Disclaimer: All the events and character description taken place in this story is COMPLETELY FICTION. No copyright infringement intended. All characters are copy written to their respective owners. No profit is being made from this story. It should be viewed only as entertainment.

This story takes place right after Season 4 episode 1. Right where Brooke tells Lucas she can't do this anymore. So everything before that episode happened for the sake of this storyline. I hope you all like this story, as it is my first One Tree Hill (Brucas) story base. So please let me know what you think of my work. It is much appreciated. Thanks!

Also, I'm looking for someone to make a youtube preview/trailer for my story. If you are interested please let me know!

Thank you to dianehermans, GoodGirlGoneBad1984, and bjq for the wonderful reviews! Also thank you to all of you who have read my story and favorite and alerted! You guys are what keeps me inspired and motivated!

Against All Odds

Chapter 3

**2 Months Later**

I miss your smile, your touch, your voice, your hug… everything

It had only been a week since the gang from Tree Hill High had graduated. It was your typical graduation ceremony. At the end of the night, everyone had gone to their last high school party. Their last hurrah! All the seniors from the graduating class attended the party that was held out in a cabin out in the country area. Nathan, Lucas, Skills, Mouth, Haley, Brooke, Rachel and Peyton had all went to the party. Brooke and Peyton hadn't spoken a word to each other since Peyton's revelation of having feelings for Lucas. It killed both girls a little bit inside, as they graduated on bad terms. They both had dreams of that day together and being side by side. That was something they would never get back. Besides the two girls, Lucas hadn't spoken to Brooke either. Though he did attempt to try and talk to her, but she continued to avoid and ignore his advances. Time was flying by and people were slowly starting to migrate out of Tree Hill for colleges and careers.

Brooke laid in her bed staring at the ceiling. Making possible shapes, as if she were connecting the dots, while her mind ran free. She had a huge decision to make about her life and future. Just yesterday she had gotten a letter from the corporate office of Victoria Secret. They wanted her designs and they wanted her to be in New York as of like yesterday. Along with the offer, they offered her a full scholarship to NYU. That way she could still continue to work for them. It was a dream come true and she was ecstatic about it. Though she felt like something, or someone was missing from it all. She bit her bottom lip as her mind traveled to Lucas. Her high school sweetheart, or at least that is what he'd be known as now. She hadn't spoken to him in two months, and she was curious as to how he was doing. There was no denying it, she missed Lucas. She missed him a lot! Her heart wanted and ached for Lucas, but her head wouldn't let her be played a fool again. She had heard the rumors about Lucas and Peyton hooking up, but she had yet to confirm them. Her heart didn't need the confirmation, she already knew it was true. Just hearing either one of them admitting it would kill her spirit. Brooke's heart sank at the picture her mind created of Lucas with Peyton. Picturing this image when ever she thought of Lucas was supposed to help her move on from their relationship, but it was clearly not working. It only made her hate Peyton more and miss Lucas even more. A long and heavy sigh escaped her lips as the fiery red head entered the bedroom.

"I know you are not in here dwelling over Lucas Scott!" Rachel stood in the door way with her hands on her hips. "Again!"

"No!" Brooke spoke softly and bluntly, the tone in her voice giving her lie away.

"Lies!" Rachel shook her head as she walked over and jumped on top of Brooke.

"What are you doing?" Brooke laughed slightly, a smile forming.

"Well…" Rachel smirked, pausing for a moment. "I was coming up here to give you a present, but now I don't think you deserve it."

"A present?" Brooke eyed the brown eyed woman in front of her. "I like presents!"

"Then get your fat ass up and come down stairs." Rachel winked as she crawled off of Brooke.

Brooke made a beeline for the stairs, curious to know what her gift was. Once she reached the staircase, before running down the stairs, she saw him standing there with a big bright red bow on his head. Julian Baker stood at the bottom of the stairs. A giant smile formed on her face as she realized who the tall brunette man was. A giggle escaped her lips as she ran down the stairs and straight into his arms. Instantly hugging each other and not letting go. They hadn't seen each other for a little over a month. After they had met at Tric, they became instant friends. They were there for each other to help one another out in order for them to move on from their messy break ups. Julian had stayed in Tree Hill for a good month before heading back to California to face his ex and all the memories of her. In that month, Brooke and Julian had become extremely close. The day that Julian had left to go back home, Brooke knew she'd see him again, but just wasn't sure when that day would be. They talked every day after he left, whether it be on the phone, texting, skype or any other form of communication. You name it, they used it. There hug was interrupted as Rachel pulled the two apart from one another as she walked between them.

