Thicker Than Blood

Thicker Than Blood

Chapter 28

Thank you guys for the reviews last chapter and the words of support. I wasn't going to update but stupid thunderstorms are keeping me up. Sorry for any spelling/grammar, like I said, I wrote this up in the middle of the night. Anyways, enjoy and please review!!

xxx

Lucas concentrated on the task in front of him. He took a deep breath, bent his knees and gently tapped the ball with his club. He held his breath in anticipation as the little white ball made it's way through the course.

"Dammit!" Lucas cursed under his breath as the ball missed the hole.

"Well well.. would you look at that?" Haley teased, putting her own club over her shoulder in mock deviance. "You know.. according to my calculation.. if I get this one in.. then that'd mean…"

"Yeah yeah.. just go ahead already!" Lucas exclaimed. He couldn't believe he was loosing to miniature golf to a girl." just shoot already..." Lucas rolled his eyes. He didn't know why agreed to this.

Haley laughed on the inside, seeing how uncomfortable Lucas seemed. Haley squared her shoulders and gently took a swing. Sure enough, she made it in and she jumped for joy. Lucas couldn't believe she won, he fell right for her trap.

"God.. I can't believe this.. this wasn't fair!"

"Fair?"

"Yeah.. you've played here before.. this was my first time."

"Lucas.. it's mini golf course some frat guys made last semester.. it's not a freaking 18 hole course."

"Yeah… whatever.."

Haley laughed. "So now that I won…"

"Well.. would you look at the time.." Lucas tried to make his way out.

Haley glared at him and gestured over to ledge. "Sit!" She ordered. "You aint getting off that easy Scott."

"Fine.. let's have it.. you have 3 questions James.." He did as he was told and Haley sat across from him.

"First off.. how are you?" She asked.

"I'm fine… whoa.. that was easy.. next question."

"No Lucas.. I meant .. how are you .. and please don't tell me you're fine."

"Do you want me to lie to you?"

"You're already lying saying… that you're fine." She pointed out. "Now your brother.." Haley bit her lower lips. "Now he's fine."

"Eww gross." He shook his head.

xxx

"So how're you?" Brooke asked Peyton as she signed the receipt and handed it to the cashier.

"Fine.." Peyton shrugged. "You?"

"Fine." Brooke responded back.

"Well you better be fine after all this shopping we've been doing." Peyton teased as she lifted the shopping bags Brooke made her carry.

"What? I needed holiday clothes.."

Peyton could only laugh and shake her head. "So have you spoken to Lucas yet?"

"Have you spoken to Jake yet?"

"…."

"I guess we both have our answers." Brooke said as they made their way out of the store and then sitting down at a nearby bench.

"Well Jake has school, basketball, and oh yeah a daughter to raise.. his plate is full and I'm just giving him some space. . what's your excuse?"

"Oh.. nothing big .. just blurting out that I umm.. I don't know slept with his brother when he told me he loved me.."

"Talk about bad timing..."

"He caught me off guard.. I wanted to tell him that I loved him back but I couldn't when this secret hanging over my head.."

"What I don't get is .. if it happen a long time ago and if it didn't mean anything, then why did you just tell Lucas from the get go?"

Brooke sighed. "Cuz then I would also have to tell him how I found the tape and tell him about this…" Brooke said, reaching into her purse and handing Peyton an envelope. Peyton looked at her curiously and reached into the envelope and pulled out the paper inside it.

"Oh my God!! Brooke.." Peyton looked over at her.

xxxx

"You're already lying saying… that you're fine." She pointed out. "Now your brother.." Haley bit her lower lips. "Now he's fine."

"Eww gross." He shook his head.

"Lucas.." Haley groaned.

"Fine!" He said getting up and pacing back and forth. "I'm miserable.. there is that what you want to hear?"

"No." She said honestly. "I'm sorry you're miserable."

"Well.. can you blame me… my brother … my own brother.. and Brooke… oh God.. the thought of it just sickens me… I don't know how you can be so chipper about the whole thing?!"

"I wouldn't call myself chipper.. by the way ..who the hell uses that word? .. anyways.." Haley tried to shrug off. "I mean yeah.. it was a little upsetting .. but what can I do? It happened a long time ago.. way before I met either of them and it's not like there's anything going on now.. what's there to do? Blame both of them for something stupid they did back in high school."

