Chapter 14

Peyton sat in her office checking her e-mail and vamping her portion of the website. She had been up most of the night thinking about Jake and wondering if she'd made a mistake. She still had feelings for him but she was just so afraid. Afraid of falling for him, giving him her heart and having him leave her again. She knew that Nikki wasn't a problem anymore and that he had a good life going for him in Tree Hill but taking that first step was almost impossible.

Peyton groaned as D.J. brought in the mail for the day. At least there wasn't as much as yesterday. D.J. stood there smiling even after Peyton had dismissed her. Peyton finally tossed down a handful of letters and gave D.J. her full attention. "May I help you?"

D.J. revealed a letter from behind her back and held it out for Peyton to take but quickly pulled it out of reach when she reached for it. "Well, after you told me your little love story yesterday I was wondering about the guy. And what happened when I flipped through the mail today. Behold a letter, from Tree Hill. And of course you're thinking, I never told you his name but," she said turning the letter so Peyton could read the return address. "It says Jake and Jenny, and I do remember that name."

"You're wrong," Peyton said wanting to rip that letter out of her hands so bad.

"You could be right, this could be just an amazing coincidence, but for some reason and it might be that hungry look in your eye, I think not." D.J. finally dropped the letter on her desk and started making her way to the door. "Read it Peyton, and keep an open mind. People just might surprise you."

Peyton stared at the letter. Now that she could open it, she was terrified. What if it said she was right to run away and that they don't belong together? What if it said she'd changed too much and she wasn't the girl he remembers, because she wasn't. She had changed and some for the good but most for the bad. She picked up the letter and ran her finger across his name. Just reading his name made her want to smile.

"Would you open it already," D.J. said from over the intercom.

Peyton shook her head but she was smiling as she did. She opened the envelope and unfolded the letter inside. She took one last deep breath before she began to read.

Dear Whomever Reads This,

Hello, my name is Jake Jagielski. I was or am a friend of Peyton Sawyers. I know it's teenage girls that are usually writing her and whoever is reading this probably thinks I'm a stalker and I seriously need to get a life. I know I would. But for a long time Peyton Sawyer was a huge part of my life and I'm probably grasping at straws now but this is my last chance.

Peyton Sawyer is an amazing woman. And since you work with her, I'm sure you know that. But she's not the teenage girl I remembered. She's more cynical and afraid; the Peyton I remember took chances and always stood up to the things that terrified her. And a part of me is afraid that Peyton is gone and I had something to do with that.

I hurt her, and it was a long time ago and you may think I am really conceited to believe I changed her for life, but I think I was part of it. You see I left her. Not once, but twice. Looking back, I can say I was stupid. But back then I thought I was making the right choice. But nobody in his or her right mind leaves a girl like Peyton. She was perfect for me.

So now I need to ask for some advice. I need to know how I get her to see that I never meant to break her heart. I always meant to come back for her. I need to reach that part of her she's holding back from me. I don't want her to be afraid of me. You see, I love this girl, and I need some advice on how to show that. I'm just a basketball coach in a small town. So please, help me get my girl.

Yours truly,
Lonely in Tree Hill

Peyton folded the letter back up and put it back in the envelope. She kept repeating different parts in her head when D.J. knocked on her door and just walked in. "So, what did he say?" she asked ready for some gossip.

Peyton smiled. "Can you get me a flight to Tree Hill please?" she asked getting up and grabbing her purse.

"Yes!" D.J. squealed grabbing Peyton's phone to call the airlines. Peyton was going to get her man. Or at least she hoped so because if this were some elaborate way of turning him down again, D.J. would so kill her.

"So what do you do everyday?" Lucas asked taking another sip of his cup of coffee.

Brooke sat across from him absently stirring the spoon in her cup of coffee. She looked up at him when he asked the question. "Um…actually, I really don't know. I haven't really lived here long and since I moved here I've been in the studio."

"Well, we could play tourist," Lucas said getting up to walk his cup of coffee to the kitchen sink. "Except that the doctor said you have to rest. So…we could watch another movie, or we could play a card game. Poker…go fish?"

Brooke was trying so hard not to laugh. "Go fish, Lucas are we in kindergarten again?"

"No, if I remember correctly, in kindergarten I was obsessed with playing basketball and you were too busy chasing the 'popular' boys, catching them and kissing them."

"Oh yeah," Brooke said smiling at the memories. "You know though, there was a boy that I looked at, from afar mind you. But he never looked at me, just the little orange basketball in his hands."

"You never looked at me," Lucas said his face flushing at the thought.

"No of course not, you weren't even in my radar back then. But Nathan, he looked so cute in his little jerseys and with his little basketball," Brooke teased.

"Why you little," Lucas said standing up. He was smiling when Brooke screamed and started running out of the room. He gave chase tackling her onto the living room couch. Brooke was still struggling to get away but she wasn't putting forth that much effort. "Hmm, I've chased you, caught you, what was the next step in your little kindergarten game?"

Brooke smiled and she could tell by the look in Lucas's eyes what was coming next when the doorbell rang. They both froze, their lips inches from one anothers. Brooke groaned as Lucas climbed off her and made her way to the door. She already knew who was standing on the other side. So it was no surprise when she opened her door and saw Marty standing there.

"Hey Marty," Brooke said ushering him inside. She followed him into the living room where Lucas was trying to look really intimidating by leaning against the wall with his arms crossed and a really mean look on his face. Brooke glared at him and shook her head. Pissing Marty off was not a good idea. "How can I help you?"

"Well, it seems our wires somehow got crossed yesterday because I distinctly remember telling your driver to drop you off at the studio. And was surprised when he showed up in an empty car." Marty didn't bother to sit down. Being only 5'7" he was already at a huge disadvantage. "Do you realize we are on a time crunch right now? We have less than a week Brooke."

"Marty, I'm exhausted. Do you realize I finally slept for over 4 consecutive hours last night? I slept all day and all night in fact. I almost forgot how that felt. And my appetite, it's finally back. Not that I'm going off my diet but I am no longer having water instead of an actual meal," Brooke explained. "Now I know I have to finish that song, and I promise we will finish."

"Today," Marty said crossing his arms over his chest.

"She can't today," Lucas said before Brooke could even open her mouth.

"Today Brooke or I'm done," Marty said staring at her to show her he meant business. "I have let you do your thing, running off to that funeral and now I gave you a day. It's time to buckle down again."

Brooke groaned and put her head in her hands. She didn't even have to look at Lucas to know he wanted to kill Marty. And she did too, but she also wanted to get the song over with. "Fine Marty, I will come in this afternoon. I promise," she said looking up at him. He nodded and just made his way out of the apartment. He had got what he had come for.

"Brooke Davis, I'm calling that doctor and getting you put back in the hospital," Lucas said walking over to the phone.

"So Lucas Scott tattles now," Brooke said snidely. "Oh my God, I am so sorry. But he's right, we do have to get this done and I am ready to go back in and finish. I have to Lucas. And we will finish today." She got up to get ready to go to the studio. When Lucas just stood there holding the phone she walked over to him first and wrapped her arms around him. "I promise I can handle it, I'm tougher than I look. And besides, I want you there while I finish the song. Please?"

Lucas finally relaxed and put his arms around her. "Fine, but today only." He let go and let her go take her shower. He hoped she knew what she was doing.

Next Chapter: Brooke in the studio, what does Lucas think?