A/N: Here you go guys! I know it's short but I've been super busy and short is better than nothing right?
I'm going to another part of Australia on Saturday for a week so no updates then, so fingers crossed I manage to get another one done this week.
Chapter 28
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Ally POV
"Turner is seriously losing his touch," Alex laughed, walking up the hill.
"Yeah this isn't really detention," I agreed, holding up a flyer for the burning boat festival to the post whilst Alex stapled it in. It was Turner's attempt to teach us 'community spirit'.
I walked past the river court, and sat down by the water, and after a few seconds, Alex walked over.
"What are you doing? We've done like three posters," Alex asked gesturing to the stack of papers by my side.
"Ehhhh, he'll never know," I said shrugging.
"Look whose decided to embrace her dark side," Alex said sitting beside me and grinning and looking out across the water, "Everybody on the other side look tiny from here"
"That's why I love coming here," I told him. "It's calming to feel removed from the world and watch from a distance."
"So do you come here a lot?" he asked.
"I don't know. I guess so. I mostly come here when I need to think, or I'm upset about something. So recently it's pretty much been my second home."
"Want to talk about it?" he asked, but wasn't pushing.
I was about to reject his offer, like I had before and how I had avoided telling Lisa and Danny, but at the last minute I changed my mind. Part of the reason I didn't tell Lisa and Danny about Haley was because I didn't want them to get all protective, and be extra nice to me the way everyone else had. Somehow I didn't think Alex would change despite what I told him.
"You don't have to," he added.
I took a deep breath before I said, "My Mom came into town and this is the first time I knew she existed."
I felt a wave of calm wash over me as I told someone who wasn't an adult what had happened to my life recently.
"Your Mom?" he repeated, raising an eyebrow. "I always thought that hot brunette that is always with your Dad was your Mom."
"No, that's Brooke," I said ignoring his description of her as 'hot'. "She's like the next best thing though."
"Is she your Dad's girlfriend?" he asked.
"I wish," I said, then saw him look at me questionably. "No, they're just best friends."
"Ok, so how does your Mom fit it?"
"I don't know. I'm still figuring that one out," I said. "It's strange how Haley had just fitted in, and I can't bring myself to hate her even though I should."
"I don't think you should worry about what you think you 'should' be feeling," he said.
"Yeah I guess you're right," I agreed. So far I'd been feeling slightly guilty for liking Haley so much after what she did to Dad.
"So we should get rid of the evidence," he said, noticing me drifting off into my thoughts, and I was grateful that he didn't push me. He pointed to the posters so I knew what he was talking about.
"You're right. I'd say just throw them in the trash but I have a feeling that's the first place Turner will look when he comes back," I said.
"I have a better idea," he said picking up the forgotten posters, "Let's put them in the boat. Now that's irony for you."
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Brooke POV
"Happy birthday dear Allyyyyyyy, happy birthday to youuuu!" everyone finished singing and began cheering as Ally blew out the candles on the chocolate frosted cake Haley had brought after she specifically asked for it. Even though it wasn't technically her birthday until mid-week, it made more sense for everyone to get together this weekend when they didn't have to worry about going to work the next day.
Ally grinned as she started picking out the candles, and took the knife out of my hand, cutting into the cake with one hand and licking the frosting off her finger on the other.
"Ok, so this is from us," Luke said, handing her a pile of vinyls.
"I got all your favourite bands transferred onto them," Peyton said. "Makes them sound so much more authentic."
"This is so great, thank you so much guys," Ally said giving them both a hug.
"Ok, and this is from me," Haley said giving her a small brown envelope and she took it curious. "I know you can't actually use it yet but the weekend after it might come in handy."
Ally edged open the envelope and pulled out the contents, freezing as she saw what was inside. Her eyes grew wide, and she was frozen in her spot for about five seconds because she let out the biggest squeal you could imagine.
"Oh my god! Oh my god!" she repeated as she jumped onto Haley and giving her a hug.
"What is it?" Rachel asked, what the rest of us were thinking.
"Absolutely not," Nathan said, picking up the envelope which Ally had dropped on the table and looking inside.
"DAD!"
Nathan pulled out the black shiny strips with 'FX' written in bright red letters.
"You got her FX tickets?" Peyton asked.
"Well Steph and Shane, the guys I'm producing for are making an appearance to the rest of the event so I get passes," I said. "I got backstage and VIP passes for the whole event too."
