What Happens In New York
By: TracyCook
Disclaimer: I own nothing. These characters belong to the creator of Glee and One Tree Hill.
Couple: Rachel Berry/Brooke Davis
Rating: M
Chapter 7
Just Friends
"Here's to winning this bitch tomorrow night!" Santana stated raising a bottle of alcohol in the air before taking a long gulp of the beverage. Usually she would be wary considering that she was an emotional drunk, but tonight she was too happy, they had placed in Nationals and she was perched on her woman's lap. The only tears she would be crying would be happy tears. Both Brittany and Quinn raised their own glasses taking drinks of alcohol along with the Latina.
Kurt was talking excitedly to Mercedes and Tina about both the famous fashion designer attending their "hotel party" as well as the fact that they were going to win Nationals. All of them were more than confident that they would.
Puck, Sam, and Finn were all playing a drinking game. Finn had wanted to spend some alone time with Rachel but she had adamantly been against this informing him that she needed to catch up with her friend she hadn't seen for a year. The quarterback may not be the most intelligent man in the world but he also couldn't help but notice it was the same woman whose picture was hanging in his girlfriend's locker. That was weird right?
Peyton had left the hotel in order to take a phone call from Lucas, but not before her best friend informed her that she would be alright. Honestly the blonde was a bit worried about her.
"So…" Brooke started awkwardly as she raised the glass of alcohol to her lips taking a drink. Prior to Peyton leaving it had been the three of them, which consisted of the blonde telling Rachel all of her most embarrassing moments, still that was less awkward than where they were now. Now it was just her and the short diva, both drinking, neither knowing what to say.
"So… You moved back to Tree Hill?" Rachel questioned, the obvious. Trying to make normal "friendly" conversation, even if her mind was screaming at her to ask about her relationship status. 'It doesn't matter if she is single… I have Finn.'
Hazel eyes stared into large brown pools for a moment and she forgot how to speak, but slowly nodded her head. Her voice was low and emotion-filled, as always whenever this girl was involved she did not feel the need to protect herself like she did with everyone else. "Yeah, my mother was against it seeing as Tree Hill isn't exactly a great place for my line of business." Rachel nodded, understandingly urging her to continue with her eyes. "But, its home and I am happier when I am there surrounded by the people I love."
The shorter girl felt her stomach lurch as irrational jealousy bubbled up inside of her at the designer's words. 'People she loves… as in friends… or a boyfriend…? Gosh why does it even matter it isn't as if she came here to confess her undying love for me or anything, just smile.' Forcing a large smile onto her full lips she stated confidently. "Well that is wonderful Brooke, everyone deserves to be happy."
"Yeah… If only I had someone to love." She breathed out softly, which Rachel most definitely heard. "Speaking of which—"Brooke started before the star could say anything, forcing a dimpled smirk onto her features as she tried to be her normal self, or perhaps her "normal" self was the most fake side of her. "I see you found someone to love. He's cute." Hazel eyes glanced over the short girls shoulder to the boy who was taking down a shot and laughing. 'Oh fucking god I think I just vomited in my mouth… I can't believe I just said that, he isn't cute… she deserves better… god damn it!'
Rachel pulled her full bottom lip into her mouth as she glanced over her own shoulder toward her boyfriend; he truly was a sweet guy. "Yes, but sadly our relationship is drawing slowly to its conclusion." Large brown eyes returned to hazel.
Raising a cropped eyebrow the designer felt her heart leap at this admittance and now her smirk was genuine. 'They are breaking up?' "And what exactly does that mean?" She husked out, almost flirtingly, it caused Rachel to blush and look down into her drink playing with the rim of the glass with her fingertips.
'Wow… she hasn't talked to me like that since… No stop thinking about her that way… But she said she didn't have anyone—You do!' "Well, as you know I do plan to be a star on Broadway." She paused to smile brightly enjoying the nod she earned from the other. "Well, I have informed Finn that our relationship will diminish as soon as we graduate high school and part in order to pursue our separate dreams."
"Then what's the point?" She asked a bit bluntly, never one to really censor her thoughts and the alcohol was making it even more difficult to do so. She wanted to know why the younger woman would get in a pointless relationship. 'Not that you never have…'
"I beg your pardon?" Rachel questioned, her eyebrows knit together in confusion her full lips slightly agape.
Laughing huskily under her breath Brooke thought to herself. 'God she has got to be the most adorable girl on the face of this earth…' "I just mean, why get into a relationship if you know that it isn't going to last. Wont that just hurt everyone involved?"
"Honestly, it will hurt some more than others, and I suppose it was simply me being selfish. At first I denied Finn a relationship, adamantly I may add—" She stated with a pointed glance up into hazel eyes which only caused the designers heart to leap and a slight blush to adorn her cheeks "—but he continued to persist and after much deliberation I decided that I did not wish to be lonely anymore and I gave into his wishes. I did establish an expiration date for our relationship but he has been trying to convince me to marry him and have him move here with me—"
"—Marry you?" Brooke unintentionally interrupted as she breathed out the words; her heart had officially stopped beating. 'Oh my god! What the fuck! HOW COULD HE! Wait… she didn't say yes Brooke, calm down. Calm the fuck down!'
