How to Save a Life

Chapter 10 –

It has been a couple of weeks since Brooke agreed to design costumes for the movie. She can honestly say that it's great to be making clothes again. In the past few years, she has sketched stuff, but this is the first time in a while she's done it with a purpose.

Casting for the movie went by quick, in her opinion, but Julian assured that post-production stuff usually does. Now production is in full swing and she has to admit that the fact that she's working on this movie for Lucas does nag her mind a bit. But she's made a commitment and a promise that she is not about to break. She tries to push it to the back of her mind and move forward. The last thing she needs is Colton finding out about his father.

Sure, Colton has read the novel several times and is fully aware of his parents' history, but he was always reassured with the fact that, that was high school. Since then, his parents have matured, and they love each other very much – at least that's what Brooke and Lucas always told him. Brooke doesn't want to taint that image for him.

"Julian," Brooke greets, a bunch of specially designed outfits hung over her arm. "This should be all of it," she says, handing him over today's wardrobe.

He gratefully accepts, taking the load from her arms, "Thanks, it should be great." He thinks her agreeing has been the best decision.

"So Colton and I were gonna stop by the set later but Haley called and she invited us over later. So maybe tomorrow?"

He's heard a lot about Haley but has never met her face-to-face.

"Tomorrow sounds fine," he grins. "I should be getting back though. I'll talk to you later. Tell Colton I said hi!" he calls out, already halfway back to his car. Production is crazy and as much as he'd love to stay and chat, he really has to get back. Plus, he has a tiny pit stop to make before returning to the set.

Brooke watches as he walks back to his car. A part of her is so glad she decided to work on the movie. Julian has been so helpful not only with Colton, but with getting her mind off of everything that has gone on in the past few weeks. He's proven to be a good friend.

Julian's never been to Karen's Café before. He's read a lot about it, and has heard a lot about it, too, but he's never step foot in there. Until now.

He knows it no longer belongs to its namesake, but Haley James Scott now has ownership. And she's just the person he's been looking to see.

He takes a seat at the counter and waits for her to acknowledge him.

"Hi, what can I get for you?" she greets friendly, unaware of who he is.

"A cup of coffee will be fine, thanks," he states plainly, watching as she grabs the fresh pot from the machine to pour.

"I'm Julian Baker," he decides to break the ice.

Haley's eyes widen, surprised by this blunt, sudden introduction. She's heard quite a lot about him.

"Haley," she replies, stifling a laugh. "But I bet you already knew that," she places his cup of coffee down in front of him.

"You bet right," he smirks, glad she knows who he is.

"So what exactly are your intentions with my best friend?" She's not going to beat around the bush. In the past few weeks, Brooke's mentioned his name several times. They've been spending more and more time together and Haley's still undecided on whether that is a good thing or not.

"I'm sorry…?" He's confused at her question.

"Brooke and my nephew have been through so much these past two months. I just don't won't trouble," she shakes her head.

"Trouble? Look, with all due respect, Haley, I've just been trying to lend a hand to Brooke. I'm not looking for trouble." He's glad Haley is protective of Brooke. Because Brooke deserves a great friend like that, unlike Peyton who seems to always betray her.

Haley stands with her hand on her hip, eyeing him. "You've just been spending a lot of time with her, and with everything that has happened with Lucas I just…I don't know."

Taking a sip of his coffee, he shakes his head. "I understand completely, but I'm just trying to help take her mind of off the thing that happened with Lucas and Peyton and-"

"-Wait, what?" Haley interrupts abruptly.

Julian gives a questioning glance, not really understanding what he said that was confusing. "What?"

Haley looks lost. "What happened with Lucas and Peyton? How do you even know Peyton?"

Julian lets out at heavy sigh, realizing what has just happened, Haley doesn't know. Brooke never told her. Maybe she didn't want anyone to know. Julian just happened to be there when she found out, so he didn't even really count.

He groans and rubs his forehead. Did he just make a huge mistake?

Later that night, Brooke and Colton get in the car to drive to Nathan and Haley's.

"Colt!" Jamie is always the first to greet them at the door. "Come see the new NBA Live game my mom got me. It is so cool!"

"Well hello to you, too, Jame," Brooke laughs.

"Hi, Aunt Brooke!" He quickly exclaims before he and his cousin dash off to his room to play his new video game.