"You're welcome." Rachel rolled her eyes with a laugh as she passed through them.

"What are you doing here?" Brooke ignored her friend's sarcastic but heartfelt comment.

"Well, I heard you kept moping around in your bedroom." Julian started. "When you got some amazing news, so I could only wonder why the moping?"

"I'm going to kill Rachel!" Brooke growled in a playful tone.

"You can't, she paid for me to be here." Julian chuckled. "So, we kind of owe her."

"Oh great, she will most definitely hold this against me in the future when she wants something." Brooke smiled as she led Julian upstairs to her room.

"So what's this moping around about?" He questioned getting straight to the point.

"Julian!" Brooke whined. "Do we have to talk about that now?"

"Brooke!" Julian mocked her whining. "Yes now, so we can get it out of the way."

"Fine!" Brooke pouted sticking her bottom lip out and sitting on the bed next to Julian.

"Spill."

"Lucas."

"Still?"

"What can I say Julian." Brooke frowned as sadness became apparent in her eyes. "I love him. He was my world!"

"Brooke, do you love him or are you in love with him?"

"I'm in love with him." Brooke confessed for the first time since she had broken up with Lucas. "God, I'm so desperately in love with him and I don't even think he knows it.""Then you need to tell him." Julian put his arm around his friend.

"I can't." Brooke let a tear slip down his face. "He's with Peyton now."

"So…" Julian pulled her in for a hug. "He was yours first, so doesn't that give you something over that dumb girl code all girls have?"

"Julian!" Brooke laughed through her tears. "I could never do what Peyton did to me."

"And that's why you are such an amazing person!" Julian smiled at her. "Though if you are in love with Lucas, and he makes you feel this way, even when you two aren't together, then you need to tell him. If you don't tell him, you'll live with all of the what ifs and all of the regrets."

"So, what…" Brooke thought out loud. "I just walk up to him and be like 'Hey Luke, I'm in love with you still!' I don't think so."

"Well of course not like that dummy!" Julian nudged Brooke softly.

"I can't put myself out there again to get hurt."

"Then give him the choice."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I already know you are going to New York." Julian smirked as Brooke gave him an excuse me facial expression. "We'll be talking about that later, and you know I will convince you into going. But anyway, go talk to him. Tell him how you feel and tell him when you are leaving. If he shows up then he feels the same about you. If he doesn't show, then at least you know where you stand and you can finally be able to move on."

"You're the best!" Brooke hugged him again. "If it wasn't for you, I'd probably still be laying around moping."

"Yeah, I know!" Julian smirked with cockiness. "Now, this New York thing."

XoX

Looking back and wondering where it all went wrong.

Lucas laid on his back on the cement pavement at the river court, staring up at the bright blue sky, that seemed so endless and full of possibilities. He wasn't sure what he was going to do with his life. His mother Karen and her boyfriend Andy we're leaving to tour the world on Andy's boat in a couple of days, before it was time for Karen to go into labor with Lily. They invited him to come along, and he declined. He wasn't sure what he was going to do. He had been accepted to quite a few colleges, but he had yet to accept one of their offers. There was a part of him that was hoping Brooke would have spoken to him now, but he was slowly coming to realize that that was probably never going to happen. At least not any time soon. His heart ached for her, and with every passing day, his heart only grew more fond of the bombshell brunette. He originally had planned on going to a school close to where Brooke was going, if not the same college, but that didn't work out. He didn't even know where she was going. A sigh escaped his lips as his thoughts turned into Peyton. He hadn't spoken to her in two months as well. Ever since what happened between them. His mind traveled back to that day two months ago, as he put his arm under his head.

Lucas groaned in his sleep as light began to fill the once dark bedroom. He tried to cover his face with his hands, but the sun still peaked through the cracks of his fingers. Sighing, he grabbed the pillow he was using and pulled it from under his head and placed it on top of his face. A smile of victory swept over his face as the room became dark again. As quick as the smile had formed on his face, it disappeared and turned into a look of confusion as he felt a leg rub up against his own. He laid still for a while, thinking he was dreaming, but he could still feel the warmth of the other person next to him. He tried to think back to the pervious night. What happened? Everything was still hazy to him as he tried to bring the pieces together. Slowly, he remembered drinking. A lot! More then he probably should have. He was at the river court, wishing for Brooke and drowning out his sorrows in a 12 pack of beer. He opened his eyes with the pillow still on top of his face. They widen as he came to the realization of what exactly had happened last night. He swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat as he lifted the blanket, praying that he was fully clothed underneath. A look of guilt filled his face as he tried to quickly pull the covers back down to cover his naked body, but instead he ended up slipping and rolling out of the bed, as the blanket stayed on the bed covering a very naked Peyton.

