CHAPTER 25

Four months into the tour and Peyton had finally worked out a routine. She woke up early, spent the day relentlessly working, supporting Haley and the band and then at night she crashed out. It wasn't ideal but she'd grown tired (ironically) off the insomnia that followed her around and now she was beginning to feel slightly normal again.

Well, almost. She still didn't believe in the saying that Haley had reinforced to her;

Time heals all wounds.

Because she still felt like she did four months ago. The only difference that time made was that it allowed you to control and hide your emotions more effectively than ever.

On the outside she was practically back to normal.

On the inside she was constantly wondering what normal actually was.

She couldn't deny that things had gotten better because they had, the initial shock and 'what the hell do I do now?' attitude had worn off but the dull ache was still as constant as ever. It resembled something she just had to live with. Haley had stopped treating her like she was about to break down every second and at moments they truly had a great time.

She'd also met another promising new musician who she was really excited to work with. She remembered the night they'd met almost a month ago now.

Peyton stood backstage waiting for the band to go on. They were nervously jumping up and down on the balls of their feet beside her… even though they'd been rocking the tour for three months they were still unbelievably nervous when waiting to go on stage. Peyton thought it was probably healthy; nerves created energy and energy created an atmosphere which in turn created a brilliant set.

The support act strummed his guitar and Peyton prepared herself to listen. The label executives had set her up with several bands and soloists for every couple of gigs like they'd promised and although they'd been good- no-one really stood out for her.

It was acoustic and Peyton liked the melody. Her ears pricked up slightly;

'It's always the same, Can't always change, But I'll come back to you someday'

The words hit her and she had to take a breath. Picking up her clipboard she riffled through her tour notes and found the date. The support act for this evening was a guy named Jake Jagelski.

'I'll travel all night just to see your face, The way you touch the way you taste'

She knew then that she needed to speak to this guy. He walked off stage ten minutes later to polite applause and then her band were on. She waited at the stage door leading him back to his dressing room.

'Great set.' She nodded and he smiled at her. He was tall with brown hair and deep brown eyes. The girls would love him and his soulful music and within five seconds Peyton had made her decision.

'Thanks.'

'You been doing this long?'

'I write a lot of songs but I've never got to really showcase it.'

'What would you say if I said I could change that for you?' She smirked as he raised an eyebrow.

'I'd say… who are you?'

'Peyton Sawyer.' She said holding out her hand, he took it and then his eyes seemed to register.

'Peyton Sawyer of Red Bedroom Records?'

'Yep.' She smiled.

'Wow.'

'So what do you say?' Peyton asked with a smile, 'Wanna work together?'

His answer had been a slightly bewildered expression accompanied with a huge grin.

Peyton and Jake had been working together for a month now and progress was being made. Not to mention John and the other executives were impressed with her new found musician and the fact that she was now managing a good number of artists in Mia, her boys, Haley and Jake. He had the raw talent that she'd been looking for and she had the professionalism and resources that he'd been looking for. It helped that they got on pretty well too. He was a much needed distraction from Lucas if she was honest with herself.

The combination of working with Jake as well as supporting her band and Haley meant she rarely had any time to herself or her thoughts and that suited her just perfectly.

'What about this?' She suggested before rearranging Jake's fingers on his guitar. He strummed and nodded.

'I like that.' He smiled and Peyton made a note in her book. 'Can I ask you a question?'

Peyton looked up quickly, 'Sure.'

'Why did you never get into music yourself? In a band or even going solo?'

Peyton snorted and he raised an eyebrow, 'Because I have no musical talent whatsoever and I can't hold a tune to save my life.'

Jake laughed, 'Well it's a good job you have other talents then.'

Peyton rolled her eyes adjusting herself on the couch, 'I just have a taste for good music.'

He tilted his head and raised his eyebrows at her. She smirked at him, 'Seriously unless you wanna get dropped go through the tune again.'

He smiled, 'Yes sir.'

'I'm not changing the ending.' He said for the twentieth time.

