So lots of awesome feedback on the last chapter. I'm so glad you guys enjoyed it. It seems like many of you are super excited about Thanksgiving with the gang, while many are feeling a bit hesitant about Peyton's upcoming college reunion. I'm right there with you guys and I promise I won't let you down!
I also wanted to send a big hello and welcome to a bunch of new followers I've gained in the past week. I'm excited to continue sharing this story with you all.
lpnerdx3 - What's Lucas' favorite Mexican dish? How about we go with chicken enchiladas, can't go wrong there! As for Peyton being able to guess correctly? At this point I'm not even sure myself, let's just say her intuition is on point.
Song: 'Bizarre Love Triangle' by New Order
Chapter 9: Bizarre Love Triangle
Tree Hill, North Carolina – June 2009
Lucas finished stocking the remaining bottles of ketchup onto the shelf. He was in the storage closet in the back of the café putting away this week's shipment of goods. Using the back of his hand he wiped off the pool of sweat that had accumulated above his left brow. He had worked up quite a sweat carrying those boxes and unpacking them for the last 45 minutes. They needed a better air conditioner back here. The old one was beyond repair at this point. Lucas decided to bring it up to his mother later today. The café was doing pretty well these days and that combined with the money coming in from Karen's second business TRIC, he knew that they could afford to get a new one. It had taken Karen almost two decades of hard work, but she was finally at a place where money wasn't a constant worry like it had been for them in the past. They weren't rich by any means, but they were in a comfortable place.
Lucas turned around to begin gathering the empty boxes, however he completely lost his footing as his back was hastily slammed against the wall without warning. Before he could react he felt the thin collar of his white tee being tugged just as hastily, pulling him down before a set of lips crashed into his. It took the blond about half a second to recognize the owner of those delicate lips eagerly pressing up against his. It took about another half second until he was devouring her lips right back.
"Hi." Lucas breathed out when they finally pulled back for air.
"Hi there." Peyton giggled back.
Their faces remained close, practically touching.
"How in the world did you manage to get back here?" He questioned.
"The back door was left ajar. Thought I'd surprise you." Her hands traveled up past his stomach and settled on his chest. "Surprise!" She connected their lips for a quick peck.
"Crap I must have left it open when I was bringing in that shipment." Lucas frowned knowing what his mother would say.
"So my surprise no good then?"
Lucas tightened his hold around Peyton's waist. "Oh no very good." He nodded. "Leaving that door open was the smartest thing I've done all day." Lucas mumbled over her lips while kissing her again.
Peyton smiled against Lucas' lips before parting her own lips and deepening their kiss.
It had been like this for the past five days.
Five days ago they had gone on that first date and the two had been inseparable since. Neither had been able to go a day without seeing each other and they hadn't been able to keep their hands of each other either.
Lucas groaned when they pulled apart again. "As much as I know I'm gonna regret saying this…but you can't be back here. My mom's out front today and she could head back here any moment."
"And I'm guessing your mom's not a fan of having her son make out with some strange girl in the back of her café?" Peyton teased.
"No, not particularly." He replied causing Peyton to burst out laughing.
"Ok, ok, I'll make myself scat. I just wanted to say hi." She grinned her hands clutching his t-shirt lightly "I kind of missed you that's all." More importantly what she had really missed was those spectacular lips of his.
"I miss you too." Lucas replied without skipping a beat. He really had. His thoughts had been consumed by Peyton all day and practically every day since her car had broken down in front of the café over a week ago.
"You better be." She whispered connecting their lips again. Her hands left his chest traveling further up until her fingers buried themselves underneath his short locks. Peyton gave them a light tug urging Lucas to kiss her even harder.
Lucas took the opportunity to flip their positions. Peyton's back was now up against the wall while Lucas pressed up against her.
"You. Should. Come. Over. Tonight." Peyton suggested in between kisses.
Lucas left her lips trailing down kisses until he reached her neck. "I thought Brooke was flying in tonight?" He reminded her. Peyton had mentioned it to him a couple of days ago.
"Yea she is, but I won't see her until tomorrow. Let's be honest she's really not coming down to see me, she's visiting her boyfriend Chase." Peyton replied relaxing as Lucas continued to work on her neck. "Anyway come over. My dad left this morning on another job so it'll be just be us. I probably won't have much time to see you in the next few days once Hurricane Brooke takes over."