"How convenient my brother was drunk and didn't remember.. what a shocker?!" Lucas said sarcastically. Haley didn't like hearing about Nathan's wild past but she had to respect that Nathan was at least honest with her about that, though not sharing most of the colorful details, was probably for the best. She already knowing about the partying, drinking and the girls he used to be with and that was enough, she didn't need specifics. ".. but Brooke.. I .. I love her… or loved her.. God I don't even know anymore… I mean how could she do this?! .. well I know how she could've slept with Nathan.. they were both pretty wild back in the day but to keep this from me .. God.. we've hung out together for four years.. you'd think she'd give me the respect to tell me this sooner and not have it blown up in my face?!"

"You have to talk to her Luke.. both of them.. they love you and they need you more than you know."

"Why!? Have they said anything?"

"Not in so many words, but I can tell they're hurting… usually Brooke is so upbeat .. bubbly.."

"And cheery?" Lucas finished her statement.

"Yes.. exactly.. but she's been more subdued and I'm not trying to defend what she did but I know she feels horrible and I mean imagine if you and I hooked up a while ago.. that we both didn't know it and that you just found out somehow that it really did happen.. imagine talking to Nathan about that.. how easy would it be for you to just come out and say it?"

Lucas narrowed his eyes. "I hate it when you're right."

"Well you must hate me a lot." She teased.

Lucas smiled and sat back down next to her. "You know Nathan is lucky to have you." He said softly.

"I could say the same thing about you."

"Yeah okay.." Lucas tried to play it off.

"No Luke.. I'm serious.. I know how you and Nathan didn't get along at first.. and .. the three of you told me how Nathan used to act .. and from what I gather.. that all changed when you two started hanging out…"

"Funny cuz I could've sworn that it was due to you." Lucas pointed out. Haley smiled back. "I don't know if I did anything .. and even if I did.. you were the one to start it… he's a better man for having you in his life Luke.. and as much as he ribs you and teases you.. I know it's all out of love and the fact that there's this rift between the two of you right now is eating him up inside more than he wants to admit." Haley got up now. "So.. I guess my next question is.. are you finally ready to deal with it?"

"…"

"Cuz like I said … it's tearing both of them inside and .. let's face it .. they're turning into you."

"Me?"

"Yeah.. being all broody and stuff." Haley teased and Lucas chuckled.

"I'll think about it." He said honestly.

"Okay." Haley stated. She was really glad that she had this talk with Lucas. She felt really comfortable talking with him. These Scott boys sure are something. She thought to herself.

"Thank you Haley.." Lucas said. "I mean it.. thanks for everything."

"You're very welcome."

"You know I wish I met you sooner… I think we could've been really good friends."

"Hmm.. I thought we already were." Haley was quick to say and Lucas smiled back at her.

She opened the door to go back downstairs. "By the way… I only asked you two questions.. you still owe me one.." She winked as she started walking down the stairs.

Oh she's good. Lucas thought.

Xxxxx

"Oh my God Brooke!!" Peyton looked over at her. "This is great!? I've heard about Rogue Vogue.. I can't believe your going to be in it! Congrats!"

"Thanks Peyton."

"But.. I don't understand how this has anything to do with Lucas?"

"This has everything to do with it… being accepted into Rogue Vogue ..it's a dream come true… as soon as I found out I was so excited.. I didn't even have time to tell anyone.. I raced back to Tree Hill to get some of my old sketches and some of my old designs I made.. cuz let's face it, my stuff is classic.."

Peyton chuckled. "Of course…"

"Anyways.. that's how I found the tape.. and that's when it hit me.."

"What?"

"This.. all of this.." Brooke sighed. "I could've gotten into any fashion and marketing school I wanted.. some of the best in LA or in New York.. but yet I stayed here in North Carolina to study business…"

"For Lucas?"

"No… yes.. I mean .. yes I did it for myself.. never in a million years would I thought that I would get into a big university like Duke.. but at the same time, spending the next four years with Lucas… was a major plus.." Brooke took a deep breath. "Co-sponsoring the event is F.I.T. .. Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and their Dean of Undergrad admissions personally called me to congratulate me for getting accepted in to the show and that she would love for me to tour their campus while I'm in New York.."

"Oh my God!? That's so great.. but wait.."

