The big game comes up and both Kyle and Lucas prepare for their first one together.

Let's Read On


Chapter 2:

A week later the Ravens (High School Basketball Team) are prepping for their big game against Verona High School as Kyle and Lucas are prepping their training session with their friends at the river court as Skills says, "We're going dawg" "Alright I guess we could use the support" "That's right man and when you show off that Brooklyn basketball skills that's when you have them in your hand" "Damn right Skills" Jimmy calls out saying, "It's 6:30 guys" they all head off to the High School Gym as Lucas and Kyle separate heading for the changing room as Kyle says, "Who you got coming to the game?" "My Uncle Keith and Haley. What about you?" "Everyone I got is in my heart and watching over me" "You don't seem anxious" "I have got my ways" Lucas nods as Kyle makes his way through the room and all the way to his locker as he pulls out a blue vest and puts it over his white vest just as he sees Nathan walking over as Kyle pulls out his Father's Medal of Valour and makes the sign of the cross saying a prayer to go with it as he places it back in his gym bag as he sneakily puts 3 rat traps inside the gym bag before zipping up the bag and closing the locker.

He turns around and sees Coach Durham say, "Here's your jersey" "Thanks Coach" Kyle unfolds the Jersey and sees the No.8 on the back of it with, "K. O'Malley" as he smiles at his lucky number.

Everyone is geared up and ready as Kyle joins the line in front of Lucas as all the others begin singing whilst Durham says, "Alright, let's take it to the court!" everyone begins walking out and begins to train as they all make jump shots with Kyle scoring from each one as he looks around the gym seeing it fill with people as he imagines his father sitting in the crowd as Frank says, "Make me proud, Buddy" Kyle nods as he brings himself out of his thoughts when Lucas says, "You feeling alright?" "Yeah, I'm good, remember don't be fazed breathe and you'll be fine" "Thanks" they then hear Durham call out, "Alright, bring it in!" the two head over as Kyle lays eyes on Peyton and a gorgeous red-haired girl with green eyes as Kyle notices her pearly white teeth smiling at him as he nods to her before joining the huddle with Lucas.

Meanwhile, Peyton and the red-haired girl are standing around in their cheer-leading outfits as the girl asks, "So that's the boy who beat Nathan?" the girl says nodding at Lucas as Peyton nods as the girl continues, "He looks good from behind. Who's the boy with the impressive physique anyway?" "No idea, but he sure does look good" "Please, he is impressive" "I bet Brooke."

The team talk ends as everyone puts their hands in as they all say, "1,2,3, Ravens!" as they walk onto the court when Durham holds Lucas and Kyle back as he says to them, "Relax, you two, destiny has a way of finding you" the two of them smirk as they head onto the court.

The game begins as Nathan wins the ball and charges through as Kyle begins to shout, "PASS THE BALL!" as he jogs back to where Nathan passes the ball to him and he begins to dribble through the defence and scores a slam dunk. The crowd cheers as Kyle pats his chest as he high-fives Jake.

The game restarts and Lucas is pressuring the opponent but loses him as the opposing team scores a basket as Nathan goes at Lucas for losing his opponent as Kyle goes over to Lucas and says, "You alright?" "Not really" "Hey, breathe just find your feet" Lucas nods as Durham calls out, "Lucas, take a seat!" Kyle nods to Lucas who in turn pats Kyle on the arm as he notices Nathan smirking at Lucas as Kyle focuses on the game.

The game is going well as Kyle assisted Nathan on the last 8 baskets as Jake pulls up alongside him as he says, "You only had one basket" "Hey, I'm trying to do Nathan a favour he deserves them" "Maybe you do more than him" Kyle ponders those words as the game restarts with Nathan charging through the line as he passes to Jake who then passes to Kyle who's on the outside of the box as he shoots and scores a 3-pointer he does the same for the next 5 baskets as the end of game is called. The Ravens win as they all celebrate except for Kyle who shakes the hand of every Verona player as a sign of respect as he applauds the crowd that formed where Haley and an older man who Kyle assumes is Lucas's Uncle Keith applaud everyone he then turns and sees Brooke smiling at him as he smiles widely in return.


