"Mmm…" Raine rolled over in the large bed and snuggle to the body beside her.
"Mornin'" the little southern draw he had ringing through and she forgot how much she loved hearing that in the morning. "I love this," he rolled over on his side, tucking her under him.
"Me too," she agreed, tracing her finger over his face as he laid there half asleep. "You are always so cute when you sleep," she laughed a little.
"Don't make fun of me," he grumbled running his hand over his face, Raine always mocking him in the morning. From his hair being a mess to the dark circles that formed to his voice being so groggy and scratchy that until about eleven he still doesn't have it.
"Do you remember the first time we ever kissed?" she whispered to him and his eyes opened to look at her. "While we were apart I was thinking about it. I was just wondering if you ever did."
"All the time," he brushed her hair back looking at her. "It was the first time I ever met you. And you made me nervous as hell…"
"Who is she?" Ben looked over at his friend as they watched the two girls laughing.
"Oh," Kevin sipped his drink and nodded his head. "That's Raine and Bevin…You will probably get to know them, they are both cheerleaders," he explained to his childhood friend, who just moved back to town.
"She's gorgeous," he looked over the dark haired girl a few feet from him. He used to live in Tree Hill when he was younger but moved with his mom when he was about seven. He kept in touch with some people, returned home to visit during the summer but just moved back for good.
"Well let's go say hey," Kevin shrugged.
"Kevin!" Bevin squealed when he wrapped his arms around her and gave her a spin. "Put me down damn it!"
"Be nice Kevin," Raine ordered, tossing a smile at the boy smiling beside her.
"I'm always nice," he placed her back down and she slugged him. "But hello my gorgeous girls I wanted you to meet my friend Ben, he just moved here."
"Hi Ben," Bevin held out her hand. "I'm Bevin."
"Nice to meet you," he smiled, taking her hand and giving it a shake.
"I'm Raine," Raine told him and he smiled giving her a nod.
"Music!" Kevin screamed when a song came on. "Bevin dance with me!" he grabbed her hand before she could get a chance to answer and tugged her to the living room.
"I apologize for him," Ben pointed his thumb at his friend. "I thought maybe he would grow up but…well he hasn't…" he looked over at his friend and Raine laughed.
"We are used to him," she waved her hand at him and he smiled, the most amazing smile she had ever seen. "So Ben," she nodded.
"Raine…" he mocked her a bit and she blushed with a laugh. "I like that name," he told her with a smile.
"Most people make fun of it."
"No, it's cute, different."
"Well thank you," she bit her bottom lip as she sipped her drink. A silence falling over them as they stood there. He was cute, she would admit it. She never met him but had seen him a few times in town. She heard the girls talking about the new guy coming to town and she assumed it was him and as she looked at him she could see why all the girls were a talk of him.
"I was going to go for a walk on the beach," he stated and she turned to look at him. "Want to come with me?" he asked a little nervously and Raine smiled enjoying that.
"Sure," she agreed, stepping in front of him and towards the back door. Ben right behind her with his hand place on her lower back as they weaved through the people and out the back door.
After walking awhile the young couple stopped at a spot and sat. They talked some and Raine realized she liked talking to him, but what she liked most was the silence that held between them. She wasn't one to be quiet because she hated awkward silences but the one they shared was peaceful, comfortable.
"Well I think you will like it here," Raine said to him, turning her head to rest on her shoulder. "The people here aren't that bad. You know a few like most places but everyone pretty friendly."
"Yeah," he stretched his feet out and buried it in the sand. "Everyone so far has been really cool. I like the small town stuff though. I mean I can seriously walk everywhere."
"I know," Raine laughed a little brushing her hair back. "You really don't need a car in Tree Hill. It just gets you somewhere in five minutes instead of ten."
"Yeah and I like that. But what about places to eat? You always hear about the south has the best home cook food even at restaurants. Any place you can recommend?"
"Well there is a small place off main street called Karen's Café, my grandma owns it so I can vouch it's the best. Plus I work there," she shrugged.
"Well I'm definitely going to have to come there then," he reached up pushing back her hair that was blowing in the wind. "But only when I know you are working…"
"Most days after school," she told him with a smile, her lip trapped between her teeth.
