OMG I really loved your reactions to the last chapter, I loved every single one of them, thank you all for reading and letting me know what you think, and I'm glad you enjoyed the last chapter as much.

Also, welcome CCLP4lyphe I'm glad you're finding the story interesting :) Thank you so much for commenting on the old chapters as you go :) hope you still find it amusing as you go on :)

So, here we go, life after the kiss... I won't talk a lot and let's get to it.

Next chapter is Thanksgiving, I'm betting you'll like it, but we'll get there later.

This is a Charlie Puth song.

15. Cheating on you

They were breathing heavily with moans as they tried to keep their lips connected as long as possible, but they had to break the connection eventually when breathing was a necessity, they rested their foreheads against each other steadying their breathes and when their eyes met, it was on again, this time fully pulling her on top of him as she had her long bare legs one at each of his sides and cupped his face while his hands were on her ass pushing her even closer.

And while their tongues were battling his hands drove up her body under her sweater to feel her soft hot skin under his touch. She pulled away to his surprise and then to take the surprise even further she reached for the zipper of her sweater, pulled it down before shrugging the fabric of her body, and then re-connecting their lips.

He could feel his hardness already as his hands roamed her now bare back while he reached for the clasp of her bra, he pulled away and she was smiling down at him in confirmation and so, he unhooked it and then…

There was nothing.

Except for that annoying beeping sound.

His eyes shot open with his heart beating faster than ever as he looked at his surroundings to see he was still indeed in that suite while his phone alarm was making the most annoying noise ever.

How dare it wake him up at this point?

He quickly stopped it and took a second to regain himself, his head shot towards Peyton's side of the bed to find out she was still sleeping with her back towards him.

It was a miracle this thing didn't wake her up, or maybe it did and she's just pretending to still be asleep, whichever it is, was in his favor at this moment, because he needed to go deal with his situation with a cold shower before she wakes up and notices anything and then it'll be even worse.

Really? Now, he's making out with her in his dreams? It was obviously inspired by the last night's events and what he wished it evolved to, but the truth is, they got interrupted.

Yup, it never got past kissing. Kissing passionately that is, but, there was nothing more than that because his phone rang bringing them back to reality, trust no one other Dan Scott to ruin his happiness at any given time and at any given place on earth.

And ironically, he didn't even have a right to call since he was just checking how it all went and how they handled everything asking for details that were none of his business literally.

Peyton has got up when he was talking to him and he was planning on following her right away once he's done telling his father off, even though the man's tone held some pride Lucas was eager to hear a long time ago, but… not at this particular moment.

However, after Dan finally hung up, he got up ready to go after her to see where she stands and to hopefully pick up from where they left, when his phone rang again and he groaned, but this time it was Nathan, and he really needed him for work, and he had to spend the next half hour on the phone and his laptop checking emails and sending back ones.

And it was finally done, but when he followed her at last, he found her lying on the bed fast asleep leaving him high and dry, he sighed heavily regretting bothering to answer the phone before he got to his side of the bed and it took him a long time to drift to sleep, and even then, she was in his dreams.

Peyton sighed getting up when she heard the running shower knowing that she's gonna be having a long day; she had no idea what to expect of it what-so-ever, but it sure was going to be a long day anyway.

She kissed Lucas last night. Twice. Without any audience and without having to. He kissed her first and then she kissed him, and it was magically blissful, but then, it was over just like that. The moment was gone.

At first, she was looking at him with a dumb smile watching as he gave her a quick apologetic regretful look before answering his phone, she watched as his jaw clenched upon hearing something on the other line and she admired his strong jaw structure before it hit her that they just kissed and then it ended, the moment was gone. Her panic made it go.

She knew that it was something in the spur of the moment, and yes, she liked it probably too much for her own good, but then again, he's the one with a girlfriend and he's the one who's gonna regret it and tell her it was a mistake.

So, she got up and went straight to bed lying on her side making sure that her back would be facing him when he gets back as she laid awake thinking about it as she touched her lips with the tips of her fingers in disbelief.

Yes, it was probably one of the best things that have happened to her lately, nay, definitely the best, and that's why she wanted to hold on to it for a little longer before she has to face his declaration that it shouldn't have happened.

