A/N - Here's the second chapter. When I started writing it, the story kind of took a turn I wasn't expecting and initially I thought this was going to be a Brooke/Lucas story, but now it seems to be more of a Peyton/Lucas/Brooke story. I think Peyton is going to play a bigger role than I had initially anticipated. This chapter may seem kind of slow, it sort of lays the ground work for the rest of the story - plus I love Nathan so any reason to have him in a story. Anyway, of course, I own nothing and reviews would be great! Chapter 3 is on its way! Thanks!

XO

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

"Dude, what the hell did you do?" I open the door a few hours later to find my brother standing on my doorsteps, two cups of coffee in his hands and a concerned expression on his face. "Here." He shoves the coffee towards me as he comes into the kitchen.

"Hey Nate, come on in." I turn around and eye him as I take a sip of the coffee.

"Don't 'Hey Nate" me." He turns around, his expression fierce. "I'm going to ask you again, what the hell did you do? Why the hell did your wife show at my house crying hysterically with your daughter in tow?"

"Yeah, I kind of figured that's where she went." I sigh heavily as I sit down at the table and rub my temples slowly.

"You kind of figured of that's where she went?" Nathan stares at me incredulously. "Well, that's great. You know, you could have given us a heads up." He smacks the back of my head. "Jesus, Luke, tell me you didn't do what she's saying you did." He sits down across from me, an expectant look on his face.

"What did she say I did?" I ask slowly. I deserve whatever Nathan wants to throw at me so I brace myself for the worse.

"She didn't say anything really." Nathan takes a swig of the coffee and sighs. "After we set Nat and Jamie up with a movie we tried to talk to her but all we could make out was 'Lucas', 'Brooke' and 'affair'. So Haley sent me over here to find out what hell is going on." Nathan looks at me sceptically. "Now, please tell me that you are not stupid enough to have an affair with Brooke Davis." I open my mouth to speak but Nathan keeps right on going. "And if you are stupid enough to have an affair with Brooke Davis, please tell me that you are stupid enough to get caught having an affair with Brooke Davis."

"It's not an affair, Nathan." I sigh heavily and run my fingers through my hair. I wish I had something stronger than coffee.

"So what is it?" Nathan asks. "Why does Peyton think you're having an affair if you're not?"

"It was one time." I say finally and Nathan groans loudly, dropping his head on the table.

"Oh come on, Luke…." He looks at me and shakes his head again. "I have a newsflash for you. One time, a hundred times, if you have sex with someone who isn't you're wife, that's an affair."

"Ask if you're helping Nate." I stand up and go to the fridge, glancing at the clock. 12:30, not too early. I pull a beer out and offer it to Nathan. He glances at the clock himself before shrugging and accepting it.

"Alright, so start from the beginning." Nathan says, taking a long swig of his beer. "How the fuck did this happen? I mean, Brooke? Of all people, it had to be Brooke. Nothing like pouring salt in the wound."

"I never meant for it happen." I drain half the beer in one gulp and look at my brother. At least he's not judging me. It would have been completely understandable if he automatically took Peyton's side. "You know her and Chase broke up right?"

"I hadn't heard but I'm not surprised." Nathan shakes his head. "They were over for supper last week and I could tell that something wasn't right between them." He takes another drink. "OK, so she broke up with Chase…" He motions for me to continue.

"He moved out last night. She called, late, she was so upset and crying and she asked me come over." Nathan's eyebrows raise. "I know, I know. I shouldn't have gone but you didn't hear her on the phone. She sounded so broken. She needed a friend."

"Friends don't offer that kind of support." Nathan mutters under his breath with a smirk on his face and I glare at him. He's enjoying this. "Oh don't give me that look. You're the stupid one who got caught doing his ex. Stop looking at me like I just kicked your puppy and get on with the story. She called…"

"We talked for a bit. She asked me to come over." I finish the bear and set the bottle down in front of me.

"And obviously you went." Nathan asks, no sarcasm this time for which I'm grateful. "So then what?"

"She was crying when I got there and she started saying that Chase told her he cheated on her because she was still in love with me." I glance at Nathan, who doesn't look all that surprised by that revelation. "That doesn't shock you?"

"Truthfully, Luke, no it doesn't." Nathan shrugs a little. "I mean, I obviously don't like Chase too much right now, but I did like him. He was a good guy and he cared about Brooke, but he was always insecure when it came to you." He shrugs again. "I think he was always waiting for the day that you would decide you wanted her back and she would go running."

"But, it wasn't like that." I stare at him, completely bewildered. "I mean, Brooke and I hadn't laid eyes on each other in months. Hell that last time we were in the same room together was Jamie's birthday and we didn't even speak because Peyton was there."

"Yeah, but obviously he wasn't wrong Luke." Nathan sighs a little. "OK, so you slept with her, then what?"

"Peyton called my cell." Nathan chuckles, shaking his head and muttering something that sounds like 'of course she did'. "I ignored the call but Brooke told me to go."

"And that's when you came home and Peyton ripped you a new one?" Nathan eyes me as he lifts the beer bottle to his mouth.

"No, I stayed until almost 7 this morning." I drop my eyes. I'm not a complete asshole. I know what I did was wrong. I know that I hurt Peyton in worst possible way, but I can't help how I feel about Brooke.

"Well no wonder she left. I'm surprised she didn't kill you." Nathan shakes his head. "So, what does this mean?" Nathan asks and I look up at him. "Are you leaving Peyton?"

"I don't know." I shrug a little.

"Does Brooke want you to?" Nathan furrows his brow. I can see his mind working overtime trying to process all of the information that I've given him.

"I'm in love with her Nathan." I don't really answer his question because to be honest I'm not really sure. Yeah, Brooke wanted me forever last night but she was hurting then. Who knows how she'll feel in the light of day, with a clear head. "I think I always have been."

"So, what about Peyton? What about Natalie? Where does my niece fit into this?" Nathan's eyes are full of concern and for a moment I'm really thankful for my brother. No matter what happens between Peyton and I, I know he'll do what's necessary to shield Natalie from it even if we can't.

"I love Peyton but I'm not in love with her. I don't know if I've ever been in love with her." The realization hits me like a ton of bricks. That may be the first time I've ever really admitted that to myself. "And you know I would give my life for Nat but she shouldn't be raised in a home with parents who don't really want to be together." I sigh heavily. I know my baby girl is going to be hurt and the thought practically kills me.

"Fair enough." Nathan nods slowly. He stares at me for a long time before standing and slapping me gently on the shoulder. "You're my brother Luke and you know I've always got you're back, but Peyton's my friend and she deserves some closure. You've got to figure out what you want." He pauses for a second. "You've got to talk to Brooke."