Lucas waits at the exit of the court and walks alongside Kyle as he says, "Hell of a game you played" "Hey, you did good too. Whatever Nathan says just ignore him, you'll do it. Little bit of advice my Grandfather gave me, "No matter how bad the criticism gets. Use it as motivation to get better" "Your Grandfather's a wise man" "A very wise man" they walk into the changing room and Durham is standing as all the others are standing or sitting down as Kyle leans up against his locker as he begins to listen, "That was a good game. Nathan, great work out there, you too Cross you gave them something to cheer about. Lucas, you're doing ok just focus and don't get too rattled out there" Lucas nods as they listen to the entire talk.

Once it is over everyone heads to take a shower or walks out of the changing room as Kyle heads in doing the same until Durham pulls him aside as he says, "Great job out there, you assisted Nathan 8 times and scored 6 times. What made you want to do it?" "He was in a better position to shoot" "You could have charged at the defence" "Sometimes you got to go with your gut" Durham nods as he says, "Keep playing the same way, you'll do great" "Yes Sir. I ain't going to let that get to me" Durham pats him on the back as Kyle heads for the showers as Jake is under one as he says, "Great job out there" "You too" they both shower as Kyle finishes before changing into a green Henley top with navy jeans as he walks to his car unknown to him is that Brooke is following him from behind.

Kyle walks to his car as he stops and looks around seeing nobody in sight as he gets an odd feeling he is being followed as he walks to the car popping his trunk as he places his bag inside he closes the trunk and heads to the driver's seat as he turns on the radio listening to a bit of Nat King Cole as he hears somebody say, "Hello Handsome" Kyle jumps and bangs his head at the roof as he grunts in pain as he looks and sees the gorgeous red-haired girl from the game as he says, "How the hell did you get in?" "I snuck in through the front seat" "Should have seen that one coming, you make a habit of giving guys heart attacks?" "Only good-looking ones" "Should I be preparing for this all the time?" "If you want, by the way I'm Brooke" "Kyle O'Malley, hello. I didn't know that if you were going to ask me. And are you naked in my car?" "Oh, relax I have underwear on and I needed a place to get out of the uniform" "Thankful for that" "You know your last shot that was so awesome by the way?" Kyle then turns and sees a bra on his shoulder as he starts to feel uncomfortable as Brooke chuckles, "You do not shy from pressure, do you?" "I'm calling to my training" "You aren't a cop, are you?" "No, though I desire to be one."

Brooke nods as she says, "Very ambitious, you don't mind driving me home?" "Yeah, where to?" Brooke gives him the address as he drives off with Brooke saying, "You listen to anything else than this music?" "I listen to Country, that's about it" "So where are you from?" "New York, Brooklyn" "What part of Brooklyn?" "Bay Ridge, Irish neighbourhood" "What made you come here?" "My mother was born in Tree Hill, lived here till she was 13" "Nice, where is she?" "Bay Ridge I lost her a year ago" "How?" "Depression, she committed suicide to spare me from watching her suffer she was a nurse, my father died as well along with my grandparents" "What did your father do?" "An NYPD Lieutenant, died in the line of duty saved 12 officers and was awarded the Medal of Valour, he won every decoration ever given to an officer" "I'm sorry for your loss" "Thanks, every man in my family signed up for Army after high school and went into the Police Department after their service" "Family of patriots" "It's in the blood" Brooke nodded as the drive went on.

