Sorry for the delay. Without my weekly One Tree Hill episode I didn't have much fire to write. But, I sat down and forced myself to write. I've already started Chapter 9 so hopefully I'll have that to you all sooner than usual
So, it's getting closer and closer to a Brucas meeting. Next chapter will be a Brooke/Brett/Jake/Jenny chapter, full of lots and lots of cuteness. There might be slight Lucas, but not with an interaction between him and Brooke. They will meet in Chapter 10 or 11.
Thank you to my Brucas2006, all the reviewers, and all the readers. Enjoy and REVIEW!
Oh, and while I play basketball, I'm not a big fan of Pro ball, so sorry if the Boston Celtics aren't exactly the big rival of the New York Knicks, or whatever.
Lucas groaned as the ringing of his cell phone woke him from his dreamless sleep. Glancing at the clock, Lucas cursed whoever was calling him at 5 in the morning. Shuffling out of bed, the blonde fumbled around in the dark for the gadget. His hand grasped around the phone and he opened it without checking the caller.
"Hello?" Lucas asked groggily.
"Mr. Scott, this is Mark Witt from Sport's Illustrated. I'm calling to inform you of your new assignment."
"What, you guy's adding another game onto my schedule?" The brooder asked, annoyed. They had to call at 5 am to tell me this?
"Well, in some sense, yes." The man answered.
What's with the secrecy? "Well, out with it, my bed is calling my name." Lucas snapped, fed up with the cheerful gentleman.
"Well, our reporter for the New York Knicks has relocated, so we are in need of another reporter to cover the game and write up the piece for the upcoming issue. Now, you weren't at the top of the list of candidates, but my boss was extremely impressed with your last piece, so you are the one offered this incredible opportunity. Shall you accept, your piece on the game will be the main feature of the issue. You will be given press passes to all the press meetings, you'll have front row seats, and a pass that will allow you access into each team's locker room. Also, our photographer from New York will be accompanying you to the games and the press meetings. So, what do you say?" Mr. Witt asked after reeling off all the information.
Lucas, now fully awake, was going over the logistics in his head. "Um, sorry, this is the rival game, home court advantage Knicks, right?
"Yeah. It truly is a terrific opportunity for a new writer like yourself."
"Okay, well, yeah. I mean, I'd love to cover the game." Lucas exclaimed happily.
"Well, then, I'll have my secretary e-mail you all the information and your airfare, hotel bills, and meals should be charged onto the company credit card, okay? Oh, you'll be expected to arrive Monday, tomorrow, and your stay will be paid through Wednesday night. Sports Illustrated will not cover any expenses after Wednesday night. We will need your article by Thursday night at the latest. If you do well with this piece, you'll be open for many more opportunities like this. So, don't screw it up, okay?"
"I'll be there tomorrow. I'll put 110 percent effort in. And, sir, thank you for the opportunity."
"You're welcome Mr. Scott. Oh, and your photographer will meet you at the first press meeting, Monday at 4 pm. Well, I must be going, I have a meeting. Goodbye Mr. Scott."
"Goodbye Mr. Witt." Lucas responded before closing shut his cell phone. He pumped his fist in the air; this was the big break he had been waiting for!
Unable to fall back to sleep because of his excitement, Luke hurriedly rushed into the bathroom. After a quick shower and shave, Luke stepped back into his bedroom, searching for clean clothes to wear. He picked up a pair of jeans lying on the floor and sniffed them before slipping into the pants. Donning a plain navy t-shirt, Lucas made his way to the kitchen.
Turning on the coffee maker, Luke made a to-do list in his head. Okay, I need to book a plane ticket for tomorrow morning, go by and tell Mom that I won't be able to watch Lilly Tuesday, pack my bags, finish my last article, and send it to Donny, my editor. Shouldn't be to hard, right? As the coffee started to slowly drip into the pot, Lucas stood at his kitchen sink, staring out of the window. This is his big break! How many sports reporters have dreamt to be able to cover these two great teams, and have full access to the players and the coaches? Every single goddamn one has, and Lucas Scott just happened to be the lucky bastard picked. Chuckling to himself, he poured himself a steaming cup of joe and heading into the living room where his laptop awaited.