"Shit!" Lucas mumbled loudly, but tried to avoid waking the blonde.

He looked up and noticed that Peyton had readjusted her sleeping position. Thankfully she stayed asleep. His eyes darted around the room looking for his clothes. He spotted his boxers, and quickly crawled over to them. Grabbing them, he slid them on and stood up. Scratching the back of his head he looked around the room for his jeans and shirt. His eyes landed on his jeans that were tossed over the computer chair. As he grabbed them, he noticed Peyton's bra hanging on the computer screen. How they managed that, he didn't know. Slipping his faded blue jeans on, he scanned the room again. Where was his shirt? He tip toed around the room looking, but to no avail, no shirt. Lucas ran a hand over his face as he looked at Peyton again. He tilted his head slightly to the side as he stared at her. He clearly had thought that Peyton was fully naked, like he was, but turns out she wasn't. She was sleeping with his shirt on. Great, now how was he supposed to make a clean get away? There was no way he could leave without his shirt on. That wouldn't be a good sign. He could run into anyone outside on his walk home. He most definitely didn't need Brooke finding out, at least not from someone other then himself. Brooke filled his mind now, as he stared at the blonde who was still fast asleep. How could he have been so stupid? Again? He loved Brooke and he vowed to get her back. How was he going to be able to do that now? He'd have to be honest with her, he'd have to tell her. After all, if he would have told Brooke about the kiss, they may still be together right now. What was he thinking? He slept with Peyton. Peyton Sawyer, Brooke's best friend, or used to be best friend. If he had any hope in rekindling things with Brooke, that all went out the window. She'd never forgive him now.

"Luke?" Peyton murmured as she was slowly starting to wake up, she stretched her arm over to have it lay across Lucas' chest, but her arm hit a semi-cold mattress.

Lucas bit his bottom lip. He didn't want to have this conversation with her, not now. He knew he'd have to though. He needed his shirt and that was the only thing stopping him from leaving at that moment. Sitting down in her computer chair, he grabbed his socks and pulled them on. Quickly following he started to pull on his shoes. The quicker he was dressed, hopefully the sooner he could get his shirt and be out of there. His eyes looked up at the blonde who was now sitting up in the bed as he tied one of his shoes. Their eyes met and held contact for only a second, before Lucas diverted his eyes down to his feet. He was beginning to panic a little. The last thing he wanted to do what hurt Peyton too, but clearly he knew he already did. Looking into her eyes for that one second, he was able to read what she was feeling.

"Where are you running off to?" Peyton questioned as she watched him tie his shoe.

He ignored her question, playing it off like he didn't hear her. Maybe he could get away with it? Yeah right, who was he kidding? When it came to Peyton, he was never off the hook that easy. She was going to make him talk, whether he wanted to or not. That's just how their friendship was. He scratched the back of his neck before moving to his last shoe. His mind racing to find the easiest and least painful way to let Peyton down. Lucas had no idea exactly how hard Peyton was going to take it.

"Lucas?"

"Huh?"

"Tell me I'm dreaming." Peyton bit her bottom lip.

"What do you mean?" Lucas asked trying to play clueless. He knew what she meant.

"Tell me, that we didn't sleep together last night and that you are not sitting there trying to make a getaway." Peyton eyed the blonde man sitting a few feet from her. "Lucas?"

His heart broke for her. How could he let her get caught in the middle of this? He stood from his seated position and slowly walked over to her bed. He sat down on the edge of it and turned his body to face Peyton. He looked her in the eyes this time, holding eye contact. He searched her green eyes, as he tried to find a way to tell her this. As he looked in her eyes, he saw something that he hadn't noticed before. The look she gave him. He had seen it before. But when? His eyes closed as he tried to think quickly. Then it hit him. Peyton had that same look in her eyes when they fooled around behind Brooke's back the first time. He also recalled that same look in her eyes when she was seeing Jake Jagielski. He opened his blue eyes and looked at her again. This couldn't be happening to him. It just couldn't be. After looking at her for a couple of minutes, he was able to muster up some words.

"Peyton…" Lucas breathed in. "Last night…"

"Don't you dare!" Peyton's soft voice turned to sadness. "You said, 'we can be something special'."