Kyle then asked Brooke, "So what about you Brooke? You asked about me so should I know about you?" "Alright, I was born to a wealthy family, parents were never around" "Child abandonment" "Parents paid me little attention and I felt side-lined" "Ouch, so how do you know Peyton?" "Since we were 9 she has been like a sister to me and I helped her after her mother's death" "So you have a kind heart and very sweet" "Aren't you complimentary?" "Being a gentleman. So, what's your aspirations?" "To create my own clothes' line and having a business" "Nice" "You?" "Serving my country and going on to be a Police Officer protecting it on the frontlines" "Wow, makes you sound like a hero" "I'm not exactly a hero."

Brooke nodded she had only known Kyle for a short while but started to feel a connection despite them growing up in 2 different backgrounds. Brooke who had lived privileged whilst Kyle came from a life where everything was black and white and he saw the world through the eyes of heroes and the people that protect others from fear.


They had arrived at Brooke's house and Kyle had gotten out to open her door as she smiled at him saying, "Thanks" she saw Kyle looking to head back to the car as she said, "You want to come in?" "You sure?" "Yeah, why not? I'll cook something up" "Ok, I don't mind" "Thanks" Kyle then followed Brooke as she opened the door they stepped inside and Kyle was in awe as he thought to himself, "This place is kinda like a castle" as Brooke snaps him out of it, "Enjoying the house" "Kinda like my old house in Bay Ridge, just less colourful" "What colour walls did you have?" "Green walls" "Very Irish" "Yeah" "What would you like to eat?" "Depends" "How about Italian?" "I love Italian. My father and Grandfather once taught me that when I started dating I should be able to cook meals to a T" "Sound like wise men" "Very wise they were" "How's Linguine for you?" "Allow me to help" the two then went into the kitchen as they cooked the linguine as Kyle focused on the sauce as Brooke focused on the salad with Kyle helping out Brooke in between as he alternated between that as Brooke said, "You cook well" "Man of many talents" "What's your view?" "Sorry I don't understand" "Your view on life" "I believe in the old-fashioned values" "Like, marriage before sex and working to find your way in life" "Yeah, that's about it. I was raised old-school, very disciplined Irishman. I grew up an A* student, captains of the school teams and local teams" "How comes you left?" "My parents died and it only took a miracle to drag myself out of a hole" "You obviously go to church as well" "Yeah I do" "I go to church when I can but I don't go as much as I want to because of my promiscuous way" "Hey I don't judge a person based on what they do. I believe in the good of people that they can achieve greatness with the hand they are dealt."

Brooke smiles she begins to have feelings for him and she is falling hard for him through a pot of warm honey as he says, "Dinner's ready" Brooke gets out 2 plates and they head to eat as Kyle dishes it up for them.

Brooke is enjoying the meal as she says, "Wow, you are so good at cooking, it's like food-sex" Kyle laughs a little as he says, "Food-sex? Wouldn't call it that and plus I don't want to toot my horn" "I won't let your ego grow any larger" "What's your favourite movie?" "I like any romance movie but I will enjoy the occasional classic though" "Yeah, I like any movie but I enjoy the classics thoroughly" "What ones?" "40s, 50s and 60s and I enjoy war movies too. But Casablanca and The Quiet Man are my favourites" "Sounds cool naturally because Maureen O'Hara is an Irish actress" "Finest one, my Grandfather actually met her too" Brooke goes wide-eyed hearing this as she says, "No way, when?" "1943, he was on leave in New York and met her at an USO" "No way, are you serious" "Even got a dance with the lady herself" "This really happened?" "He showed me a picture of her and him when it happened, still have it in at my place in a photo album" "Might have to show it to me sometime" "I will do so. Thank you for the invite and Dinner, it was quite welcoming change" "Of course, may I get your number?" "Of course, here's my home number and phone number" Kyle hands her a slip of paper with both numbers on it as she replies, "Thank you, here is my number as well" Brooke in turn writes her numbers down and gives them to Kyle as he says goodbye to Brooke who says the same.

He drives home to the apartment and looks around, it looks like home. 2 family photos are on the wall including 2 movie posters as well including the Christ on the Cross decoration as well.


