AUTHOR'S NOTE: SO I HAVE A BIT OF A SURPRISE FOR YOU IN MY AUTHOR'S NOTE AT THE END. THANK YOU GUYS FOR NOT GIVING UP ON ME. I HONESTLY HAVE BEEN DILLIGENTLY WORKING ON THIS CHAPTER. THERE ARE SOME MOMENTS IN IT THAT I LOVE AND THERE ARE OTHERS THAT I THINK ARE THE PEOPLE READING THIS GOING TO ACTUALLY LIKE THIS? HAHA. THANK YOU GUYS AGAIN FOR TUNING IN. MAKE SURE YOU READ THE NOTE AT THE END.

RATING: PG

DISCLAIMER: YEAH, UH, NO.

CHAPTER EIGHT: PROVING RUBY RIGHT

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Lainey chuckled when she read a simple and ridiculously sweet text from Mouth that made her wonder how she could have left him hanging for so long. It said you must be tired because you keep running through my mind…and making me smile. She stood outside the door to her and Nathan's suite for at least five minutes trying to decide on the appropriate response. Finally she shrugged and texted back, I was wondering why my calves wouldn't stop burning. She then did her best to wipe the dorky grin off of her face because she knew Nathan would be able to read her like she was a real life Dr. Seuss book. She shoved the key card in the slot and expected to find him watching ESPN Classic and floating on a cloud after finally telling Brooke what everyone always expected. Instead she instantly started frowning because instead of floating on a cloud she found Nathan running on a treadmill like he was trying to outrun a bear. "What happened?"

Nathan sighed when he saw the worried expression on her face. He slowed the treadmill until he was jogging so slowly that it felt more like he was walking. "What makes you think something happened?" He asked evenly. He made a point to be staring at the television when he asked the question because he knew if she saw his face she wouldn't say anything but instead just give him one of her trademark cut the bullshit looks.

"Because you were just running on that treadmill like a fucking bear was chasing you," Lainey pointed out even though she thought it was pretty obvious why she posed the question. "Where the hell did you even get a treadmill in the first place?" They might have been staying in a nice suite but she was pretty sure she would have noticed if it came with exercise equipment.

"I called the front desk to see how late the gym downstairs was open and the manager insisted he could have one of the bellhops bring one up to the room. I would have preferred an elliptical but beggars can't be choosers." He replied with a sigh as he finally turned the machine off. His legs were on fire and he was drenched with sweat but at least he didn't feel like breaking shit indiscriminately anymore.

She didn't say anything as she grabbed him a towel. It was only after she tossed it to him that she said, "Spill."

Nathan sighed and ran his fingers through his short hair before letting out a hollow laugh. "Everything was going great. We were talking and I was just about to tell her when Lucas Scott showed up."

"What?" Lainey sighed in relief at the realization that Brooke hadn't done the unthinkable and rejected Nathan. Still the last she heard Lucas was attempting to convince people that his fifth book that was exactly the same as the other four was new and worth reading on a book tour. Seriously if she didn't know better she would have thought that they were all casted in some sort of cruel story where the author had nothing better to do than throw curveballs their way.

Nathan nodded, "Yeah I know. What are the chances?"

"So you didn't tell her?"

"After that little interruption I decided maybe it just wasn't mean to be."

"You are such a guy."

"What does that even mean?"

"Did she seem happy that Lucas showed up?"

Nathan thought about it for a minute before admitting, "Not really. She seemed a little shocked and then she sort of blew him off."

"Which means she wanted him to be anywhere but standing in front of the two of you when you were obviously on a date," she pointed out.

Nathan didn't say anything for a moment. He just took a second to think about what she'd said.

"You didn't go all awkward on her afterwards did you?"

Nathan frowned and looked down at the ground sheepishly.

"Nathan," she said in that exasperated tone she usually reserved for her mother. "Fix this before this trade goes from being one of the best things to ever happen to you to one of the all-time worst and that includes Phoenix."

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Brooke groaned noisily when she heard Rachel's familiar ringtone start filling her room. She considered ignoring it and postponing the conversation until the morning but knew that Rachel would just keep calling until Brooke's nerves were shot. "Shouldn't you be on a beach trying not to check out men you're age while Jean-Pierre offers to slather you in suntan lotion?"

"Why hello Peyton in high school during her third breakup with Jake where he dated that bitch who was the anti-Peyton," Rachel joked. "I thought I was calling my good friend Brooke but I'm willing to handle your cattiness for a minute."

