Reviews
breathlovebooks – Thank you!
Guest - The suggestion of a Brucas baby in this story is certainly interesting to say the least. I'll just leave it at that, lol.
simplyaprillyn – Remember that Brooke has no idea about Lucas' financial situation. She's in the dark about that. The only person he has disclosed that to is Peyton and sort of Nathan when Lucas borrowed money from him in the past. So from her perspective he's just shacking up with his ex out of nowhere.
Guest - I don't think Lucas is really trying to compare his 20 year old relationship with Peyton to his new relationship with Brooke. Lucas has been pretty open about the fact that he still loves and wants Peyton, but if someone tells you repeatedly that it's over you kind of have no choice but to move on. In this story I don't consider Brooke to be the "other woman". She's really not. Lucas and Peyton had been separated for a year before they got involved so Brooke did not "steal" Lucas away or wreck their marriage in any shape or form. She simply just met a guy at a bar that she liked and decided to go for it, whether or not it was smart to get involved with a man currently going through a divorce is a different story. Thanks for your detailed input, I love it and I can't thank you enough!
Tpassions - Well Lucas better certainly hope that Brooke wouldn't be that petty and just show up at the house, otherwise he'd definitely be in some deep shit with Peyton. HA! Thanks for reading.
kookie2 – Glad you liked it, thanks!
Guest - Yea Lucas could have handled that reveal a lot better. It's understandable why Brooke's upset.
Guest – Lucas isn't in denial about missing his family. He's been pretty vocal about it, but he can't exactly force Peyton to be with him again.
thibbs65 - Thank you!
jordana60 – Lol yes I promise this is still a Leyton fic! Hang in there with me please.
Shazzles - You are such a sweetheart, thank you so much for the support!
secondstarontheright – Lol yep Brooke was not having it. I kind of love that she put him in his place.
Guest - I appreciate the enthusiasm.
Guest - Brooke doesn't have 'daddy issues', she just got involved with a man she really liked that has far too many personal issues. If anything she probably just underestimated how complicated those issues could get since Lucas has done a pretty good job of keeping his family life separate from his relationship with Brooke. Thanks for reading!
Destiana. Caldin - Yea I loved throwing that little moment in with Leyton at the spelling bee, especially since it's usually very tense between them.
A/N: So technically this story is still on hiatus since I'm more focused on finishing my Strangers fic, but I kind of missed writing for it and was motivate to turn out a chapter.
A million thanks to all the amazing reviews for the last chapter. I just love how fired up readers have become with this story. It's definitely a different energy as opposed to Strangers and I have to say I'm really enjoying it so PLEASE keep it up! So with the last chapter many of you were happy Brooke seems to be out of the picture, while others were praising her for putting Lucas in his place. Some want a Brooke and Peyton scene, believe Brooke might just show up at the house anyway, and there was even a suggestion thrown in there for a Brucas baby, lol. Meanwhile some want Peyton to get a new man of her own, while the other half of you seem to be firmly against it. Slow down there guys this fic is just getting started, but I'm truly loving the enthusiasm.
Chapter 9: I Want You To Want Me
"I'm glad you agreed to hear me out." Lucas began.
Across from him sat Brooke sporting an icy scowl. He had felt awful about how things had gone down last week and he wanted to make it up to her. His relationship with Brooke wasn't some whirlwind romance - far from it - but he did like her. Lucas had been in a pretty dark place this past year after his split with Peyton, and Brooke had been the one to sort of strong-arm him into really living life again, as best as he could anyway.
"That has yet to be determined." The brunette spoke up before the blond could proceed. She had been ignoring his calls and messages all week. "I'm only here for the free meal. I'm hungry and figured it's the least you could do after the shit you pulled last week." She had a long break in-between classes today and had finally agreed to see him for lunch off-campus. "I honestly wouldn't mind if you just sat there and kept your mouth shut."
"I already apologized for what happened Brooke." Lucas reminded her.
"Well I'm still pissed Lucas. You don't just drop that kind of bomb on your girlfriend and then expect things to be just peachy."
Lucas raised a curious eyebrow. "So you are still my girlfriend then?" He questioned unsure of where they stood right now.
"That has yet to be determined." Brooke quickly corrected crossing her arms over her chest.
"I fucked up and I am sorry Brooke."
She rolled her eyes, clearly unmoved by his apology. "You know I really liked you Lucas. I thought you were different."
