Chapter Thirty Five
Knock Before Entering
Dan sat down at the counter and waited for Karen. He ordered a cup of coffee from one of the waitresses. He found himself smiling as Karen soon came out from the back.
Karen stopped short."Dan, what are you doing here?"
"Looking for our son."he watched as she looked around to see if anyone heard."I went to see him earlier at the house and was informed that he wasn't home. I thought it was quite early for him to be gone."
"No, you have it backward. It wasn't too early for him to be gone, it was too late for him to not have come home. He stayed out all night for the second night in a row."she shook her head."I don't know what to do with him. It's like he's doing all his teenage rebelling in one swoop. He's never acted like this. I mean yesterday when I tried to get after him, he cut me off and told me he wasn't in the mood to hear my lectures. He walked away from me without even a glance. It's really getting out of control."
Dan rolled his eyes."Karen, staying out all night is hardly out of control."
Karen looked at him."It is so out of control. I don't know what exactly you consider out of control, but to me not coming home for two days in a row and talking back to me is out of control and I want it to stop. Lucas doesn't need to be acting this way. He's always been a responsible boy and I want that behavior to continue."
Dan nodded."Then why is this the first I've heard of it? I'm his father and I'm supposed to help you with things like this."
"How are you supposed to help me discipline Lucas? He doesn't even know who you are. He doesn't have any obligation to listen to you. All he'll do is laugh in your face if you try and tell him anything."
"That's not exactly true. You don't know how close me and my son have become. Lucas may not know I'm his father, but that boy respects me like no other. There's a bond there even though he doesn't know who I am."
Karen looked at him."Exactly how close are you and my son?"
"Our son Karen. He's my son too."
"How close?"
"I'd like to say we're getting there. I've taken him on a few morning workouts. I've helped him with his game and we've bonded over our love of all things literary."
"So you and he get along well?"
Dan nodded."I'd like to think so."
"Maybe we should think about telling him soon."
Dan gave her a small smile."I'd like that Karen, but lets get our boys on the right track first. I'm still hearing they aren't getting along."
Karen nodded."You're right. We'll wait a while longer. This is going to be as big a shock to Nathan as it will be for Lucas."
"Yes, I'm afraid this will send Nathan over the edge."
"Don't think that way Dan. Think positively. Who knows, the boys might be okay with all of this."
Dan gave her a look."You don't really believe that, do you? You know things are not going to work out that way."
"I know, but I can hope. I know this is going to hurt Lucas like crazy. I know that he is going to hate me for not telling him sooner."
"We'll make him understand. We'll tell him we thought it would be wise to establish a relationship with him before anything was said."
"He won't care Dan. He'll still be upset."
"Then we'll wait for him to come around. We're his parents. Kids get angry at their parents. It's what happens. It's our job to be there for them when they come around."
Karen couldn't contain her laughter.
"What? What's so funny?"asked Dan.
"Nothing. I just never thought I'd be getting parenting advice from you, that's all."
Dan let out a sigh and shook his head."No matter what you think, I am a good father. I love both my sons. I only want what is best for them."
Karen nodded."I know. I'm sorry. I didn't mean anything by it. I know you love them. It's just a little weird that this is happening after everything that happened."
"You know I'll never forgive myself for what I did to you all those years ago. I hate that I hurt you the way I did. I can't say I wish it never happened though, because I got Nathan out of that one time. I just wish I had gotten to know Lucas as well. I wish our sons had grown up together. I wish a lot of things were different."
Karen closed her eyes and fought back tears. Sher didn't want to cry in front of Dan. She didn't want him to know that she blamed herself for everything. Sure she knew he had cheated on her, but she was the one that slinked away liked a coward. She was the one that always told Lucas it wasn't the right time to talk about his father. She was the one reason the two brothers hadn't grown up together like they should have."Me too."she whispered."If I could, I'd change a lot of things. I'm sorry Dan. I'm sorry for everything."
Dan watched as her eyes began to water. He quickly placed his hand over hers and gave it a squeeze."Shh, Karen. There is no need for apologies. What's done is done. We can't change the past. All we can do is make sure we fix everything we both ruined. It might take time, but I think we can get things to how they should be, with us and with our boys."he gave her a smile as she looked up at him.