She heard him talking over the phone and working and she smiled unknowingly at his concentrating voice or his occasional snap at his brother on the phone, God, she was in too deep already, and now a kiss was added to the previously complicated equation, which is currently beyond her abilities.

She eventually felt the bed sink as he got in himself and she was now left with her back towards him tingling while just wanting to get closer to feel his heat, however, she knew he thought she was sleeping. And she had to fight the thought of just rolling over and kissing him again for a good portion of the night. But, that would just make her even more pathetic when he gives her that apologetic look she knew was coming anyway.

And now, she has a long day with him, hopefully, though most of it will be some more work as they finalize contracts and paperwork with their new supplier after they have contacted Whitey last night with all the details before leaving the man.

And then they will be back at Tree Hill and she's going to be able to escape better…

They should have just stuck to getting drunk last night!

When she was done getting dressed, the running water in the shower has stopped and he got out of the bathroom and they were face to face with big eyes,

"Peyton," he whispered out as if not expecting her to be there.

"Good morning," she said nervously and he opened his mouth to speak and she panicked again, "We better start getting ready if we wanna make it on time."

He closed his mouth and nodded, "Right."

And so, began the long day of awkwardness.

XxXx

Lucas just wanted to make sense of things, he wasn't sure how he was feeling at the moment, let alone how she feels… it was all a big mystery to him right now. He felt like he was trapped in a circle of emotional disturbing events; he kind of thought that finally kissing her and getting it out of his system would let him rest –at least, that was what he has been telling himself to justify the need to do it.

But, as it turned out, it wasn't true; on the contrary, it complicated things furthermore. His head was spinning with thoughts and he didn't know what was right or what he wanted anymore.

He thought that maybe if they talked, it would help, at least categorize things between them, like did it mean something? Did it not? And either way, what that would mean for them? It's not like he can pretend it never happened at all.

Although it appeared that Peyton can, since she found a way to sneakily change the topic every time he attempted to talk about it, even though he literally said nothing but calling her name or even just open his mouth to speak, it's like she had it on a sensor or something that set off every time he tried to do so.

Like when they were on the way to meet the supplier, she just commented on the weather, and told him some basic facts about New York weather and streets going for a casual conversation he could care less about.

Or when they were on the way to the airport, she just ranted off about being hungry and that she knows just what to get them both once at the airport.

He decided then to talk to her on the plane because there was not much of an escape there, but then, there they were, even though it was not a long flight, but, she just fell asleep once they were there as her head fell on his shoulder, and he let her… even though he found it weird that she still needed sleep when she slept even before him last night, he didn't know though that she was actually up almost all night just like him.

And so, he gave up then resting his own head against hers and closing his eyes and pretending everything was fine for now after making a plan to talk to her on the way home.

"Oh, you've got to be kidding me." He spoke to himself when he spotted Nathan's smiling face waiting to pick them up when they were leaving the airport.

Peyton on the other hand, found her relief on seeing him, because that meant another escape; she didn't miss Lucas' attempts of bringing up the incident, and even though she knew it was coming anyway, she just kept panicking every time he did so and just wanted to halt it for a while longer.

Basically, she wanted to postpone it as further as she could.

"Wait, Peyton, I need to tell you something." Lucas held her arm stopping her from moving forward towards his brother; he thought he'd at least tell her he wants to talk later, if not even right now in this spot in the airport; he just couldn't take it anymore the fact that she's avoiding it.

"Well, Lucas, can't it wait? We just landed and Nathan is over there." She said casually quickening her pace towards Nathan and he followed.

"Yeah, but, you know, we have to-"

"Hey, Nate." She shouted a little over-enthusiastically skipping the few steps towards Nathan and gave him a quick hug.

"Hey, sis." Nathan greeted raising his eyebrows at her energy. "Isn't it for our two saviors." He said looking between the both of them with a smile while Peyton was heading for the exit and Lucas wore a slight frown analyzing her movements and how irritating she was right now.

"Yeah, you owe us big time, right, Luke?" she said turning to give him a smile.

He sighed, "Sure." He said giving a small smile back, well, at least she's being nice, she's pretending like nothing ever happened, and he had to admit that hurt a bit, even though he didn't know what he was feeling for her at the moment exactly, but it was still annoying, he just wanted to know what she's feeling now instead of all this confusion.