"I'll be there." Lucas agreed before recapturing Peyton's lips yet again.
"Ew gross."
Lucas and Peyton's make out session was put to an abrupt halt as they pulled away and slowly tilted their heads to the side.
Peyton's head fell into the crook of his neck. "Lucas, who is that?" Peyton whispered in his ear referring to the little girl with brown hair standing in the doorway with her tiny face all scrunched up in disgust.
"It's my sister." Lucas huffed. "Lily what are you doing back here?!" He released his hold on Peyton and walked over towards his little sister.
"Mom told me to come find you." Lily replied her face returning to normal though her eyes continued to be fixated on Peyton. "Is that your girlfriend?" The younger Scott openly questioned.
Peyton immediately erupted into laughter.
"You're four years old, you don't even know what that means. Scram." Lucas commanded feeling completely mortified now. First Jamie embarrasses him in front of Peyton and now his little sister too? Whatever happened to family loyalty? Traitors.
Lily looked back and forth between the two sending them a skeptical look before breaking into a run.
"But wait don't tell mom!" Lucas yelled after his sister but it was too late.
"Any chance she won't rat us out?
Lucas snorted. "Fat chance." He said shaking his head. "She's been quite the little snitch these days."
Peyton was still laughing. "So bribe the kid with candy or something."
"She's too smart for that. She'll take the candy and still tell, and then I'll get chewed out for getting Lily on a sugar high."
Peyton cringed. "So glad I'm an only child." She gave him a light pat on the back wishing him well. "Well then… I'm gonna let you handle damage control while I make my great escape." She teased giving Lucas a light kiss on the cheek. "I was never here." She whispered in warning sending him a playful wink before disappearing.
New York City – November 2014
Peyton sat up in bed, her body still wrapped underneath the covers, while her back leaned up against the headboard. The clock on the nightstand read 9:15 in the morning.
She had slept for a solid ten hours of uninterrupted sleep. It had been the best damn sleep she'd gotten since waking up from that coma. She had no idea if it was the bed or being out of the hospital, but Peyton didn't question the reasons behind it. She felt well rested and oddly content. That's all that mattered in her book.
She had heard Lucas shuffling around the apartment a while ago, but chose to ignore it. She had been far too comfortable and too warm in this bed to make any sudden movements. Last night Lucas had moved some of his toiletries to the other bathroom to avoid disturbing Peyton in the morning, so he wouldn't be coming in the bedroom any time soon anyway.
For the past twenty minutes however she had been staring at that damn wedding picture of her and Lucas again. That beautiful picture of them, as lovely as it was, had been there mocking her the whole time. Mocking her of a time she couldn't remember, much like the engagement ring tucked away in her bag had.
Then there was her leather jacket currently hanging off a hook behind the door. It too had played a part in annoying the hell out of her. Normally the jacket was supposed to be a reminder of Ellie, but ever since Lucas returned it to her at the hospital, it just reminded her of Lucas and his thoughtfulness.
That jacket right there had been the deal breaker. It had made the decision for Peyton long before she had even realized she had changed her mind in the first place. Had Lucas never returned the jacket she would have no doubt been waking up at Brooke's this morning instead. Peyton found it sort of funny how such a small gesture had been the catalyst behind her change of heart.
Deciding she had stalled long enough, Peyton pulled the covers off and left the bed heading for the bathroom. After brushing her teeth and washing her face, she exited the bedroom and walked along the hallway taking notice of the living room before heading towards the kitchen where she found Lucas. The apartment looked tidier and smelled like cleaning products, which meant that all that shuffling she heard earlier this morning had been Lucas cleaning up the place. A sweet gesture, but completely unnecessary. He could have slept in longer and not have gone through all that trouble. Peyton was well aware that the poor guy hadn't gotten a decent night's sleep in weeks.
As Peyton entered the kitchen she caught sight of Lucas who was busy pouring himself a cup of freshly brewed coffee.
He was also wearing nothing but a pair of boxer briefs, but apparently he didn't seem overly concerned about his utter lack of clothing.
Awesome.
Peyton was about to take a silent step back out of the kitchen, but Lucas caught her out of the corner of his eye before she could make a move.