Lucas mentally slapped himself after hearing what Peyton said. How on earth did he dig himself into such a huge hole, with both of the girls that he cared for? He looked away from her green eyes and looked around her bedroom. His eyes fell on one of her pieces of artwork. It was a drawing of Brooke, Peyton and himself all holding guns and shooting a heart that had a number 3 in it. He had seen the picture a million times before, but now it brought a new meaning to him. A meaning he hadn't realized before. He always thought the drawing was just the three of them shooting down the heart with his jersey number in it as a symbol of change. A change so they all could be friends without the drama. But as he looked at the picture, he wondered. It had always been Brooke, Peyton and Lucas. It was never just Lucas and Brooke or Lucas and Peyton. It was always the three of them. The heart symbolizing love. Love that they all had for each other. But the love was different for one pair. But what pair? As he continued to stare a the picture he noticed he was in the middle. That's when it hit him. He needed to put his foot down and make the decision. He was standing between two best friends and he wasn't being fair to either of them. Why? Simply because he didn't want to hurt either one of them. He needed to be honest with his feelings, and let someone down. If he didn't, Brooke, Peyton and Lucas would always be this crazy love triangle drama that none of them really wanted to continue on with. A sigh escaped his lips as he turned back to Peyton, who had been sitting there patiently waiting for an answer.

"Peyton, it's too soon for me." Lucas placed his hand on hers. "I just got out of a relationship with Brooke and…"

"I know why she broke up with you." Peyton cut him off before he could continue.

"What do you mean?" He looked at her slightly confused.

"Luke…" Peyton looked up at the ceiling preparing herself not to let the tears fall from her eyes. "The night of Nathan and Haley's wedding party, I told Brooke something."

"What did you tell her?"

"I told her I still have feelings for you." She looked into his blue crystal eyes. "Lucas, I love you. I always have."

"You told her that?" Lucas let her last statement go in one ear and out the other.

"Not the exact response I was looking for." Peyton sighed wiping a tear that fell.

"What?" Lucas eyed the blonde as anger had entered him. "What do you expect me to say? That it's ok? That everything will be fine? That I love you too? I'm sorry Peyton, but I don't feel that way about you. How could you be so selfish?"

"Selfish?"

"Yes, selfish!" Lucas stood up from the bed, his anger getting the best of him as everything was starting to piece itself together as to why Brooke broke up with him. "No wonder Brooke broke up with me. She thinks history is going to repeat itself again. God, how could I have been so blind!"

"Lucas, she doesn't love you like I love you!" Peyton grabbed his hand, pleading with her eyes.

"Do you hear yourself right now?" Lucas pulled his hand away. "Doesn't Brooke mean anything to you? She is your best friend!"

"Brooke has made it clear to me that we are no longer friends." Peyton fought back. "You know, you won't get her back. History already repeated itself. You can't lie to her, we did just sleep together."

"Peyton…" Lucas looked at the blonde, disgust and sadness written on his face. "What happened to you? You used to be this amazing, kind hearted person."

"Don't say that Luke!" Peyton bit her bottom lip. "I love you, and I know you love me too! We can have it all! We can be together!"

"I could never love this person you've become."

Lucas shook his head with a look of disappointment clearly written on his face. He scratched the back of his neck and tossed her the shirt that was laying on the ground. Her eyes filled with tears, that spilled over her eye lids as she took off Lucas' shirt and threw it at him, as she clutched her own shirt to her chest. Without even a second glance, Lucas walked out of her bedroom while putting on his shirt. How did things get so messed up?

"Earth to Lucas!"

His eyes flung open as he was pulled out of his thoughts. He looked up and a smile formed on his face as he saw the brunette woman standing above him. He laughed slightly at her posture. She was hunched over with her hands on her hips eyeing him like he had lost his mind. He sat up and slowly stood up from the ground, dusting his hands off on his pants. Lucas hugged her tightly as he really needed his best friend right now in this moment. It was like she always knew when he needed her, as she always seemed to appear or just show up.

"Hales!" Lucas smiled as he still hugged her.

"I guess I came at a good time." Haley laughed as she hugged him back.

"You always do." Lucas smiled at her as they both walked over to the bleachers.

"Well, I came to tell you something, but I can see you need my wisdom." Haley smirked as she nudged him.

"Yeah I do, but what did you want to tell me?" Lucas raised an eyebrow at her.

"It can wait, tell me what's going through that head of yours."

Lucas sighed and took a deep breath as he began to tell Haley everything. Not just him sleeping with Peyton, but how he felt that things were messed up a long time ago. It felt good to get everything off of his chest finally. He had been holding this in for so long and was distancing himself from everyone. Only because he felt like he couldn't talk to anyone, without it getting back to Brooke. He could tell Haley anything though. Why hadn't he told her sooner? Maybe because he didn't want to put her in the middle of him and Brooke, as he knew the two girls had grown extremely close over the past couple of years.