"Ok," he smiled, his hand still lingering on his cheek as he looked at her. She really was beautiful. "You have really gorgeous eyes," he whispered to her and her breath caught in her throat. "They are like a mix of blue and green, with yellow and red… I've never seen any like that before."
"When I was little I used to hate them because they were so different then everyone else's," she glanced down before back up at him, very aware of how close he was to her.
"I like different," he let out a small laugh, lifting her chin up a bit, licking across his lips as he slowly and nervously pushed his against hers.
"Happy birthday Brooke," Haley smiled as she sat at lunch with her best friend.
"Thank you Hales," she whipped her hands on the napkin and tossed it on the table. "So far my favorite birthday yet."
"That's because you are finally eighteen," Chase teased, wrapping his arm around her shoulders and kissing the side of her head.
"That is a perk," she admitted smiling up at her boyfriend of almost a year. They had been just friends for the longest time but then one day he asked her out and she said yes and then she said yes again and again until suddenly she had a boyfriend. She cared about him, cared about him a lot but the feelings were different.
"So what are your plans for this big birthday?" Rachel questioned moving around in her chair as she finished lunch. The group going out to celebrate Brooke's big day.
"Oh Peyton ad Jake got in town from school last weekend and said they were taking me to this club named Tric? Apparently it's new and Karen is partial owner," she told them, refer to Lucas mom; the woman Brooke loved more then anything.
Lucas had introduced Brooke to his mother awhile back and they hit it off instantly. Now it was rare you didn't find Brooke at least one time at the café owned by the woman during the week. It suddenly became her hang out place with friends and she went a lot honestly because she thought she would see Lucas more.
"Is Nate going to make it?" Chase asked Haley as they sat at the table and she shrugged.
"He is going to try," she chewed her lip knowing her and Nathan weren't in the best place at the time. They loved each other, that was clear to her and him and really everyone but she was still in high school. He was finishing up college and they both felt they were settling down to young. They wanted to live, experience life.
Haley didn't want to feel she was holding him back. Thought she would never admit that to him.
"Awesome," Brooke beamed hoping he came to her best friend wouldn't be so mopy. "Oh, phone call for me," she grinned grabbing her phone from her pocket and frowning at the 'Broody' name flashing at her. "Oh it's just Clay," she lied sliding her phone in her pocket. "I'll call him back."
Last year after her dad's break down of the blonde Lucas kinda went away for awhile. They texted non stop, he called her constantly but they didn't actually see each other. Nathan would just always say you know Luke, he is probably on a beach somewhere but Brooke didn't believe him. His senior year of college he screwed up his knee playing ball and dropped out, moved back home to take care of Karen and it really worried Brooke how someone without a steady job always seemed to have money on him. Not just some but a lot and after awhile she stopped wondering and didn't ask because she didn't want to know.
But the last few months they drifted. It was Brooke's fault and she knew it, she said some things she shouldn't have, hurt him and never apologized. She wanted to but she didn't. Now every time he called her or texted her she ignored it because she really wasn't sure what he was going to say if she answered. She didn't want to know.
"You sure?" Haley asked knowing that look, it was her Lucas look. She knew it because he had Brooke look and she saw it every time she was around and she didn't answer his calls. He would ask her what was wrong and Haley hated lying to him. She hated even more she was running out of why Brooke wasn't answering.
'She is busy' 'At cheer' or 'With Chase'
Only lasted so long before he started calling bullshit and storm into his room slamming the door. She felt bad for the guy, he looked so lost and empty without even hearing her voice and Haley still wasn't sure what happened with them.
"Yup," Brooke brought in a deep breath and stole a few fries from her boyfriend's plate. "But let's talk about tonight. What should I wear?"
"Hello?" he ran a hand through his blonde hair leaning back on his bed.
"Lucas…"
"What?" he slammed his head against the headrest letting out a sigh. "What do you want? I told you I was busy today…"
"Yeah I know but I need my stuff Lucas. I gave you my money in advance like you wanted and I want my shit now," he ordered blowing out a long puff of smoke.
"I know and I will get it to you," he growled looking at the chain in his hand. "But today I'm busy. I said when I had it I would call you and I haven't called you so don't call me," he slammed his phone shut and slammed it against the wall. "Stupid piece of shit," he threw himself off the bed and grabbed his jacket off the back of the chair and his keys. "Mom I'm heading to work…"
"Alright," Karen washed the dishes and placed them in the dishwasher. "What time do you get off tonight?"