"Good morning." He greeted her cheerfully. For someone who had slept on the couch last night, he was clearly in a good mood this morning. "I just made some coffee. I'll pour you a cup." He went to grab a mug and poured the coffee.
Meanwhile Peyton's green eyes were permanently glued to Lucas' underwear. Like an idiot she couldn't stop gawking; thankfully he was too busy pouring her that cup of coffee to take notice. She thought it was pretty damn ballzy of him to flaunt around the apartment dressed like that. "Morning." She greeted cautiously.
"Have a seat." Lucas had set her mug on the kitchen table. "I added cream and sugar just the way you like it." He added.
Peyton forced a smile as she nodded and quickly maneuvered around Lucas avoiding physical contact and took her seat. She mumbled a thanks, her eyes glued to her mug as she took a sip of her coffee. She let out a slight moan as the coffee trickled down her throat. It was perfection. He really did know how she liked her coffee.
Lucas grabbed his mug and took a seat. "If you're hungry I could make some breakfast." He offered.
Yeah because that's exactly what she needed right now – him strutting around the kitchen while he prepared breakfast for her wearing next to nothing.
Peyton took a bigger gulp of her coffee avoiding eye contact as Lucas went off listing breakfast options. Now that he was sitting the table blocked the lower half of his body – thank god for small miracles – but nonetheless he was still shirtless, and just like his back, Lucas had a very nice chest to match. He clearly worked out.
Did she also forget to mention he had very nice arms? Because they were and she liked them very much. Maybe a little too much.
She was so distracted she hadn't heard a word that came out of his mouth.
"Peyton?"
"What?!" She spoke a bit too loudly snapping out of her daze.
"You okay?"
Peyton quickly shook her head as she attempted to get her shit together. "Lucas I'm gonna need you to put on some clothes." She blurted out. "It's a bit distracting."
Lucas' eyes widened as his lower lip dropped down a little. "Oh." That was all he could muster.
Peyton noticed his cheeks suddenly had a bit more color to them. She held back a chuckle not wanting to embarrass him any further.
"Jesus I'm sorry." He scratched the back of his head nervously. "It's just a habit I guess. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."
"I just really need you to put some clothes on." She repeated her request.
"Of course." He stood up abruptly shake the table a little as he stood.
"Okay then." Peyton spoke still waiting for him to get going.
Lucas nodded. "Okay. Again sorry about that." He mumbled awkwardly as he started to walk away. He was halfway out the kitchen before suddenly pausing, turning on his heels to face the kitchen once more. "Wait, what did you mean by distracting?"
Peyton's mouth flapped opened several times much like a fish out of water would. "Uh…" She had been caught off guard by his question and looked completely dumbfounded. Was he being serious right now? What the hell?
Well she wasn't about to tell him that she found him physically attractive that's for sure.
Her silence told Lucas everything he needed to know. "I'm gonna go change now." He announced sporting the stupidest looking grin Peyton had ever seen in her life. Was he messing with her? Had he been messing with her this entire time? She couldn't figure it out.
It almost made her want to punch him in the face, much like before when he informed her she couldn't have those damn crab cakes anymore.
That was until Lucas began whistling as he exited the kitchen and continued down the hallway.
Now she really did want to punch him in face.
Lucas reappeared about thirty minutes later freshly showered and dressed in dark slacks and a royal blue button up. He found Peyton on the couch with a bowl of cereal in her hands entranced by whatever she was watching on the TV. With her eyes still glued to the TV, she clumsily took another spoonful of cereal to her mouth causing some milk to dribble down her chin. Peyton wiped her chin with the back of her hand, her eyes never leaving the TV screen.
The blond made his way back to the kitchen grabbing another fresh cup of coffee before joining Peyton in the living room. "So I have some things to give you." He stated gaining her attention.
"Alright." Peyton nodded. She reluctantly reached for the remote and turned off the TV.
Lucas set his mug down on the coffee table. "Your new phone came in. The old one was crushed in the accident." He pointed over to a small box sitting on the coffee table. "I download all your contacts, pics and stuff over from your cloud this morning." He explained as he grabbed the phone out of the box and handed it over.
Peyton nodded pretending to know what the hell a cloud was. "Oh fancy." She spoke as she twirled the very thin Smartphone in her hands.
"I can show you later how to use it if you need me to, but it's pretty intuitive so you should be fine."