Looks like he'll have to wait until they're home though.

Once there, she got out of the car and almost ran towards the front door much to his irritation leaving him to get the luggage, "Wait, Peyton," he called but she just entered the house anyway.

Great, now, she's gonna lock herself in her room and he still won't talk to her; why is she doing this?

"Dammit," he cursed to himself, however, Nathan frowned looking between the two of them before looking at Lucas,

"What's going on? Everything okay?" he asked him.

"Yeah, it's fine. Good." He nodded.

"Alright," he shrugged, "Whatever you say. See you tomorrow then."

"Yeah, thanks for the ride." He said holding their stuff as Nathan just drove away wondering what's going on between them but deciding he'll figure it out later since it seemed tensed at the moment.

Lucas let out a sigh before entering the house, thankfully, though, he spotted Peyton in the kitchen, she hasn't locked herself in yet, so he dropped the bags and looked at her and she suddenly felt trapped,

"Peyton,"

"Lucas,"

"I wanna talk to you…"

"Look, Lucas, can we just-"

"No, why are you dodging this? We-" He said but groaned in annoyance as his phone rang cutting him off,

"It's been a long day, maybe we should just-"

"No, wait, I'm silencing this," he said holding up a finger as he fished his phone out of his pocket before freezing seeing it flashing with Lindsey's name. He felt like a bucket of ice just poured on his head, he ended up silencing it anyway out of nervousness, but apparently, she caught a glimpse before he does so,

She sent him a small nervous smile, "Good night, Luke, talk to her she must be missing you." She said in a small voice as she passed him on the way out of the kitchen picking up her bag in the process and seconds later, there was the door slam that told him there will be no talking tonight.

Lindsey; dammit, why does he keep forgetting he has a girlfriend?

Peyton closed the door pressing her back towards it as she let out a shaky breath. Well, that was a long tiring day; emotionally at least, she now knows that she can't seem to avoid talking any longer, if she wasn't saved by Lindsey right now –as ironic as that sounds- she'd probably be crying in this room right now after taking the whole 'it was a mistake' speech.

She'll have to take it eventually anyway, but, she's just not ready.

Right! Brooke! She needs Brooke… and Haley.

She picked up her phone and dialed Brooke's number, "Hello, P. Sawyer, how was the big apple with your beloved hubby?"

"Brooke," she whispered, "I need to see you, it's an emergency."

"Why are you whispering?" she whispered back mockingly.

"Lucas can't know I'm awake." She answered dismissively, "Anyway, I need to see you. Right now. And Haley."

Brooke frowned in confusion, "Alright, do you want us to come over…?"

"No!" she hissed, "I told you, he can't see me around the house."

"Um… okay then, I'm sure there's an explanation. Anyway, wanna meet at Haley's?"

"Okay. You call her; I need to sneak out the window. Now, Brooke." She said and hung up leaving her bewildered.

Using the skills she picked up on as a kid, and thankful to find out she hasn't lost her flexibility yet, she climbed down the window after putting a cardigan on seeing that the night was being chiller, and then, she almost ran the couple of blocks towards Nathan and Haley's house.

She met Brooke outside as she parked her car in the driveway, "Peyton," she called as she got out of the car, "What the hell is going on?"

"I'll tell you. Did you tell Haley we're coming?"

"Yeah, she's waiting." She told her and they walked up to the door.

Once Haley opened the door she looked with big eyes at Peyton, "Okay, I don't know what's going on, Nathan told me you sounded weird, and then this… so, I have both ice-cream and hot chocolate whichever your prefer… are you feeling hot or cold?" she rambled on as she led them to the room and they sat on the couch while she sat at the chair next to it.

"I… before I tell you this, where's Nathan?"

"Upstairs, putting Jamie to bed and then he said he'd go to bed himself." Haley frowned, "Why? Do you want him? Did Lucas do something to you?"

"No!" she exclaimed, "You two have to promise not to tell anyone."

"Not even Nathan?" Haley asked.

"Especially not Nathan." Peyton shook her head.

"Then, what about Julian?"

"Brooke, no!"

"Wait, why especially not Nathan?"

"Because then he'd tell Lucas! God, do you wanna hear it or not?" Peyton exclaimed.

