Chapter Twelve
Brooke's foot is tapping in synch with the pen in her hand on the table. Her eyes are focused on the man standing at the front of the room pointing to the image on the large screen, but she is looking right through him. Her mind is somewhere else entirely, and it has been for the past two days.
But at least it was almost over. She just had to get through this meeting and then she could go straight to the airport and back to where her heart was. She had changed her flight this morning, not wanting to spend the extra night in the city and just get home.
She had spoken with Peyton every day for at least an hour but it just wasn't the same. She missed being around the blonde… seeing her smile… hearing her laugh. She missed that feeling inside of her when she was around her. That alive feeling.
She made the decision after their conversation last night that she wasn't going to waste another minute in a place she didn't want to be and changed her flight with little trouble. Peter and Louis had her stuff packed in the car and were waiting to take her to the airport as soon as the meeting was over.
Brooke hadn't mentioned the change of plans to Peyton, hoping to surprise her at the studio. The blonde had been working so hard lately and Brooke wanted to just show up with Peyton's favorite Chinese food and enjoy some best friend time. The more Brooke thought about it, the faster her foot and pen tapped.
"Are we keeping you Brooke?" Victoria's voice echoes into the otherwise quiet room and Brooke straightens up in her chair. She glances around at all the corporate faces in the chairs surrounding her and realizes she had been in her own world.
"No," Brooke replies, trying to see if she can remember any of the words being said about the new ideas for the company in the past hour to make it seem like she'd been paying attention even a little. The last thing she can remember is the discussion turning to Brooke's new line... the one she had been designing since she returned to Tree Hill. She had been inspired by being home... by being around her friends again.
"Right…" Victoria says, mockingly. She turns to the other business associates in the room and puts on her condescending smile. "I'm sure Brooke is thrilled about this opportunity and can't wait to get started with the details," Victoria says, eyes never meeting Brooke. "I'm sure it will take her a week or so to get settled back here in the city but as soon as she is…"
The words cause Brooke to snap out of her day dream about Peyton.
"Excuse me? The city?" Brooke says, her voice cracking at the last word. "I never agreed to move back to New York!"
"Brooke..."
"No! I told you before… I'm done with New York. I belong in Tree Hill… I want to live in Tree Hill… that's where home is… that's where my life is!" Brooke exclaims, standing from her seat and pushing her chair back as she does forgetting where she is and who is around. In this moment to Brooke the only other person in the room is Victoria.
"Now that's enough Brooke!" Victoria shouts angrily as all the others in the room just look on in silence. "I've had enough of this crap about Tree Hill and those low lives you call friends!"
"Low lives?" Brooke says, hands finding her hips a glare fixing in her eyes.
"Yes! That's exactly what they are Brooke. They are beneath you! They are washed up athletes, mediocre writers, school teachers… and worst of all, unemployed want to be's who mooch off of you!"
"You better watch you're mouth Victoria," Brooke warns in a very serious tone, knowing exactly who each reference was referring to. "You have no right to talk about my friends like that! Especially Peyton whose been my best friend since I was eight years old!"
"No, you better watch it Brooke! This company was your dream! And now you want to throw it all away for a girl who will never amount to anything!"
"She's ten times the person I am! She's passionate and talented and she means everything to me! And who are you to talk about mooching? Where were you before Clothes Over Bros, huh? Certainly not taking care of me! No, you let Peyton do that! So you know what… mom," Brooke says that final word sarcastically. "I don't care anymore. I'm done. I'm not going to live a miserable life anymore. I'm going home… to my friends… to my real family… and you… you can go to hell!"
Brooke doesn't wait for a response, or bother to look at all the stunned faces of her associates around her. She just grabs her bag and stomps out of the conference room door, not looking back.
She stops when she's rounded the corner to take a breath. Her heart was racing and she could feel the tears that were threatening to fall from her eyes. But it wasn't because she had just seemingly given up everything… it was because she had just given herself so much more.
"Ms. Davis?" a strong but friendly voice breaks the silence and the seal to the tears Brooke had been holding back. When she looks up to the owner of the voice, a few have fallen down her cheeks.
The man has to be in his fifties… well dressed and cute in that grandfather sort of way. She remembers he sat in the far corner of the large table throughout the meeting, never uttering a word, looking almost as bored as she felt.
"Ms. Davis," he continues, his hand reaching out and finding her shoulder. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," Brooke says, using the back of her hand to wipe the wetness. "I'm going to be fine… just as soon as I get home," Brooke explains and the man's lips curve up into a smile. "I'm sorry that you had to witness that… it was never my intention to…"
"Nonsense!" the man stops her before she can finish. "I know exactly what it is like to have an overbearing mother," he offers, this time with a warm smile. "To be honest Ms. Davis… if you have this much passion for your hometown… for your friends… that much loyalty and dedication to be in their lives that you'd be willing to give up all your hard work and accomplishment… well, you are exactly what I expected you to be… and I'm on board for the new line… no matter where you choose to design it from or where your company is located out of."