She nodded again.
"If you need me don't hesitate to give me a call."
"Oh." Peyton responded realizing that he was actually leaving her for the day. He was dressed up so it made sense. "Where will you be, work?" She questioned.
Lucas nodded. "Yea sort of…I actually just work from home most of the time, but I've got a ton of meetings the next two days that I can't put off anymore if I want to get this new book eventually published. My editor can't stall any longer than she already has."
"I see." There was a long pause. "And what do I usually do all day then?" Dr. Parker had stressed that she needed to get back to her normal routine, whatever that was.
"You're usually the one out of the apartment all day. You're normally up before me in the mornings holed up in your office since you try to put in a couple of hours of work for the label – but you don't have to worry about label stuff for now. Haley's gonna cover for you." Lucas explained. "Then you're off to Pratt all day in Brooklyn for classes and stuff. If you don't have a study group or a project due then you're usually home by dinner."
Peyton nodded. "So I should be in class now then?" That didn't sound too bad.
Lucas paused. "Actually I called the school and explained everything a few weeks back. I had to defer you for the rest of the semester."
"Right…" Peyton responded after a beat. "Can't really do much if I can't remember everything I've been learning so far." She exhaled a sigh. Well this wasn't going so well.
"Exactly." Lucas sent her a sympathetic smile. "But they were really understanding and once you get your memories back they promised to work with you to make sure you can still finish your degree. They've already reassured me that you won't lose the entire semester; you can pick up right where you left off, so that's good. You'll still get the credits you need."
"Okay so what exactly am I supposed to do then? I mean I'm not on record label duty and I can't really go to school now…so where does that leave me? What am I supposed to do all day if my normal routine is kind of a bust at the moment?"
Lucas frowned realizing she had a very good point. "Damn I didn't even think about that." He mumbled. "Shit I'm sorry." He clasped his hands together. "Listen how about we pick this up tonight over dinner and we can talk and figure something out?" He asked. "I'm sorry, I'm just already running kind of late today and I really need to get going soon if I wanna make it to my first meeting on time."
"Yeah it's fine."
"I hate to leave you like this." He was torn.
"Lucas it's fine, really. I completely understand. Go." She gave him a reassuring nod.
"Okay, thank you." Lucas breathed a sigh of relief. He didn't really want to leave her, but he didn't have much of a choice. "Okay so just a few last things." He produced a piece of paper and handed it to her. "I jotted down our address in case you leave the apartment and I made a note of it in your phone just in case. Umm and you have your set of keys and cards right?"
Peyton nodded. That stuff was still in the bag she brought home from the hospital.
"Okay cool. I also jotted down the pin numbers to our accounts in case you wanted to buy anything. And Brooke's still dropping by later today right?"
"As far as I know she still is."
"Good, good." Lucas stood up and began collecting his things. "Okay I should get outta here." He announced once he finished stuffing his items into his leather briefcase and hung it over his shoulder. "I'll see you tonight then?"
Peyton quickly nodded. "I'll be here." She replied jokingly, shrugging her shoulders. She stood up from the couch. "I'll see you out."
Lucas nodded and they both made their way to the front door of the apartment.
"Okay I'll see you later. Call me if you need anything, I meant it." He told her firmly.
"I will. I promise. Have a nice day."
"Okay then…" Without giving it any thought Lucas quickly leaned over to place a brief kiss on Peyton's cheek. "Bye."
Peyton paused slightly and it wasn't until Lucas was out of sight that she lightly brushed over the cheek with her fingertips. She said nothing, unsure herself how she felt about it.
It wasn't until Lucas had reached the elevator that he realized what he had done. "Shit." He mumbled scolding himself. There was another habit he'd have to keep in check for the time being.
Well at least he hadn't tried to kiss her on the lips.
That would have not gone well. Not at all.
"So explain to me again why you're so insistent on attending this college reunion thingy again?" Brooke questioned not really understanding where all of Peyton's enthusiasm on the subject was coming from.
"Because I actually remember college." Peyton replied like it was the most obvious thing in the world. She stood over Brooke holding up a tea kettle pouring the hot water she'd just boiled into the brunette's cup.
"Technically you only remember like half of your college experience." Brooke candidly pointed out. The last thing Peyton remembered was being in the middle of her sophomore year.