'A reader likes a happy ending!' His editor challenged.

'Yeah well, this is realistic.'

She sighed and looked at the stubborn man before her, 'How about you rework it slightly?'

Lucas went to shake his head but he stopped when her hand slapped the table that was littered with notes, 'Lucas I am your editor. I'm trying to help you here. I know what sells. Just listen to me all right?'

Lucas nodded reluctantly and she carried on, 'What about if you left it open… as a sort of cliff hanger? Did they get together in the end? Or did they remain star crossed lovers?'

Lucas rubbed his chin as he thought. 'I guess…' He said reluctantly.

'It could work. It leaves it up to the reader to decide the fate of the characters. Or maybe if you decide to write a second book you could start off from where you left the first book…'

'I doubt there'll be a second book about the same story.' Lucas replied shaking his head. 'I'd want a completely different idea for a second one… this was, just an idea that wouldn't leave my mind.'

'And it's beautiful, really it is.'

Lucas smiled at her.

'I believe in this Luke, I believe in you. It's brilliant but with a few small changes it could be even better.'

Lucas sighed, running a hand over his tired face. He'd finished his book within a month and then proceeded to take it to every publisher he could find. It had taken two months for someone to sign him up and they'd been going over the finer details of his book for the best part of a month. The ending was the only thing that they needed to do before it went into printing and then publication. Then a book tour followed.

Sighing again he put on a smile and said, 'All right, I'll do it.'

Peyton flipped open her phone yelling, 'Hello!' without even checking caller ID.

'Hey best friend!'

'Hey B Davis.' She said happily.

'How're you doin' P Sawyer?'

The rasp in her voice was coated with concern and sympathy. Peyton swallowed and buried the feelings she was trying so hard to keep hidden. She was sick of feeling like there was something painfully missing.

'I'm good Davis. How are you?'

She wasn't sure whether Brooke saw through her fake and over the top cheerfulness but her best friend ignored it either way.

'Now that you ask I've got news-'

'You're pregnant!'

'No! That would be like having a shot gun wedding, P. Please I have taste. What I wanted to say is that Julian and I have changed the date for the wedding. It's going to be in two weeks…'

'Two weeks?' Peyton practically yelled.

'Yeah. I know it's soon, it's just that Julian's gotta leave on a job in a month and we want to be married before he goes. Plus we've purposely made sure it was when you have a week off. That's in two weeks right?'

'Yeah.' Peyton laughed, her best friend was beyond thorough.

'So you have no choice but to attend! Plus it'll be good to get away from touring for a while.'

'You kidding? I love it!'

'But I'm worried about you P Sawyer. I've been in touch with Nathan and he says that Haley says you're putting on a good show… but I know you…'

'Okay Brooke I gotta go!' Peyton said quickly.

'No Peyton- don't hang up-'

Peyton quickly closed her phone and steadied her breaths. She was fine until someone brought up anything that was remotely close to Lucas or her feelings. Then she shut down.

She just couldn't deal with it.

Peyton sat down on the couch staring at the invitation she'd just received. There was no way she was going to boycott her best friends wedding but she knew it was going to be hard. Unbelievably so.

Then again the day wasn't about her and she was going to put on her best face, the dress Brooke had made for her and be the best maid of honour she had in her.

Haley smiled as she plopped down on the couch next to her.

'So you're going to this aren't you?' She asked pointing to the invitation.

'Of course. Can't miss my best friends wedding.' She smiled.

'Yeah well we're going too.'

'How?' Peyton laughed.

'Well apparently Julian has become friends with Nathan while we've been travelling here there and everywhere. Consequently we're invited.'

'Brilliant! I'm glad you're coming too.' Peyton grinned.

'Moral support?'

'Definitely.' Peyton agreed, her smile weakening. 'It's gonna be a hard day and I don't want to burden Brooke on the best day of her life.'

Haley flung an arm around her shoulder and rested her cheek on top of Peyton's head, 'We'll bring Jamie- he can be your date.'

'Thanks I miss the little guy.' Peyton laughed.

