A longer chapter! hope you guys still like the story
I was standing in Karen's cafe. Lucas rented it to me, so I could have opened the Clothes over Bros store in Tree Hill. I was really impressed how it has been fixed up in the month. Rachel was standing in front of me in a gorgeous white dress.
"You are wearing a show topping satin mermaid gown featuring ruching to the midriff and down to the very full skirt" I showed her "A satin over skirt is shaped to the front to reveal several layers of organza beneath" I smiled and she nodded as she turned around.
"To the back is corset style lacing and a large satin with an organza train" I showed her the back with a second mirror pointing at the large one "and it's clothes over bros" I added proudly.
"Thanks Brooke" she said and I took a brooch out and place it on the corsage. It was a blue flower.
"Now you can thank me" I teased and she hugged me.
"So you like?" I whispered and she tightened the grip.
"Gosh, it's beautiful" she smiled brightly.
"Are you done with the bridesmaid's dresses as well" she asked and I disappeared behind the curtain and walked out in a dark blue dress.
"A soft and fluid chiffon empire line dress with feature embroidery to the halter neck bodice" I explained as I turned in front of her.
"That's amazing" Rachel smiled and I got changed again and helped her out of her dress.
"I'm glad you like it" I smirked and she nodded.
"I love them, though I didn't believe you can make them this fast or this beautiful" she admitted and I laughed.
"Well, don't underrate me" I teased and as we were dressed normal again I pointed at the table with different cakes.
"You have another decision to make as well" I teased and we sat down on a white sofa with champagne in our glasses.
"I should still fit the dress" she smirked as she saw the amount of cakes.
"We can fix it" I winked at her and she rolled her eyes.
We first cut a piece from a pink cake.
"Madagascar vanilla bean cake, vanilla bean, butter cream raspberry preserve, satab ribbon, handmade sugar blossoms" Rachel read the card and we tasted it.
"It tastes awesome" I said and she laughed.
"So how did it go with Julian?" she asked and I signed.
"He is awesome, he understands that I am friends with Nathan now, but he also worries a bit" I explained.
"Just friends?" Rachel asked and I took another piece of cake.
"Meyer lemon cake, 'Duchy Originals' lemon curd, vanilla bean butter cream" I read aloud and we tasted it both.
"It's not the one" we both agreed after one bite and laughed.
"Too…"I searched for the word.
"Lemony?" she grinned and I nodded. We took a sip from our glasses.
"Does he have something to worry about?" Rachel asked in another way and I took a big sip from my glass.
"No" I said and paused "no" I repeated shaking my head and she gave me a suspicious stare.
"It's weird with Nathan around, but I think it's just unusual to see him as a friend again" I whispered and my eyes tightened between the words.
"Madagascar vanilla bean cake, chocolate butter cream, grosgrain ribbon, handmade sugar roses,
diamante brooch" Rachel offered me a bite.
"That's it" I smiled and she nodded.
"I think so too" she cheered and we drank another glass of champagne.
"Unusual or hard?" she asked after a while.
"A mix of both" I pressed out. I felt tipsy already. I wasn't sure if I should have answered that, but I still did.
"Brooke" Rachel said worried and I looked up at her and smiled.
"I love Julian" I said and she nodded. That was what she wanted to know. I could have a killer as my boyfriend as long as he made me happy she would have loved him. She loved Julian and she saw how happy he made me, she just wanted to be sure that I still was in love with him. If I would have said no, she would have searched for a way to make me happy. That just the way she was. That was probably the reason she talked to Nathan, so she knows he is happy too.
"Good" she whispered and for a moment we sat there in silence eating the cake.
"So the last cake it is" she smiled as she changed the subject.
"But the ribbon has to be blue" I told her and she nodded. She pulled me into a hug.
"Thanks" she smirked "for being a kick ass maid of honor" she smiled and I nodded.
"You are welcome" I told her and she let go of me.
"You should go back to your fiancée and let me finish the rest of the stuff" I ordered as I saw her worried face. She stood tense at the door.
"I love him" I reassured Rachel and she nodded.
"No regrets?" she asked.
"No regrets!" I answered and she left.
The door flew open and Owen walked inside.
"Sorry I am late, I had to pretend to stop by the bar and she wanted me to get something from there" he laughed.
"It's okay" I smiled and he hugged me.
"So, can I see the dress?" he teased me.
"Hell no" I pushed him away.
"It was worth the try" he smirked and I got his suit out.
"Try this one on" I ordered and he made a bow and disappeared behind the curtains.
I waited until he came out. He was wearing a black tux and a white dress shirt, with a blue tie, exact the same color as the brooch I gave Rachel.
"You look marryable" I smirked.
