Can You Stand the Rain

A/N: Fresh off vacation here is a new update. Thank you to those who responded and stated you were still interested. So here we go with warming things up and heading to some major progression. Please excuse any grammatical errors! Since I have work tomorrow, I didn't get a chance to do another review before posting. So here is another chapter...and as always read, enjoy, and REVIEW….Please!

As always Disclaimer: I own nothing from OTH.

Chapter 25

Problem

For the seventh day in a row Brooke woke with sweat on her brow marred with coughing and breaths that were hard to catch. Her audible coughing had reached Haley's ears in her bedroom. Coming down the hall she opened Brooke's bedroom door and rushed to her side.

"Brooke you okay?"

"I guess" Brooke responded after clearing her throat. "This is starting to get freaky."

Reaching for a glass of water she tried to shake off the daily nightmare that had begun to take residency in her life.

"It's the same every time Hales. Every time I am running and all of sudden I hit the water then I'm sinking and gasping trying to breathe."

"Maybe it's the stress of planning for Lucas's event and prepping your own fashion line. You know all of these things are running together."

Brooke nodded her head in agreement as she hoped Haley was right even though she couldn't shake the eeriness of the nightmare.

"I have a big presentation today with some of the pieces are you going to be able to help me out or do I need to call Rachel?"

"I'll work it out" Haley said as she left Brooke's room to allow her to begin getting ready for her day.

As she neared her room she began to smile to herself. Opening the door to her bedroom she saw Nathan lying in her bed checking his phone.

"Is everything alright" he whispered.

"I am not sure" Haley replied slipping back into her bed next to him.

"Good Morning again "she said giving him a quick peck on the lips.

Nathan slightly surprised slid back to take a look at Haley. Taking a moment to assess what was happening he put his arms around her pulling her in close.

"You know you just kissed me right?"

He played with and ran his hand through her hair as she blushed.

"I did."

Looking into her eyes her smiled. She was a nice girl. Not a girl but a woman. Haley was something that he knew that he needed and wanted in his life. Rachel's threat was certainly real. She had proven her point and she was always prepared to tell Brooke everything. Everything included the fact that the ones closest to her withheld the truth as well. Again he found himself in the position of being tired of pretending. He hoped and even prayed that Lucas would figure everything out soon.

Coming out of his thoughts he said "Our little slumber parties are cute."

"Cute?"

"Yep"

Haley frowned before finally speaking "I don't want this… whatever we are doing to be described as cute."

"What do you want it to be" Nathan questioned shifting in the bed.

"I don't know."

"I think you know Haley James."

Haley tensed for a minute where they determining what kind of relationship they had. This couldn't be real life.

"I'm not that girl that gets the guy. I don't even know what I'm doing like at all."

Nathan shook his head as she spoke. "You know what you are doing and you could be that woman that get's the guy. Have faith in yourself. Now….what do you want?"

Haley flinched looking away she couldn't say it …she was scared. She made a move to get out of the bed and he gently grabbed at her arm tugging her back down. Looking into his eyes he cupped her face. His lips met hers and when she returned his kiss. She could feel her lips gently part and then their tongues met in sync over and over again.

Lucas leaned back in his chair in the meeting room. He was in his first meeting of the day with the event planning team. He had been intensely focused on his domestic violence event that it allowed him to push aside everything else that he needed to deal with.

As he listened to the presentation of the final plans, he immediately did not like what he heard.

"I don't like it" he interjected.

Everyone in the room went silent as they all looked intently in his direction.

"I want a more intimate venue where everyday hard working members of the community gather.

"Mr. Scott we have already secured everything for the larger space. I'm not sure within the time frame if we can modify it appropriately."

Lucas cocked his eyebrow. He could see that Brooke, Haley, his brother, and Keith had arrived. Waving them in the room upon their entry he said " and Nathan could you prep presentation space in the other conference room. I need her and Keith's assistance in this meeting."Brooke gave her set up plans to Haley and took a seat next to Keith.

" just told me that they have prepped for a larger venue and are not sure it can be down scaled to a more community friendly location. What do you both think?"

"Nothing is impossible in that regard" Brooke said looking around at the group. "What location do you have in mind?"

"I'm glad you asked" Lucas said pulling out a set of plans and passing them around the meeting attendees.

Brooke and Keith smiled as they read the proposed venue was Karen's Cafe. "I think this will work Lucas. You would just need to tweak a couple of things and revise the invitation list" Keith stated.

"I agree" Brooke added. " knows the configurations of the cafe and can help assist with any plan alterations if necessary. If Ms. Roe agrees I don't see any foreseeable issues."

"Well that settles it. Ms. Cox can you make it happen with Ms. James and Ms. Roe or am I cutting the check today for your time."

"We will contact Ms. Roe and speak with Ms. James immediately" informed the group.

Concluding the first of his meetings he adjusted his tie. Sitting on the edge of the table he poured himself a glass of water.

"How are you holding up Lucas?"

"Good Keith good."

"It's a nice thing that you are doing with holding the event at Karen's. "

"I just hope it works."

"How about your other problem" Keith asked.