"Fine, but, it's better be good, because after all of this, if-"

"Lucas and I kissed." She declared biting her lower lip.

They stopped talking and only looked at her wide-eyed and open-mouthed.

"What did you say?"

"We kissed," she said shrugging her shoulders up.

"Get out!"

"When did that happen?"

"Last night." She sighed, "There has been something going on… but then, we were just talking and then he suddenly kissed me… and then I kissed him again and I don't know where it would have gone if we weren't interrupted."

"Interrupted? Who would interrupt you in a hotel?" Brooke raised her eyebrows.

"Phone."

"Nathan?" Haley looked apologetically.

"Dan first, but, yeah, Nathan called too."

"Dammit!" Brooke cursed and then looked at Haley, "Looks like we won't be needing your plan after all."

"Yeah, they're doing it on their own."

"Wait, what?" Peyton narrowed her eyes, "What plan?"

"No way, I'm not telling you, what if we needed it?" Haley shook her head, "Anyway, you said you were talking before he kissed you?"

Peyton nodded already forgetting about the plan they were talking about now that they were back on the main topic, "Yeah,"

"What were you talking about that got him kissing you?"

"That's what I don't get. We were just talking about sports."

Haley smiled widely, "Just sports?"

"Yeah,"

"Oh my God, he likes you."

"What? What are you talking about? It… no, it can't be." She shook her head, even though she was having her own speculations about it before anyway, and she was sure as hell at that moment when they kissed that it was true, but then, not anymore.

"It sure is!" Haley exclaimed, "You like sport. And he liked that."

"Yeah, that's true." Brooke agreed before giving a thoughtful face, "In some weird way, it turned him on." She said earning a glare from Peyton and a cringe from Haley.

"Look, it was just a spur of the moment, alright?"

"Wait a minute," Brooke narrowed her eyes, "Why don't you look happy? This is a good thing here."

"No, it's not."

"What?" she exclaimed, "It looks to me that you're having a perfectly sweet November."

Peyton groaned, "I… I'm not here to discuss this, I need you to prepare me."

"For what?"

"He has been wanting to talk all day, can you believe that?"

"Oh, wow, what a monster, how dare he?"

"Talk? Pfft. Asshole."

Peyton gave them both a look as they rolled their eyes at her, "He's going to say it was a mistake."

"How do you know that?"

"I just do." She shook her head, "And I have been dodging it all day not wanting to hear those words, but I know I can't keep doing it forever, and he's picking up on something being wrong, and I just don't know what to do."

"Okay, honey, why don't you start with a deep breath?" Brooke instructed. "That's right, now, why don't you let go of those fears of yours and think rationally?"

"What?"

"Peyton, you just assumed that he wants to tell you it shouldn't have happened, and you clearly didn't even listen to him, what if he decides that it was what he wants too?" Haley told her.

"He can't. Are you guys forgetting about Lindsey?"

Brooke rolled her eyes, "Why don't you forget about her for once?" she told her, "This isn't about her. He kissed you, that counts. Whatever he decides to do is up to him, not you, and not her."

"I know." She frowned, "I just know that-"

"No, you don't."

"God, Peyton, you said yourself that it has been going on for a while, how can it be a spur of the moment then?"

She thought for a moment before looking up at them unsure, "You think he likes me?"

"I do."

"Yeah, me too."

Peyton sighed, "I just… I don't know what's wrong with me, it feels like a damn high school crush."

Haley smiled, "You really like him," she said using her motherly voice.

"I do, and it feels like a big deal, you know… I mean, I don't want it to affect me, yet, it really does… I just wanna…"

"Be with him?"

"Screw him?"

Haley and Brooke suggested respectively and both Peyton and Haley looked at Brooke who shrugged with a smile, "Don't act as if it's not true."

"I just like him too much." She whined ignoring Brooke.

"Then face it, Peyton." Haley told her, "You can't run from this, you will only hurt yourself. Go talk to him, and whatever it is in the end just take it."

"What it he regrets it?"

"Then he's a loser." Brooke shrugged and Peyton smiled gratefully at her.

"You're gonna be fine." Haley said, "I still can't believe we're talking about you and Lucas in a romantic kind of relationship." She laughed.