The next day in school he was in English class with Peyton, Lucas and Nathan as he sat on the left side of the classroom as he listens to the teacher who speaks about Hemingway, "Now, early in his career Hemingway was frustrated. He's a good writer but wanted to be great and eventually discovered that less was more." He then stops and looks to Peyton saying, "Peyton, describe Lucas in one word" everyone turns to hear Peyton's answer as she thinks about it before saying, "Choke" everyone laughs except for Kyle who just listens until the teacher asks Lucas to respond.

Lucas then replies, "Lonely" several "ooos" ring out as the room temperature reaches boiling until the teacher turns to Kyle and says, "Kyle, describe Nathan in one simple word" Kyle looks up and tries to think of one as he says, "I don't really know but I would say Professional" everyone looks at each other in confusion whilst Nathan looks at Kyle questionably as he shrugs his shoulders in response soon Nathan then describes Lucas in one word and it leads to a fight.

Later on, after class Nathan walks over and sees Kyle at his locker as he walks up to him saying, "So, mind I ask?" "Ask about what?" "Why you called me Professional?" "In all honesty I'm not sure" "I wasn't questioning your choice of word. I was curious" "Hard to think about" "During the game you passed the ball to me each time allowing me to score a basket, why do that?" "You deserved it and you were in a better position than I was" "So you followed your gut" "Of course I did" "Whitey ask you the same thing?" "Yes, he did. Do you know anything Brooke getting into men's cars and changing in them?" "Why do you ask? "I don't know if she did that to you or somebody you knew but is it a habit?" "She does it on occasion, did she do it to you?" "Yeah, snuck in through the front" "Did she have a leopard-print bra on?" "Put it on my shoulder expecting to do something?" "She would use it to tempt guys into sleeping with her, how did you do it?" "I grew up knowing that you have to get married to have sex" "Catholic kid?" "Yeah I am, grew up in an Irish-Catholic household" "Anything else I should know, I'll let you know when the time is right."

Nathan nods as Kyle walks to the gym not seeing Lucas until he walked in as he walks over, "Want to me why you ain't joining training?" "I'm quitting the team" "What the crap?" "I ain't continuing, this ain't my world" "That's bull and you know it. You said Basketball was your life and you enjoy it but after one game, you want to run?" Lucas stayed silent as Kyle continued, "I went through the same thing you did and it wasn't pretty but I used that criticism to better myself. Nothing in this life. Compares to the sweet, terrifying exhilaration of making your move. When you just put it all on the line and go for it" "Why?" "Because I believe that something good happens for a reason" Lucas nods as Kyle walks out of the gym heading to practice.

Later after practice, Kyle is driving to Tree Hill Beach and parks his car on the cliff-side as he watches the ocean go backwards and forwards peacefully as he listens to his music play softly hearing the lyrics of "Strangers in the Night" play as he thinks back to his encounter with Brooke how she had kept her heart locked tight but let him in not only because she saw him as someone trust-worthy, compassionate and kind-hearted. He then takes out his photo of his parents and grandparents it had been the only photo he had of them altogether as he asked his father and his grandfather to wear their Dress Blues while his mother and grandmother wore their emerald dresses he even took the photo remembering his grandfather teaching him how to work the camera as he smiled thinking back to the day in question when he was 10. It had been memorable.

2 days later the Ravens were gearing up for another game and Kyle was changing into his kit he had performed his pre-game ritual as he held his father's medal in his hand before making the sign of the cross and a prayer involved too. They all head out onto the court running through the section where the cheerleaders are cheering them on as he passes Brooke looking at him with a smile on his face as him and Lucas walk side by side as Kyle sees the Scott name is not on his back as he asks, "Where's the label?" "Gone, I'm focusing on the game" Kyle nods as they bump fists concentrating on the game


Next chapter will pick up from here. Tell me what you thought about Kyle and Brooke together if it's something to see I will build on that.

As always please like and review.