"Really? You mean…"
"Really. But there are some conditions of course and some logistics we'll have to work out."
Brooke's eyes light up when she realizes what he is saying and it sinks in.
"Anything! I'll make it work and I promise I won't let you down!"
"I know you won't Ms. Davis… I know you won't," he says again, his hand squeezing her shoulder sweetly before turning and heading back the direction he came from. He turns his head and stops just before he's about to round the corner. "Go home to your friends. I'll be in touch."
Brooke nods and watches him walk out of sight. She stands in the hallway, purse dangling from her arm and stares at the empty hall, catching her breath and still letting his words run through her mind. A smile forms on her face and continues to grow bigger and bigger. After just two minutes of standing there Brooke turns on her toes and starts to make her way out of the building, ignoring her name being called as she passes. It isn't until she can see the door that is marked exit, that she breaks into a stride after pulling her heels off her feet.
She arrives at her car with Louis holding the door open, and he closes it as she practically dives in. Peter turns around in his seat and looks at the young woman with concern.
"Everything alright Ms. Brooke?" he questions as Louis gets into the car himself.
"Everything's great actually… couldn't be better."
Peter's head turns slightly, surprised at how happy the young woman seems. He can't remember the last time he's seen her smile the way she is now, but he's pretty sure it was years ago when she first became his client. She had been a bundle of energy, excited about moving to the city and making it big with her little company that was just starting to grow. He had watched as the accomplishment and fame had slowly taken away that smile of hers... made her into a shell of the person she once was and how the only time that smile would return would be when he would pick her up from the airport after her visits to her best friend in L.A. He loved those nights when she could come back, because he could see the young girl he had first met again. And then it just stopped... the trips to L.A., the smiling. Almost like she had lost every part of her soul. He couldn't help but smile thinking about how much she had changed in just a short month away, and he was just happy to see that smile back on her face.
"Yes Ms… Brooke. Are you ready to go home?"
"I've never been more ready for anything in my life," Brooke says, pulling her cell phone out and glancing at the clock to ensure she's on time. As she does, it beeps indicating her new text message.
This isn't over.
Brooke can't help but laugh at the message from Victoria as she reads it, and it sparks Louis' interest.
"Are you sure you're alright?" he questions, sounding just as concerned as Peter had before.
"I'm sure. I'm perfect… or… almost perfect," Brooke says, thinking of Peyton and how wonderful it would be to have her with her to have seen her finally stand up to her mother. Peyton's been telling Brooke for years to fight against her mother, and Brooke had always felt it wasn't possible. She finally felt free from Victoria and she wished Peyton were there to celebrate with. "All I need now is to be home… then I'll be perfect."
Brooke could barely sit still on the airplane and she was bouncing in her seat like a child when the pilot announced their decent into Tree Hill. She had told Louis and Peter to ship her bags, not wanting to wait once she got off the plane for them. Since Peyton wasn't expecting her until tomorrow, she didn't have a ride home and she had called Haley from the airport for a ride.
"Hey Brooke! We missed you!" Haley says, leaning over from the driver seat to hug her friend. "How was New York?"
"Actually, it was eye opening," Brooke says, settling in the seat and watching as Haley pulls away from the curb. "I told Victoria to go to hell."
"Brooke! You didn't?" Haley questions, shocked but proud of her friend who had spent years trying to overcome the disappointing glare of her mother. "I'm so proud of you! What did the investors say about the new line?"
"Well, despite me freaking out in the middle of the meeting and going all psycho on Victoria, one of them agreed to the new line and said I could work from here to do it!"
"Oh Brooke, that's great! I'm so glad you won't have to be going back to New York all the time! And I bet Peyton will be thrilled too!"
"Speaking of Peyton… you didn't tell her I was coming home early did you?" Brooke asks.
"No," Haley says shaking her head. "I didn't say a thing to anyone. Not even Nathan. But I did pick up the food you asked… it's there in the back," Haley says, motioning with her head to the large bag of food on the ground.
"Thanks Hales… you're the best."
"So… where to now?"
"Well, I'm assuming Peyton will be at the studio. She said she had a lot of work to do and would be there until late tonight… so I guess you could just drop me off there. I can't wait to tell her about everything!" Brooke says, sounding like a little kid and Haley can't help but smile.
"She's going to be so glad you're back Brooke… she really missed you the past couple of days."
"She did?"
"Of course she did! We all did, but I could tell Peyton was sad without you around. She said it was strange to be home without you there. I think that's why she's been working so hard the past few days… even longer hours than before you left."
"Well, I can't wait to see her too. You know… today has been as close to perfect a day as I'll ever get," Brooke says, smiling hugely and unable to hide it. She's glad she doesn't have to in front of Haley. "And ending the day with Peyton will just be icing on the cake."
"Brooke… have you thought any more about…" Haley asks, turning serious suddenly.