In no time, Lucas was on the net searching for the best price for airfare. Why not travel Business Class? After all, I am on business! Smirking at his good fortune to travel in the spacious cocoons of Business Class, Lucas bought his ticket for the Monday 7:00 a.m. flight that Delta Airlines offered.
For the most part, the rest of Lucas's morning was busy. Blowing off time before it would be a reasonable hour to go over to Haley's, Luke did a few loads of laundry, sent off his article on the latest Charlotte Bobcats game, and washed a load of dishes. Checking his watch, the blonde noticed that it was a more reasonable hour to pop in for a visit at his brother's house.
Ten minutes later Luke walked right into the Scott household, not bothering to knock. Almost five years later and the folks of Tree Hill still barged into each other's houses as though they were their own. Some things never change.
"Hales? Nate? Jamie? Anybody home?" Lucas asked as he made his way into their kitchen, stopping to pour himself a cup of coffee.
"Uncle Luke? What ya doin' here?" Little Jamie questioned, his red cape billowing out behind him.
"Hey Jamie, your mom or pops home?" He asked, taking a sip of the rich Argentina coffee.
"Momma went to the store and Daddy is taking a shower."
"Right. Well, guess what? I get to go to New York to cover the Knicks vs. Celtics game. How cool is that?"
"Aww. No fair! Uncle Luke, you're gonna get me a present while you're there right?" The little boy questioned, his eyes lighting up in excitement.
"Sure thing Jim-Jam." Lucas stated as Haley walked into the kitchen, her arms full of grocery bags.
Lucas set down his coffee cup and hastily moved to take some of the bags before Haley dropped them. Carefully placing the brown paper bags on the granite island, Lucas turned to Haley.
"Hey Hales. How you doing?" Lucas said casually trying to hide his excitement.
Haley hugged her best friend. "Hey Luke. I'm great what about you?"
Before the blonde could respond, Jamie interrupted. "Uncle Lucas, aren't you gonna tell her about the Knicks?"
Luke laughed. "Yeah little man. I was going to wait until your Dad got down here though." He responded, taking the contents out of the grocery bags and putting them away.
"Tell me what?" Nathan questioned, coming into the kitchen in a pair of blue jeans and a polo, drying his hair with a towel.
"Uncle Luke has a big surprise!" James squealed with delight.
"Really, what?" The brunette male asked with curiosity, turning his attention to his brother.
Lucas opened his mouth to explain, but Haley spoke up first. "Apparently it has something to do with the Knicks."
Luke shook his head in disbelief. Would he ever be given the chance to speak?
"You scored tickets? Man that is like the biggest game this year. Please tell me that you're taking me." Nathan stated, his blue eyes twinkling at the prospect to see the two rival teams face off.
"Yes, it has to do with the Knicks, and sadly Nathan, you can't come." At the news, a small frown adorned Nate's face. His brother was going to the game and not taking him? How rude!
Lucas chuckled slightly at his brother's face before continuing. "I got a call from some head honcho at Sport's Illustrated. The New York reporter quit or something, so they want me to go up there to cover the rivalry game. How sweet is that? I get frontcourt seats, a press pass into all the conference meetings, and I get face time in the locker rooms!"
"Woah, man! That's awesome! You're gonna bring me back something, right?" Nathan asked before getting whacked in the arm by Haley.
Lucas laughed, like father like son. "Yeah, I will. I already promised Jamie I would too."
"Luke, that's great news! When do you leave?" Haley questioned, giving her friend a small hug.
"Tomorrow morning at 7. I'm staying until Wednesday night. I'll probably catch a flight late that evening. The game is on Tuesday, You guys should watch it."
"Oh, don't worry, we will! Won't we Jamie?" Nate asked looking at his son.
"Yeah!" The little boy exclaimed, pumping his fist in the air.
"Okay, I just wanted to let you guys know. I'm headed over to the café to tell Mom that I can't watch Lilly Tuesday. I guess I'll see you guys when I get back."
