One Last Kiss
Disclaimer: I don't own anything or anyone from One Tree Hill!
A/N: Hey guys, sorry it took me a little while to update...but it's here now so I hope you all like it, just to warn you...this is more of a filler chapter of the events that will be leading up and things are starting to speed up now in terms of the storylines so I hope you all enjoy it. Thanks!
Brooke sat at the bleachers in the gym during practice and smiled sadly as she saw Lucas running up and down the court frustratingly. For the past couple of days he had been really frustrated with her, and she didn't blame him one bit…the whole 'clean teen' business was obviously getting to him but she believed she had studied well for her calculus exam tomorrow so hopefully she could make things up to him tomorrow night after the game.
"You need to slow down" Nathan warned as he jogged beside Lucas "You don't want to tire yourself before the game." Nathan had talked to Whitey about joining the team again and Whitey immediately agreed, always having a soft spot for the boy. However he didn't get his captaincy back, not that he was complaining because he believed that Lucas was right for the job since he himself had other responsibilities, however…being the previous captain of the Ravens, Nathan knew the pressure that comes with it and Lucas obviously had his mind elsewhere…his sister to be more precise.
"I'm fine" Lucas muttered but stopped anyway "Just because Whitey is cutting you some slack doesn't mean it works for the rest of us"
Nathan rolled his eyes "Chill man…I know that it's tough with state coming up and you're dealing with your own life too but you have to keep your head on the game"
Lucas looked to the side to see his girlfriend sitting watching him…she gave him a small smile and he forced one back before turning back to her brother "I just don't understand why she has to wear that damn sweatshirt all the time" he muttered meaning Brooke's clean teen top. "It's as if I have to be reminded by it everyday" he said in annoyance "I don't get it...why would her and Rachel even want to join the damn club?"
"Maybe they have something to prove?" Nathan mused. He himself was still curious as to why they both joined a virgin club…it just didn't seem right with him, Brooke being because she had Lucas and Rachel because…well…she's Rachel.
"Like what?" Lucas asked frustrated "By telling the world that my own girlfriend doesn't want to have sex with me"
Nathan cringed "Not exactly a conversation you should be having with her brother, man"
"Sorry" Lucas mumbled "I'm just so damn confused over the whole thing"
"Well why don't you just ask her?" Nathan suggested simply. It was the most obvious thing to do.
"Don't you think I've tried?" the blonde asked in annoyance "Every time I bring it up she shrugs me off and tries to change the subject"
Nathan nodded agreeing as he had asked his sister the same thing many times but she had never really gave him a real answer.
"Boys!" Whitey's stern voice echoed through the gym "Back to work!" he ordered and Nathan and Lucas reluctantly began to continue their jog around the gym.
"Lucas! Wait up!" Brooke called as she walked fast to catch up to her boyfriend who was walking through the halls.
"Hey" Lucas stopped with a small smile as Brooke started to walk next to him "You're not with your clean teen buddies today then?" he asked with a little sarcasm coming out of his voice as he asked the question.
Brooke rolled her eyes but answered seriously "I would rather spend time with my boyfriend"
"Could've fooled me" Lucas muttered. The truth was, he missed her…ever since they got back together they didn't seem to spend as much time alone as they did the last time that they were together. And he knew that this time would be different because it was their senior year and they had to concentrate on schoolwork and him on basketball and Brooke with cheerleading but it seemed that every time Lucas tried to spend some alone time with his girlfriend, things and people kept on getting in the way and he wondered when Brooke was going to start putting him first again…he knew that she had a lot on with her family and school but he felt as if he was being pushed more and more away with each day.
"I'm sorry I haven't been around much lately" Brooke apologized sincerely and looped her arm through Lucas's bringing them closer together "But I promise that things will change"
Lucas stopped and turned to face her "So you're going to quit this damn virgin club?"
"Just wait, Luke." She told him reassuringly "I promise that we will spend more time together"
Lucas groaned in frustration "Wait for what Brooke?" he asked annoyed "What the hell is going on with you?"
"Nothing" Brooke told him reassuringly. She didn't want to tell Lucas how she ended up joining clean teens in the first place…she knew that he would be disappointed in her even though she didn't actually go through with taking the exam, but since Lucas always took school so seriously, she knew that he wouldn't be happy with the fact that she even thought about attempting to cheat on her test . "Just don't make any plans for tomorrow night, okay? After the game"
Lucas sighed but nodded anyway "Okay" he agreed and was surprised when Brooke leaned up and kissed him hard on the lips. It wasn't that they hadn't participated in PDA before, hell they were known for it, but ever since Brooke became a clean teen she was reluctant about kissing him in school.