"It's not even a word, but still what I was going for" Owen smiled and I grinned as I offered him a glass of champagne.
"To your marriage" I toasted and he drank it with me.
"Are you scared?" I wondered as we sat down.
"No" he smiled at me and added "a bit"
"It would have surprised me, if you weren't" I said and he rolled his eyes.
"I just hope she won't change her mind" he said a bit worried.
"She loves you, so she won't" I explained.
"You loved Nathan and you left" he whispered and the second he got the words out he wished he hadn't said them. I took a big sip and had to catch my breath.
"I was young" I muttered "and I married because I was drunk, you and Rachel are different"
"But now you have Julian and you are happy with him, right?" Owen asked.
"Yes" I agreed confused. It was like Owen had heard my talk with Rachel and had to be a good friend by reassuring the information himself.
"What if Rachel doubts that I am the one?" he wondered.
"She must be blind than" I just stated and looked at him "she loves you" I said and put my hand on his shoulder.
"He still loves you too, you know" Owen muttered and I looked up.
"I hope he does, he is my boyfriend" I smirked and got a sip.
"No, not Julian, Nathan" he said and I froze for a moment.
Owen sat there drinking his champagne and I needed seconds to collect myself.
"Well, I think he likes me like a friend" I convinced myself and looked at him and saw his tortured smile.
"Right" he whispered. I had to convince him that Rachel wouldn't run away from him and I took a deep breath.
"You made her say yes already, I think this was the hardest step and she loves you, so she will say yes in the church as well" I told him.
"I know" he smiled and poured some champagne into our glasses.
"To my wedding" he toasted.
"To your wedding" I smiled and we drank.
As Owen left I was pretty drunk already and the door went open again. I was eating cake on the sofa and looked up.
"Shouldn't the bride try out the cake?" Nathan chuckled and I swallowed.
"She did" I told him "I just was hungry" I explained and he laughed.
"How can I help you?" I asked and put the plate with the cake away. I tried to think clearly and act sober.
"I need some changes with my suit" he said and showed me the bag.
"You should put it on then" I suggested and showed him to the curtains. He nodded and left.
"So did Julian like your cheer uniform?" Nathan joked behind the curtains, but I could swear his voice was strained.
"No, he didn't see it yet" I took another bite of the cake. It was the lemon one, great. I wanted to wash away the taste and took a big sip of champagne, even better. I rolled my eyes because of my very thought through actions.
Nathan walked out and smiled at me.
"Done" he said and I looked at him. He had a black suit on with a blue dress shirt, which was the exact color as were the bridesmaid's dresses.
"What is the problem?" I asked and he smirked down the pants.
"They are a bit vast" he said and I brought him a stool and he got on top of it. I started to stick the needles where I should shorten the pants. I was touching him and smelling him. My heart raced again and I started to count inside my head, so I was preoccupied in my thoughts. Memories kept coming back to me. Of the first time he said he loved me…78, our last and first kisses… 99...100.
"He still loves you too, you know" Owen muttered and I looked up.
"I hope he does, he is my boyfriend" I smirked and got a sip.
"No, not Julian, Nathan" he said and I froze for a moment.
"I need you to spread you legs" I said uncomfortable and he laughed. His laughter rang in my ears and my heart ached -127.
"Shut up" I warned him "I have sharp instruments in my hands" I showed him. I was willing to overplay this. I loved Julian. I knew I did and I would never make him doubt me.
"Alright" he said and held his hands up in the air.
"Done" I said after a while and he got down. I breathed out in relieve. My self control was starting to fade away -200.
"Can I get a glass of champagne as well?" he asked behind the curtains.
"Sure" I politely agreed and as he walked out I held a glass in front of him. Friends were supposed to have a glass of champagne together, alone…209.
"Thanks" he smiled and took the glass touching my hand. His heart was beating as crazy as mine as he pulled my hand closer and my body as well.
"So which cake won?" he asked and I needed to concentrate hard to get words out of my mouth. It was more like breathing and less like words.
"The blue one" I whispered it was almost just a waft. I was tight in his grip and he leaned closer.
"How did it taste?" he asked and I felt his breath on my face and my eyes tightened on his.
"Best" I just pressed out. I breathed uneven and he did as well. I bit my lip as it started to tremble. Again I felt a shiver run down my spine as his hand moved on my back. I leaned closer without noticing. The room seemed to be turning and Nathan pressed his warm lips on mine. I was tense first. Blood was rushing through my veins and I grabbed his shirt. I kissed him back as passionate as he started the kiss. My head wasn't thinking and my heart was exploding. Nathan moved me against the wall and pressed me against it. I ran my hands through his hair and couldn't believe how much I've missed him. I wanted to feel every inch of him on me. I pressed my lips on his harder and he kissed me like it was his last kiss on earth. I moaned against his lips as I heard my cell ring. Reality kicked in and I opened my eyes in shock.