"I really liked you too Brooke, I still do. Let me make it up to you."
"Why? So you can keep me as your backup until your wife takes your sorry ass back? Thanks, but I think I'll pass."
"I'm not getting back together with Peyton."
"No what you mean to say is that she won't take your two-timing ass back, so why should I?"
"I haven't cheated on you Brooke." He gently reminded her. "And I have nothing to hide."
"You make it seem like moving in with your ex is completely normal Lucas. Newsflash, it's not."
"I never said it was."
"Could have fooled me by the way you oh so casually dropped the news." Brooke snorted.
Lucas paused and sighed. "I admit I could have handled that better."
"Oh you think?" She replied mockingly.
"It's just temporary until I get my own place. She's just doing me a favor."
"Why can't you get your own place now?"
"It's complicated." He had no desire to disclosure his current situation. This relationship was far too new for that. "But I get to see my kid more and I won't apologize for that."
"That's not why I'm mad and you know it Lucas, please don't twist my words to make yourself feel better. I might be young, but I'm no dummy and I've been nothing but understanding and respectful of your family situation. I haven't poked my nose where it doesn't belong, so I don't think it's too much to ask for you to treat our relationship with the same respect."
Lucas shoulder's dropped. He couldn't argue with that. Brooke had never overstepped those boundaries. "You're right." He acknowledged.
"Of course I'm right." She replied smug yet teasingly.
"Where does that leave us then?"
"I don't know Lucas." She answered honestly. "I'm still really upset and I'm not exactly eager to have to compete against your wife for your attention."
"You're not competing against Peyton. There is no Peyton and I. Last time I checked we were seeing each other."
"Oh spare me your fuckboy logic Lucas Scott."
"I don't even know what that means." Lucas said while frowning.
"Of course you wouldn't, you're only like a million years old."
"Are you just gonna sit here and insult me the whole time?"
"Probably." Brooke quickly quipped before her lips broke into a tiny smile. "It's not like you don't deserve it."
Lucas playfully shook his head. "I like you Brooke."
"That's nice." She waved her hand dismissively.
"And you like me too."
"Not right now I don't."
"My buddy that I told you about said we could use his cabin. Let's go this weekend and I can make it up to you." The blond offered.
"I'm not going away with you Lucas." Brooke dryly spoke.
"Why not?" He slightly whined in surprise.
"Because having sex in some cabin in the woods isn't going to magically make me feel better. In fact it's insulting more than anything."
"We don't have to have sex if that's what you really want."
"Lucas you'll be lucky if I even deem you worthy enough of holding my purse at this point."
Lucas blew out a breath and rolled his eyes. "Tell me what I need to do."
"Grow up, which believe me I'm well aware of the irony here."
"C'mon pretty girl can't we just get over this hump and start fresh?"
"Kind of hard to start fresh when you're gonna be living more than two hours away."
He sent Brooke a hopeful look. "I'm willing to give it a try."
"Well I don't know if I am." She said stiffly. "I knew dating someone like you wasn't ideal, but I did it anyway, so maybe I only have myself to blame here. I guess I let myself like you too much."
Lucas swallowed hard. "I see." He sighed. "And I can't change your mind at all? In any way?"
"I...don't know Lucas. I really don't. I'll think about it." Brooke blew out a breath and began gathering her things. "I should get going."
"We haven't even ordered lunch yet." He stated looking puzzled.
"I'm not hungry anymore."
"At least stay so we can talk it out some more."
"I already told you I'd think about it Lucas. Don't push it." She warned. "Give me my space."
"So what now then?"
Brooke shrugged. "If I feel like talking to you then I'll call and if I don't well then..."
"Just like that?" He said incredulously.
"Yup. Just like that."
"So you said you wanted to talk?" Peyton asked her nephew before taking a bite out of her chicken sandwich.
After having served his time, Jamie had finally been released and was no longer grounded. He had showed up at Peyton's door seeking advice and suggested they go out to eat.
"Yea I kind of need your advice on something important like as a girl and stuff...and since you're a girl..."
Peyton laughed as Jamie fumbled through his words. "Yes I am a girl last time I checked or woman works too." She teased. "What's the issue bud?"
"When did you know that Uncle Lucas was the one? Was it like my mom and dad where you just knew right away?"
Peyton immediately laughed again. "Um no. I actually didn't really like your uncle. In fact I kind of hated him."