"I don't know, when they tell me to go home," he grabbed a soda from the fridge and popped the can. "But I won't be too loud coming in," he kissed the side of her head.
"I just worry," she told him, knowing no matter how old he is she will worry about him. If he was under her roof or on the other side of the country she would worry.
"I know," he gave her a gentle smile. "But I will be home later. Have a good night."
"You too honey, love you."
"Love you too," he grabbed the box off the counter and slid it in his pocket as he left the room and headed out.
"What are you thinking?" Ben asked as he poured himself a cup of coffee.
"Just you," she told him as she took the glass he handed her. "Just all the things we've done."
"Having a little memory lane day?" he corked a brow as he sipped his drink.
"I like to remember," she told him, running her finger along the rim of her cup. "Our first kiss, our first I love you, the first time we ever made love," she shrugged looking up at him.
"Our first time," he stepped towards her as she sat on the counter top in his kitchen. "You still think about that?"
"Yeah," she nodded running her hands up to rest on his shoulders. "A girl doesn't ever forget her first time," she reminded him and he nodded knowing that. "I think I realized I loved you that night."
"You did?"
"Yeah," she bit her bottom lip looking at him. "You treated me a way no one else had ever treated me before. The way you looked at me that night…it was like I was the most important thing to you in that moment."
"You were," he brushed her hair back from her face. "You still are."
"I know," Raine shrugged a bit. "Even after everything when we were talking that day after gym you gave me that look. I tried to ignore it, I tried to forget it but it was there. You still looked at me like I was your everything and I…I didn't want to let you go and see you give that look to someone else…"
"Raine…"
"I know it's dumb," she shakes her head quickly. "It's just…when you gave me that look I would get a feeling in me that was just this amazing feeling and I was afraid that I would never feel that again. Then you gave that look to me and I just…I felt that feeling again."
"I want you to feel that again Raine," he rested his head against hers. "I want you to feel how you use to again. I just want to fix us."
"You are," she told him, running her hand through his hair. "Ben you are. I feel like we are really getting to be us again. I just hate that I only feel that when we are here you know? When it's just you and me because then it's perfect and I fall back into the feeling of perfect. Yet then I go to school or somewhere and I see her and it's like all we have been working on goes out the window."
"Raine…I…I'm sorry…"
"You are the only guy I've ever been with Ben and I know you love that. You get a feeling about it that makes you feel special and to a point I always felt that about being with you…"
"What do you mean?" his brow scrunched together both knowing Raine hasn't been the only girl he's been with. He wasn't a whore or anything but he…well he wasn't very pure either.
"No one here had you before," she shrugged and his head dropped a little. "All the girls would wonder what it would be like to be with you. They would ask and I felt so special because I was the only one who knew. I was the only one who knew how to turn you on and touch you in the way you liked and hell I was the only girl here who has ever kissed you. I liked that. It was almost like our little secret that no one else knew. She tells everyone Ben…"
"I…I didn't know that…I…Raine," he frowned cupping her face in his hands and shaking his. "I didn't know she talked about it," he told her knowing he never mentioned it to anyone. It really made him feel disgusted what he did to Raine and he would never talk about it.
"Anyone who asks, anyone who even damn looks at her she tells them. Tells them how she slept with you and how you…"
"How I what?"
"How you told her she was the best you've ever had," her voice cracked looking at him. "She kept saying things about me not adding up to her…"
"Raine no…" he told her quickly. "God no I didn't say that…I would never say that. I may not remember much of that night but I know I would not say that. I didn't say that."
"Every time I touch you I'm so afraid you are comparing me to her, that I'm not adding up," she let out a small sob looking up at him. "I don't want someone being able to be better at loving you then me."
"No one is," his fingers gripped through her hair as he lifted her face to look at him. "God Raine I love you so much. That is never going to change. That alone will win out over any and every girl I've been with because I love you. You know me in ways no one has ever."
"I love you Ben," her hands reached up to frame his face, bringing his forehead to rest against hers. "And I want to believe that I do. I just…I can't be with you in that way right now. I want too…I do I just…I can't… I don't know if I'm comfortable enough to."