"Wow Luke…" Haley stared at her friend. "Wow."

"Whatever happened to no judgment between us?" Lucas nudged her.

"Oh, no judgment coming from me." Haley took a deep breathe. "Just trying to figure out what advice I can give you."

"Have I finally stumped the almighty Haley?" Lucas laughed as she smiled at him.

"No, you have not!" Haley racked her mind. "I'd say tell Brooke everything, exactly how you told me, but she's not speaking to you and is going out of her way to avoid you. I'd say talk to Peyton, and tell her how you feel, but she probably still needs time to heal. Damn Lucas Scott, you've royally fucked up!"

"Gee, thanks Hales!" Lucas rolled his eyes with sarcasm.

"I'm sorry Luke." She leaned into him for a side hug. "The only advice I have for you, is to let time run it's course. Focus on yourself."

"I was afraid you'd say that." Lucas sighed returning the hug.

"Or…" Haley thought for a moment.

"Or what?" Lucas turned to face his best friend.

"There are a couple rumors going around." Haley thought to herself out loud.

"Haley, what are you thinking?" Lucas question. "Tell me, please?"

"The rumor is that both Brooke and Peyton are leaving town. Possibly for a long time or for good." Haley looked into Lucas' eyes. "Find out when they are leaving, and pick the one you love and go with her. It'd be like the greatest love gesture you can do at this moment in time."

"As great of an idea as that sounds, there is one problem with it." Lucas sighed.

"What?" Haley raised an eyebrow.

"Neither of them are speaking to me!" Lucas ran a hand over his face.

"Maybe you shouldn't have kissed Peyton!" Skills joked as he walked up to the river court.

"Or maybe you shouldn't have slept with Peyton and told her you didn't have feelings for her." Nathan chimed in walking with Skills.

"Please tell me you two were not ease dropping?" Lucas sighed putting his head in his hands. The last thing he needed was the entire world to know of his mistakes.

"Dawg, we just overheard the conversation." Skills spoke patting him on the back.

"Things will get better Luke." Nathan smiled at his wife. "Did you tell him yet?"

"Oh yeah…" Lucas looked up at Haley. "What was it you wanted to tell me?"

"Well, I know things aren't ideal for you right now, but…" Haley smiled widely. "I'm pregnant!"

Lucas looked up at his best friend, Haley James-Scott. Hearing those words escape her mouth, he wasn't sure if he should be happy or sad for her. The thought pondered his mind as he stared at her. A smile crept across his face as he hugged Haley and rocked her back and forth. If he couldn't have happiness right now, he was glad that his best friend and sister-in-law and his brother were able to have it.

"That's great Hales!" Lucas said with a smile. "Congratulations you two!"

"Thanks!" Nathan and Haley spoke at the same time.

"Way to go Nate!" Skills gave him a fist bump. "We are going to have another NBA star amongst us soon."

"Or possible WNBA star!" Haley quickly corrected.

"You two are nuts!" Lucas laughed. "So, what about college?"

"We are going to go to Duke together." Haley smiled. "We've got it all planed out."

"If anyone can do this, it's you two." Skills spoke taking a shot and making it in.

"Thanks Skills." Haley walked over to Nathan and kissed him. "You boys have fun, I'm going to go tell Karen now."

XoX

People keep on saying that you should always follow your heart. But when your heart gets broken into pieces, which piece should you follow?

Nathan, Skills and Lucas tossed the basketball around to one another, and each taking shots. They were just enjoying the moment they had together, as these kinds of moments would slowly fade away as time was passing by quickly. Meaning that they all were leaving this wonderful town that they call home. Some how while making baskets, the conversation had turned into Lucas' love life and how screwed up it was. It was the last thing Lucas wanted to talk about, but talking about it was helping him feel better about things. It was also helping realize what he needed or should be trying to do in order to fix everything.

"I remember when you were just a nobody." Skills took a shot. "When Brooke Davis and Peyton Sawyer didn't pay any attention to you."

"Yeah, didn't Peyton almost run you over too?" Nathan laughed along with Skills.

"Back then things were so much easier." Lucas sighed as he passed the ball to Nate. "Other then almost getting run down."

"So what are you going to do?" Nate asked taking a jump shot.

"I love Brooke guys!" Lucas sighed leaning back against the basketball hoop pole.

"I know you love her…" Skills held on to the ball. "So what, are you going to try and get her back?"

"Yeah." Lucas didn't even have to think about it.