Brooke pulled away and smiled "I will see you later?"
Lucas nodded still slightly shocked but he also couldn't help but smile "Yeah" he answered and watched as Brooke walked into one of the classrooms. He smiled as he placed his fingers gently on his lips. Maybe things would get better after all.
"You have been avoiding me" Jake said as he sat down next to Peyton in class.
Peyton looked up surprised at his blunt question "No I haven't" she answered denying his allegation.
"Yes you have" Jake told her sternly "Was it because of what happened the other night?"
"No" Peyton replied simply. Of course it was because of what happened, the two had almost kissed that night in her room and if it wasn't for her pulling away then she believed that they probably would have.
"Look Peyton…it was no big deal, okay?" Jake smiled reassuringly "We had a…moment" he said trying to find the right words to use "But it's cool…it's not a big deal, right? I mean people have them all the time…it doesn't mean that things have to be awkward between the two of us"
"I guess not" Peyton mumbled, still feeling slightly awkward and uncomfortable around him "It's just I don't want to ruin our friendship" she admitted "And then there's the whole thing with Brooke…" she trailed glancing at her brunette friend who was sitting at the other side of the classroom talking to Mouth.
Jake looked at her confused before saying "What about Brooke? She has nothing to do with this"
"Well she's your ex, Jake" the blonde told him "And my friend…I would feel like I would be betraying her in some way"
Jake scoffed "Oh come on, she's with Lucas…like she would even care"
"But I know that you still like her" Peyton pointed out and Jake didn't argue with her.
"I can't turn my feelings off overnight, Peyton. I still care for Brooke, I probably always will, but we aren't mean to be…she didn't and still doesn't feel the same way about me as I did about her and I am moving on from that…Brooke is history" he told her seriously. Why did everyone seem to think that he still wanted to be with Brooke? The two had broken up…he wasn't Lucas, he could get over her, he is getting over her, he was moving on so why couldn't everyone else?
"So what's the deal with you and Lucas?" Rachel asked curiously as she and Brooke sat outside at lunch.
Brooke looked at her confused "What do you mean?"
"Well…you both don't seem to be spending as much time together, I mean…the two of you were pretty much inseparable the last time you guys were dating" the redhead pointed out.
"Nothing's up" Brooke replied with a shrug "We don't have to spend every moment together, you know"
"I know. But it seems like you are spending more time with me then you are with me…and I really don't want the boys to think that I'm off the market" she smirked, forgetting the fact that she was wearing a clean teen sweatshirt.
Brooke rolled her eyes "What's wrong with wanting to spend time with my best friend?" she asked annoyed.
"Nothing's wrong with that" Rachel answered "But you can't deny the fact that you seem to be spending more time with me then you are with him"
Brooke sighed loudly "Fine, okay? I admit it" she muttered.
"Why?"
"I don't know…it's just…I don't want things to get messed up between us…everything just seems…too easy" Brooke confessed.
Now Rachel looked confused "Okay, I don't understand you, Brooke. Before…when you were with Jake or even the last time you both were together, you were complaining that everything was too hard and now that things obviously seem to be going well you are pushing it all away claiming that it's all too easy?"
"It's not in the way you're making it sound" Brooke defended "I'm just scared in case something is going to come along and mess it all up"
"You shouldn't think like that"
"I know" Brooke nodded "Which is why I'm going to start making things better between us" she smiled "Like tomorrow night…after the game"
Rachel raised her eyebrow "But you are a clean teen" she pointed out. They had taken vows afterall!
"Not tomorrow night, I won't be" Brooke smirked.
Rachel laughed lightly "Well good luck"
Nathan walked outside into the quad and tried to ignore the ringing sound of his cellphone that was coming from his pocket. He knew who it was, he had been calling him all day.
"You going to answer that or do you just like the tune?" Haley asked slightly amused as she approached the taller brunette.
Nathan rolled his eyes and pulled out his cell before hitting ignore "It's nobody important" he answered with a shrug.
Haley nodded before changing the subject slightly "So…things looked pretty intense at the café the other day" she commented.
Nathan sighed and nodding agreeing with her "Yeah…I guess so" he muttered.
"That was your uncle, right?" Haley asked.
