Three Is Not Company

By: TracyCook

Disclaimer: I own nothing. These characters belong to the creator of One Tree Hill.

Couple: Haley/Brooke and one sided Peyton/Brooke, also some Peyton/Rachel

Rating: M

Chapter 10

Marriage Is My Problem, Brooke.

Brooke's POV

"Again Brooke? What is your problem?" A familiar voice questioned from the door to the balcony drawing the intoxicated brunette out of the perfect kiss she had been sharing with the tutor. It was not Nathan who had interrupted them luckily. Turning foggy hazel eyes to the young man in the doorway she raised an eyebrow.

"What's it to you, Lucas?" She crossed her arms over her chest.

"Nathan is my brother and you are kissing his wife for the second time tonight Brooke that is not okay with me." He stated moving toward her.

Rolling her eyes she looked toward Haley who wore a look of complete terror on her face. It was actually somewhat cute, though it worried the brunette. The last thing that she wanted was for the blonde to back out of what they had started because of her best friend. "It isn't as if she—"

"He's right Brooke, what the hell were you thinking?" Shock flashed across her face and her confident dimpled smirk fell as the musician made her way around her, speaking to her with an accusing tone. Perhaps it was the alcohol in her system, her heartbeat hastily pounding away in her chest, or her anger, but she suddenly felt the urge to vomit. How could Haley turn this around on her? She wanted the kiss just as badly as I did. 'She wanted me… I didn't force her this time…'

"What?" She whispered in a deep raspy voice, almost inaudible to the two standing in front of her.

The anger on Lucas's face seemed to drain as he walked closer to Brooke wrapping an arm around her shoulders pulling her closer to him, despite how she tried to move away from his embrace. "It's okay Brooke; I know how it feels to want someone whose heart belongs to someone else." The smile he flashed made her shake with anger and feel the urge to push him away. She was not imagining this because she was drunk. Haley had wanted her.

"But, she—" She choked out.

"Shh, I know. You're drunk, and I think you should probably go home before you do anything else you would regret in the morning. Haley and I won't tell Nathan what happened. We know it was a mistake."

Feeling her overwhelming emotions enhanced by her intoxicated state she pushed away from him with force, tears filling her hazel eyes before rolling down her cheeks and neck, she could not feel them. She could not feel anything, she felt completely numb to the world around her. In that moment she hated Lucas, and she hated Haley for turning on her. "No! Don't you dare blame this on the alcohol! She kissed me back! She wanted me!" Her voice shook as she pointed at the blonde.

"Brooke." Haley said with hurt-filled brown eyes as she moved closer placing a hand on her shoulder, only to be pushed away. "Please, let's just drop this."

Her eyes were now so full of tears that she was finding it difficult to see the beautiful woman that she loved through them. 'She wants to just forget it, just be friends?' "You want to just forget it?" She wheezed out, her nose practically running down her face.

"Yes." The tutor said in a soft uncertain voice.

"Of course you do! Why not just forget what just happened? Why not just be my friend? You have a husband after all. That's all that matters, not what you want or that I love you. You know what? No, I am done being your friend!" She practically shouted knowing that in the morning she would regret this, but right now she did not care. Everyone she fell in love with hurt her and she was so tired of trying, so tired of love, sex was so much simpler.

"Brooke." Haley whispered and the tears nearly melted the anger surrounding the brunette, but she would not falter.

"You don't mean that." Lucas said placing a hand on her back, more than likely attempting to sooth her. In that moment nothing could calm her down, she was so frustrated with everyone. Peyton, Rachel, Lucas, Nathan, and Haley.

"Yes I do, I'm going home." With that she started off of the balcony, the last thing she heard was Haley telling Lucas to try and stop her because she could not drive home drunk.

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Peyton's POV

"You deserve better than her." Rachel said as she gently stroked her fingers over the blonde's back, causing her to shiver. It seemed that the other woman always knew just how to touch her.

Chuckling under her breath she shrugged her shoulders to the best of her ability in her laying down position as she turned her head in her arms, green eyes running over the redhead's beautiful face. 'She really is stunning… if only she wasn't so manipulative… not that it matters, she may be just like Brooke, but she will never be Brooke.' "As you keep telling me, too bad your words aren't worth all that much."

Shaking her head and rolling her brown eyes she scoffed. "One of these days you are really going to hurt my feelings."

"Good." Peyton responded yet for some reason she felt a twinge of guilt at her words, for some reason the thought of hurting the other woman bothered her more than it should. More than it usually would. "Sorry." She added guiltily.

"Apology accepted." Rachel responded cockily, her playful smirk returning as she ran her fingers against the sensitive spot on the blonde's back causing her to again shiver and close her eyes in enjoyment. "I mean it though, you are such a sweet and sensitive girl. Sometimes a little too sensitive."

"Thanks" She responded sarcastically, nudging the other in the side.