"Huh, but I'm not too sure that's the way to do it." Nathan chimed in noticing the black comet pull up. "But hey…"

"Huh?" Lucas became confused as he turned around and saw the blonde getting out of the car.

"What's up Homewrecker!" Skills shouted out to Peyton as she made her way over to the guys.

"Hi Skills!" Peyton rolled her eyes with a smile on her face and a small laugh. "Hi Nate."

Skills shrugged his shoulders as he tossed the ball to Nathan and the two began to play a little one on one. Lucas scratched the back of his neck, a little nervous as to why Peyton was here. He met her half way, to avoid the guys from easing dropping in on his conversation like they had done previously. He couldn't help but wonder why she was here, as they hadn't spoken in so long. Once they were close enough to start a conversation, Lucas shoved his hands into his front pockets and he leaned forward slightly in a rocking manner.

"So, I guess the word is out?" Peyton raised her eyebrows.

"Sorry about those two." Lucas shrugged. "We were actually just talking about the situation."

"I see…" Peyton watched as Nathan ran passed Skills and made a basket. "You're probably wondering why I'm here."

"There's no probably." Lucas replied looking at her.

"Ok, before I say anything, I need you to promise me something." Peyton began. "Promise me that you won't say a word after I'm done telling you this."

"Peyton?"

"Please!"

"Ok."

"Alright, here goes nothing…" Peyton took in a deep breath as she became nervous. "I know we haven't spoken in a long time. I feel that I am to blame for that. I haven't been that great of a person to you, or to Brooke. I should have been more considerate of your feelings and of Brooke's feelings. But that night, when we slept together and you told me that we could be something special, I saw us together." She looked into his eyes as she continued on after pausing for a moment. "Luke, I know that what we did before was wrong and it shouldn't have happened. I also know that what I did was wrong too. But Lucas, love makes you do crazy and unbelievable things sometimes. Love makes you do things that you wouldn't normally do. Lucas, I love you and I mean, I'm in love with you." She smiled at him as she looked down at her hands that laid on her stomach, as she was starting to feel sick for a moment, before speaking again. "I'm leaving town tomorrow morning. I've come to realize that I can't be here in Tree Hill right now. Not while Brooke and I are at war, and not while I'm in love with you and not knowing how you feel about me. I'm not going to tell you where I'm going, because if you turn me down I won't be able to be just your friend. At least not for a long while. I can't chance you randomly showing up, just to visit me. If you don't show, this will also be my chance to heal and move on. I'm leaving at four in the morning tomorrow. I'll wait for fifteen minutes after four. If you don't show up, then I know how you truly feel and I won't bother you again."

With that said, Peyton stared into Lucas' eyes one last time before turning her back to him. She headed back to her car, got in and started up the engine. The blondes held eye contact for a short while before Peyton drove off. Lucas stared at the empty space where the comet was previously parked. He was deep in thought. He knew that Peyton was in love with him, after she had admitted it, but he had no idea she felt so strongly for him. He slowly turned around, just in time to catch Nate and Skills act like they weren't listening in on Peyton's speech, as they began playing one on one again. He rolled his eyes, knowing he was going to get a mouthful from his brother and friend.

"So what's the score?" Lucas crossed his arms looking at the two guys.

"Homewrecker 1, Pretty Girl 0." Skills blurted out getting a laugh out of Nate.

"I love Brooke, doesn't that count for anything?" Lucas tossed his hands up in the air.

"Sure it does." Nate answered. "Those feelings are just home court advantage, no points scored."

"You guys are real pieces of work." Lucas sighed shaking his head at his friends.

"So, you showing up?" Nate took a three point shot, making it with nothing but net.

"I don't know." Lucas spoke truthfully.

"What do you mean, you don't know?" Skills questioned as he turned and stared directly into Lucas' eyes.

"What am I supposed to do?" Lucas leaned back against the hoop pole in defeat. "Brooke doesn't want anything to do with me. I'm never going to get her back after she finds out I slept with Peyton. I might as well just take what I can get."

"Never settle Luke!" Nate cut in. "If you settle, it will only make you live with regrets. I settled when Haley left to go on tour with Chris Keller. Look what happened when that happened. We both ended up miserable."

"Not everyone can be a Naley couple." Lucas rolled his eyes at his brother.

"Dawg, that may be true, but…" Skills did a lay up before finishing his thought. "You're Brucas!"

"Brucas!" Nate chanted back along with Skills.

"Seriously?" Lucas couldn't help but laugh at the two men. "You two have been hanging out with Brooke behind my back. She's the only one that makes up those names."