"Dad, please!" Ally said gripping his arm.
"I just don't know if it's safe," he asserted. I can't believe Haley was irresponsible enough to just get the tickets to the show without asking if it was ok first.
"I can go with them if you want? Sure I'll be working but I can keep an eye on them and then go to the FX part if you want."
"She'll go with us and keep an eye on us and then go to the FX part!" Ally reiterated in case Nathan wasn't following, but I knew it wasn't going to work. All aspects of the FX situation had already been discussed and we all knew how this was going to end.
"You'll go with them?" he asked. Well that sure as hell wasn't it.
"Sure," Haley said.
"Ok, fine then I guess it's ok," he said, and Ally hugged him and gave him a big noisy kiss on the cheek.
Peyton instantly made eye contact with me, and I knew she had similar thoughts running through her head as I had in mine.
"You're just going to let them go?" I asked unable to keep quiet as everyone spread out and began eating cake, and I walked up to Nathan.
"You don't think I should?" he said laughing. "You're the one who's been pestering me for months to let her go."
"Yeah, but why the sudden change of heart?" I asked.
"Well if Haley's there, I guess nothing bad will happen," he said.
"As opposed to all the bad stuff that would happen if I went like I offered last week?" I blurted out without managing to remove the ice from my tone.
"No, that's not what I meant," Nathan said.
"Do you really think this is a good idea Nathan? Will Haley not be too busy with work to make sure they're ok?"
"Well yeah why wouldn't she?" he asked crossing his arms, and I could tell he was getting worked up at my implication that he had made a stupid parenting decision, which was a change from all the other times where he welcomed my opinion.
"Errrr, because it's Haley?" I voiced. What the hell was wrong with him? Why was he acting all casual about all things related to Haley? "not exactly the most reliable person in the room."
As soon as I spoke the loud conversations in the room toned down to a low murmur and I knew I had attracted the attention of everyone in the room but I didn't feel bad about potentially offending Haley.
"If she said she'll watch them, she will," he said, oblivious to the quiet room.
"But you said yourself, anything can happen at these rock concerts. Do you really want to take the chance?" I pushed half believing it but also just to make my point against Haley.
"For gods sakes Brooke, just leave it alone, you're not her mother!" he said. The medium tone of his voice sounded like it was being played back on extra loud as the words went around the silent room.
I said before that the room was silent. If it were possible it was even quieter as before. I heard Peyton gasp, and saw her hand fly up to her mouth out of the corner of my eye.
"Ummm…."Skills started but didn't know how to finish.
"Daddy…" Ally said, her voice wavering, and like Skills she didn't know how to finish. Ally only called Nathan 'Daddy' when she was either sick, upset or wanted it to work to her advantage. Her use of it now told me even she recognised the meaning behind his words.
As for myself, rather than feeling pain or hurt at his words, I felt calmness as I got the direct reality check I needed.
"Brooke, I didn't mean—" realisation crossed his face as the meaning behind his words sunk in and he began speaking, ignoring the others who had spoken.
The words hit me a second after they were actually said, but my first reaction was that he was right. Well technically anyway. I was seriously kidding myself all these years. I'd recently figured out, I'd been kidding myself on the 'Nathan' front, but now I realised I was kidding myself on the 'Ally' side too.
"No it's ok," I told him, forcing myself to smile.
Nathan let out a relieved breath, " but I should still say sorr—"
"Why? You were right," I asked confused to why he was retracting his statement.
"What?"
"I'm not her mother. I'm not Ally's mother. I never was, and never will be. You were right. I overstepped my boundaries and I shouldn't have doubted your decision."
"Broo-" Rachel and Nathan both began together.
"No it's completely cool," I said, and a laugh escaping my mouth. "Ok so who wants cake?"
Nobody responded and instead all kept staring at my reaction in shock, including Haley who was in the corner.
"Dad…" Ally said to Nathan worryingly, and he bit his lip.
"You're all missing out, this is really good," I said sticking a massive spoon of cake in my mouth, letting the chocolate take over in making me feel better.
Everyone still stood there watching me but unsure what to do. I was sure any second now if the attention was still on me, I would break down on the outside like I was on the inside.
"Oh my god, I love this song," Rachel suddenly said, putting the volume up on the stereo, and pulling Mouth up to dance.
