After finding out that Mouth (and Brooke) was coming into town, Peyton suggested that she and Lucas take them to brunch. Their flight wasn't going to get in until around nine in the morning, giving them enough time to drive to Tree Hill. Luke had agreed, knowing that if he didn't, questions would be raised.
So there the couple sat, waiting at the restaurant. They'd arrived minutes ago after getting a call from Mouth, telling them that he and Brooke were just outside of town. Peyton bounced a bit in her seat, seeing this as the chance she missed so many years ago to reclaim her friendship with Brooke. Lucas, on the other hand, seemed completely calm. He couldn't focus his thoughts onto a single thing, though, as the minutes seemed to pass slowly.
Meanwhile, Brooke and Mouth were pulling into town. The brunette sat quietly in the passenger seat, listening to the words of "Tennessee" by the Wreckers fill the rented car. Mouth glanced over at her, watching her lips move, forming the words silently.
I never had all
the answers
I never had enough time
But I sure had all the
reasons
Why you weren't what I wanted to find
It was one of Brooke's favourite songs, ever since she'd left for New York after graduation. Haley had slipped the CD into her bag and she listened to the same song the whole way there. She ended up having to buy a second copy of the CD because she wore out the first one.
I never laid all
my cards out
You just wanted to play
The king he waited on my
doorstep
While the joker and me went on our way
It was surprising to her how much the song reminded her of her relationship with Lucas. She felt as if the song was written about them, aside from the state mentioned in it. And as the familiar sights of Tree Hill passed by the car, she felt even more strongly about the song.
Maybe I was much
too selfish
But baby you're still on my mind
Now I'm grown
and all alone
And wishing I was with you tonight
'Cause I can
guarantee
Things are sweeter in Tennessee
----
Lucas, after listening to Peyton ramble on about the crappy music they were playing in the restaurant, decided to go outside. He was leaning against the building, soaking up the warmth of the sun. All he could see behind his closed eyes was Brooke's face. Had she changed at all?
The sound of a horn honking filled the air, causing Lucas to fall back to reality. He searched for the source of the sound, his eyes falling onto the car that had just pulled into the parking lot. And there she sat, her eyes watching him.
After parking, Mouth and Brooke both climbed out of the car, stiff from the trip. Lucas headed over, dodging cars that were pulling out. He walked up to Mouth, pulling him into a hug as they greeted one another. He then gave Brooke a slight smile, feeling the pain he'd thought he'd lost over the years. Seeing her again, right in front of him, reminded him of the last time they'd been face to face.
"I can't do this, Lucas. If you're not willing to go with me, then I'm not willing to wait. Either you come with me, or we're over."
"Hey," Brooke said as she pulled him into an awkward hug, "you look like you've seen a ghost." Lucas, after returning the hug, stepped back and laughed a bit. "You'd be surprised."
The trio headed back into the restaurant where Peyton was still sitting, bouncing anxiously. Seeing her old best friend, she jumped up and came rushing over. "B. Davis," she said excitedly, pulling Brooke into a hug, "it's been ages!"
Brooke hugged her back, a smile coming to her face. She had let go of the past emotions, but jealousy was rising in her at the thought of Peyton and Lucas being together. "P. Sawyer," she said as she stepped back, looking over her, "you haven't changed a bit!"
Lucas and Mouth shared a look of 'Thank god they didn't kill each other,' then they all made their way back to the table. Brooke sat down beside Lucas, Mouth beside her. He slipped an arm across the back of her chair, something that Luke caught but said nothing about.
----
After a long, awkward brunch, the four finally found a slightly-comfortable place. They were laughing together, almost as if nothing had changed. Brooke and Lucas, however, were all too aware of who sat beside them. The connection they had always had, that pull towards each other, was still there. They both did their best to ignore it, instead focusing that attention to the other two at the table.
They stood outside, debating on what to do next. Mouth said they needed to go check into the hotel, but Brooke wanted to go see Karen over at the Café. So Peyton, figuring it would be a good chance to catch up with an old friend, left with Mouth, leaving Brooke and Lucas standing beside one another.
The two stood for a few minutes in silence, both afraid to be the first one to break it. Brooke finally cleared her throat, causing Lucas to look over at her. She gave a slight smile, almost apologetic. "So, to the Café?" she asked, slipping her hands into the pockets of her jeans. Luke gave a slight nod then started walking with her to his car.
"I still can't believe you're with Mouth," he said when they got into the car. The brunette gave out a nervous laugh, shaking her head a bit. "I can't either. I figured you'd be with Peyton, though," she said, her eyes focused on the buildings they were passing.
Lucas could hear the edge to her voice, that sound that she tried her hardest to cover. It was one of pain, one that proved to him that she still cared. Instead of replying, he reached over and turned on the radio. The Wreckers filled the car.
Maybe I was much
too selfish
But baby you're still on my mind
Now I'm grown
and all alone
And wishing I was with you tonight
'Cause I can
guarantee
Things are sweeter in Tennessee
These
days everything is all business
Never in a place for too long
And there's no lack of arms around me
But I still wonder if
somewhere I went wrong
Brooke could feel the tears coming to her eyes, hearing the song she associated with the guy who sat beside her. He was so close and yet, at the same time, so very far away. She looked over to him, hearing him sing the words softly. A sad smile came to her face as he glanced over at her, a look of pain in his eyes as well.
She knew that he still cared, even after all these years, even after the way she had left things. Knowing this, she slid her hand gently onto his arm. He kept his focus on the road ahead, trying to ignore the warmth of her skin.
"This song always made me think of you," she confessed softly. This got his attention and he looked over at her, seeing a few tears slipping down her cheeks. He took one hand off the wheel, brushing them away with his thumb.
"Me too, Pretty Girl."