"Ugh, me neither." Peyton shook her head.

"So, to the important questions," Brooke smirked, "How far did you go?"

Peyton chuckled lowly, "Just a kiss, Brooke."

She frowned, "Well, there's a lot of range span in that, Peyton, from a peck to fucking each other mouths."

"Brooke!" Haley protested.

"Did you use tongue?" Brooke ignored.

"I don't wanna know that."

"Yeah," Peyton answered with a smile.

"Okay, ew." Haley shook her head.

"Nice." Brooke smirked, "That means there was touching, not like a virgin awkward kiss."

"Alright, can we talk about something else?"

"There was," Peyton answered both ignoring Haley, "At first it was surprising but then, I had my arms around his neck and he pulled me by the waist, you know when you're practically on top but yet, still next to him kind of position?"

"Aha, I know," she nodded, "So, did you feel his-"

"Okay, ew, ew, ew!" Haley exclaimed and they looked at her finally, "This is my best friend you're talking about, also my brother-in-law, so, that's quite disturbing not to mention disgusting. So, please, stop talking, and don't answer whatever that question was." She said and they both laughed.

And once again, Brooke and Haley proved they were her rock no matter how far or how long they had to stay away from each other; because they actually did help her more than she thought, she needed to talk and they kind of set her head straight, even though they were not exactly partial being exited themselves about this thing going on, but they did collect her and set her head in the right direction.

So, she needs that talk just as much as Lucas does.

That doesn't mean she has to do it right away though; she was planning to go back through the window, but to her damn luck, apparently, the wind closed the window, so, she had to go through the front door and be as quiet as she can and hope he's already sleeping.

But, then again, to her luck, she only made it a few steps into the house when he appeared looking at her with raised eyebrows, "Peyton? Where were you? I thought you're in your room."

"I uh, just went to get some air."

He nodded and then looked at her feeling as awkward as she is; he has been thinking and he came to the conclusion that maybe she's been running from the conversation because she does feel bad, maybe she regrets it and wants to pretend it never happened…

He had to know though,

"Listen, Peyton, about last night…" he started.

"It's fine, Lucas." She found herself blurting out once again panicking and expecting the worst,

"What?"

She took a breath squeezed her eyes shut momentarily remembering what her friends just told her, before looking at him again, "I mean… just, go on."

He cleared his throat, "Well, what I'm saying is, I don't know how you see it, but…" he said walking over towards her, "If you wanna… you know… forget it…"

"Um… sure," she gulped and nodded nervously, "It's fine, Lucas."

He nodded, "Yeah, so, you're cool to just forget it happened?"

"Yeah." She nodded, "Well, I mean, sure, if you are too."

He shrugged, "I'm if you are." He said suddenly feeling stupid, but not knowing how to put his mind back in its place, "I mean, I'm good either way. Like if you wanna pretend nothing ever happened…"

"Yeah, that… that sounds wise. I mean, it was just a spur of the moment, right?"

"Yeah, totally. Only that there were a few times before when… you know… I mean maybe it's just good that we got it out of our systems, right?"

"Yeah, now we can just…"

"Forget about it."

"Yeah, cool." She nodded hearing her heartbeats pounding through her ears louder than her own voice, "We're cool though, right?"

"Yeah. Yeah, sure."

"Good." She nodded, "Alright then, good night." She said as she passed him to the stairs wishing that she'd just disappear right now.

Oh, God, what just happened? That was the most awkward, disconnected and incoherent conversation she's ever had, and to make it even worse, she wasn't processing the words at all, she doesn't even know now what she said to him and… did he say they got it out of their systems? What does that mean?

"Hey, Peyton?" he called when she was just at the first step of the stairs,

"Yeah?" she turned around with the same dumbfounded look to see him approaching her and one he did, he hooked an arm around her lower back, and put the other on the back of her head his fingers tangling through her hair and put his lips on hers completely sweeping her off her feet.

And again, it managed to send the same warm tingling feeling through her body, only stronger. She kissed back almost immediately and had her hands around his neck. He pulled away only to reach for another quick kiss, and rested his forehead against hers resisting the urge to do it again as if he can't get enough.