"Unfortunately so" Nathan mumbled just as his cell phone started to ring again. He groaned loudly and Haley let out a small laugh at his frustration. Once again he slammed the ignore button. Couldn't he just get the message?
"Is that him?" she asked curiously.
Nathan reluctantly nodded "Yep" he told her "He just doesn't get the message that I don't want to talk to him"
"Well…if you ever want to talk to me, I still owe you that coffee that you didn't get to drink at the cafe" Haley smiled and Nathan let out a small chuckle as he remembered the way David not so kindly told her that he didn't want his coffee.
"Thanks" Nathan grinned "I think I might take you up on that offer at some point"
"That's good" Haley smiled "But make sure you don't wait too long, we don't want it to get cold now do we" she joked.
Nathan chuckled and shook his head as he watched her walk away.
"So what did you want to talk to us about?" Brooke asked in annoyance as she walked into the dining room where Deb and Dan were waiting for her.
"Let's wait for Nathan" Dan cut in and just on time Nathan walked through the door and stood by Brooke's side.
"I'm here…so let's get on with it" he told them curtly and folded his arms impatiently. He had better things to do right now then listen to another one of his parents lectures.
Dan looked at Deb with a smug smile before turning to his youngest children "Your mother and I…well…" he trailed and wrapped one of his arms around Deb's shoulders causing both Brooke and Nathan to raise their eyebrows "We have…decided to renew our wedding vows" he grinned.
Brooke's eyes widened and looked at them in shock whereas Nathan shook his head in disbelief.
"Well? What do you guys think?" Dan asked smugly.
"Are you serious?" Brooke asked stunned.
"Very"
"But-" Brooke stuttered unsure of what to say "You…Mom…"
"It's ridiculous!" Nathan cut in "You both don't even love each other!" he accused.
"Now that's not true, Nathan" Dan smirked "I love your mother very much"
"Bullshit!" Nathan shouted "You were trying to kill her three months ago!"
Dan's smug smile immediately fell from his face and looked at his youngest son in shock but it was Deb who cut in, speaking for the first time that night "Nathan, I wasn't well when I said those things"
"Yeah and you still aren't now which means that there is no way in hell that you are going to renew your vows to that evil bastard!" Nathan shouted angrily "Divorce him? Yes! Commit to him? Hell no!"
"Nathan!" Dan's stern voice brought Nathan's attention back to his father "This is our decision"
Nathan shook his head in disbelief "No this is yours! There is no way that Mom would want this! Tell him, Mom! It's okay…we will protect you from him!" he pleaded turning to his mother "Please!"
Deb looked at her son then back at Dan who did not look happy, she turned back to Nathan and gave him a small smile "I'm sorry Nathan…but I want to do this"
Nathan immediately shook his head "No! No you don't! You don't want this!" he practically begged "Mom please…it's okay, you don't have to go along with him!"
Brooke wiped her eyes as she watched Nathan pretty much beg their mother not to do this. "Nate-" she tried to cut in but Nathan ignored her.
"Mom please" Nathan pleaded, tears glistening in his eyes "Please don't do this"
"I'm sorry, Nathan. But we have already booked the church"
"It's on Sunday" Dan smirked.
"Sunday?" Brooke asked in disbelief "That soon?"
"There is no reason to wait" Dan replied smugly and Brooke glared directly at him.
"Yes there is! Mom! He tried to kill you! Remember? I'm sorry I didn't believe you back in California but I do now, okay? I promise you…I believe you!"
"I don't know what you're talking about, Nathan" Deb replied sharply before turning around and walking out of the room.
Dan clapped his hands sarcastically "That was a nice performance, Nathan. Well done on upsetting your mother like that!" he hissed.
"What the hell are you doing to her?" Nathan screamed angrily. "Why can't you just leave us all alone?"
"Brooke, I think you should get him out of here before he has to go and see your mother's doctor" Dan smirked and attempted to leave the room but Nathan pulled him back.
"This isn't over Dan!" He threatened angrily "I mean it…I am going to find out what happened between you and mom and when I do…you won't know what's hit you!"
Dan looked at Nathan angrily before turning back to Brooke "Get him out of here" he ordered sternly before walking out.
Brooke looked at Nathan stunned as her brother stood their motionless. "Nathan…"
"No!" Nathan cut her off sharply "I can't just sit here and watch this happen!" he told her before walking into the hall, Brooke quick on his tail.
"I agree, Nathan. Something isn't right, but what the hell are we supposed to do about it?" Brooke asked as she followed him outside "Nathan please just wait!"