Brooke couldn't help but laugh softly at Rachel's joke. She remembered what Peyton was like during that specific time period all too well. If people thought Peyton was hormonal while she was pregnant then they would have been terrified of her during that breakup. Suffice to say everyone was pleasantly surprised when Jake quickly dumped the other girl and got in a fighting match with Peyton about how crazy they drove each other before getting back together fairly quickly.

"So things with Nathan went badly?" Rachel asked gently. While she had thought it was impossible for Nathan not to love Brooke back the thought had crossed her mind.

"Worse," Brooke admitted quietly. "I didn't even get a chance to tell him. We were having this perfect date and I was going to tell him and then Lucas showed up."

Rachel closed her eyes and cringed. If there was one thing she was certain of it was that there were few people Nathan hadn't more in this world than the blonde who shared his last name.

"Afterwards it was just so awkward," Brooke sighed and ran her hands over her face. She was tired enough that she didn't think it would take much more to make her start crying.

"You'll tell him tomorrow and everything will be okay," Rachel tried to encourage her. She hated how defeated she sounded.

"Maybe this is a sign Rach."

"What do you mean a sign?"

"I mean what are the chances that Lucas would show up like that? Maybe this is the universe telling me that Nathan and I are meant to just be friends."

"You don't mean that Brooke. You're just feeling a little stressed right now. You and Nathan are meant to be together. You're like Romeo and Juliet minus the misguided suicide and bitter family rivalry."

She snorted but managed to stop herself from pointing out that Rachel hadn't even read Romeo and Juliet but instead watched the confusing but sexy movie.

"So just call him tomorrow and invite him to lunch and lay that shit on him. We'll all feel better," Rachel demanded. "Because the last thing you need is for him to think that you are still hung up on that tool Lucas."

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Brooke was pleasantly surprised when she woke up to a text message from Nathan asking if she wanted to show him the place she'd mentioned on the phone the other day. She quickly shot back a text saying that she'd love to and for him to just come to the store at noon and they could go. Maybe Rachel was right about them being meant for each other after all.

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"Have you heard from Brooke?" Jake asked casually as he poured himself a cup of coffee. He'd never admit it but he had been anxiously checking his cell phone every few minutes hoping that Nathan would send a text saying that he finally put it all on the line when it came to Brooke.

Peyton frowned and shook her head no. She knew that he was just as antsy about the two of them getting together as she was.

"You know we've basically been waiting on this text message to come for like 10 years," Jake sighed. "I swear if they don't get their shit together by the next time we see them I'm just going to say he loves you and you love him so kiss and get together already."

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"Have you seen The Globe yet?" Millicent asked Brooke the moment she walked in the door.

"Nope I was running late this morning. Was it good?" Brooke had never been one to read the papers when she was younger. Still somehow over the years she had picked up the habit. Normally she only read Ruby Kauffman's column as well as the society pages but everyone once in a while she'd thumb through the other sections.

"You could say that," Millicent replied as she quickly grabbed her copy of the paper and brought it over to Brooke.

Brooke looked down and was surprised to find a picture of her and Nathan from their date last night. She looked up at Millicent quickly before going back to read the headline which proclaimed Newest Celtic Scott Reunited with Longtime Flame. Brooke was by no means a fast reader but she tore through the article which detailed her history with Nathan in startlingly accurate detail. "How in the world did she get this story?"

Normally I don't have much to say about the athletes that play in our fair city. Still when I saw how cute Nathan Scott was I couldn't help but join everyone else in greeting him to Boston yesterday morning. You can imagine my surprise when I saw everyone's favorite storeowner and fashion designer Brooke Davis among the masses waiting for Scott. Apparently one of the best kept secrets it seems is the couple's longtime relationship. While no one I contacted could actually confirm that Scott and Davis actually dated several sources shared the opinion that Scott and Davis were more than just friends. This belief was supported later last night when Davis accompanied Scott to Fenway Park where he threw out the first pitch before the Red Sox game. Afterwards the couple enjoyed a quiet dinner where I was lucky enough to discretely get this picture. Both Scott and Davis hail from Tree Hill, North Carolina where he was a standout All American before playing collegiate basketball at Duke. According to a source who attended high school with the two of them the pair attended prom together and rarely dated. If and when the two decide to get together it is obvious that they will be the hottest thing to happen to Boston since Tom Brady blew into town and made us all a little weak in the knees. It looks like I'm going to have a reason to attend Celtics games this season.