"Long live BRUCAS!" Nate and Skills marched around Lucas as they put their arms in the air as if they were carrying around torches.

"Cut it out guys!" Lucas laughed harder as he playfully shoved Skills and Nate.

"BRUCAS! BRUCAS! Whoa!" Nate stopped in his tracks. "Didn't see this coming!"

"See what?" Lucas asked as he looked at Nate.

"Looks like we may need a tie breaker." Skills grabbed the basketball. "There's my girl, B. Davis!"

"There's my boy, A. Taylor!" Brooke smiled as she walked up to the guys on the court. "Am I missing out on a protest or rally?"

"Hey Brooke, it's been a while." Nate gave her a head nod ignoring her comment.

"Yeah, it has been." Brooke bit her bottom lip as she turned to the blonde that she came to see.

"Sorry about them." Lucas motioned to the two guys who were now snickering and holding in laughter.

"Brucas eh?" Brooke eyed the guys with a smirk. "Guess I'm rubbing off on them."

"I guess we have fans rooting for us." Lucas tried to make light of the awkward tension he felt.

"Can we talk?" Brooke remembered why she had come to the river court in the first place.

Lucas just stared at the brunette woman in front of him. He all of a sudden forgot how to speak. Seeing her so close to him, made all of those feelings he had for her come rushing back to him at full force. His feelings for her stronger then ever before. After not being able to see or speak to her for two months, he just wanted to pull her into his arms and hold her and tell her how much he loved her. But why now? Why was she here? Had Peyton gone and spoke to Brooke? Maybe she felt that bad about everything. He continued to stare into her hazel eyes, as he had zoned out completely.

"Luke?" Brooke took a step closer to him, placing her hand on his arm.

Tingles and shivers ran up and down his arm and spine at the touch of her hand on his skin. He felt the goose bumps begin to form on his arm as he ripped his gaze away from her eyes and looked down at where her hand was placed. They still had that connection, even after two months. Did Brooke realize that too? She had to. He needed to be with her. He missed her so much and having her standing right there in front of him was killing him, because he knew at that moment she wasn't his. At least not yet. He wasn't going to let her just walk away again. Not this time. He had prepared himself for this moment. Where Brooke came up to him and wanted to talk. For as much preparation he had done, the second he looked back up into her hazel eyes, he forgot all of his words. The only thing he was able to do was nod, and lead her away from the court. Just far enough that Skills and Nate couldn't overhear their conversation. They walked in silence over to where Brooke had parked her baby blue bug. They stood there for a moment before Brooke spoke up again.

"Are you going to say anything to me?" Brooke questioned looking up into those misty blue eyes she loved so much.

"Yeah, sorry." Lucas shook his head. "You kind of just caught me off guard there."

"Sorry about that." Brooke ran a hand through her hair.

"You've ignored me for a good two months." Lucas stated. "I wasn't sure if you were actually speaking to me just now."

"Yeah, that was really childish of me." Brooke confessed. "But I need to tell you something."

"What is it?" Lucas questioned, as he fought back every urge in his body that begged him to pull her close to him and hold her.

"I'm going to give you one of our famous speeches." Brooke looked around the river court taking in the view and peacefulness of everything. "Afterwards, I'm going to leave and I want you to think hard about what I've said."

"Brooke…" Lucas tried to stop her,

"Lucas, I need you to know, that I am truly sorry for breaking up with you. I am also sorry for not telling you the reason I broke up with you." Brooke took in a deep breath as she focused on a happy image in her mind, to avoid from breaking down into tears. "Luke, the reason I broke up with you is because Peyton told me she still had feelings for you. I get that, that was wrong of me to do. As you weren't the one who had feelings for her, or at least at the time you didn't." Brooke bit her tongue as Lucas had a painful look on his face at the mention of that accusation. "I should have held on to you, I should have told you what was going on. But I didn't. I ran. I ran from you Lucas. And I've asked myself everyday for the last two months as to why I ran. When Peyton told me she had feelings for you, I panicked. I saw history slowly repeating itself. I couldn't let that happen again. So I did what I do best. I put my defense walls back up around my heart and I pushed you away. I knew it was only a matter of time before you and Peyton ended up together." A tear slid down her cheek as she looked Lucas in the eye. "Lucas, I was scared and I still am scared. I always have this fear, that one day you are going to discover that I'm not as great as you once thought I was. I'm afraid of loosing you, I'm afraid of getting hurt by you again. I know you said you wouldn't hurt me again, but if Peyton could do it, why couldn't you? That's what I thought. But I've come to realize that you are not Peyton. You've changed, and you've given me your heart and let me into your world." Tears were now streaming down her face. "I love you Lucas Scott. I'm so insanely in love with you that it hurts. I know that I'm probably too late, as I've heard the rumors about you and Peyton. But I don't care about them. If they are true, then I can forgive you, like you forgave me. We weren't together at the time, even though with our love triangle history, it hurts worse, then if you had slept with a stranger. But that doesn't matter, because I can find it in my heart to forgive you." Brooke cried, but not taking her eyes away from his crystal blue ones. "I'm leaving Tree Hill tomorrow morning. I want you to come with me. I want you to come because I know in my heart we can work this out. I'm leaving at four in the morning. I have a long drive ahead of me. But I'll wait for you to show up. If you don't show up fifteen minutes after four, then I'll leave without you. You won't hear from me and I won't bother you for as long as it takes for me to get over you. By you not showing up, I'll also know where your heart truly lies. Whether it be with me or with Peyton. Lucas, I just want you to be happy. I can't tell you where I'm leaving to. It's better this way. If you don't choose me, this will give me the breathing space I need in order to be able to move on from you. So, please just think about it. Think about it long and hard." Brooke leaned up and kissed Lucas' cheek as she let her hand rest on the other side of his cheek. "I'll be waiting."