However Nathan ignored her and jumped quickly into his car before speeding away.
"Nathan!" Brooke shouted after him but to no avail, he was gone and she was left to wonder what the hell was happening to her family.
Nathan stood pacing up and down the River Court angrily and turned around when he heard a car approach him.
David soon stepped out and walked over to him casually.
"Thanks for meeting me" Nathan muttered and ran his hand through his hair in frustration.
"You're lucky I came" David told him seriously "You have been ignoring my calls all day"
"Yeah I know" Nathan mumbled "Sorry about that"
"So what do you want now, Nathan?" David asked in annoyance "Or have you finally come to your senses and agreed to fight one last time?"
"I need your help" Nathan sighed and David immediately chuckled.
"My help?" he asked and Nathan nodded "Why should I help you? You just screwed me over a couple of days ago!"
"I know that and I'm sorry but I have a proposition for you"
David raised his eyebrow suspiciously "Okay…let's hear it" he motioned for him to continue, curious as to what his nephew might have to say.
--
Lucas jogged towards the River Court, basketball in hand bouncing every two steps and headphones blaring in his ears. He suddenly came to a halt when he saw Nathan standing with David alone in the middle of the court.
Why would Nathan be here with his Uncle that Brooke couldn't seem to stand? Things did look really intense which was why he took a step back behind a tree so they wouldn't see him. The whole thing looked suspicious and he knew he probably shouldn't be spying on them like that but he couldn't help but wonder what was going on behind closed doors with the Lee family.
--
David looked at his nephew suspiciously "So…you want me to find a way to get rid of Dan and then you will fight?"
"Yes" Nathan answered seriously and dug his hands deep into his pockets "I need to get him away from my mom"
"Say…if I agreed to this" David started and began to pace around his nephew in circles "How would I know that you won't pull out of the fight after Dan is gone?"
Nathan shrugged "You will just have to trust me"
"Trust you?" David asked with a bitter laugh "Yeah…right" he scoffed "You have let me down once, Nathan, how do I know that you won't do it again?"
Nathan looked desperate now "Please David…I promise you that I won't mess you about this time! You have my word that I will fight one last time if you get Dan out of our lives!"
"No" David immediately shook his head "That's not enough for me"
"Well then what else?" Nathan asked desperately.
"You agree to fight at least once a fortnight" David told him "I don't want anything less than that"
"I can't!" Nathan argued "I have a daughter to think about!"
"Nathan!" David hissed sternly and grabbed him hard by the shirt pulling the slightly smaller brunette towards him "I don't think you have a choice, son"
"Please David!" Nathan begged "I will fight once more but I can't do it as a regular thing!"
David tightened his grip onto his nephew and raised one of his hands and wrapped it around his neck causing Lucas to almost run out and intervene but something inside of him stopped himself from doing so.
"This isn't a game, Nathan!" David spat sternly into his face, his grip around his neck tightening and Nathan soon found himself gasping for air. "I don't think you realize how serious this is! How involved you are in this already…you aren't in a position to make deals or compromise, you do what I say or you will find people so much bigger than me on your back!"
Nathan nodded and tried to push David's hand from his neck but his uncle kept his grip firm.
"So now do we have a deal?"
Nathan nodded furiously and David let his hand go, Nathan immediately falling to the floor struggling to regain his breathing.
David looked down at him and shook his head angrily "I will get in touch…make sure you stay out of trouble" he warned and Nathan nodded.
"So you're going to help me? With Dan?" He asked needing to know.
"Yes" David nodded "But only if you fight"
"I will!" Nathan nodded quickly "I will!"
David smirked at him before walking towards his car and driving away.
Lucas watched Nathan stand up and walk towards his own car before driving off quickly too, he had to quickly jump back behind the tree so the brunette wouldn't see him as he sped past.
He was curious as to what the hell that was all about…David was obviously threatening him about something and he wondered if Brooke knew anything about this, he doubted she did and decided to keep what he saw to himself for now…at least until he finds out a little more of what the hell is going on with that family, for Brooke's sake if anything.
A/N: Well I hope you all liked it! Please review and tell me what you all think!
Also, I apologize for the lack of Brucas that is in the recent chapters but the Lee family drama is taking up most of it and I actually regret that happening because that was not my intention, but don't worry…I'm going to start writing more and more of our beloved couple back in because they do deserve it after all!
So don't forget to review, and I am looking forward to reading them and they always inspire me to write more!
Sara x