"I don't know," Millicent had been shocked to say the least by the picture and article. "Is it at least true?"

"Most of it," Brooke was relieved that Ruby hadn't resorted to making shit up to sell papers. "I'm surprised she didn't mention Lucas showing up last night. She must have left just before."

"Lucas was there?"

"Yep he showed up right before I could tell Nathan about my feelings." Brooke still couldn't believe that Lucas had crashed their date. "But today I'm going to show him that house that I think is perfect for him and I'm just going to put myself out there."

Millicent squeezed Brooke's hand in encouragement. "Ruby's going to gloat when she realizes that she broke the story on you two before anyone even knew there was a story."

"I don't even know how she knew there was a story." While she'd never hidden her relationship with Nathan she'd never flaunted it either. Still that was when he was still in Portland. Back then Nathan was one of those players who had managed to remain relatively unknown in that way that allowed him to keep his anonymity.

"She's Ruby. She somehow always seems to know all and then she makes sure the fine people of Boston do too."

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"Holy hell," Lainey cursed softly when she found herself staring at Brooke and Nathan. She'd decided to check out the Globe because she wanted to read coverage from last night's game as well as to see what they were saying about Nathan. She never expected to find him as the star of Ruby Kauffman's column. She knew her mother must not have read the paper yet or she would have called already. She was happy that Nathan was out playing a game of pickup or he would have obviously been able to tell that she was having a mini-freakout. She continued to stare at the article as she tried to figure out who she should call. Just as she was about to start scrolling through her phonebook looking for the appropriate person her phone rang. She jumped a little at the sudden sound noise but quickly answered it when she read Millicent's name. "Have you read The Globe yet?"

"Of course I have. In fact it's part of the reason that I'm calling," Millicent could sense that Lainey was panicking just like she had been when she initially laid eyes on the article. Initially anything having to do with Lainey was awkward for Millicent especially when she actually had to call Brooke's former assistant. She always used to worry that Brooke was sizing her up and questioning whether or not Millicent was as competent. Eventually that gave way as Millicent realized just how much better suited Lainey was at working for Nathan. Over time they even developed a friendship of sorts. "Has Nathan seen it?"

"No he's playing basketball with a few of his new teammates," Lainey didn't mention just how happy she'd been when he announced that he was going out. She felt like a big sister who just found out that other people thought her little brother was as awesome as she did. "Plus he's not really one to read newspapers. I have a feeling though he's not going to be able to miss this article."

"My thoughts exactly," Millicent echoed. "So did he tell you about Lucas showing up last night?"

"Of course," Lainey rolled her eyes at the mere mention of the blonde author's name. She had actually been working for Brooke when she initially started dating Lucas Scott. At the time Lainey always said nice things about Lucas who was flying high after everyone and their brother thought his first book was the greatest thing they'd read. When his other books were not nearly as successful and Brooke was not willing to worship at the altar of Scott he left and Lainey was happy about that. "I'm just happy that Ruby seemed to have missed that or her article could have ended up on the front page of the paper."

"Brooke was really upset about it," Millicent paused as she considered whether or not to tell Lainey about Brooke's plans for last night.

"Nathan said it seemed that way."

"She was finally going to tell him," Millicent whispered softly.

Lainey's eyebrows shot up in surprise. Of all the things she'd expected Millicent to say next this had not been one of them. While she always knew that Brooke cared for Nathan as more than just a friend she didn't think she was willing to put herself out there first. "He was too."

"Well isn't that something," Millicent meant for her voice to come out light but she knew it mostly sounded like she was tired of the whole situation.

"At least they're both finally willing to admit it," Lainey pointed out the one bright side of this complicated storyline. "And I'm pretty sure after they tour the place that Brooke had in mind for Nathan we'll be like employee-in-laws or whatever the hell you are when your bosses date each other."

"You better be right or I'm going to kick both of their asses."

Lainey chuckled softly.

"So how excited are you to go out with Marvin?"

Lainey groaned, "Not you too."

"You've got it that bad huh?"

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"I'll give you two some privacy." Bea replied as she quietly excused herself. She had been one of the thousands of Boston Globe readers to read what Ruby had to say about Brooke and Nathan. That morning she'd been fairly sure Ruby was right because Ruby was almost never wrong. Now though after seeing how comfortable they were around each other she had to resist the urge to call the Globe offices to report this little rendezvous to Ruby.

