"We got to stop meeting like this", Peyton said when she could finally make out the figure standing in front of her. Her headlights made it seem like the person before her was just a shadow.
Lucas smiled, "What, no snarky comment? How about you just gesture me to get out of the way? That would definitely make things seem like back then."
Peyton gave a slight smile back to Lucas, "Do you want to try this again? Maybe I can do it right for you."
Lucas laughed, but this was met by an awkward silence.
"I heard you were back in town", Peyton finally said when the silence had become almost unbearable, "Nathan and Haley said you were offered a job at UNC, but they didn't say if you'd taken it."
Lucas looked at ground, "I still haven't decided if I want to take it or not. I haven't thought about living in North Carolina again."
"Come on, Luke. You know this is your home, what happened between us shouldn't mean you have to give up on something that you love", Peyton took a few steps forward. She put her hand on Lucas's arm, "I just don't want to be the reason you don't follow your dream."
Lucas stared at Peyton for a second before moving her hand off his arm, "So, I've been told you are getting married."
Peyton's smile faltered for a second, "He's a good guy, Luke. I'd really love for you to meet him."
It stung, the realization that Peyton had moved on from Lucas. Yeah, he ended things, but it wasn't because he didn't love her anymore. It was more because he felt blindsided, he never expected her to say no to his proposal. Lucas thought they had a love for the ages, one that would last forever.
"I'd love to meet him", Lucas said as he turned in the other direction, "I should be heading home. Just tell me when you want to grab dinner or something, you can bring the special guy."
Maybe there was some jealousy in Lucas's eyes, maybe even in his voice. Peyton couldn't tell, but part of her was looking for it. She met Zach, her fiancé, two years ago. Zach was helping a local artist find her "voice", so he brought her to Peyton. They worked hard on helping this local artist make an album, something that people would remember for ages. There were many long nights, Zach would bring Peyton dinner. They would talk for hours, and they had more in common than she could have imagined.
"His name is Zach", Peyton said as Lucas began to walk in the other direction, "Just thought you should know that."
Lucas smiled, "Nice to know", and then he turned and began to walk back home.
No, Lucas wasn't jealous, maybe sad. But this sadness wasn't really because Peyton moved on, but it was because she accepted the marriage proposal of another man. Lucas spent months, years even trying to figure out why Peyton didn't want to be with him.
The door opened right as Lucas made it to the front porch, Haley was holding the hand of a boy. This boy had blonde hair, and he was smiling at the toddler that Karen was holding. A beautiful little girl that looked a lot like Haley, with hints of Nathan.
"Hals, he's gotten so big", Lucas smiled at Haley and then at her son.
For a second, the anger diminished from her eyes. Haley was excited that her best friend got to see her kids, one for the first time. But as soon as her excitement came, it was gone. Lucas had his chance to be in her life, and he didn't care. Why should she give him another chance?
"Hey, Jamie", Lucas said to the bright eyed boy.
Jamie studied Lucas for a second and then smiled, "Uncle Lucas!"
Haley used to tell Jamie stories about the countless fun activities she used to do with Lucas. Mostly about how for many years Lucas and Karen was her second family, she spent most of her time with him. If it wasn't Haley talking about Lucas, it was Nathan.
When Jamie would go outside to play with his small basketball hoop, he would question Nathan on what is great about having a sibling. Nathan would say the same thing almost every time, "it's different for everyone, but Lucas is the only person who can really understand what I go through. We can talk about it, talk about how to get through it. He's always there for me, and I try to always be there for him."
Lucas stepped forward, and he wrapped Jamie into a hug.
"I think we are twins", Lucas smiled, and he put his head next to Jamie's, "What do you guys think?"
Karen laughed, "Identical."
"Actually, I was wondering if I could borrow you for a second", Lucas looked over at Haley. The same look of anger was on her face, but Lucas felt he had to give it a chance. This girl is his best friend, practically his sister.
"Do you mind", Haley questioned to Karen.
Karen nodded to both of them, "Jamie, I have something you might like. Let's go have a look."
Lucas looked at the ground, "Hals."
Haley interrupted him before he could say any more, "You're my best friend, that'll never change, but I need time. You left, that took a while to get over."
"Just know I'm here whenever you are ready", Lucas glanced up at Haley.
"Another thing, Luke, Peyton is happy. Let her have this", Haley walked up to the front door and turned slightly, "Zach is a good guy."