He then eventually pulled away, pursed his lips together and looked at her while they stayed in the same position, she looked back at him and he sighed and she felt his hot breath against her skin almost inviting her to kiss him again, but no, not without answers, not this time…

"What was that?" she whispered out.

"I'm uh… just making sure we really wanna forget about it." He told her and she pushed herself backward and looked at him with her mouth opening and closing without words getting out,

"I… I mean, it's…"

He smiled warmly and put a finger on her chin pushing it up to close her mouth and she complied, "It… it's okay." He told her looking her in the eyes, "Sleep on it, huh?" he said and then moved forward pecking her lips one last time before withdrawing himself completely from her, and with one last wink, he passed her climbing up the stairs.

What? What does all of this even mean?

And why does he seem so confident while she's like a young naïve girl? Why does he sound in control over this… whatever it is?

And why is she not able to move a muscle right now?

Lucas didn't know what got over him, he was just as nervous as she was just seconds earlier, and yet, as she walked away, he couldn't just accept that this is it, it seemed wrong to just let it go, not without at least a proper goodbye, it's not like they even had a real conversation, because he's sure that's not how it's supposed to go, so, he just did what he felt like doing, he didn't even plan on saying what he said, or on it feeling as amazing as it did.

He was surprised by his actions just like she was, but, yeah, it's worth it… he knows… he knows now that he's not anywhere near having enough of this.

And he had a feeling she wasn't either.

The thing is, he still had a girlfriend that has nothing to do with all of this…

XxXx

The next day, they were swamped with work now that they gained their competing seat back, it was gonna be right before Christmas which gave them a month to have everything under control. And even though, they talked about nothing, but they were still civil towards each other, however, Peyton seemingly tended to avoid him, and he didn't blame her actually, he knew this was too much and he himself was scared.

He has been busy working all day, but the back of his mind has been busy with another issue, and that was Lindsey. He knew it wasn't fair to her, and he knew that he has feelings for Peyton, now, he didn't know if those feelings were gonna last, but at the moment, they were strong enough.

He found himself going to Lindsey's after work, he was debating wither it was right to tell her the truth, let it go for now, or go as far as breaking it off with her… he hasn't made a decision yet even though he was standing in front of her door.

He was nervous, but then with one last frown, he rang the doorbell deciding to just let the conversation lead him.

She opened the door with a smile, "Oh, hi, Luke, get in." she said and he frowned expecting a warmer welcome than that but let it go as she took a beeline to the bedroom and he followed her, "How was New York?"

"Uh, fine. It was good." He said instantly his mind going to one specific event in New York, she looked up at him and smiled.

"So, the work went fine?"

"Oh, yeah, great." He nodded.

"So, the old man is happy then."

"Yeah, he is."

"That's great. I'm telling you that man needs to take special care of you while re-writing his well." She laughed.

"Well, Peyton was with me." He noted not liking her sentence entirely.

"Well, yeah," she rolled her eyes, "But, you are older than her in the company and she's not even working there, and you're a relative while she isn't."

He wanted to argue but decided not to as he took interest in her actions; she was walking around the room gathering things and arranging them on her bed, "What are you doing?"

"Packing, silly." She said and then he realized there was luggage next to her night stand.

"Where're you going?"

She looked at him as in 'really?' "Home. For Thanksgiving. I'm leaving today, I thought that's why you're here."

"Oh, that's today?"

"Yeah."

"Sorry, I forgot, must have been working too much." But he knew that wasn't the reason. "I came because I have been away, and last time I saw you, you were mad."

She laughed, "Well, that was ridiculous of me, wasn't it?" she stopped what she was doing and looked at him; she was in fact waiting for his reaction.

"Was it?"

She frowned, "Do I have a reason to be mad at you getting along with Peyton?" she raised an eyebrow.

That was his door, he could have just told her then, but a voice in his head told him that since she was leaving for a few days anyway, then, he could take the time to really figure out what to do exactly since he seemed to be torn between the two at the moment.

He gave a headshake, "What reason would that be?"

She shrugged, "I don't know," she moved closer, "Maybe her falling for you since she's single and you're sexy as hell." She said wrapping her arms around his neck.

He wasn't exactly comfortable for some reason; it was probably his guilty conscience towards her, "Then you don't have a reason." He told her, well, not yet, because he doesn't know how Peyton feels.