Laughing the redhead playfully pushed her away. "I was kidding." Pausing she added "sort of." Which earned her another glare from green eyes. "Well you do kind of have that whole Lucas brooding thing going on." Rolling on top of the blonde she pinned her naked body to the bed before leaning down and kissing her forehead. "Luckily I find it cute."

Blushing begrudgingly she tried to move away from Rachel, not enjoying how much she was actually enjoying the talking and playful banter. It was definitely concerning her how they were getting out of the "Just Sex" zone and into the "Caring" zone. It was terrifying to her, because the last thing that she wanted was to fall in love with the other cheerleader. "Well that's good." She rolled her eyes and looked to the side avoiding eye-contact with the browns she knew she would get lost in.

"It's good for you anyway." She smirked before laying her entire body on top of Peyton's, pulling her naked body flush against her own before pressing her lips gently against the crook of her neck. "If only you'd give me a chance."

"I love Brooke."

"As you keep telling me." She whispered before closing her eyes and growing comfortable, more than likely she would drift to sleep.

Feeling the warm breathing even out against her neck she could tell that Rachel had fallen to sleep, and she herself felt so comfortable that she was certain she too would fall asleep at any moment. Though she could not get her mind to quiet down it seemed. All she could think about was Brooke and what she had always wanted with her best friend, and why she was pushing away having that with someone else? Just because Rachel wasn't Brooke did not make her a bad match. 'Obviously Brooke finds Haley a better match than me… so maybe Rachel could be even better than Brooke would be… It's just…'

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Haley's POV

She felt nothing but guilt yanking at her from every direction. She felt guilt for lying to her best friend, she felt guilt for hurting the woman who was there for her when her husband wasn't, she felt guilt for hurting her husband by once again allowing a kiss to happen, and she most of all felt guilt about why she had allowed it to happen. She loved Nathan, but was she in love with him? The marriage had been rushed; he was the first boyfriend she had ever had, the first boy she had ever kissed, how was she supposed to know?

She had thought that she was in love with him. 'Then why do I keep thinking about Brooke? Why do I want to run to our apartment and apologize to her right this moment? And why did I enjoy kissing her more than I've ever enjoyed kissing him?'

Sighing out in frustration she called Lucas for the fifteenth time since she had left the party. Haley wanted to know that he had caught up with Brooke, and she wanted to know that she was safe and sound at home. Not lost on the streets or dying in a ditch at the moment. Once again it went to voicemail and she closed the phone throwing it across the couch staring at it with serious brown eyes as she chewed on her fingernails nervously.

'Why isn't he answering…?' She wondered internally as she resisted the urge to reach out and call again. If she were not afraid of the brunette verbally assaulting her, which she deserved, then she would simply call Brooke.

Nathan still had not returned from the party. Haley had not told him that she was leaving so he was probably worried sick about her, he had called on numerous occasions but she could not answer. Not with the thoughts going through her mind. Not with the worries and confusion she was feeling, she needed to figure out what she wanted.

Standing abruptly to her feet she looked down at the cell phone debating whether she should make another phone call or just go over to the apartment and check up on Brooke in person. 'At least then she couldn't ignore me or hang up on me. It's my place too. Besides I still have some of my things there… all of my things are there actually…' Reaching out for her phone she tucked it into her back pocket before heading toward the front door, she would have to walk, but in her current upset state it probably would go by faster than normal.

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As she reached the door to their apartment she noticed that Brooke's car was in the driveway, which implied that Lucas had driven her home. Or she had driven herself home, but either way she was home. This gave her a feeling of relief as well as slight jealousy as she wondered why Lucas had not returned her calls and if he was still inside.

For a minute the tutor contemplated if she should use her key or knock and after careful consideration decided that she should probably just use her key in case the brunette was sleeping. Unlocking the door she slipped inside the apartment looking around, all of the lights were off, so she had to tread carefully throughout in order to not trip.

"Brooke." She whispered out as she peeked around the apartment. She did not appear to be in the main rooms so more than likely she was in the bedroom. 'Lucas better not be in there with her…'

As Haley opened the door to their old bedroom she whispered out softly. "Brooke." Brown eyes immediately running over a body curled up beneath the covers, it had to belong to the other woman she deduced and slowly made her way toward the bed sitting down on the edge of it.

"Mm…" Came that deep husky voice from under the sheets that sent shivers down the blonde's spine.

"Brooke." She said a little louder and with more assertion. Brown eyes widening in shock as the beautiful brunette shot up in bed.

"What-what's going on? Don't touch my cookies!"

It was such an adorable and random thing for the other woman to say, only intensified by the worry shining in her beautiful hazel eyes that were now glued on Haley. The tutor could not help but start laughing at her friend. It was undoubtedly a repercussion of whatever she had been dreaming of that made her shoot up in bed and say something so ridiculous. 'She is so cute.'

"Haley?" She asked her voice groggy and even more deep and raspy than usual as she turned her body to look at the other woman sitting on her bed; obviously she had not been expecting it. "What are you doing here?"

