you serious?"he wasn't sure if she was. He knew if this was his car he wouldn't let anyone behind the wheel so he didn't expect her to.

Brooke nodded."I trust you, but please don't wreak. I'll kill you if the wreak doesn't."

"Hey, I'm a very good driver."

"Says the guy who drove into a wall going 150 mph."

"Yeah well, that was an accident. I wasn't in my right mind, but I am now. No Haley clouding my head anymore. So hand over those keys."he said as he walked over to her.

She tossed him her keys and laughed aloud as his grin widened. He was such a guy, acting like this over a car. She walked to the other side of the car and got in the passenger side.

Nathan got in and quickly started the car."Don't forget to buckle up."he smiled.

"Shut up and drive big shot."

Nathan backed up and took off out of the parking lot."Damn this drives smooth. Where are we going anyways?"

"Well there's this nice little cafe near my house, that kinda reminds me of Karen's. I was there this morning and it was really good. Or we could go downtown to one of the really big restaurants. It's whatever you want."

"I say we go to the Karen's cafe wanna be."Brooke laughed."Are you sure you want to eat there again though?"

"Yeah, they might think I'm crazy for going again, but seriously the food is amazing."

"Then just tell me where it is."

In no time Brooke and Nathan took their seats at a table.

"So how was your first night here?"asked Nathan.

Brooke shrugged."It was fine I guess. The house is huge. I think they bought it just to make a point. The Davis' are back and better then ever."she rolled her eyes at her own statement."It's pretty pathetic really. I was bored out of my mind. I tried calling Peyton, but she didn't answer. I hope she's okay. Now if you ask me how my first morning was that will be a different story."

"Okay, well how was your first morning?"

"Well it sucked at first because I wasn't sure what I was going to do, but after throwing the wad of cash daddy left in my purse I set out to spend it all. And that I did. I have never spent so much money in such a short amount of time. You should see all the bags in my trunk."

"Was that your way of telling me you're broke and lunch is on me?"asked Nathan with a playful smile.

"No, lunch was always on you silly."she laughed.

Nathan rolled his eyes."Well I'm glad you had a better morning."

"That I did. So what about you? How was your first night in California?"

"Good, but my roommate is a total jerk. He thinks he's gods gift to basketball."Brooke smiled."I'm serious. He's an ass. I heard him on the phone with his girlfriend and the way he was talking to her, was just wrong."

"You mean he's the way you used to be?"

"I was never that bad Brooke."

"Oh please, you were horrible to Peyton and don't even try to deny it. You treated Lucas like crap and you thought you were gods gift to basketball."

Nathan rolled his eyes."Thanks for the walk down memory lane. I have apologized to Peyton numerous times for the way I treated her and as for Lucas, well he deserved everything I did to him. He was a jerk then trying to get in between me and Peyton and he's a jerk now for getting in my business with Haley. Now as for basketball, I am and always will be the best Ravens player past, present, and future."

"You know the reason you and your roommate don't get along is because you are too much alike."

"I am nothing like him."

"Yeah, maybe not anymore because Haley changed you, but you have to remember what you were like."

"Can we not mention Haley please?"

"I'm sorry, but maybe talking about her will help you move past her."

"I am past her. We're over. She dumped me to go away with Chris. It's done."

"Her music. She left for her music."she corrected him.

"No, if it were because of the music she wouldn't have gotten our marriage annulled. It was because of Chris. I am over her. I have been over her for a long time now."

"Okay, well if that's true are you ready to start dating again?"

"Hell yeah. When I meet someone halfway interesting and hot, I'm going for it."

"Good for you. I love Haley and all, but she has definitely changed. I saw that when Lucas and I visited her."

"So you went with Lucas to see her?"

"Yeah, he asked me to go. I thought it would be fun going to New York."

"You know he lied to me about going to see her?"

"No. Why'd he do that?"

"He said so he wouldn't hurt me, but I just think it was because he's an ass. He's always wanted us apart."

"That's not true and you know it."

"No, I don't. All I know is that I can't stand him."

"Hey, don't let Haley and her decisions tear you and your brother apart."

"He is not my brother, Brooke."

"Don't give Haley all that power Nathan."

"Seriously can we not talk about her anymore. She is the last person I want to be thinking about. She is out of my life now for good."

Brooke nodded."Okay, sorry. So changing the subject, how are you going to deal with your roommate? You're going to have to see him for what, two months?"

"Yeah, I don't know, I'll just ignore his stupid comments and spend as much time as possible away from the room. What would you do?"

Brooke shrugged."Well if it was me and he was cute, I'd seduce him. I'd get him so hot he'd be begging me for more and then I'd walk away and leave him hanging, you know, sorta teach him a lesson. You though, probably don't want to do that, right?"

Nathan shook his head."No, not really."

"Well in that case just kick his ass. I know you probably could. You're tough."

"Thanks."he said sarcastically.

"You're welcome. So what are the plans for after lunch? You want to take me shopping again? I have a few new credit cards I'd like to break in."

"You know as much fun as that sounds, I'm gonna have to pass."

"Well that's too bad because I actually needed to go lingerie shopping and wanted a guys opinion, but oh well. I'm sure I can find someone else."she smiled.

"Um actually, in that case, I could definitely take you."he smirked.

Brooke let out a laugh."I thought you'd change your mind, but nope it's too late. Now you're just gonna have to go back to your room and that assy roommate of yours and dream about what could have been. You could have been helping me undress."

"Way to twist the knife Brooke."

Brooke let out another laugh as their food arrived."I try, but seriously you are going to be okay staying with your roommate, right?"

"Yes, Brooke. Don't worry. He may be a jerk, but he's not stupid. He won't mess with me."

"Good because we wouldn't want anyone messing up that pretty face of yours."she reached over and playfully patted his cheek.

The conversation continued throughout lunch with Nathan paying the bill."You weren't lying about the food being good."said Nathan as they walked to her car.

"I told you. This little restaurant could give Karen a run for her money."

"You better not let her hear you say that."

"I know."she smiled."She'd kill me. So am I taking you back to your room?"

"Yeah, I should get back. I have some stuff to do before practice starts tomorrow."he handed her the keys reluctantly.

"Thank you."she grabbed the keys and got in the car.

They drove in companionable silence until Nathan spoke."What are you gonna do for the rest of the day?"

Brooke shrugged."Probably just gonna go home, try on all my new clothes, take a long hot bubble bath, and try to call Peyton again. Hopefully she answers this time."

"Sounds like a real party."said Nathan sarcastically.

"Hey."she playfully hit him."Don't knock bubble baths until you try them. They are very relaxing."

"I'll just take your word for it."

Brooke pulled into his building."Well we're here summer friend. I had a great time, now get out."

"Thanks, what a great friend you are. I shouldn't complain though, at least you stopped the car before kicking me out."

Brooke smiled."Call me later. I'm probably going to be bored out of my mind all alone in that house."

"Okay. I'll call you later. Have fun with that bubble bath."said Nathan as he got out of the car.

"Oh, I will. Bye."she gave him a quick wave before driving off.

Nathan stood there and watched the car drive away. He walked back to his room replaying the time he spent with Brooke. It was kinda weird, he never would have thought back in Tree Hill that he'd have such a good time hanging out with just Brooke. It surprised him that he couldn't wait to do it again. He was even looking forward to calling her later.