"I understand," he breathed in deep before opening his eyes to look at her. "Just hearing you still love me is enough for me Raine. That's all I want."
"And as of now that's all I can give," her voice cracked as she looked into his eyes knowing she loved him. She tried fighting that feeling but failed but after their last time together something felt off. It was her, she knew that. She was sure he never noticed but it was a feeling. A feeling that she knew she couldn't be with him in that way until she wasn't feeling that anymore.
"Oh my god!" Brooke dropped down at the table of her friends. "My feet are dead," she told them and they all laughed shaking their heads.
"It's the eighteen birthday curse," Haley told her with a laugh.
"You were the last to turn so you hadn't experienced it but when we turn eighteen we all went out and we all wore the heels and our feet always killed later."
"How do you fix it then?"
"Flats," the table of girls lifted their feet to reveal them.
"You only wear heels on occasion but when you know the night will be filled with dancing you purchase some super cute, super comfortable flats," Rachel told her and Brooke nodded not knowing that.
"Well now I know what to get with my birthday money."
"Now you do," Peyton laughed brushing her hair back. "But are you having fun?"
"Yeah," Brooke told her with a smile. "I wish Chase could stay longer but I understand," she shrugged hating her boyfriend had to leave early. He stayed a good long time but had to leave about thirty minutes ago. He felt bad but she understood he had to go somewhere for his cousins wedding. It sucked but she got it.
"Well I think you grinded up on the poor boy enough for the night. Poor thing is going to have to take a very cold shower tonight," Rachel teased and Brooke giggled biting down on her tongue.
"He is used to it," she waved her hand at it and the girls laughed.
"Have you still not slept with that boy Brooke?" Peyton asked still not getting how the girl had gone eighteen years not having sex.
"We do stuff," Brooke shifted in the booth a little. "We just don't do that."
"But that is the best part," Rachel told her.
"Not if you are a Scott," Haley mumbled against her straw glancing around the room wishing her boyfriend was here. They texted earlier and he couldn't make it. She was upset but it was ok. She wanted her night out with the girls.
"What?"
"Nothing I'm just saying that Scott boys have an art of foreplay that exhausts you to the point of pure bliss. Nathan can do wonders with his hands and mouth," Haley announced and the girls laughed as Brooke flushed. She knew all too well what a Scott boy could do with his mouth and hands and if she was honest she had yet to experience with Chase what she experienced that time with Lucas.
"I can actually agree with that," Brooke held up her finger and the girls eyes widened. "I mean I've never slept with Lucas before but we've done things…"
"He's done things," Haley smirked and Brooke bit her bottom lip to hide her grin.
"It's good," she confessed getting a slight tingle just thinking about it. "But I don't want to talk about this," she slapped her hands on the table. "Let's go dance…"
"Actually," Rachel dug through her purse for a little treat for Brooke. "I know the guy who works the door and I might have talked him into giving me a few of these," she held up the wrist bands that showed you were over twenty one. "How about we have some fun?"
"Can't we get in trouble?" Haley, the voice of reason, questioned.
"Who's going to tell Hales? No one will know if you just act casual," Peyton told her, sticking out her arm for a band as Rachel snapped it on.
"I don't know…"
"Come on Hales, you don't have to drink if you don't want but at least put it on so you can go in the VIP area with us?" Brooke begged sticking out her bottom lip. "It's my birthday…"
"Fine," Haley rolled her eyes caving and sticking out her arm as the girls cheered excited.
"Alright," the girls slid from the booth and Brooke locked her arm with Haley's as they walked.
"Thanks for coming with me Haley," Brooke looked at her best friend.
"Oh anything for you Cookie," Haley grinned making Brooke smile as they walked through the crowd.
The girls ignoring the guys as they passed and walked up the steps. A few making comments that made Haley blush and Rachel smirk at them, Brooke not really paying any attention because she hated club guys. She snuck into a club a few times with Nathan, Haley and Lucas. She spent most the time sitting and talking to Lucas but the guys that made comments made her uncomfortable. She quickly learned she would never find Mr. Forever in a club.
"Remember Haley, act like you've done this a million times," Peyton told her and Haley just nodded, tightening her grip on Brooke as they pushed their way through the crowd and to a table.
"Alright Brooke," Rachel looked at the girl with a smile. "Go get the drinks."
"What? Why me?"