"It is still glaring in my face" Lucas said while glancing across the hall at Brooke. She had changed and she looked beautiful as always.

"You know you have to do something soon. It's not fair to your brother."

"I know" Lucas said turning to face his uncle. "I know I am going to lose her. I think no I know I have been bidding my time. I want to tell her but it never seems like the right time. It's never going to be the right time."

"You know Rachel is definitely an opportunist and no matter what you guys do it will always be something else. "

Nathan entering the room interrupted their conversation.

"What's up bro?"

"Nothing much ...What have you been up to" Lucas responded.

"Just hanging in there…"

"Yep not at home" Lucas said with a smile.

"When can I drop my dead weight? I can talk about that" Nathan replied.

"Yeah let's talk about that…"

Ladies and Gentleman the goal is to present everyday wearable outfits for the everyday women. We have all heard this before but today I am going to give you an exclusive peek at items that will give that woman the look without truly breaking the bank. Also included during the show, I will have some pieces in the mid range geared towards those who willing can spend a little more. As you can see the palette colors are trending and all of the pieces can be dressed up for that interview or night out and of course available for everyday wear.

" , I see you have a variety of sizes and shapes here. Can you explain further?"

"Sure, the models in the show are women represent every body type. I believe this represents every type of woman not just the women we typically see on the runway.

Brooke continued to field several more questions, seemly taking them with ease. When she would catch Lucas's eye she would look away and smile. Sometimes she would rub her fingers on the bracelet Lucas had given her.

At the conclusion of the presentation, Brooke breathed a sigh of relief.

"I think we pulled it off. What do you think?" she said sitting across from Lucas as the round table.

"I think you did great. You should be proud of you self. Everything looks amazing."

"Thanks Luke" she said with a smile.

"Can you hang out for a bit in my office? I need to follow up with something real quick."

"Sure" Brooke said pushing away from the table and making her way to his office."

Once in his office she sat in his chair looking out the window at the bustling city below. Picking up a picture frame she looked at the family picture of Lucas and Nathan with their parents. Looking at the woman in the picture she starred at it wondering what her life is like and was she proud of her sons.

"Hey there pretty girl?" Lucas said closing the door behind him.

"Hey" Brooke said giving him a smile.

"I know things have not been as they should for the past few weeks. Things were crazy and I really needed to focus."

"You don't have to apologize for business Luke. You have a job and an image to maintain. I completely understand that now. Besides one of the reasons you guys got into this mess was because of me."

"That is very true" Lucas said with a laugh.

"Well what can I do to make it up to you" Brooke said coming around and sitting on the front of his desk.

She looked at him seductively. She hoped that he wanted her as much as she wanted him. His body and the way he touched her was an addiction. She needed a hit.

She brushed her hand up her thigh as he watch. Pulling gently she pulled down one side of her red thong as letting the lace show slightly.

"You don't play fair" Lucas said locking the door behind him.

"Nope" Brooke said arching her back. "Are people still in the office?" she whispered.

"Yes" he said as he put his hands on her thigh.

"Good" she whispered as she nibbled on his ear.

He removed her underwear and letting it drop to the floor. Tracing the inside of her thigh he teased her.

"Don't tease me" she pegged playfully.

"Okay" he said as he laid her across his desk giving her what she wanted.

Lucas waited for Brooke to finish washing up and changing back into her other clothes before he prepared to leave the office. A loud knock was heard at his office door.

"Who is it?

"Your grandfather" the voice responded.

Looking towards the bathroom door he opened the door letting his grandfather in.

"Hey there grandson….how are things?"

"Good"

"Hmm…they should be great but…"

Royal was interrupted by Brooke coming out of the bathroom.

Smiling she extended her hand "Hi I'm Brooke Davis."

"Hello, Ms. Davis it's a pleasure to finally meet you in person. I am Royal Scott. Lucas's grandfather."

"Nice to meet you sir."

"Lucas do you want me to wait downstairs or go on without you" Brooke asked politely.

"I'll meet you there"

As she went to walk out the office she turned and gave Lucas as smile and then biting her lip.

"We've handled your problem" Royal said when he was sure Brooke was no longer in ear shot of the office.

"What problem? What did you do?"

"We were told to handle it. The thing is Lucas you are getting older. This family did not get where it is today being the people champion and letting shit snow ball" Royal yelled.

"Sir what did you do?"

is a nice girl from what we know about her but you will marry that Sawyer girl. Do not let your other head get carried away."

"I love her"

"I know and it shows .You just met her at the wrong time."

"Sir what did you do?"

"You will find out."

"Grandfather, I don't want to marry Peyton. Solve that problem for me."

"What are you saying" Royal questioned.

"She has a secret and I'm pretty sure it's a big one. Let's use it to our advantage."

Lucas's phone began to vibrate and as he picked it up to check it, he saw Brooke's name come across the screen. Answering it he could hear her screaming and crying in the background. He kept asking what was going on but he couldn't get an answer.

Finally Karen came across the phone. "Lucas, come as soon as you can. It's Brooke's friend Rachel. Something has happened and it doesn't look good."

Turning to face his grandfather he responded "I'm on my way."