'When I call him tonight before he goes to bed you can talk to him if you want? Nathan says he's been asking about you.'

'Really?' Peyton asked, surprised.

'Yep, you made quite an impression on him. He's always Aunt Peyton this, Aunt Peyton that-'

'I love that little kid.' She smiled.

Haley reciprocated the smile and then sighed, 'I'm really glad I came on this tour you know.'

'I'm really glad you came too. I couldn't have stood being on a tour bus filled with guys without you.'

Haley laughed.

'Hey!'

They turned to see Jake looking playfully hurt.

'You gotta have some girl time.' Peyton shrugged and Jake smiled.

'Sure do. Molly would love you both by the way.'

Peyton smiled at the mention of Jake's girlfriend. 'I'm sure we'd like her too, she has a pretty kickass boyfriend.' She winked at Jake and he laughed sitting next to her on the couch.

'Thanks Sawyer.'

Lucas cracked open his beer and folded himself down on his couch flicking on the television. He was exhausted. He'd been spending twelve hours a day with his editor going through his book with a very fine toothpick. But now, finally, he believed that it was done.

He'd done everything he could and his book was finally finished.

He wondered how he'd feel when he held the hardback in his hand. It was unreal.

A knock at the door made him frown but he got up, placing his beer on the coffee table and opened it anyway.

'Brooke.' He said surprised.

'Hey reporter boy.' She rasped. 'Or should I say writer boy? Word on the street is that you've written a book.'

Lucas smiled. 'Well you shouldn't listen to idle gossip. But yeah… it's true.'

They walked into his apartment and Brooke smirked, 'So what's it about?'

'Ah.' Lucas smirked. 'That is confidential information.'

'You gotta give me something!'

'Fine. You know, normal stuff like life and… love.'

Brooke's grin dissipated a little and she stood somewhat awkwardly. 'I'm sorry about what happened between you and Peyton.'

He closed his eyes and grimaced, hearing her name still hurt him and he wasn't sure when that was ever going to go away, 'It wasn't your fault. I'm sure she told you about the article?'

'She just told me to read it. I have a feeling she finds it hard to talk about.'

Lucas nodded and swallowed, 'And what did you think?'

'Honestly, I wanted to come over and knock you into next week.'

Lucas laughed hollowly, 'Well at least you're honest.'

'But then I realised that this has all been a stupid mistake and… she gets that too Lucas.'

'She has every right to be mad.'

'That doesn't mean she wanted it to end. She wanted more than anything for you to turn up the day she left and… I don't know, do something!'

Lucas shook his head, 'You have no idea how much I've beaten myself up about that.'

'That won't change anything.' Brooke said carefully, 'But I'm inviting you to my wedding in two weeks time… and maybe then everything can go back to normal.'

Lucas blinked stupidly before snorting, 'Normal? What's that feel like?'

'Well you and Peyton getting back together would be a start.'

Lucas contemplated her words for a second, 'You realise we've been apart for longer than we were actually together.'

Brooke nodded, 'But you've loved each other every step of the way.'

She placed an official looking invitation on his table and walked away from him, stopping at his door she turned back and said, 'Come to the wedding and make it right.' She winked at him and then left.

He looked at the invitation.

You are cordially invited to the wedding of;

Brooke Penelope Davis

And

Julian Baker

…

He picked up his manuscript and flicked open a page. Scanning his dedication he realised two things, that maybe Brooke was right and that there was no way in hell he was missing this wedding.

So a three month jump now haha i thought you could only use two chapters without LP interaction so the time jump is kinda necessary... next chapter they meet again at Brooke and Julian's wedding after four months of no contact ... hmmm what's going to go down there? Also just so that no one gets the wrong idea, there will be no romantic imvolvement between Peyton and Jake or Lindsey and Lucas they have enough drama as it is!

Anyway i hope you enjoyed the chapter, even though it's only really setting up the next one but still... Let me know what you think and any ideas you have towards the wedding chapter. Thank you to everyone who keeps reading and reviewing!