"Well they're not coming out for a while," she jokes as she walks over to Haley and Nathan. She's confused when they don't laugh at her joke.

"What's wrong?" she asks them, joining them on the couch.

"Brooke," Haley starts softly. "Why…why didn't you tell me?"

"Tell you what?" She smiles nervously. She hopes they don't know. But she's got this gut feeling that tells her they do.

Nathan sighs at the brunette. "We know what Luke and Peyton did, Brooke," he states glumly. He never understood how his brother could be a complete asshole to Brooke.

Brooke feels tears build up in her eyes as she fidgets with her hands. She didn't want them to know. She doesn't need people to pity her any more than they already do.

"Who told you?" she hoarsely whispers. "How do you know?"

"Your friend Julian stopped by the café," Haley explains. "But I wish it was you that I found out from. Why wasn't it?"

Brooke wipes her eyes. "Because it wasn't that big of a deal," she shrugs it off.

"Not a big deal?" Nathan questions incredulously.

"You know that's a lie, Brooke," Haley says. "It's okay for you to be mad at Luke. It's okay for you to feel just as angry as you would have if he was here."

Brooke stands up and shakes her head, staring in disbelief at her two best friends. "But he's not here, Haley. He's not. So this anger that I feel – what good is it? It doesn't change anything. It doesn't change the fact that those two went behind my back again. Its useless."

The visit to Nathan and Haley's is cut short after all had been revealed. Brooke doesn't want to discuss it. She calls Colton downstairs and says it's time to go. Of course he's upset, because they just started playing the game, but Brooke insists they need to go home. She's mad. She's mad at Julian for telling Haley something she never wanted – never needed to know.

"Mom?" She's tucking Colton into bed.

She's still angry, but she will not take it out on him. "What's up, baby?"

"Can I ask you something? I need you not to get mad though…"

"What is it?" She's concerned and scared to hear his question.

"When me and Jamie were playing in his room, he told me something about dad."

Brooke's scared to go further. "What…What did Jamie tell you, babe?"

Colton frowns slightly and exhales deeply. "He said that he overhead Aunt Haley and Uncle Nate talking…and they…they said that dad and Aunt Peyton went behind your back…like in dad's book." He's only eight, so he doesn't fully understand what any of that means. What he does understand is that in the book, his mom got hurt. He doesn't want her to get hurt again.

Brooke knew somehow he would find out. She can't hide things from him forever.

"Oh, Colton," she whispers, smoothing his blonde hair away from his forehead. "I don't know what to say to help you understand this."

Colton's blue orbs find his mother's hazel ones. "Did he…did he not love us?"

"That is not true," she tells him immediately. "You have to understand that what happened between daddy and I had nothing to do with his love for you. Because if there is one thing I am sure of, it's that he loved you very much. He still does. He is watching over you. I don't want you to ever think differently. Do you understand me?"

Silently he nods, reaching his arms out to give her a hug.

She wraps her arms around his small frame. He can always make her feel better. He'll always be her number one boy in life. No matter what.

"I'm sorry dad hurt you," she hears him whisper into her shoulder as she holds him tighter.

"Hey, Brooke. What happened?" Julian walks up to the front door. Brooke had left an alarming voicemail on his phone telling him she needed him to come over right away.

"What is wrong with you?" She immediately attacks.

"What are you talking about?" But a part of him just knows what she is referring to.

"Why the hell would you tell Haley that?"

"It was an honest mistake. I meant no harm."

"No harm? Well because of you, Colton knows!"

Julian's face falls and his eyes go dark. He did not want that happening. "Oh, Brooke. I'm sorry, I didn't-"

"-Sorry isn't going to fix this, Julian. Not this time," she angrily tells him, walking back inside and closing the door in his face.

Not this time.

A/N – So it seems like just when things are getting better, they get worse. :p

Btw, is everyone else LOVING season 9! It started off slow but these last few episodes definitely picked things up! I can't believe there's only 8 episodes left though – ughhhh! So depressing!

Anonymous reviewers:

Becky – Hope you liked the little bit of Baley in this chapter! Obviously there will be more in the next few chapters so don't worry! Thanks for the review! :)

Hope you all enjoyed chapter 10! :)

-Melissa