A/N: Special shoutout to: ciaranoelle, ObviouslyADreamer, Princesakarlita411, dianehermans, dramionefan, and Surfergurl25.
Cheers to my beta, broodyandcheery143, for getting this to me super quick.
Disclaimer: Mark Schwahn owns OTH :0(
Chapter 24
Lucas POV
I stand by the open doorway frozen with shock, even after Brooke turns and leaves. She kissed me. I mean, it was just my cheek, but she still kissed me! She also gave me a letter, one of four. I couldn't believe she still kept writing them. I didn't want to open the letter in fear of what was inside. I traced over the small 83 written in the corner of the envelope. I stared at the letter in my hand, and couldn't help but remember that night so long ago where I received the first 82.
Flashback
I was sitting in my room still trying to get rid of the images of Brooke and Chris Keller out of my mind. How could she be with such a slime ball? I asked myself.
I was brought out of my thoughts by a small knock on my door. I opened it to see Brooke standing there holding a box with a sad expression on her face.
"There are 82 letters in here, and they are all addressed to you," she said as she handed me the box. I looked at her with a confused expression on my face. Why would she be giving this to me?
"I wrote them all this summer. One a day, but I never sent them because I was afraid."
I looked down at the box in my hand. I didn't know what to say. "Brooke…"
She refused to make eye contact with me. "I was afraid of getting my heart broken again, like before, because you hurt me so bad," she said as tears started to roll down her eyes. "I was afraid to be vulnerable. And, I was afraid of you and the way that you make me feel."
She paused and stared at the box one last time before staring straight into my eyes. "And, I know that doesn't matter now after what I did, but I just thought you should know. This is how I spent my summer, Luke, wanting you. I was just too scared to admit it."
End Flashback
I gather up all the courage I can and open the letter. I sit on my bed and concentrate on the words in front of me.
Dear Boyfriend,
I told you once before that I was a sucker for weddings. I still am. Today was interesting. Naley got remarried today. I got the privilege of being Maid of Honor. Who would have thought I, most popular girl in school, Brooke Davis, would be the Maid of Honor/Best Friend to poncho-wearing tutor girl, Haley James (Scott)? You were the Best Man for Nathan. It's so great to see you and your brother so close. You looked so sexy in your tux. When I saw you walking down the aisle to give Haley away, I wanted to find the nearest secluded area and have my way with you. When I was walking down the aisle, I kept imagining what it would have been like if it were our wedding.
The ceremony was so beautiful. Watching them together just gives me so much hope that that could happen to me someday. Just by watching, you could just see all the love they have for one another as they look into each other's eyes. It's a magical sight to see.
I remember reading the best man speech you wrote for Keith's almost wedding to Jules. You said weddings were about two people coming together. Even if it's just for one night; they make us believe again. I want you to make me believe again, Luke. I want to believe that what we have can test the times. I want to believe that our love will never alter. I want to believe that you love me like Nathan loves Haley or how Keith loved your mom.
Why didn't you call me when you were away with your mom? Why didn't you tell me about the kiss, Luke? Why did you have to hide it? God! You and Peyton again! You told me that the kiss meant nothing, but did you know what happened yesterday? Peyton told me she was in love with you, again. I asked you to stay away from her, but you couldn't just do the one thing I asked for you. Is it that hard for you to simply stay away from her for one day? It's always her, Luke. Why do you always have to save her? Why is it okay for you to be her knight and shining armor and for you to forget all about me?
You tell me that I am pushing you away, but I'm not. Let's be honest here. From the beginning of our relationship, it has never just been me and you. Have you realized that? The very first day of us getting back together, who did you have to drive to meet their birth mother? I'll give you one guess….ding ding ding….we have a winner, Peyton! That letter you wrote me the day of the storm, who got exactly the same type of letter…Peyton! And I'm grateful that you did because I love her so much, but who did you go back into the school building to save…Peyton! When I went to the hospital after finding out about the accident on the bridge today and I step off the elevator, who do I find you embracing…Peyton!
I know what I have to do now. You won't understand why I'm going to doing this, but it's for your own good. My heart wouldn't survive if you and her found your way back together like last year. I love you, but I can't keep doing this to myself. I can't be second best anymore. I can't be an afterthought to you anymore. I don't want to fight for your heart with Peyton because I know I'll be the loser in the end. I don't have it in me to fight for you anymore, Luke. I have to let you go, no matter how much I don't want to; no matter how much it kills me inside. I have to. Just know that I'll always love you. I guess this is good bye.
-Your Pretty Girl
I re-read the letter two more times before I set it down. The pain in my chest grows as I stare at the letter and ponder my thoughts. I couldn't believe she felt like this all those years ago. Why didn't I see it? Why was I so blinded to it all?
A knock on my door breaks me from my thoughts. I open it to see my brother and nephew standing on the other side.
"Hey Uncle Luke," I hear Jamie call out before he runs to the television in the living room.
I turn to my younger brother, who is smiling sheepishly at me. "Hey man, do you mind watching Jamie for the weekend?" he asks as he hands me a backpack from behind his back.
"Yea, no problem."
Nathan studies my face for a moment before a serious expression washes over his face. "Are you alright Luke?"
I let out a long sigh before I flash Nathan the letter that was still in my hand. "At the moment, I don't know what to feel right now. First, Peyton comes over and confesses to me that she told Brooke she was in love with me at your rehearsal dinner. Then Brooke shows up with this letter telling me she going to give us another try. I'm mad and extremely happy at the same time. I don't know what to do. So I call Brooke right away? Do I wait for a bit?"
"Just think things through before you do something. Be rational and don't jump the gun. Take your time with Brooke."
"When did you become so smart?" I tease Nathan.
"You do know who my wife is, right?" he sarcastically asks. "You didn't expect me to be married to my tutor and not learn a thing or two."
"Thanks for the advice bro. Have fun with Hales this weekend."
"Oh you know I will," he says with a smirk before he calls out to Jamie. "Bye Jamie. Be good to your uncle."
After Nathan leaves, I join my nephew on the couch. He turns off the TV and faces me. "What are your intentions with my Aunt Brooke?"
"What did you just ask," I ask with a chuckle.
"What are your intentions with Aunt Brooke? I heard Mama tell my dad that you told Aunt Brooke that you are in love with her. I want to make sure that you really are. So, Uncle Lucas, what are your intentions with Aunt Brooke?"
"How old are you again?"
"I'm almost 5."
"Well, I want to love Brooke and show her that I'll love her for forever. I want to be her husband one day and have a bunch of cousins for you to play with. How's that for an answer?"
"I'll think about it," he says before he turns back to the TV and turns it on again.
After watching a show with Jamie for a few minutes, I stand up and head to the kitchen to get dinner ready. "You want anything specific for dinner, Jamie?"
"Can we have pizza?"
"Sure thing," I say as grab my phone and dial a number.
"Hello."
"Hey Brooke. It's me. I just wanted to know if you would like to have dinner with Jamie and me tonight," I ask nervously.
"I'd love to," I hear Brooke reply after a long pause.
"Okay, then. I'll see you soon, Pretty Girl."
A/N: So...what did you think of the letter? Review Please.
I'm currently working on the next chapter so hopefully I'll be done with it soon and send it to my beta.
Coming up in Chapter 25: Brooke POV + dinner with Lucas and Jamie