Peyton poured a cup for herself and sat down. "It's still more memories and friends then I have here in New York. The only person I remember is you Brooke. At least I'll have my college friends there and I won't have to run my brain into the ground trying to remember every single detail." The blonde dipped her tea bag a few times before removing it.
"So this has nothing to do with that fact that Jake Jagielski might be at this reunion?" Brooke countered her eyes narrowing in suspicion. There was little point in dancing around the issue.
Peyton shrugged. "I can't help it if he might or might not be there..." She awkwardly mumbled quickly before taking a sip of her tea.
"Peyton!" Brooke scolded. She did not like where this was going. "You. Cannot. Be. Serious."
"What!" Peyton exclaimed. "I didn't bring up Jake." She quickly defended. "You did and you assume too much."
"Well maybe because instead of focusing on things here with Lucas – your actual husband by the way – you're too preoccupied scheming about some pending reunion with an old ex! I mean what exactly do you think is going to happen if you see Jake?" Brooke paused taking a minute to calm herself down. Coming hard at Peyton wasn't the best approach. "I mean sweetie you can't possibly be entertaining the thought of getting back together with him. That ship sailed years ago and you have both moved on."
Peyton scoffed. "I am not that delusional Brooke, c'mon give me a little more credit." She defended rolling her eyes at the brunette. "I just wanna talk to him. That's it. All of a sudden that's a crime?"
"Under normal circumstances no, but Peyton your harboring these feelings that aren't real and I know it's not your fault, and I get that it's out of your control right now, but honey you're playing with fire here convincing yourself that you'll get some satisfaction out of this. This will not end well."
"Brooke." Peyton huffed feeling frustrated. Perhaps it had been a mistake to confide in Brooke about this. Brooke may have been her best friend, but it was clear to Peyton that Brooke had developed strong loyalties towards Lucas as well. Letting herself get sucked into the Jake conversation had been an error on her part. She hadn't expected Brooke to react so strongly. "It's just talking."
"About what? For god sakes Peyton you don't even know if he's gonna be there and not to mention that it's pretty shitty of you to drag Lucas across the country just so you can have a chat with your ex." Brooke pinched the bridge of her nose feeling a headache approaching.
Peyton shook her head. "It's not like that Brooke."
"So what's it like then? Because I'm betting Lucas has no idea what your plans are and to be perfectly honest with you Peyton this is starting to piss me off." Brooke's anger was apparent as her chest rose and fell rapidly with each breath.
Peyton's shoulder dropped. "Okay so maybe getting a chance to see Jake is one reason for going, but it's one of many! He is not the reason for wanting to go." She admitted. "Even if I knew ahead of time that he wasn't going to be there I would still wanna go, I swear to you Brooke. I would just like not to feel like a complete head case, even if it's only for a night. I need some sense of normalcy and I really think going to this reunion could give me some of that or at least help me feel normal again."
Brooke's facial features softened as did her voice. "I get that. You wanna feel like you belong."
Peyton silently nodded.
Brooke released a sigh sinking into her chair. Even though she didn't agree with it, she got it now. She understood why this weekend was so important to her best friend. And even though she would have preferred for Peyton to stay far away from Jake at the moment, Peyton was gonna do what she wanted regardless. If this ended up blowing up in Peyton's face – which it probably would – Brooke was still determined to have the blonde's back. "Promise me you won't make that weekend about Jake then, promise me P." Brooke took in a deep breath. "Please don't hurt Lucas. He doesn't deserve that. He's a good guy Peyton." The brunette stressed.
The blonde nodded again. "I won't. I promise." She replied wholeheartedly agreeing. That was the last thing she wanted to do.
"Are you two getting along okay then? Are you comfortable staying here with him alone?"
"Yea I'm fine. It hasn't been completely awkward and he's…Lucas has been good to me."
"Did you really expect any less?" Brooke teased.
Peyton chuckled. "No, I'm not stupid. He cares for me. A lot."
"No, he loves you." Brooke corrected.
Peyton shook her head. "No he loves her." Peyton corrected Brooke. "I'm a different version of the woman he knows. He's only hoping that I'll eventually be the old Peyton again so that we can move on with our lives."
"And you don't want that?" Brooke questioned looking somewhat shocked and disappointed.