Rachel noticed that the designer appeared to be having a minor panic attack and quickly grew worried, she had not meant to alarm her. Although it did peak her curiosity. 'Why would it bother her if I married Finn…? Perhaps she did come here for me after all.' Reaching out with as much confidence as she could muster she placed her free hand over Brooke's free hand, ignoring the way that she heated up at the skin on skin contact as well as how smooth and soft the other girl's hand was. "Do not worry I denied his proposal on numerous occasions, I would not risk my future after all." She nodded and smiled brightly.
Letting out an embarrassing sigh of relief Brooke allowed herself to breathe again. "Thank god."
The diva could not help but start laughing at how the woman had said that, it seemed that she was quite relieved that Rachel would not be getting married to Finn in the near future and that made her beyond happy. Still, all good things must come to an end, and in this case their laughing fit appeared to be no different as it was brought to an abrupt halt as a strong arm was wrapped around the short girl's shoulders. She knew who it belonged to without even looking up at him.
Peyton had also made her way back into the hotel and was watching from afar as the interaction between the three took place, it appeared that Brooke's mood changed from laughing and happiness to anger and jealousy very abruptly and there was no more denying it. Her best friend was madly in love with Rachel Berry. Hastily she made her way toward the group hoping to save the designer from doing anything she would regret, in high school a drunk Brooke equaled an angry and manipulative Brooke and the blonde was sure that hadn't changed.
"Come on babe, I just want to spend some alone time with my girlfriend. We can celebrate." Finn said with a smirk.
"Finn you are intoxicated."
Brooke was watching the scene with two feelings, one protective anger at how the boy was running his hands all over the girl who clearly did not want to be touched by him. The other jealousy because it was his hands touching her and not her own. 'Fucking jesus, I need to get the hell out of here now… I swear to god I will kill him…'
"Hey there buddy, how are things goin'?" Peyton questioned walking up to her friend and wrapping an arm around her shoulders holding her back just as she was about to pounce on the tall man. Her voice was sarcastic and the brunette could sense that she knew what was going on in her mind, it was terrifying, but at this point she didn't really care. All she cared about was first protecting Rachel and then getting her own hotel room and having her way with her all night long.
"Fan-fucking-tastic." Brooke responded with sarcasm on the tip of her tongue as she rolled her hazel eyes at her best friend.
"I can see that." Peyton laughed a little before glancing over at the couple, Finn now had his hands on Rachel's hips and his head resting against the top of hers, dorky smile half-smile playing on his lips. The young diva's eyes were wide with worry as they glanced quickly from Brooke to Peyton then back to Brooke.
'Brooke looks like she hates me… still… the fact that she is jealous has to mean something right?' "Brooke—" She started only to be interrupted.
"It's cool, you should spend time with your boyfriend Rach. We should get going P. Sawyer." She husked out, hazel eyes threatening to fill with tears as she started to realize this was all a waste of time. Even if the star planned to end things with the young man she still loved men, and she was still never going to be able to give Rachel what she needed in more than one aspect.
"Kay." The blonde nodded before adding. "It was nice meeting you two."
As they turned to leave Rachel found herself irrationally moving out of her boyfriend's arms as she reached out to grab ahold of the beautiful girl's arm instead. Brooke stopped moving and she could have sworn she heard the designer take in a breath at the skin contact, but it could have been the alcohol playing with her head. 'It's probably the alcohol… Probably…' "Brooke."
"Yeah?" She questioned not turning due to the shame she felt at showing such vulnerability. She didn't want the other to know she was on the verge of tears, it was pathetic.
"Will you be staying for the finals tomorrow night?" When there was no answer she quickly started to ramble. "I know that you are undoubtedly busy with opening a new store in Tree Hill, and more than likely a hasty return home is necessary—" Pausing she swallowed allowing her fingers to run along the smooth pale skin of Brooke's arm before she finished, taking note that the designer definitely shivered. "I would really love it if you could attend, you know, in order to cheer me on. I always seem to do my best knowing that you are in the crowd." Her full lips were pulled up into a bright smile and her words were full of honesty and positivity.
Once again Brooke felt that she could not deny this woman what she wanted, the way that she spoke to her, the feel of perfect fingertips against her skin, she could not say no if god willed it so. "Of course." She husked out.
"Good, then I will see you tomorrow?" Her voice sounded almost desperate.
"Mmhmm." She responded not trusting her own voice as she felt a squeeze on her arm before losing the contact completely. It felt as if her heart was breaking as she made her way out of the room, resting her head on Peyton's shoulder. Brooke wanted nothing more than to make Rachel hers, she simply didn't know how to go about doing so.