Karen looked up at him. She wasn't sure if she had heard correctly. What did he mean by that? Did he want something from her? Did she want him to want something from her? She had all these questions circling her mind. She needed to know what was going on with her and Dan. She opened her mouth to speak when the café door opened and in walked Lucas. She quickly pulled her hands out of Dan's grasp. The last thing Lucas needed was to think something was going on with them. She quickly turned to him."Lucas, you're here."
"Yeah, I told you I would be."he smiled."
"Yeah, well you also were supposed to come home two nights ago and you haven't yet."
Lucas rolled his eyes."Come on mom. Don't you think you're exaggerated just a bit?"he let out a small laugh.
"Don't you speak to your mother that way son. Show her some respect. She has been worried sick about you. You are her son. You are to go home at the end of the day and stay there. I don't care what is going on in your life. You owe your mom that much courtesy. She shouldn't have to wait up all night waiting for you to get home to then not have you do so. She has to get up early and come to work. She shouldn't be worried the way she is. Do you hear me Lucas?"
Lucas looked at Dan as he scolded him. He wasn't sure what was going on, but for some reason this was getting to him. He felt as if he was six years old and his father was getting after him. He didn't want Dan to think any less of him. He valued Dan's opinion of him. He knew that if Dan knew anything about his recent behavior it had to bad. His mom must have really been worried about him to open up to a person she hardly knew. He looked down as Dan repeated his question.
"I said do you hear me Lucas?"
Lucas nodded."Yes, I heard you. You're right. I'm sorry mom."he looked up to her."I shouldn't have stayed out all night. I may have my reasons, but still. I'm sorry mom."Lucas walked over behind the counter and pulled his mother into a hug."I won't do it again. I promise."he gave her a kiss on the cheek.
Karen looked up at him in surprise. Dan had been right. He and Lucas had gotten close. Lucas had listened to him."Thank you Lucas. I'm glad you see the error of your ways, but saying you're sorry doesn't mean you aren't going to be punished. You're ground for two weeks. I don't want to hear any whining."she added off his face.
"I think you got off lucky, don't you?"asked Dan.
"Yeah, I guess."said Lucas.
"No guessing about it, you did. So now that you are grounded and won't have anything else to do I want to take you out a few nights a week for some strength workouts. If that's okay with your mom."he looked over to Karen."I promise he won't have any fun."he said with a smile.
Karen rolled her eyes."I said he was grounded Dan."
"Come on mom. This is for basketball."pleaded Lucas. It wasn't that he wanted these extra practices, but it would get him out of the house a couple nights a week.
Karen looked between her son and the father he didn't know was his. She couldn't deny them this time of getting to know each other."Fine, but Dan has to pick you up and drop you off."
"Done."said Dan.
"Thanks mom. You're the best."he turned to Dan."You too Dan, thanks."
"Any time son, any time."
"Okay then I guess I should go since I'm grounded."
"Yes you are. I expect you to be there when I get home."
"I will mom."he said as he made his way to the door."I'll see ya Dan."
Dan nodded."You too."
"Mom?"Lucas called.
"Yeah, sweetie."
"Nothing, I just wanted you to know I love you."
"I love you too."she watched as he made his way out before turning back to Dan."Okay we have to work on Lucas and Nathan getting along. I don't want to keep this a secret too much longer. Lucas deserves to know you are his father."
"I know. We'll think of something soon."
"I still can't believe he didn't tell you to go to hell."she laughed.
"I told you there's mutual respect with us. Lucas feels that there is a bond between us."
"I just hope that's enough to keep him from hating us both once he finds out."
"I'm not sure about that, but I guess we'll find that out soon."
"I guess we will."
Nathan slowly opened his eyes, trying to adjust to the light. He looked over when he heard the light giggle beside him."What's so funny?"he asked.
Peyton shrugged."Nothing, you just look like crap."she laughed again.
"Thanks."he said sarcastically."What time is it?"
"A little after eleven."
"Why didn't you wake me up sooner?"
"Because you had a lot to drink last night and we didn't get to bed until late."she said with a smile.
Nathan too smiled remembering their previous nights actions, He never could get enough of her."Still you should have woken me."