Brooke's voice held spite as she asked this question and honestly the tutor could not blame the brunette diva for being upset with her, after everything that she had put her through that night. How embarrassed and angry she must have felt, not to mention betrayed, she deserved to be kicked out and have all of her things thrown out on the lawn. Yet, she noticed that laying on the bed was one of her favorite stuffed animals, her teddy bear. 'Had Brooke been snuggling up with him?'

"I came to talk with you." She whispered out moving further onto the bed and closer to the cheer captain who seemed to move away from her.

"Well, the doors closed and your husband and best friend are nowhere in sight so shoot." Again she stated this with bitterness which Haley knew that she deserved.

Letting out a sigh she looked down at her crossed legs picking at her shoes, which she would have normally taken off before putting her feet on the bed. But, she did not feel comfortable enough to do so. "I've been thinking about my marriage and how I was rushed into it. How Nathan was my first boyfriend and how I didn't even know what true love was. I was thinking about you and how amazing that kiss felt, how I have never felt anything like that before."

"That's not what you said earlier." Brooke responded casting cold hazel eyes away as she wrapped her arms around her knees dragging them against her chest.

"I know Brooke, but I was terrified about what would happen if Lucas found out just how much I enjoyed kissing you. I was terrified about how Nathan would react; you know how he gets when he is angry. Plus you weren't really allowing me time to think things through and I needed that time to figure out what I want."

"Well, what have you figured out?" The brunette asked still looking away. Brown eyes watched as a tear rolled down her cheek.

Reaching up a shaking hand she gently stroked her fingers against Brooke's cheek pushing the tears from her sensitive skin, causing the brunette's body to visibly stiffen at the contact. Hazel eyes glanced over meeting brown and a soft smile formed on Haley's face which was mimicked by a dimpled smile. "I figured out that I certainly cannot live without you in my life."

"As a friend?" She asked her smile faltering.

"Well yes." Pausing she smiled brightly trying to cheer Brooke up with her own smile. "But, I also realized that if I had you in my life I would want something more with you, because no one has ever made me want them as much as you do. I think about you all of the time Brooke, I watch you at school ever since I've started avoiding you, I imagine what it would be like to kiss you, and now I know and I could never live without that."

Hazel eyes widened and filled with tears only this time they were more than likely tears of happiness by the way that the brunette's smile spread from ear to ear. "Does that mean we can be together?"

"I want to be but—"

"But what, what's the problem?" She asked her smile falling.

"Marriage is my problem, Brooke." Haley said with a serious tone as she ran her fingers along the perfect jaw-line of the gorgeous woman sitting beside her. 'She has to be the most beautiful girl in the world…'

"Can't you just get an annulment? Like you planned to do before?" Brooke questioned her husky voice shaking as she watched with anticipating eyes, obviously full of hope. It killed the tutor because she knew it would be more of a process than simply getting an annulment. She had fought so hard to get Nathan to take her back that now she was certain he would not simply let her go.

"It's not that easy, but we will figure it out." Smiling she leant down pressing her lips gently against the cheer captain's forehead, enjoying the way that her breath caught in her throat. "I promise." She whispered, doubting her own words but she knew that she wanted Brooke, that in that moment all she wanted was to kiss her. It would just have to wait until things were figured out between herself and Nathan.

"So," The brunette started in a seductive and suggestive tone. "Can I have another one of those breathtaking kisses now?"

Haley felt as if she were about to give in as her body immediately reacted to the sight before her. Hazel eyes had darkened and filled with lust, Brooke was biting down on her bottom lip as she smirked seductively and moved toward her. 'Oh god I'm going to have a heart attack if she continues to look at me like that…' Ignoring her racing heart and her raging hormones she tried to divert. "Not yet Brooke, I should probably settle things with Nathan first."

"Aww…" She whined out a pout forming on her perfect lips as she slumped back on the bed pulling Haley's teddy bear into her arms. "Fine, I'll just snuggle with him, he's a better snuggler than you I'm sure."

Gasping the blonde musician reached for her bear only to have him pulled away as Brooke placed a playful kiss on the stuffed animals head. "Oh, he's a better kisser too."

"Give me that bear missy!" Haley shouted out reaching down for the bear again only to be pulled into a tight embrace from the brunette. It probably would have bothered her that she had not gotten the bear if she were not distracted by the scent of Brooke surrounding her, as well as the warmth and softness of her body pressed against her own. Allowing herself to melt into the contact she smiled. "Mmm this is nice."

"Yes." Smiling she started to stroke her fingers down the tutor's back grinning each time she heard her catch her breath or felt her body shake. "I definitely lied about him being a better snuggler than you Haley James."

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End Chapter

Authors note: Mmkay finally I added another chapter to my OTH story! I still have quite a few others that I need to add too, but school has me swarmed! If you really want me to update leave me lots of reviews and this story will move to the top of my list! :p Hope that y'all enjoy this!

-Tracy Cook