"This could be my big break here.. and . I'm afraid I'm going to love it.. shoot.. who am I kidding.. I already know I'm going to love it .. F.I.T. is the perfect school for me to go.. especially being located in the heart of New York.. but I love Lucas and I don't want to give him up.. but then with this and the tape ... we just started dating and all this happened .. I didn't know what to do .. I felt like I was already loosing him when we just got started … what was I suppose to say… I love for us to be boyfriend and girlfriend.. by the way, I slept with you brother like over 5 years ago and oh yeah I might be transferring schools too!" Brooke shook her head. "But I guess it doesn't matter anymore .. he won't even talk to me.. which is probably for the best since.. next semester, I probably won't even be here." She said softly.

Xxxx

Lucas stepped inside the locker room after practice. He could already tell that something was up with Nathan. He thought about what Haley had said and that maybe he should reach out to him. There was a lot of pressure on Nathan as well as himself for their upcoming game and he knew that was probably the reason why Nathan seemed off today. Glancing over to Nathan, he had a stern look and had his headphones already blasting.

"Nate!" Lucas called out and tapping his shoulder. Nathan took off his headphones, surprised that his brother was finally talking to him now.

"Yeah?"

"Are you going back to our room?" Lucas asked.

"Yeah.."

"Can you drop this off?" Lucas asked, reaching into his bag and pulling out one of his text books.

"Um.. yeah sure."

Lucas gave a half smile. "I gotta go to class.. thanks bro.." Lucas padded Nathan's shoulder and then walked out. Nathan put the book in his book, feeling somewhat relieved. Wit that small gesture, it meant that Lucas just needed time. He really wish he could talk to Lucas, especially with Dan riding him about the next game, but he knew Lucas was still upset about the whole thing with Brooke and that he shouldn't burden him with his problems. Nathan couldn't wait for this game to pass, especially since Thanksgiving was right after and he could have a couple of days rest. But right now he had to focus all his attention on this game.

He turned to Tim's locker and stepped up to him.

"Hey Nate.. what's up?"

"Your brother still dealing?" Nathan whispered over to him.

Xxxx

Haley sat on her bed, while Nathan was sitting on Haley's computer chair. They were both just hanging out and doing some homework. She reached over to him and put a hand on his right leg, which he was constantly shaking up and down. At this point, it was starting to bug her.

"Are you okay?" She asked.

"Yeah.. I'm fine.."

"You sure? You seem.. I don't know.. pre-occupied.."

"Yeah… I guess with all these assignments coming up and this game.. I'm starting and I don't know.. it's sort of a big deal.."

She smiled warmly at him, knowing that this game meant a lot to him and that there was a lot of pressure on his shoulders.

"You're going to do great.. actually on.. more than great.. you're going to rock!" She said as she went over to him and sat on his lap and gave him a big hug.

"Thanks Hales.." He said honestly, resting his head against hers. Haley always had a calming effect on him. She snuggled up against him, enjoying the closeness.

"Wow.. Nate.. your heart is racing."

"Well.. that's what happens when I'm around you." He smiled as he took her hand and put it over his heart. She turned slightly red and then he reached out and kissed her. It didn't take long for their kisses to intensify and then he lifted her up and gently laid her down on her bed. His hands instinctively reached for the top buttons of her blouse, where he started to unbutton one by one.

"Nathan.." She let out between kisses, trying to gently push him off of her. She was lying on one her books and pens, both of which were piercing her back and making things uncomfortable.

"Wait.. Nate.." She said again and pushed a little hard this time.

Nathan stopped and rested his forehead against hers. He needed to calm down and get a grip on himself. The last thing he needed right now was to push the issue of sex to Haley. He stood up and Haley reached under and pushed the book and pen aside.

"Um.. I should go.." Nathan said quickly as he put his stuff away. Haley's body was on fire and she wasn't sure how much more of this she could take.

"W.. why?"

"Cuz one more minute here and I'm going to have to rip that shirt right out from you." He smirked in classic Nathan Scott charm. Haley blushed, feeling even more heated. "But I.. will kiss you later." He smiled as he leaned back down and gave her one last kiss.

Haley watched as Nathan left her room. She looked over to her clock and knew that Peyton would be back soon. That was basically the only thing stopping her from running outside and grabbing Nathan back in. She sighed and crashed back onto her bed. What is this boy doing to me?

To Be Continued . . ..

I hope I didn't make this chapter too serious, but I will say that the next two-three chapters are going to be very important. And that the light-hearted stuff is coming, believe me I already have it in my head. I'll try to update my other stories soon, we'll see how this weekend goes. It's mother's day and I hate that I have to make the journey back home but I got no choice in the matter. Hope you enjoyed, please review.