I'm almost there…

I bite my lip and go harder, faster…I'm so close, to that pinnacle…and then there it is. The adrenaline kicks and I push myself for a few more glorious moments before I get off of the Stairmaster.

You weren't thinking that I was doing something else, were you? Naughty. So you've been left hanging, huh? Well I have lots to dish and not a lot of time to do it in. I have a date with Lucas 'No longer a martyr' Scott. Gasps heard 'round the world, no doubt.

Now, where we last left off—your hero, ahem…heroine fell upon some excellent information. Lucas and Peyton were getting hot and heavy behind little Nathan's back. Now, while my first reaction was to sound the alarm and tell Nathan what was up, I decided against it. What's the fun in that? Besides, I would get lost somewhere in the equation while Nathan, pride showing, fought for Peyton. And this isn't about her. No. It's all about me and that's all that matters.

So I've invited Lucas over for breakfast. My parents are out of town…again. I hear Spain is nice this time of year…I wouldn't know seeing as how Im stuck here. But the postcard was fucking SWELL. In any case, Im in my sweetest negligee—a mint and black little number, silky and lacy in all the right places. Oh—don't think Im cooking for him. He can do w/ fruit and cereal. And that loud, clattering sound of Keith Scott's jalopy lets me know he is here.

He knocks and I open the door, leaning on the frame.

"Good morning…"

"Whoa, good morning." He chokes out.

He's a male; of course he looks at me up and down. I look great, I always look great. But I admit, I was a little pissed that he didn't even attempt to kiss me goodnight last night. RUDE.

I tuck my hair behind my ear and grab my black silk robe, tying it loosely around my waist.

"Well, come in!" I smile and move aside just enough to let him pass but not without brushing up against me. I get a kick out of watching him squirm. After some idle chatter, he sits at the bar and I pour him a bowl of Lucky Charms. I love those little suckers.

"You didn't kiss me goodnight," I say sweetly, as I pour the milk.

Lucas smiles and stammers, "I didn't know if you wanted me to…" He reaches for the spoon and gets a mouthful and I wait til he's mid-bite...

"Oh really? Because I just figured, since you were making out w/ Peyton, you were kinda whooped on her or something…"

There it is. Triumph is all over my face while his is covered with deer in headlights plus a mouthful of marshmallows. He stops eating for a moment, searching my face, before he begins chewing again and swallowing down what was left in his mouth. He sets the spoon down and stares me straight in the eyes.

"Don't know what you're talking about…"

"You're a bad liar, Scott. I know, because I am one."

"You're lying now," he's standing now, nervous stance.

"You don't have to get so defensive," I purr, "I have a proposition for you."

"What? What are you talking about?" He looks disgusted but I continue anyways…

"I'll help you get Peyton if you help me get Nathan."

"Nathan?" Realization comes into his eyes. He lowered his voice, "Everyone is right about you, Brooke. Im outta here."

He begins walking for the door and I stand.

"She won't leave him."

He stops, back still turned to me.

"It doesn't matter if you make her heart race like nobody's business. Or if you can kiss her like she's never been kissed before. At the end of the day, she will still go home to Nathan, and she will tell him she loves him. Not you."

He hasn't moved, so I continue. "But if you have my help…you can have her. All of her. Mind. Body. Soul. The whole romantic movie package. IF you have my help."

He turns slowly and when he sighs, I know I have him.

"What do you want me to do," he asks.

Perfect.