"Because it's your birthday, you tell them it's your twenty first birthday and you get a free drink."
"I don't know, I don't know if I can," nerves took over as she glanced over at the crowded bar of people.
"You can, like we told Haley act casual and get us four shots," Peyton instructed.
"Umm…ok…" Brooke slid from the stool nervously.
"Don't forget say it's your birthday, smile and maybe giggle at the bartender and you will get the free drinks," Rachel reminded and Brooke nodded.
"I can do that," she agreed, tossing a nervous glance at Haley who gave a reassuring smile. "My birthday and four shots," she started pushing through the crowd. "Four shots, birthday," she repeated, reaching the bar and stepping up to it. Glancing around nervously as her heart raced. It was her birthday, even if she wanted a drink she didn't want to get kicked out. That would suck.
"Hey," a guy appeared in front of her, dark hair and a half smirk on his face looking at her. "What can I get you?"
"Oh…" Brooke sucked her lip in her mouth completely forgetting what she was doing. "I actually don't know…" she spoke without thinking and he chuckled. "Today's my birthday!" she blurted out and he chuckled again.
"Just turned twenty one huh?"
"Yeah, I've never ordered a drink before. This would be my first so I guess I don't know what I like."
"Well," he leaned back, his broad shoulders tightening the black shirt he wore. "Let's see what we can do for ya. Scott!" he yelled down the bar at the guy flirting and serving a few giggling girls. "Come here man!" he waved him down and Brooke moved around the people to see the person coming towards her.
"What's up?" the familiar blonde appeared at his side and Brooke wasn't sure if her eyes were wider or his were at the shock of seeing each other.
"We need help picking out a drink. It's her twenty first birthday and she doesn't know what she likes," the dark haired guy slapped his friend's shoulder. "My man here can look at people and know their drink like no one I know. He has yet to pick out a drink and the person not like it."
"That's…cool…" Brooke scratched her ear nervously looking at him. Lucas's eyes slanting as he watched her move before breaking out in a sneaky grin.
"I know what she will like," he nodded and Brooke swallowed the dry lump in her throat. "I'll go get something," he said walking away and in the back for a moment before returning with three blue shots.
"What is this?" Brooke looked nervously at the glass cup in front of her.
"It's good," Lucas told her grabbing the drink. "And for your birthday we will both do one with you," he gave a smile she didn't like as she sucked on her bottom lip. A habit she did that sent his body crazy. The small innocent acts she did always drove him crazy.
"Alright," the dark haired guy Brooke still didn't catch the name of grabbed a glass. "We tap the glass, touch the table then drink."
"That I can do," Brooke fidgeted under Lucas gaze as she slid to the front of the stool.
"What's your name?" dark haired guy asked.
"Uh…Brooke…"
"Ok, to Brooke's first drink and birthday," he raised the drink, Brooke and Lucas touching each other's glasses, Lucas's eyes on Brooke the entire time. The glasses touching, the glasses tapping and all three shot back. Brooke's eyes widening that drink as it touched her tongue. Cringing as she held it longer then she shoulder before swallowing.
"Oh their first is always so adorable," dark haired guy chuckled grabbing the glasses. "Happy Birthday Brooke," he winked before walking off.
"What the hell was that?" Brooke wiped her mouth resisting the urge of spitting.
"That was a mix or lime juice, lemon juice and food coloring," Lucas smirked, handing her a water bottle.
"Why would you do that? It was disgusting!" she sucked down the water as he leaned on the bar, way to close for her liking.
"Because you are only eighteen. I'm not going to serve you alcohol," he reached under the bar and grabbed her wrist.
"Luke…" she whined as he snipped the band off and tossing it in the trash. "I doubt every person you serve is of age."
"Maybe they are, maybe they aren't but I'm not serving you."
"You are such an asshole," she grumbled slinking back in the stool glaring at him. "I just wanted to have fun."
"Drinking isn't fun," he told her and grumbled him an asshole again and he chuckled. "I've tried calling you," he told her and she looked down playing with her dress. "You always complain I never call but when I do you don't answer?"
"I…I didn't know what I was supposed to say," she admitted with a frown. "I feel sorry doesn't make what I say ok."
"You had areas of being right," he informed her as he wiped a few glasses and she just shrugged. "I understand Brooke. He is your boyfriend, he is a good guy, you don't have to defend your actions to me," he told her and she pulled in a deep breath feeling her nose burn.