Nathan bowed his head slightly in thanks before returning to staring at the window. The view was amazing. It was as if he could see the entire city of Boston just from this one spot. "She seems nice," he noted softly.

Brooke resisted the urge to say that she wouldn't be shocked if Bea was reporting this little get together to Ruby as they stood here. Then again since he hadn't mentioned the article she figured it would be best if she didn't either. Instead she just nodded noncommittally in a way that said she didn't have an opinion on Bea O'Connor, Boston's premiere luxury real estate agent. "So what do you think?"

Nathan turned around and smiled at her. "I think it's amazing."

"Yeah?" Brooke asked not even able to hide that she was obviously relieved by that he'd liked it. He hadn't such much the entire tour and she was starting to wonder if he had regretted coming all the way out here.

Nathan nodded, "Of course. The views are great and I will have room to put a basketball court in the backyard. Plus it is far enough from Lainey's parents' house that she won't have to worry about them coming over all the time, but close enough that I will still be able to hang out with Carter."

"I know it isn't as secluded as your place in Portland was," she started.

"But my place in Portland didn't have you close by," Nathan pointed out. "And I was thinking that you could have the second bedroom upstairs for an office so that you could be even closer by." He said this part quietly and even though he'd never admit it later he had been bashfully staring at the ground when he suggested it.

Brooke's mouth formed a perfect little "o" in surprise. When Nathan hadn't said much to her other than she she'd looked beautiful she'd been pretty convinced that Lucas had forced them back at least 20 steps by showing up at the restaurant the night before. "And where would I stay if that were to become my office?" She grabbed his hand as she asked this question which forced him to finally look up. He looked so bashful and vulnerable that she knew she'd never really be able to describe how he looked in this moment no matter how many adjectives she could come up with.

Nathan smirked before replying, "Well we could put a bed in there or we could share whatever ridiculous California King you, Millicent, and Lainey decide I need."

"You know one of my New Year's resolutions was to get better at sharing," Brooke joked softly. "I'd get to pick out the bedding for this ridiculous California King too, right?"

"Of course," Nathan grinned. "Listen Brooke last night-," he started and then of course Bea decided to return that moment.

"I'm so sorry," Bea quickly apologized when she realized that she had obviously walked in on a moment between the young couple. "I just didn't want you two to think that I had forgotten you." She could hear herself rambling but couldn't for the life of her stop it.

"It's no problem Bea," Brooke assured her. "Can we just get five more minutes?"

"I'll give you 10," Bea promised and then in a flash she was gone.

"What is with people ruining our moments?" Nathan laughed softly. "At this rate if I didn't love you so damn much I would just quit."

Brooke gasped quietly.

Nathan cringed the moment he realized that after all of this buildup he had basically blurted out his true feelings for her as though he were saying he was craving pizza tonight. He knew when he described this moment to Lainey all she'd say is well at least you told her. "That wasn't how I planned to tell you."

"You've been planning this?"

"I was going to tell you last night-"

"At the restaurant," she finished for him. "And then Lucas showed up."

"Yep," Nathan admitted.

Brooke chuckled softly. She probably would have started full on laughing if it weren't for the fact that Nathan's face had started to fall. "I'm laughing because I was going to tell you that I loved you too. Last night I was going to put myself out there because just about everyone we know has been fed up with me pining for you."

Nathan let out a relieved sigh. Before he could say that he'd had his fair share of prodding about being in love with her, Brooke wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him in for a kiss. He'd never admit it but he could have sworn he saw fireworks.

Bea wasn't surprised when she walked into the living room and found Brooke and Nathan kissing like they'd just been reunited after a war. Instead she just cleared her throat a little and waited for the two of them to break apart. When they looked at her like two mortified teenagers she just smiled and chuckled softly. "So I guess this means we're going to make an offer, right?"

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AUTHOR'S NOTE: I WANT ONE MORE CHAPTER. I WANT TO WRAP THIS BABY UP JUST A LITTLE BETTER. DO YOU WANT ONE MORE CHAPTER? IF ENOUGH PEOPLE AGREE THEN I WILL DO MY BEST TO GET MY EPILOGUE UP BY THE END OF THE WEEK. LET ME KNOW? I THINK YOU'LL REALLY GENERALLY DIG THE EPILOGUE I HAVE IN MIND. YA'LL HAVE BEEN GREAT. I REALLY HAVE APPRECIATED YOUR RESPONSES. YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST! – KRISTINE.