"No" I whispered against his mouth. I was hardly getting any air. He pushed himself away and stared at me: his hands on each side of me against the wall. He seemed to be overwhelmed by this situation and unsure about how this happened.
"Cell" I said, escaped his arms and searched the room to find it on the couch. Thoughts that were banned from my head keep coming back. How did I let him kiss me? Why haven't I been so selfish? Why haven't I thought about it, before doing this? It was no good. He was no good. Can I move this in reverse? Maybe change what happened? Julian's number was showing and I took a deep breath before I answered.
"Hey" I smiled at the phone. My heart was beating way to fast and I needed to catch my breath.
"Hey babe" Julian smirked on the other line. I was filled with guilt. How could I have kissed Nathan just seconds ago? How could I hurt Julian this way? My brain was exploding it was overloaded.
"Hey" I repeated and took another deep breath. My heart race was slowing down again and I looked at Nathan who was emotionless where I left him.
"Just wondered when you'll be home?" Julian asked. His voice was sweet and I couldn't believe that I hurt this guy. This perfect loving guy, who called to check on me - this was typically him. The kiss was unexpected and I felt bad for doing it.
"I was on my way out" I lied and Nathan turned around to face me.
"Good" Julian told me "Haley and Peyton called and asked if we want to go to the movies with them" he explained.
"Sure" I said not really listening.
"I pick you up at the store" Julian suggested and I just said "yeah, that'll be nice" I watched Nathan while I talked to Julian and my heart was torn.
"See you soon" he whispered "I love you"
"I love you too" I smiled and bit my lip as I closed my cell. Nathan puckered his face and looked at me and I ran my hands through my hair as I put my phone away.
I breathed in and out.
"You should go" I said and my voice was breaking.
"Brooke" he whispered.
"Julian is picking me up for a movie" I said "my boyfriend, Nathan" I emphasized the boyfriend part.
"And he shouldn't see me here" Nathan said arrogant. It was like in old times, his arrogant self was showing now.
"Neither should your girlfriend" I reminded him bitter and he sighed. He looked away from me knowing exactly that I was right.
"What happened" I started "was a mistake" I bit my lip again and stopped the tears from coming. I was just a heartless bitch. Julian's voice was in my head and how he trusted me.
I walked to the door and opened it for Nathan.
"It was wrong" he said as he walked towards me "but it wasn't a mistake".
I looked away from him and shivered. I was still vividly reacting towards him and it killed me.
"You should go" I said and he nodded. He took his first steps outside and stopped as I took a deep breath.
"I'm sorry" I whispered and he just shook his head.
"Right" he fired back bitterly.
"Nathan" I whispered and he turned around. His eyes were full of pain and regret and I hated to see him like that. I gripped his shirt and pulled him down placing one last kiss on his lips. I couldn't tell why, I just wanted to feel his lips on mine once again and made him feel that I was just as much in pain as he was.
"You are freaking kidding me now" he said as he pushed me away.
"Decide what you want Brooke" he said and I wiped some tears away that escaped my eyes.
"I'm sorry" I pressed out and he ran his hand through his hair.
"What are we doing? How could this have happened?" I asked him unsure.
"I don't know" he said and I tried desperately to collect myself. For some moments it was quiet again and only our breaths and heart beats were heard.
"What are you expecting from me?" he asked and I shrugged. I didn't know what he was talking about I still was confused about the kiss and my lips trembled.
"Watch you kiss him and take you as long as you crawl back to me?" he asked in anger.
"No" I whispered "I don't know" I muttered and turned away from him. It was so hard. I couldn't stop this feeling inside like my chest was about to explode.
Nathan pulled me to him and kissed me again. I felt his lips on mine and I couldn't stop and kissed him back. It felt so right in this moment.
"How messed up are we?" he asked as he let me go. I needed to think. My head was still exploding and my heart ached.
"Nathan, you should really go now" I insisted and watched his tortured face.
"Him" he muttered bitterly.
"Julian" I muttered back. I hated the way he referred to Julian as him, never really saying his name.
"Right" Nathan grinned bitter at me as he opened the door.
"You want me gone? So I leave" he said and walked away. I stood there and watched him leave. I couldn't believe what just happened. I tried to erase the thoughts about him and after a while I was collected enough to check my make-up. The door opened and Julian stood there.
"Ready to go?" he asked and I smiled.
"Yes" I said and felt my heart break inside. Julian came over and gave me a kiss. Guilt was steaming through me as I kissed him back.
"I've missed you today" he muttered against my lips.
"I've missed you too" I whispered back and I wasn't sure if it was even a lie.