Chapter 10

"The Trick is to keep breathing"

Lucas turned over in his empty bed. Eyes still closed, knowing that he did something particularly dumb last night.

"Oh shit," he said softly running his hands through his hair. If he thought hard enough he could still feel her sliding down his body, her feather like kisses. He could still feel the warmth of her mouth on his – "Damn it," he said again, this time dragging himself out of bed. It was eleven-o-clock, thank God, she and Haley were gone. He was not sure he wanted to face her right now, not when he could still smell her on his skin and every part of him wanted her again. He couldn't afford to be thinking about anything other than what he had to do today, as one slip-up could ruin all the effort he had put into this plan for the past week. He had barely slid into the boxers Brooke had carelessly strewn on the floor when Nathan appeared at the door.

"I'm getting married today man," his brother smiled, holding a cup of coffee.

"So I've heard," he said dryly.

Nathan, as those who were close to him, never took his lack of emotion personally.

"Want to tell me what happened last night?"

He raised his eyebrow, "I don't think I understand what you're talking about."

Nathan shrugged. Took a cup sip of the coffee and said, "I don't know man… I just thought that it was odd you'd have a pink bra dangling off the edge of your bed."

Lucas turned around and almost swore, it stood out like a sore thumb there against the crinkled white sheets. Nathan was smiling, blue eyes twinkling with mischief, "Me and Hales had a lot of laughs at your expense last night."

"Mine?" he asked searching around the room for his jeans.

"It's right over there," Nathan said pointing behind a pillow that fell from the bed, "right under the pink panties"

Did she sneak out of the damn room naked? He thought to himself

But Nathan continued as if oblivious to his brother's discomfort, "Yeah, she kept saying how funny it would be if you happened to fall for Brooke. You know Mr. let's stick within our social class"

Lucas strolled over to his brother, not liking where this conversation was going. He would feel better if he was still being teased about the sex.

"It was just sex," he said eventually, trying to steer the conversation back to something that didn't unnerve him.

"Good for you," Nathan said snidely, tipping his glass, "I don't like what you've become Luke"

"What I have become?" Lucas echoed.

"Yeah," Nathan said simply, "this cold, cynical thing that has become my brother."

"God Nate," he said quietly, "hit me where it hurts."

"You're not happy."

"Would you be happy if you were me Nathan? Would you be happy if the one person you loved more than life turned around and-"

"Is that what you are trying to protect me from?"

"Great Nathan, good to know you finally get it- Yes, I mean there is so much of you and Haley's relationship that reminds me of Peyton and me."

Nathan nodded appreciatively, "Well frankly, I saw Peyton for what she was. And I see Haley for what she is. But if it makes you happy if she rips my heart out you can say I told you so."

Lucas sighed, Nathan softly patted him shoulder, "I think everything will work out."

Lucas smiled, "Thanks."

He had to start working fast.

"Nate, I gotta show you something."

He walked down the marble halls to this small room. The walls were burgundy and there was a couch – a small TV and a tiny fridge.

"This is where I'm going to stay when Brooke starts getting on my nerves," Lucas said smiling, "but be right back. Let me get a couple of beers so we can talk about this marriage thing."

Nathan nodded at sat on the couch, he was murmuring something about the couch being comfortable when Lucas stepped out of the room, slammed the door shut then bolted it twice from the outside.

He could hear Nathan stand to his feet and walk to the door.

"What are you doing Lucas?" Nathan demanded.

"Have a beer," he said, "or a nap. You're gonna be there for a while."

Walking to the living room Lucas picked up the cordless phone from its cradle and dialed a number. When it was answered he said simply, "All systems go."

Then, he headed to the kitchen to fix himself breakfast.

x-x-x

Brooke glanced at her watch. It was eleven thirty. They had had manicures, pedicures, facials and their makeup done. She guessed they could call the morning productive. They had primped and talked and laughed. And Brooke was genuinely happy and excited for her friend.

"I'm sorry," she said simply as she watched the deft hands of the hair-stylist position Haley's curls.

"For?"

"Not believing he loved you. He really does."

Haley blushed, "Yes. You know he's the first person other than you that I've told everything."

Brooke felt her palms get sweaty, "Everything?"

"Well not everything."

Brooke relaxed.

"I told him about the rape though. He wanted to kill him."

Brooke smiled. Of course he would have wanted to kill him.

She sat around as the hairdresser finally put the finishing touches in Haley's hair. She had already pulled her hair off her neck. She slid into her dress first – the purple, backless Armani dress before going over to help Haley with her wedding dress and her shoes. She stood back and looked at her best friend, "You're beautiful."

Haley smiled, "Thanks."

Then she started putting in her earrings and pointed to a velvet box on the counter.

"Nathan sent that for you."

She opened it slowly and smiled when she saw the diamond chandelier earrings, "Your man has taste."

Haley laughed, "He chose me didn't he?"

"Indeed."

They left for the limo at one thirty, knowing that they were supposed to be at Sandals for two. At least that was what Lucas had told them after he received confirmation from Bevin. Brooke frowned; she had developed an intense dislike for this Bevin woman – whoever she was. It was just sex. She nodded something that would not happen again. She and Haley spoke for a while until the limo came to an abrupt halt.

"What's going on?" she asked the driver, they were stalled along a piece of coast.

"Just following orders."

"Orders?" Haley asked.

The man nodded, "Get comfortable. We're not moving from here until Mr. Scott calls me."

Brooke felt the blood drain from her body. The son-of-a-bitch. The underhanded son-of-a bitch.

She turned to Haley whose eyes were already glassy, "Don't cry. You'll ruin your make up."

She was going to kill him. Very, very slowly. First for trying to ruin her best friend's life

– then for having sex with her when he was fully aware that he was plotting it. And most importantly, making it too good for words.