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Brooke was lying in her bed in the hotel staring at the alarm clock, trying to ignore her overactive mind, still she continued to think about Finn and Rachel sleeping together tonight and it made her feel sick. Even if nothing of the sort had happened she kept imaging that it had. The time on the digital clock changed to 2:00am and she groaned out huskily flipping over in bed and looking across the room at Peyton.
She had confessed her feelings for Rachel to her best friend, not that the blonde hadn't already known. It seemed that after all of these years she knew her better than most people. Peyton had tried to help her feel better and only agreed to going to sleep when the designer convinced her she would be fine.
"But I'm not fine." She whispered out before shoving her face into her pillow to suppress the scream of frustration that threatened to escape.
Suddenly she realized something very important as she thought over the situation. Rachel had practically said that she did not feel anything for Finn. Rachel had been the one to kiss her a year ago and give her the parting necklace. And SHE was THE Brooke Davis, the girl who always got whatever and whomever she wanted, so why the hell was she lying in bed whining and crying about something that she could ultimately still have? She had taken a risk coming to New York, but she had not taken that leap off the cliff and shown her feelings to Rachel.
Quickly Brooke lifted her head out of her pillow "Fuck it!" She said a little loudly, not worried that her friend would wake up. Peyton slept like a dead person. Hastily she jumped out of bed and started to formulate a plan, ignoring the time completely. She was not going to lose Rachel without a fight.
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Rachel was startled out of her sleep when she heard knocking at her door. It was not that the knocking was particularly loud, in fact it was rather soft, she was simply an alert sleeper. You never knew when someone would sneak into your room and take advantage of you after all. Brown eyes snapped open and her head shot up in the darkness of the room, hearing a grunting beneath her she glanced down to see Finn who had completely passed out the moment they got back to the room. He pushed her away from him and rolled over on his stomach. Normally she would have felt rejected and upset by this but her curiosity was piqued by whoever was at the door at this ungodly hour.
Silently she made her way across the room. "I have a rape whistle." She announced loudly enough that the person on the other side of the door would hear her, but not too loud as to wake her boyfriend. Not that he would wake with the amount of alcohol in his system.
Brooke could not contain her laughter as she heard the comment, and she was not as generous with the volume. Instead that raspy laughter could be heard echoing down the hallway before she said loudly. "Good to know."
Hearing the familiar voice Rachel quickly reached to unlock and open the door, her heart pounding away in her chest as her shaking hands moved. 'Oh my gosh what is she doing here at this hour…? Not that I am complaining—' As she opened the door her breathe caught in her throat and large brown eyes scanned the other woman. '—Not complaining AT all!' "Wow." She breathed out, before noticing that not only was Brooke wearing a skin tight black dress, but she was also carrying a bouquet of roses. It was a cliché flower but the diva didn't care, she loved romance and it made her blush brightly as a smile spread practically from ear to ear.
"Speechless I see." Brooke stated in a raspy confident voice as a dimpled and playful smile made its way onto her face, she was feeling more in control and more herself now. This was the way that she liked it. Shrugging she let out a satisfied sound when Rachel did not say anything and only continued to stare at her with a blush on her naturally tanned skin. "I have that effect on people, these are for you." She whispered hotly against the shorter girl's ear as she handed her the flowers.
"Oh god." Rachel breathed out unintentionally as she took the flowers in her arms, cradling them delicately. She had not expected her entire body to shudder at the contact, she had not expected the contact at all. "Um." She chewed on her full bottom lip as her eyebrows knit together in confusion. "Thank you very much Brooke. You certainly do enjoy bringing me flowers huh?" She giggled trying to cover the lustfulness she was feeling.
"Yes, I do." She grinned as she pulled away, caught off guard by the way that Rachel's eyes had darkened with desire. Hazel eyes glanced down at full lips, watching as the star's tongue darted along them, she wanted to kiss her then and there but held back straightening her shoulders and pulling away.
"May I ask your reasoning for showing up at my door at such an ungodly hour with flowers? Not that I do not appreciate the sentiment." She added.
"I want to take you out." Now the nerves had returned and she blushed a little at her straightforwardness. 'God damn it Brooke keep it together! You were so confident a moment ago! Plus she totally likes you back, just go with it.'
Once again Rachel found herself perplexed, and she honestly had no idea what to do. She worried for a moment that Brooke meant 'go out' as in a date, which would be cheating and that was not something that she wished to do, even if secretly she wanted nothing more than to do just that. It would be wrong of her. Glancing over her shoulder quickly she looked to the young man laying down, which caught Brooke's attention, hazel eyes following the gaze to the man. Brooke's heart clenched in her chest and her stomach flipped but she did not allow jealousy to get in the way of what she wanted.
"As friends Rachel."
"I would love nothing more." She stated with a bright and honest smile, she truly meant her words.
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Authors Note: If y'all give me some lovin's I promise to try and update fast!
Thank you all!
-Tracy Cook