"Of course I do, but what if that doesn't happen, then what?" Peyton wondered. "If I don't get my memories back then what are we supposed to do? Continue living together and hope for the best? I don't love him and I don't know him."
"You're going to get your memories back Peyton." Brooke reassured her best friend.
"You don't know that Brooke. The doctors don't even know for sure. If I don't recover from this it means that I have to essentially reboot my entire life, and if that's the case then I need closure from my old life."
Brooke huffed. "Which is why you want to see Jake so badly." She concluded.
Peyton nodded. "Yes."
"Which means you need to know why things ended between the two of you."
She nodded again. The need to know had been eating away at her for weeks, but she had been too afraid to ask Brooke for answers. She wasn't sure how Brooke would react.
Brooke sighed, a clear sign she was giving in. "I can tell you what happened." She decided finally after a long pause.
"So what happened?" Peyton urged refusing to let this opportunity to gain new information slip through her fingers. She didn't care how pathetic it made her look.
"Well first off, remember that weekend getaway sophomore year you thought for sure Jake was going to propose to you? You mentioned it to me at the hospital after you woke up."
"What about it?"
Brooke bit at her bottom lip. "Well he didn't." She winced.
Peyton's face fell.
Brooke shook her head reliving the memory in her head. "Oh man, I remember you calling me in tears right after you got back. You were so devastated because you had thought for sure that was it. You were so crushed."
"So he was never going to ask me? Ever?" She couldn't believe her ears.
"Now I didn't say that. He was definitely going to just not when you thought he was. He wasn't ready yet financially to buy you a ring at that point. He had been saving up, but it wasn't until the end of the summer right before your junior year that he had the money."
"How do you even know that?"
"Because that's when he called me." Brooke confessed. "He needed help picking out a ring and I also offered to help him get a good deal since I'd manage to make so many connections through my fashion line by that point. We had picked a weekend during that first semester I was gonna fly over and look at rings with him, but then I ended up having a work emergency so we had to postpone, but by then the semester was winding down, and you and Jake we both going to study abroad in separate countries the following semester. Jake didn't want to spend the first few months of your engagement apart so he decided to put off proposing until you both got back."
"We spent second semester apart?" Peyton frowned. That had never been the plan.
"Yes…and that was kind of the beginning of the end if I'm being completely honest here." Brooke replied. "You choose Florence because they had an amazing art program you really liked and you were lucky enough to get in. Jake always wanted to go to France so he ended up doing his semester in Marseille, but you guys were close enough that you still saw each other pretty frequently."
"What do you mean the beginning of the end?"
Brooke shrugged. "You guys kind of grew apart that's all. It was the first time you two had ever been apart for so long and then things between you started getting awkward with each passing visit. It was like you guys had a hard time even holding down a conversation at times. You guys weren't at each other's throats or anything, but you just weren't clicking anymore. You seemed less interested in each other. And then of course there was Nicki…" Brooke trailed off.
Peyton's eyes narrowed. "And who the fuck is Nicki?" She snapped.
"She went to UCLA with you guys, but Jake met her while he was in Marseille. They were in the same abroad program. Anyway I guess they became pretty close friends during that time and Jake would mention her a lot to you, which naturally rattled you a bit. He even introduced her once during one of your visits to Marseille and apparently it did not go well. It was pretty clear to you she was after him, whether or not Jake was oblivious to her feelings at the time was never hundred percent clear even after you confronted him about it."
"So he cheated on me with this bitch?" She felt like someone had just punched her in the gut. Her vision began to blur.
Brooke extended her arm and placed her hand over Peyton's for moral support. "He swore he never went there with her, not when you guys were together. And Jake has always been an upstanding guy, so you had no reason to doubt him, none of us did. But hey you weren't there, so who knows what really happened between those two. We'll never really know for sure."
"Unbelievable." Peyton wiped a stray tear. She shook her head slowly yet the anger displayed across her face was clear.
"Well you weren't entirely innocent either." Brooke said quietly.
Peyton frowned. "I cheated?" She exclaimed in surprise while pointing at herself.
"NO!" Brooke quickly blurted out. "You didn't cheat, but you did meet a lot of guys that semester and the attention wasn't unwelcomed since you were feeling so shitty about things with Jake. So you made a few guy friends, you hung out with them, went on coffee dates, all very innocent things. You never dated these guys or hooked up with anyone. You also have to remember that by this point you and Jake had been together for four long years and I think both of you started to question if you were missing out on other experiences as a result."