That seemed to do the trick because a few seconds later the room was buzzing again as Skills and Grandma Deb got up to join them. Everyone split into tiny groups and began either taking food or mingling. I let out a deep breath in relief and said a silent thanks to Rachel with my eyes for saving me, and she responded with a wink.
Nathan made a beeline for me, but thankfully my phone rang at that exact moment. I pulled it out of my pocket and grinned to Nathan, holding up the phone to him and walking out the room. I had never been so glad to have a phone call from my mother in my entire life.
I let myself out, and closed the patio doors behind me, sitting down on the chair. I contemplated not answering but I knew as soon as somebody saw I was out here for no reason alone they would come to talk to me and I wasn't ready for that yet.
"Hi Mom," I said putting the phone to my ear.
"Brooke!"
"Yes it's me," I said ignoring her excitement.
"I got it!"
"You got what?" I asked only half listening.
"The space! I actually got it!" she rambled. "I closed the deal this morning."
As soon as her words sank in I felt butterflies in my stomach.
"You got the store?" I asked.
"Yes! You are the proud owner of 'Clothes Over Bros New York'," she said, and I couldn't believe I actually had a store in New York up there with all the big names.
"Wow," I breathed.
"Wow indeed!" she responded.
"This is it, isn't Mom?" I asked, wanting confirmation that it wasn't only me that felt that this was a defining moment in my career.
She didn't need me to further explain what my words meant.
"Yes baby, this is it," she said, her voice sounding more normal now. "but look, I know what a big step this is for you, and I can sort everything out from here; the marketing, the layout, everything. I can hire someone to do it all. You can just come to the official press opening."
"Huh?"
"I know how much you don't want to leave Tree Hill," she explained. "I do listen to you sometimes you know!"
"Oh," I said.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
Half of me wanted to be the one to do all the store design, marketing, and even the little things like hire my own staff and train them myself. I finally had my New York store and I wanted to be a part of every little step. The other part of me couldn't find a reason not to go. What was actually holding me back? Up until now I would have said Nathan and Ally, but was that still a valid reason?
"Brooke, you still there?"
"Yeah I'm here," I replied. "I want to do it."
I spoke without thinking, or even considering my words for a second.
"Do what?" she asked.
"Everything. I want to be there for it all. Don't hire anyone," I said.
"You're coming here?" she asked, the surprise evident in her voice.
"Yeah," I said, then repeated just for my own benefit to let it sink it, "I'm coming to New York."
"Brooke, you know I'd love for you to come, but you know it's not a one week job right? You'd have to be here for at least six months," she said. "And even that is the bare minimum."
"I know," I said. "I want to do it."
"Are you sure?" she asked.
"Yes."
"Ok, well I'll call you with the details. Do you want me to book your flight?" she asked.
"No it's ok, just send over the information and I'll do it," I replied on autopilot, and I was still occupied with the sinking in that I'd just committed to moving to another state.
"Ok," she said. "Oh and honey?"
"Yeah Mom?"
"I can't wait to see you. This is going to be so great, you'll see," she said.
"I know," I agreed. "I'll see you soon."
I hung up and took a deep breath. I knew I was making the right decision. This is what I needed. I couldn't stay here, stuck in this unhealthy life that I'd created for myself that didn't actually exist. Rachel was right—at some point I needed to learn to live my life too.
I stood up, and smoothed down my dress, before I turned to go back in. As I moved, I walked straight into Chase.
"Are you ok?" he asked, scanning my face for any emotion.
"I'm fine," I said patting him on the arm, and walking past him, and I hoped it would eventually become the truth.
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Nathan POV
As soon as Brooke left the room to take her phone call, everyone's casual conversations turned into yelling.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" Peyton shrieked.
"Yeah I am actually with Peyton on this one," Rachel added.
"Daddy…" Ally said, looking at me, clearly concerned.
"Yeah I know Alls," I said biting my lip, thinking of what just happened.
"I know that Brooke isn't my Mom but…" Ally started.
"I know," I said. "I didn't mean for it to sound like that."
"But she seemed fine," Lucas said.
"She's not fine," Peyton said rolling her eyes.
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A/N: Don't hate Nathan guys! He did it out of stress and confusion over what he should be feeling about Haley combined with the reaction of being defensive over criticism of his parenting style!