"No. Not today Hales. Like I said. Today has been perfect and the last thing I want is to ruin that by confessing to my best friend that I'm in love with her and finding out that she doesn't love me back that way and that our friendship will never be the same."
"You know that won't happen," Haley says, turning the corner on the road to the studio.
"Maybe I don't. But tonight… I'm just going to hang out with my best friend… eat my favorite dinner and enjoy being home."
"Well Brooke Davis, since I can't remember the last time you were this excited and happy about anything… I'm on board!" Haley says, stopping the car just in front of the back entrance to the studio. Peyton's car is in the lot and both women notice Lucas' car is there too.
"What's Lucas doing here so late? Is Lindsay still in New York?" Brooke questions, suddenly feeling not as excited as she was just moments before. She wanted to spend time with just Peyton tonight… not have to share her with Lucas.
"I don't know. He's probably just cleaning up Tric or doing inventory or something. He's been bored with Lindsay gone and his writing still isn't going too well," Haley explains. She can see the pained look in Brooke's eyes and she sighs lightly. "Hey, how about this. When you see Lucas in there, tell him to call me right away and I'll make sure he comes over immediately… that way you and Peyton can have some time… how's that sound?"
"Really Tutor-Mom? You'd do that for me?"
"Of course! You said this was almost a perfect day, and I want it to end that way!"
"Thanks so much… for everything Haley!" Brooke says, leaning over and hugging her friend tightly. She grabs the bag of food once the hug ends and opens her door. "I'll call you tomorrow and we'll get together… sound good?"
"Sure! Hey… we should do a barbeque or something. What do you say? My house around 6? Nathan and Lucas can grill and us girls and drink some wine and chat…"
"Sounds amazing!" Brooke says from outside the car door. "See you then!"
Brooke stands on the steps leading up to the back door for a minute, watching as Haley drives away. She waves at her with a smile on her face and once her car is out of sight, she lets out a breath.
She quickly grabs her phone and sends Peyton a text, just to make the surprise more exciting.
Miss you! I have great news! Can't wait until I can see you and tell you all about it tomorrow in person!
She can't wait to see Peyton. She's got so much to tell her and she just wants to share her good news with the woman she loves. Even if that woman doesn't know and may never know how much she truly does love her.
She makes her way up the steps and pulls open the door quietly, not wanting to alert anyone that she was there just yet. Her plan was to find Lucas in Tric and tell him about Haley and then sneak into the studio to surprise Peyton.
She makes her way into the club and is surprised to find it completely empty. The bar lights are on as well as the main lights, and Brooke struggles to walk and keep her heels from making a clicking noise on the hardwood floor.
She glances around the back office, looking for Lucas, but doesn't find him. She should have known it wouldn't be that easy to get rid of him. She checks out every other possible place he can be, before deciding he must be in the studio with Peyton.
She settles herself before going to the studio door, opening it and shutting it silently so she can make her way inside undetected.
She rounds the corner of the hall and sees that the door leading to Peyton's office is open about a foot. Brooke gets to it, ready to push the door open, but stops dead in her tracks when she hears voices from inside. She gets right up to the door, peeking in through the opening but without being seen.
Lucas is standing in front of Peyton… closer to her than Brooke would like. She can't see his face as his back is to her, but she can see Peyton and she is wearing a smile as she closes her phone and sets it on her desk.
"Who was that?" Lucas asks.
"Brooke. She said she has great news and can't wait to tell me tomorrow," Peyton explains.
"Do you think she suspects us?" Lucas questions then, and Brooke can feel her heart jump into her throat.
"No… I don't think so. She'd be acting weird if she knew. I think it's safe to say we've got her fooled," Peyton says, her smile getting even bigger.
It pains Brooke to see that Lucas can make Peyton smile like that. Before he came along, Brooke was the only one that could get that look from Peyton and she missed having that smile all to herself.
Her heart has dropped at Peyton's words, and she knows in that moment that she'll never have Peyton Sawyer to herself. She was a mix of emotions. Angry… sad… frustrated… hurt. She just wished that Peyton could have been honest with her and told her she really did come back for Lucas.
Before Brooke can think anything more, she sees Lucas' arms wrap around Peyton, pulling the blonde to him and their lips connecting. Brooke has to cover her mouth to hide the gasp and she feels as her heart shatters to a thousand tiny pieces inside her chest.
She doesn't even bother to make a sound… she would like to say she's surprised but with as much time as they've been spending together… she now just feels foolish that she believed Peyton. In the end, Peyton had always loved Lucas… and Brooke would always have to settle for being second in her world.
She didn't stay long… maybe two seconds, before she was down the hallway and back into the Tric part of the building again. Her eyes are filled with tears and she carefully makes her way to the bar, leaving the bag of food on the counter and grabbing a bottle of vodka with her now free hand.
She sniffles before exiting the building, not looking back once.
Two minutes earlier she had called this the perfect day. Now as Brooke made her way down the steps of the club and down the streets of Tree Hill on her way home, she could honestly say it was one of the worst days of her life.