"So when did end it?"
"Not til much later. You guys really loved one another and wanted to make it work, so you still stayed together that whole semester. To be completely honest again you two were just tip toeing around the inevitable – you guys had been long over. I think both of you were terrified of letting each other go because you had been together for so long, but that whole semester changed you guys, more than you were willing to admit. It changed everything." Brooke shifted in her seat. "Anyways, after the semester was over you guys traveled a bit across Europe, and then moved back to LA and committed to fixing your relationship for the rest of the summer, but it wasn't the same anymore. Now that you were living together again, you guys started fighting all the time and it just wasn't working anymore. It was clear you were both completely miserable. Things were officially over by mid-august. The breakup was mutual. You guys gave up your apartment and you moved back on campus for your senior year, and Jake moved into a house with some friends of his that had a room open up."
"So that was that?"
"You guys tried to make it work Peyton, you really did. But these things happen and you were both so young. It wasn't a nasty breakup or anything. Whenever you did run into each other on campus or at a party you were both pretty cordial – though you haven't seen or spoken to Jake since graduating college."
"And that Nicki chick then? Whatever happened to her?"
Brooke sighed shooting her best friend a sympathetic look. "They got together maybe like two months after you guys called it quits."
"I was a mess wasn't I?"
Brooke's head tilted side to side. "Yes and no. I mean you weren't ecstatic about it and we obviously hated the bitch, but you wanted Jake to be happy and at the end of the day there wasn't anything you could do about it. In my opinion though she was a total downgrade anyway. Based on those pictures you showed me, you were definitely the hotter girlfriend and she looked like Jake had picked her out of a Sluts-R-Us catalog."
Peyton slightly chuckled the pain easing a bit.
"Eventually you slowly made your way back into the dating pool – nobody serious though. You casually dated a few guys, but you decided to focus on graduating and securing your job at that record label. Then you pretty much know the rest, you ditched the label, moved back home and met Lucas."
Brooke paused.
"Frankly I'm surprised it took you this long to ask about the breakup." She admitted.
"I was afraid to ask."
"I was afraid of when you would ask." Brooke said with a smile.
"Why?"
Brooke shrugged. "Because I was afraid Jake would distract you from accepting Lucas and forming a relationship with him. I still am actually, which is why I still think this whole reunion thing is a bad idea, but I've still got your back P Sawyer."
"That's not for you to decide Brooke. What or how I want my relationship with Lucas to be right now is up to me."
"I know that and I'm sorry."
"No, I'm sorry. I know you mean well and you're right I'm not being completely fair to Lucas. I just don't know if he'll get where I'm coming from and we had such a nice day yesterday that I don't wanna ruin things before they even start. I like Lucas. I don't wanna intentionally hurt him." Peyton smiled.
The corners of Brooke's mouth lifted into a smile.
"What?!" Peyton asked noticing the smile.
"It's just cute that's all."
"What is?"
"You have a crush on your husband." Brooke concluded sporting an all knowing smirk.
Peyton tried to hold back a smile failing miserably. "I do not. I just like him enough, that's all."
"It's the most adorable thing I've ever heard." Brooke added ignoring Peyton.
"Stop it!" Peyton hissed noticing her cheeks had started to warm up. "I just think he's nice that's all."
Brooke laughed at her.
"Stop it."
Brooke gasped realizing something. "Oh my god where did he sleep last night?!"
"I did not have sex with him Brooke!" Peyton practically screamed unable to believe she would even suggest that.
"I just asked where he slept last night you pervert." Brooke chuckled. "Last time I checked there was only one bed in this apartment."
"Well he slept on the couch thank you very much." Peyton replied deadpanned.
Brooke shrugged. "God I don't remember you being this prudish when you first started hanging out with Lucas."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"It means you gave it up a long time ago Peyton, a little too quickly if I recall." Brooke mused. "By your previous standards anyway."
Peyton scoffed. "I did not!"
Brooke laughed harder. "Oh yea you did." She informed her. "You had it bad girl, in fact you both did. It was kind of nauseating to watch at first, but I could already tell you really liked Lucas right after the first time you told me about him."