After speaking those last three words, Brooke stared into his eyes for a short moment, before getting into her beetle and driving away. He couldn't help but realize at that moment why the two girls were or had been best friends. They both were very similar, yet so different. For goodness sake, they both came to him and gave him a speech about them being in love with him and leaving the choice up to him. Oddly enough it happened only a matter of minutes between them. Lucas stared after her, as her words began to sink in. She loved him and she wanted to be with him. They could be together again. The biggest part was, she'd forgive him. His heart had filled with joy as he turned and noticed that Nate and Skills were now sitting on the bleachers talking about something. A smile crept across his face as he made his way to the guys. He took a seat below them, still in a daze after hearing what Brooke had to say.

"Pretty Girl 1, Homewrecker 1?" Skills patted Lucas on his back.

"She still loves me." Lucas couldn't stop smiling. "She wants to work things out."

"Ok, then why'd she leave crying?" Nate questioned oddly.

"She's leaving town too." Lucas answered.

"Well then Luke, who's the lucky girl?" Skills smirked as he eyed the blonde man.

XoX

Maybe one day, I'll be what you need. But don't wait too long… Because the day you want me, may be the day I've finally given up…

Brooke dragged her suitcases out towards her car, as she tossed them in the trunk. Pulling out her cell phone she looked at the time. It was ten till four. She swallowed the lump that was forming in her throat as she looked around the area. Everything was calm and peaceful. A sigh escaped her lips as she shut her trunk. She was all ready to go. All of her essentials were packed up. Brooke leaned up against the car as she looked at the house in front of her. Staring at the house, it started to bring back old memories of everything and everyone. She was going to miss Tree Hill. She knew this would always be her home and one day she'd return. But she needed to do this for herself. She needed to go and put herself out there in this great big world. Her stroll down memory lane was cut short by the tall redhead walking out the door with suitcases.

"Hey Bitch!" Rachel smiled at Brooke.

"Hey Skank!" Brooke laughed.

"What's with the long face?" Rachel questioned tossing her suitcases into her black Escalade. "Miss me already?"

"Just thinking about how much I'm going to miss this place and I guess you." Brooke smiled at the thought. "What's with the suitcases?"

"Well, I got a modeling offer!" Rachel replied with excitement.

"That's great Rach!" Brooke hugged her friend. "I'm soo happy for you!"

"Thanks!" Rachel smirked. "I told you this body isn't made for college."

"Who signed you?" Brooke laughed at the comment.

"Well, this company called Victoria's Secret wants me to model this new line called 'Clothes Over Bro's'" Rachel bit her bottom lip.

"Wait, what?" Brooke freaked. "You're going to New York?"

"You know it!" Rachel shrugged. "Couldn't let Brooke Davis have all of the fame!"

The two girls hugged in excitement as they did a little celebratory dance with one another. She was glad that she'd have Rachel there to support her. Having a good friend by her side was just what she needed. After another hug, Rachel made her way back inside the house to get a few more things. Once she disappeared inside, Brooke pulled out her phone and looked at the time again. It was now four ten in the morning. She looked up and looked around, hoping to see him. Somewhere. A single tear threatened to slip from her eye as she heard her name being called. Her heart raced as she turned around to where the voice had come from. A huge smile came upon her face as he stood there, suitcases in hand. Their eyes locked onto one another as they stared.

"Brooke, I'm coming with you!"