Jamie's eyes widened. "Really? What changed?"
"He kind of wore me down. When your uncle sets his sights on something he can be very persistent. Lucas spent all of sophomore year trying to get me to go out with him. He practically stalked me for almost a year."
Jamie laughed. "That's creepy."
"Yea I really don't recommended it. I rejected him every time he asked me out."
"So what made you decide to give Uncle Lucas a shot?"
"When he stopped trying so damn hard. He became less of an arrogant jerk and then ended up being kind of sweet. When that happened it made me realize that he actually did care about me and that I kind of did too."
"And then you fell in love?"
"Well according to your uncle he was already kind of in love with me way before we got together. It took me a little while to catch up, but once we started dating it wasn't long before I was feeling those same feelings." Peyton replied. "Why the sudden interest?" Her lips curved into a smirk already having an idea where this was heading.
"I think I'm kind of in love too." Jamie slowly confessed. He had been dating his girlfriend for almost a year now.
"With Olive? Oh Jamie honey that's so great. Your first love is kind of a big one. How do you feel?"
Jamie frowned in thought before speaking again. "Weird and confused, but mostly just weird. It's like I can't even think straight sometimes. When we hang out it's great and when we don't all I can think about is when's the next time I get to see her. The only other thing I've ever thought this much about is basketball. Is that normal?"
Peyton laughed. "Totally normal. It's called the honeymoon stage."
Jamie blew out a breath and sighed. "I haven't told her yet. I dunno if she feels the same way and what if it freaks her out?"
"Doubtful. That girl is crazy about you, I can tell." Peyton reassured her nephew. "But if you're not ready to tell her just yet that's okay too."
He shook his head. "No I'm ready." He corrected. "And I think I'm also kind of ready to...well you know."
"Ready for...?"
Jamie's face turned serious. "You know ready for it. Taking the next step in our relationship." He spoke. His blue eyes grew large and his face sheepishly tilted to the side while he spoke.
The smile on Peyton's face slowly died. This was not where she thought this conversation was heading. She closed her eyes and cringed. "Please tell me this is not what you need my advice for." She said feeling rather horrified as she secretly cursed Lucas for being right that Jamie was either already having sex or close to it.
"Guilty."
"Isn't this the kind of stuff you should be talking to your dad about?" Or literally anyone else but her because this was fucking awkward.
Jamie shrugged. "Dad's always been weird about this kind of stuff. His face gets really sweaty."
"Okay what about your Uncle Lucas? He'd be more than happy to talk to you about..." God she couldn't even say the word out loud. "...this."
"Well like I said before kind of looking for a girl perspective on this one."
"Your mother then." Peyton quickly suggested while shifting uncomfortably in her seat.
Jamie narrowed his eyes. "Really? My mom?" He spoked deadpanned. "Besides aren't you the one who always said I can come to you about anything?"
Peyton released a huff as her shoulders fell.
Damn her and her big mouth.
"Yes. I did say that didn't I." The blonde grumbled unhappily.
"Hey Aunt Peyton if you're not up to it it's fine."
"No, no, of course you can come and talk to me about anything. I meant what I said Jamie. I just didn't think it would be about that."
"You can say sex Aunt Peyton."
"No I can't. I really can't." She replied with a frown still feeling kind of freaked out.
Jamie laughed.
"Listen I mean you're fifteen. I think you probably already know how it...works...right?"
The younger Scott made a face. "Eww no that's gross. I'm not looking for the birds and the bees talk here Aunt Peyton. I'm all set on that thanks." He clarified. "It's just...how will I know if she's like cool with it?"
Peyton sent her nephew a disapproving frown. "Cool with it? I hope that's not how you plan on asking her James Lucas."
Jamie blew out a breath. "I mean like how can I tell if she's ready?"
"Honey trust me you'll know."
"Girls are kind of hard to figure out sometimes Aunt Peyton. One minute they mean one thing and then another the next, sometimes it's hard to keep up!"
"Well trust me boys are just as confusing to girls at that age as well." Peyton took another bite out of her meal.
"But I mean when you were my age I mean how long did you wait until..."
"Okay Jamie I'm gonna stop you right there. Your relationship with Olive is exactly that, your relationship. And every relationship is different so you can't go around comparing it to anyone else's. There's no blueprint for this kind of stuff, though ideally I wish you'd wait until you were a little older, but at the end of the day that decision is yours to make and I can't tell you what to do or stop you."