After hugs all around, Luke finally made his way to Karen's Café, the hottest joint to eat in Tree Hill, even after all these years.
The glass door jingled as he opened it, alerting everyone that there was a customer. Luke looked around the place; it hadn't changed at all. There sitting at one of the barstools was his little sister Lilly, who just happened to share the same birthday as his nephew/godson. Her curly brown locks danced across her face as she bounced to the music playing throughout the café. Smiling at the sight, Lucas was brought back to Brooke. His sister was like a miniature version of her. From her hair to the gleam she got in her eyes when she was up to no good, Lilly Scott was a carbon copy of his ex-girlfriend, Brooke Davis. And, it made it that much harder to forget his Cheery.
Snapping out of his thoughts, Luke made it over to the little girl, snatching her up in a hug and twirling her around. The tiny tot giggled as her big brother tickled her.
"Luke, stop! Stop!" She screeched, still laughing uncontrollably.
"Lucas, put her down! Right now!" His mother scolded.
Karen Roe didn't seem to age at all. She looked just as she had the day Luke went off for college with Whitey, Nathan, and Haley. Sure, she had a few more wrinkles and stress lines, mainly from her bundle of trouble little girl. Who knew that her and Keith's daughter would give even Brooke Davis a run for her money? She was always into something, and more likely than not, it was trouble. And, she already had a boyfriend! God, help them all!
Setting down the tray of muffins she was carrying, Karen walked out from behind the counter to give her son a hug. "Hey, Luke. You still watching Lilly on Tuesday?"
Luke scratched his head. "Yeah, about that-"
"Lucas Scott, you're not canceling are you? It better be a good reason." Karen interrupted.
"Well, I would watch her, but I'm going to be in New York. I got offered to cover the Knicks vs. Cetlics game. I leave tomorrow morning. I'm so sorry mom, but I won't be able to watch the Lillster."
"Oh, Luke, that's great! How long will you be gone?" Karen asked, happy that this opportunity had been given to her son.
"I'll probably fly back Wednesday night." The brooder said, smiling at the thought of being able to be the reporter for such a big game.
"Don't worry about not watching Lilly. This is huge for your career!" Karen gushed.
"Yeah mom, it is! Well, I'd love to stay, but I've got to get home, pack, and then go to bed. My flight leaves at 7 a.m., which means I'll have to get up by 4 to leave myself plenty of time. I definitely don't want to miss my flight!"
"Okay, son. I love you and be safe." Karen stated, giving him a hug and kiss on the cheek.
Lilly turned from her drawing to look at her brother. "I'll miss you Lucas. Will you bring me back something?" Lilly asked sweetly.
"Lilly, you never ask for presents." Karen scolded.
"Nonsense mom, she's my little sister, of course I'll get her something. Besides, I already promised Jamie and Nathan that I would buy them something too." Lucas added with a laugh.
Turning back to hi sister, Lucas reached his arms out for a hug. Lilly hugged her big brother back before pulling back and handing him her drawing. Peering down at the artwork, Luke smiled. She had drawn big figures of him and his mom and in between the two was her, all three of them holding hands. Underneath the picture, she had written "Family".
The blonde smiled down at his little sister. "Thank Lilly, I'll keep this with me." He added, before folding the picture up and putting it in the pocket of his brown leather jacket.
Later that night, after the chaos of packing and gathering everything needed for New York, Lucas lay exhausted in his bed. In nine hours he would be on his way to New York to cover the game that could jump-start a big career for him. I can't believe I got this chance! I get to go to New York! I've never been to New York before. I wonder if I'll see Brooke there. No, Lucas, stop! No thinking about her. This trip isn't about her; it's about your job. The one you need to feed and clothe yourself. You won't mess this chance up! No, I won't. This is my dream. No one is going to come in the way of my dream, not even Brooke Davis. I won't think about her while I'm on this trip. And, with that, Luke drifted off into a dreamless sleep. Who was he kidding? He wouldn't think about Brooke Davis. Yeah right! He'd be thinking about her every second of every day. He had been since she broke up with him senior year of high school. And, he always would be, she was his forever.