"Well it's too late for that."she leaned over and gave him a quick kiss before trying to get out of bed.
Nathan pulled her back to him."Where do you think you're going?"he asked before capturing her lips once again.
"I need a shower."she said trying to pull herself out of Nathan's grasp, but it wasn't working."You could go with me."she said with a smirk.
"Okay."he said and within seconds he was out of the bed causing Peyton to laugh.
"I don't think I have ever seen you get out of bed that fast."
Nathan shrugged."I had incentive."
"Yeah, yeah. You're just a perv, that's all."she said as she pulled him with her into the restroom.
Brooke let herself into the house and ran up the stairs to Peyton's room."Where are you P. Sawyer? I really need to talk to you."she said in a sing song voice. She wasn't sure what was going on, but she was happy. Everything was going good. She turned to the restroom door and heard the shower running. She made her way over and without knocking she let herself in. She never thought she'd see what she saw because if she had she wouldn't have let herself in."Oh my god!"she yelled as she saw her two best friends having sex in the shower. Nathan had his back to her and he had Peyton up against the shower wall. The sight was hideous. She heard Peyton call out her name as she quickly closed the door. This was disgusting. That was one thing she could have gone her whole life not seeing and been perfectly happy. She turned to leave when the restroom door opened and out walked Peyton."I'm so sorry Peyton. I didn't think Nathan was here. If I had I wouldn't have gone in there. This is so messed up. I can't believe I saw what I saw."rambled Brooke. She stopped when Peyton let out a laugh."What's so funny?"
"You. Your acting all weird. It's funny."
"I'm glad my mortification amuses you. That was awful Peyton."
"God Brooke, you're acting as if you've never seen two people having sex before."
"I know that I have, but those people weren't my best friends. I was never meant to see Nathan like that."she closed her eyes and shook her head.
Nathan walked into the room and placed his arm around Brooke's shoulder."You know if you wanted to see me naked all you had to do was ask."he laughed.
Brooke looked at him."You two really think this is funny."
"It is Brooke."laughed Peyton.
"Whatever."said Brooke still cringing."I'm not sure I'll ever get that image out of my head."
"Sure you will."added Nathan."I can give you another one if you'd like."
Brooke rolled her eyes and pushed him away."I don't think so. I don't think my new boyfriend would appreciate that."she said with a smile.
"What new boyfriend?"asked Nathan."Felix?"
Brooke gave him a look as Peyton let out a squeal.
"Lucas? You're with Lucas?"Brooke nodded."Oh my god! I'm so happy for you. What happened?"
"He took care of me."she said with a shrug."I was wrong. He didn't sleep with the whore after all."
"So then she's not a whore, right?"
"No, she still is. She kissed him and she went with him to the party last night. It is so obvious that she wants him back."
"Well too bad for her."laughed Peyton. Brooke was something else.
"Exactly."
"So you two are actually together after everything. This is great Brooke. I'm happy for you."said Peyton as she went to hug her. Both girls turned to Nathan once they pulled apart wanting to know his reaction.
"Well?"asked Brooke.
"Well what?"asked Nathan as he busied himself looking for something.
"What do you think about me and Lucas?"
"What do you want me to think Brooke? Just last night you told me you hated him and that he was with that girl, now you say you are with him."
"I was wrong Nathan. He wants to be with me."
"Just be happy for her Nathan."said Peyton.
He turned to her."I am happy for her. I just don't like the guy."he turned to Brooke."I don't like him Brooke. He knows it too. I let him see how much last night."
Brooke let out a sigh."What did you do Nate?"
He shrugged."Nothing really, I just told him I wanted to beat his ass and that you weren't going to stop me."
"Nathan."
"What!? You said you were getting drunk because he was parading his girlfriend in front of you and you told me you caught him sleeping with her. How was I supposed to react? I thought he was hurting you."
Brooke went over to him and wrapped her arms around his waist."Thanks Nate. I love you for looking out for me, but I was wrong. I'm happy to say that I was wrong. Things are okay with us now."
Nathan gave her shoulders a squeeze."I'm happy for you Brooke. You seem really happy, but I can't stand the guy. I have tried for you, I really have, but I can't do it anymore. I love you and I would never ask you to break up with him, but please don't expect me to be friends with him. I can't. I'm sorry."he felt her shoulders slump in defeat. He hated doing this to her, but he couldn't try with Lucas anymore. He didn't like him and there was no way he could pretend anymore."Don't be mad at me Brooke."