Jamie slowly nodded.
"Okay I'm gonna let you in on a little secret Jamie. You know how everyone thinks that guys pretty much only think about having sex and girls aren't that interested?"
"Uh yea I guess."
"Well that is a lie. Girls are just as curious about sex. So trust me when I say that when your girlfriend is ready to take that next step she'll let you know loud and clear. There will be no mixed signals so stop worrying okay?"
"Okay."
"BUT until then you keep all your body parts to yourself am I clear?"
"Yes ma'am."
"And I'm sure I don't need to lecture you on being safe when you do correct?"
"Nope."
"Good. Can we talk about ANYTHING else now?"
Jamie chuckled and popped a French fry in his mouth. "Sure." He mumbled.
"Oh god." Peyton blew out a breath, relieved that it was over and to think in a few years she'd have to have a more detailed version of this talk with her own kid. She was definitely not looking forward to that.
"Your face looks just like the way dad's gets during one of these talks." Jamie said pointing out Peyton's slightly heated face.
"Gotta be honest J I kind of wanna throw up too." She admitted causing Jamie to laugh again.
"Well in a few years I'll do you a solid and have the talk with Sawyer for you." Jamie cheekily said.
Peyton glowered in his direction. "Don't you dare!" She hissed.
"This way." Lucas called out as he directed Skills to follow him towards the storage unit he had rented. Since he was moving back in with Peyton there wasn't room for the majority of his things and until he got his own place they needed to be stored somewhere.
Skills followed Lucas while carrying a large box in his hands. "So man where exactly are you moving again? You haven't really said." Once they reached the unit he set the box down on the ground while he waited for Lucas to unlock it.
"I told you already back to Tree Hill." Lucas replied. Peyton still hadn't given him permission to tell anyone.
"Yea but where?"
"I can't really say." Lucas grumbled.
"How come?" Skills pressed. "Wait don't tell me you're moving in with that pretty fine girlfriend of yours?" He added on teasingly.
Lucas rolled his eyes. "Don't be ridiculous." He scolded one of his best friends. "Also why do you assume she's hot? You've never even met Brooke."
"Because I don't for one second believe that that pretty little white boy face of yours didn't manage to snag some super hot sexy coed." Skills joked. "I went to high school with you remember? I've seen you in action."
"Did you also forget the part where I've really only dated one girl my entire life?"
"Yea and last time I checked Peyton was fine right?"
Lucas laughed.
"Also let's not forget all the other girls in high school that were just praying or plotting for you two to break up."
"Whatever man." Lucas said as he opened the storage unit.
"Oh now we're being modest? After 35 years of cockiness?"
Lucas shrugged. "I'm turning over a new leaf."
Skills pursed his lips not believing it for a second. "C'mon what's this new girl look like? What's she like? You never talk about her."
"Oh maybe it's because I've heard more than enough robbing the cradle jokes from you fools to last me a lifetime." The blond defended.
"Hey that's funny stuff man." Skills replied as he placed the box inside the unit and the men walked back over to the truck to collect more boxes. "C'mon at least show me a picture. No one knows what this girl looks like. I'm beginning to think she doesn't even exist."
"I have a pretend girlfriend now?"
Skills shrugged. "Maybe it's all one big ploy to make P Sawyer jealous."
Lucas was rolling his eyes again. "Man shut up and grab a box."
"Show me a picture first." Skills demanded refusing to move any further. "Unless you wanna spend all day storing your shit by yourself."
"You're a child. You do realize that right?" Lucas muttered. He grabbed his cell from his back pocket and pulled out a picture of Brooke.
Skills quickly snatched up his phone. "Damn player nice work." He complimented. "She got any friends? A sister? A twin sister?"
Lucas snatched his phone back. "So now you're okay with dating college women?"
"Shouldn't knock it til you try it I always say."
Lucas shook his head in disbelief before grabbing a box out of the rental truck. Skills followed suit.
"Anyway this new girl is fine and all, but she's no Peyton." Despite the split, Skills still remained very close to Peyton.
"No one could ever be Peyton." Lucas quietly said.
Skills sported a sad smile. He was still rooting for his two friends to get back together.
"But anyway it seems like you like this new girlfriend of yours."
"Yea, but that might be over actually. I've been benched."