"Really?" Peyton said in disbelief. She had always been used to her relationships starting off slow and steady.
"Oh yea for sure." Brooke replied nodding confidently. "After that first date you guys just went full speed ahead. I have never seen you so head over heels like that before."
"What about Jake? I was crazy about him."
"Not anywhere near how you were with Lucas. You fell for Lucas fast and hard, and vice versa. Trust me. I was just as surprised as you were at the time."
Peyton remained still as she processed this new information.
Brooke took that as an opportunity to continue on. "So why not rush into things a second time around? Lucas has put in his dues, poor guy. You should totally sleep with him. You guys are both looking a little too tense these days and in my honest opinion the best way to relieve tension –"
Peyton put a stop to her right there. She rolled her eyes. "I am not going to sleep with him Brooke."
"Why in the hell not? Have you even really looked at your husband?"
Had she looked? Ha. Of course she had.
Brooke continued on. "I mean I've never seen Lucas naked, but I've seen him in swim trunks and the man does not disappoint."
Peyton scrunched her nose. "Don't you have your own husband?"
"Don't change the subject Peyton, it's rude." Brooke replied dismissively. "You're telling me you don't find yourself attracted to him at all? Not even a little bit?" She inquired. "Because babe if that's the case, then the amnesia is the least of your worries."
"I…" Peyton stammered.
"Knew it." Brooke quickly cut in feeling like a winner.
"Okay I'll admit he's not bad on the eyes, especially since he was walking around half naked this morning…but that doesn't mean I'm –"
Brooke gasped louder this time. "So you did sleep with him!" She screeched jumping up and down in her seat.
"I. Did. Not." Peyton replied harshly.
"Then why was he not wearing any clothes this morning Peyton?" Brooke teased sending her a wink.
"He had on underwear." Peyton corrected. "I guess he always walks around the apartment like that in the mornings." She shrugged. "Anyway I made him get dressed."
Brooke frowned. "What a waste that was." She muttered not so quietly under her breath.
Peyton exhaled loudly rolling her eyes. She stood up collecting their cups and used tea bags. "In truth I can't figure out if he was messing with me or not."
"Like he did it on purpose?" Brooke smirked completely fascinated with the concept. Apparently Lucas had some tricks up his sleeve? Who knew.
"I dunno, I guess. I mean he's been a little touchy feely since I got home and it's a bit confusing and distracting to be honest. At the hospital he was much more distant."
"That's because you didn't give him much of a choice." Brooke reminded her.
"Yea I guess you're right." Peyton replied guiltily.
"If it helps…you guys have always been a very affectionate couple, so it's probably more habit than him purposely trying to make you feel uncomfortable." Brooke added. "What exactly has he been doing anyway?"
Peyton shrugged. "Nothing over the top really. He'll give my shoulder a squeeze or place a hand on the small of my back. And this morning he kissed me goodbye."
Another gasp.
"WHAT!?" Brooke's mouth dropped open and her eyes widened. "Bitch and you waited this long to tell me because…"
"On the cheek Brooke." Peyton said with tight lips. Boy did her best friend sure love to jump to conclusions. "He kissed me on the cheek as he was leaving for work." Peyton dumped the cups in the sink. "I don't even think he realized he did it."
Brooke once again deflated in disappointed. "Ugh you gotta stop doing this to me Peyton." She leaned back in her chair dramatically placing an arm over her forehead. "You just keep building me up only to crush my hopes and dreams."
Peyton laughed. "Me and Lucas hooking up is a dream of yours?"
"Today it is at least."
"Sorry to disappoint." Peyton said not feeling sorry at all.
"Whatever." Brooke replied completely unfazed. "You two will be at by the end of the week. I'm not too worried."
Peyton groaned instantly at the comment. "You're the worst."
So in this chapter we had a little flashback action and the story behind the Jeyton breakup finally revealed! Thoughts?
As for the following chapter I'll need your help! I've been debating back and forth over the next chapter either being a total flashback chapter so you guys can get more glimpses into the start of Peyton and Lucas' relationship or we can just dive right into Thanksgiving with the gang. I figured you guys can make the final decision for me since you're the ones reading the story after all. So let me know your thoughts! Most votes wins.
Until next time my loves!
Reviews are good for the soul, or maybe just mine anyway!