"If you aren't going to let me drink I'm just going to go back to the table," she ran her hand through her hair, looking away from him as she bit her trembling lip.
"Owen!" Lucas called to his friend at the end of the bar. "I'm taking a break for a minute," he told him, Owen giving him a nod as Lucas sat down the cup in his hand. "Come on," he walked around the bar reaching for her hand.
"What?"
"Come dance with me," he laced his fingers through hers and tugged her from the stool.
"Luke…"
"Just one dance Pretty Girl," he asked and her heart raced at the name, it getting her every time.
"Just one," she said, leading him out to the dance floor and turning her back to him, his hands sliding down her body to her hips pulling her closer to him. He was probably too close for someone who had a boyfriend, his hands were definitely too low for someone with a boyfriend but…well honestly didn't care. "Luke…" her body fell back into his as she ran her hand up and through his hair, ignoring every thought in her and turned around to face him. His hands sliding to rest on her backside yanking her closer to him as his head dropped against hers, her arms circling around his neck.
"I've missed you," he whispered over the loud music and she nodded. "I was going to call you when I left work, hoping you might answer and be home so I could give you your present."
"You got me a present?" she looked up at him, her nose grazing against his as he nodded.
"It's not much," he told her. "I mean you probably won't like it."
"Yes I will," she said way too quickly and he smiled. "Do you have it on you?"
"In my pocket," he told her and her eyes dropped down. "Want to get it?" he smirked and she laughed a little shaking her head.
"You're such a trouble maker," she rolled her eyes knowing full well her hand dared to retrieve that from his pocket he would freak. He was all fine joking but it turned to serious he freaked. He knew she wouldn't, that's the only reason he would say stuff like that.
"Alright close your eyes," he ordered and her eyes closed as he slipped his hand in his pocket to grab the small box and opening it. "Remember it's not much and I understand if you can't wear it or anything."
"Wear it?" her eyes popped open to look at him and seeing the object in his hand. "Luke…" a smile tugged on her lips looking at it.
"You don't have to take it…" he held open his palm looking at it.
"No," Brooke freaked, clamping her hand over his. "I do…I just… you love this ring."
"I know," he rolled the piece in his hand.
"I mean you never take it off," she pointed out and he nodded. "Why would you give this too me?"
"Because you're my Pretty Girl," he flipped the ring in his hand, revealing the inscription on the inside.
"I only know that I love you," she knocked the tear in the corner of her eye. "That's my favorite old movie."
"I know. I understand that line," he let out a dry laugh. "I know with Chase you can't wear it or anything," he frowned a little. "I just…I wanted you to have it."
"I can wear it when I want," she lifted the silver chain the ring rested on over her head and around her neck. "No one can tell me I can't wear something that's mine."
"I just don't want you getting hurt," he brushed her hair back knowing he probably wouldn't be too happy about his girlfriend wearing some other guy's ring.
"You gave it to me," she looked at the ring around her neck. "I won't ever hide that," she leaned up on her toes kissing his cheek and resting her head against it.
"I love you, you know," he whispered and she nodded.
"I love you too," she breathed in deep as he brushed his lips across her forehead. "I'm sorry I hurt you," she whispered as his arms circled around her slim waist. "What I said…I didn't mean it. I mean…I didn't do that…" she told him and his arms just tightened around her.
"Happy Birthday Pretty Girl," he breathed her in deep, really just not wanting to think about it. "You enjoy your night with your friends. Come see me before you leave."
"Ok," she agreed as he detangled himself from her, bringing a kiss to her hand before walking away. Toying with the ring around her neck as she reread the engraving, "I only know I love you," she breathed out with a frown. "And that is you're misfortune," she whispered the final part of that line before walking back to her friends and enjoying the rest of her night.
New chapter I hope you all enjoyed!
I feel so bad and a little annoyed I can't get you all to like Lucas. The real life Lucas is a great guy and he just always felt he wasn't right for 'Brooke'. I wish I could write him in the way everyone understood that and liked him but I can't and I feel bad because I don't want you all thinking he is some terrible guy because he isn't! Ugh! Shoot me for not getting it right!
Well anyway hope you all liked the new update!
Please review!