"Benched? What the hell does that mean?" Skills wondered as the boys began stacking boxes on top of each other inside the storage unit.
"It means that if she ever decides to call me back then I'm still in the game and if she doesn't then this will be the second time in a year that I've been dumped." Lucas explained.
"Damn it's like that?"
"Those were my thoughts exactly."
"What the hell did you do to that poor girl?"
Lucas sighed. He set down the small night stand he had just grabbed out of the truck. "I have to tell you something, but you CAN'T tell anyone."
Skills suspiciously eyed his friend. "Lay it on me brother."
"Peyton's letting me come back home." The blond revealed.
Skills' jaw dropped. "Wait are you two back together?!" He spoke excitedly.
Lucas frowned. "Nah Peyton's still pretty set on the divorce. I'm just staying in the guest room temporarily."
"Why in the hell would she do that? No offense man but I don't really see skinny girl just welcoming you back home with open arms."
"She's helping me out. I'm kind of in a pinch financially."
Skills looked surprised at the news and then slowly nodded. "So that's why you took the Ravens' job. To be honest I didn't think you'd be interested when I first suggested it."
"The divorce has kind of tied up a lot of our money, but once it's finalized I should be okay. Peyton's letting me stay for a few months so I can save up and then I'll get my own place."
"I see."
"She doesn't really want anyone to know yet, so please don't tell. She'll kill me."
Skills nodded understanding. "We never had this conversation." He declared.
"Thanks man."
"Wait so let me get this straight..." Skills began with a smile on his face. "You're shacking up with your ex and you still might have a super hot girlfriend? Man I might need to start taking cues out of your playbook."
"It's not like that."
"So is that why homegirl benched you? Because you're moving back in with Peyton?"
"Yup pretty much."
"It's a dick move man. I mean what did you expect?"
Lucas sighed. "I dunno man. Being in a new relationship is hard. I'm out of practice and I don't remember it being this hard with Peyton."
Skills laughed hard. "You're kidding right? Remember how much Peyton hated your ass?"
"Yea, but once we got together it was smooth sailing."
"No it wasn't. You guys bickered all the time."
"Yea but then we got to make up all the time." Lucas fondly remembered. Even after they got together Peyton had continued to challenge him. He had always loved that about her. They'd fight and by next period they were back to making out by the lockers at school.
"You know honestly maybe it's better that Brooke's out of the way."
"She might still call." Lucas replied. He hadn't seen or heard from Brooke is almost a week, but he was still hoping she might change her mind about him.
"Who cares? Don't answer. You're moving back in with your family. Don't you understand that this is probably your last chance to win your wife back?"
"Of course I've thought about that, but Peyton doesn't want me back. A few weeks ago I begged her to give me another chance and she didn't want to hear it. All I've done this past year is beg her to take me back. There's nothing I can do to change her mind Skills. This entire year all she's done is tell me to move on, so that's what I did. I moved on with Brooke."
"Man stop playing you don't love that girl."
"Doesn't mean I couldn't someday."
Skills shook his head disapprovingly. "You really believe that? Don't be stupid man we both know she's not Peyton. Don't let this opportunity of being back home go to waste. Win her back Luke. Peyton still loves you."
"That may be true, but she'll never let herself forgive me. I know that much."
"Well you did fuck up so you can't really blame her for that."
"So what's the point then? I've already lost her Skills."
"The point is that you give it your all. Despite what Peyton says I don't really think she's ready to let you go yet. If she were she would have met someone else by now."
"Doesn't mean she wants me back. She pretty much thinks I'm a jackass."
"Luke let's be real, she always thought you were jackass."
Lucas chuckled.
"She just let herself fall in love with that jackass. Now you just gotta remind her that it's still okay to let herself love you. You were able to do it once before. I'm positive you can do it again. Don't let her give up on you."
"Skills believe me when I say she's already given up. She's 100% done with me."
"That's bullshit man. If Peyton really gave zero fucks about you then your ass wouldn't be moving back home. She cares. Don't give up."
So a little bonding time between Peyton and Jamie just cuz I'm loving writing what is usually an unexplored relationship in most fics, and Lucas needs to decide whether or not his focus will be on getting Peyton back or continue to move on like she's insisted he do. Thoughts? Please share.
Up next: Lucas moves back home. Are these two gonna be able to get along under the same roof?
Until next time!