Brooke turned her body into his and hugged him tight."I'm not mad Nate, just disappointed. I want you two to get along. I love you both so much."she let out a sigh."But I understand. I know you have tried to get along with Lucas for me. I'm not going to push you to continue. This whole thing sucks."
"I know."he said as he planted a kiss on the top of her head."I'm sorry."
"Me too."she whispered.
"Come in."said Lucas as he heard someone knock on his door.
"Hey."said Sheryl as she walked in."I thought I heard you come in earlier."
"Yeah, I've been here for a while. Expect to see me here more often. I'm grounded for two weeks."
"Good. You deserve that for making your mom worry so much."
"I know. I already told her I was sorry."
"So you stayed out all night, were you with Brooke?"
Lucas nodded."Yeah, she had too much to drink and I took her home. I didn't want to leave her so I stayed on her couch."
"She knows that nothing happened with us?"
"I told her this morning right before I told her I loved her."
"You do?"she asked in a whisper.
"I do. I know it's really soon, but that doesn't change how I feel."
"Does she feel the same way?"she knew she shouldn't be asking all these questions, but she couldn't help it. She needed to know so that she could move on.
"She does. We talked about everything and we're together now and I'm happy."
Sheryl smiled."Good. I'm happy for you."she took a deep breath."So the reason I came in here was to tell you that I'm leaving tonight. I'm going home."
"This soon? You just got here."
"I know, but it's time for me to go home. I miss everybody."
Lucas nodded."Well I'm gonna miss you and so is my mom."
"I'm gonna miss you both too."she leaned in to give him a hug which he returned holding her tight
"Everything is so screwed up."said Brooke as she let herself into Lucas' room. She stopped when she saw Lucas with his arms around his ex."And I really need to learn how to knock."she said as she turned to leave the room.
"Brooke wait."called out Lucas who was glad she listened and stayed.
"I should go and give you two some privacy. I'll come talk to you later Luke."she walked toward the door."Hey, Brooke."
Brooke gave her a tight smile before turning to Lucas as the door closed leaving them alone.
Lucas got up off the bed and made his way to her."It wasn't what it looked like, well it was, but it didn't mean anything. I was just hugging her goodbye. She's going back to California tonight."
Brooke nodded."Okay."
"Are you mad?"
Brooke shook her head."No. I believe you."
Lucas let out a deep breath."Thank god. I thought you were going to be mad."
"Well I'm not."she closed the gap between them and wrapped her arms around him."I missed you."
"I missed you too babe."he felt her body tense."What's going on?"
She shrugged."Nothing, everything, you pick."
He pulled away from her slightly and placed his finger under her chin and made her look at him."What's going on Brooke?"
"I love you Lucas."
"I love you too."
"How can this work?"
"Us?"
"Yeah, us. How can we work if you and my best friend hate each other?"
Lucas nodded. Now he knew what was going on."I take it you told Nathan about us and he didn't take it well. What did he do? Tell you you needed to break up with me?"
Brooke shook her head."No, he would never do that."
"Then what is it? What did he do?"
"He told me what happened with you two last night."
"Yeah, it got ugly."
"I know. He doesn't like you and with the way you thought he would tell me I had to break up with you shows me that you really don't like him either."
"We don't get along."
"I know and that's gonna cause a lot of problems for us, all of us. I can't see us being together being easy."
"What are you saying?"his heart began to beat a little faster as he waited for her to answer."Do you want to break up with me?"
Brooke shook her head."No, that's not what I'm saying at all. I just know this is going to be hard and I hate it."
Lucas pulled her to him once again."I'm sorry Brooke. Look, I'll talk to Nathan. I'll tell him I want to put everything behind us."
"You'd do that?"she asked as she buried her face further into his chest.
"I sure would. I'd do anything for you Brooke."
Brooke looked up at him and smiled before leaning up and capturing his lips with her own. She kissed him slowly, wanting to savor the every feeling. She loved the way she felt when they kissed. It was a feeling that she had never felt before and one she wasn't ready to let go.