But, he knew he's a liar. A big damn one.

"Good." She nodded, "You know, I think I still have some time to waste before I have to go." She said as she moved closer to kiss him.

And he let her.

But, as soon as he did, he felt horrible, sinking in guilt; it just didn't feel right, not at the moment when it hit him that he is a cheater. He didn't know who exactly he was cheating on with, wither it was cheating on his girlfriend with his wife, or actually –and strangely enough- on his wife with his girlfriend… seeing that the wife in this sentence is Peyton Sawyer!

She must have picked on something being wrong as she pulled away, "Is something wrong?" she asked.

"What? No, no, I just… uh… remembered that I have work in the office I didn't finish."

"Oh,"

"I'm really sorry."

"No, it's okay, you have to work, I understand. You can't lose the company or the old man." She smiled and nodded, "I just wished that this Thanksgiving would have been a little different."

"Yeah, me too." He said sincerely.

"Anyway, go, keep working, so it will all be alright soon."

"Yeah, sure." He nodded, "Don't you uh… need me to drive you or something?"

"No, I thought you were gonna work anyway, so I called an Uber."

"Okay, then. See you in a few days."

"See you, baby, call me."

"Yeah, sure." He said and turned around,

"Lucas?" she called accusingly.

"Yeah?"

"Aren't you forgetting something?"

He looked apologetically, "Told you my head isn't with me." He said as he pecked her lips and then left thanking God that it didn't go any longer than that or he would have cracked.

He needs to make sense of all of this, and no, he wasn't going home, he can't go home now, he'll freak out even more if he sees Peyton right now. No, he needs to talk, he needs Nathan and Haley.

His mind felt like exploding as he drove over to the all too familiar house, he has been feeling unusual things for a while, he kept them to himself, and he acted upon them and he got himself in this mess… it felt like the right time to talk about it.

He walked in through the front door, "Hello?"

"Uncle Lucas." He heard the familiar bolt of energy running his way and he immediately smiled leaning down to pick him up, "Why didn't you come together?"

"Who?" he asked him as he carried him to the living room where Haley was surrounded by papers and Nathan was playing a game on his phone.

"You and aunt Peyton."

"Oh, I just came from work right away." It was technically true.

"Then why didn't you come with her yesterday?"

Lucas frowned, "Peyton was here yesterday?" He asked looking between Jamie and his parents.

"No." Haley shrugged.

"She wasn't?" Jamie asked her with a frown.

"No, honey, it was Aunt Brooke."

"But, I thought I heard her voice."

"You were sleeping, Jimmy-Jam." Nathan told him not taking his eyes off his phone.

It wasn't right to lie to or in front of their son, but, then again, Peyton came in there and trusted them to keep it a secret especially from Lucas.

Jamie then shrugged and wiggled out of Lucas grip as he let him down, "Yeah, whatever, I'm going to play with Chester." He announced before leaving the three adults alone.

Lucas sighed and took a seat, "To what do we owe this visit of yours, big brother?" Nathan asked him as he put his phone down to pay him more attention.

Lucas looked at him and for some reason changed his mind about talking, suddenly feeling he'd like to keep it for himself a little longer, this was Peyton he's talking about, how can he just tell them that instead of scheming a new way to annoy her, he's considering the possibility of being with her? Will they understand this? They'll just call him crazy! Him liking Peyton out of the blue sure is.

"Can't I just stop by see my nephew, my brother and my best friend? Does there have to be a reason?"

Nathan raised an eyebrow, "Sure you can; you just don't look like you are." He shrugged; even though he knew Peyton and Brooke were with Haley last night, he didn't know what they spoke of, and he knew there was something between Lucas and Peyton earlier when he picked them up from the airport, and he just knew that Lucas stopping by now has something to do with all of it.

Haley looked up as well, ignoring all the papers she's grading and looked at Lucas trying to figure it out, she wondered what happened since Peyton was there yesterday, have they talked? How did it go? But, by the looks of it, Lucas wasn't feeling peaceful… whatever happened.

"I am." Lucas insisted using his lying voice that they were both aware of.

Nathan and Haley exchanged a look, and Nathan smiled, "Okay," he shrugged, "I'll go check on Jamie and Chester." He said getting up letting Haley handle it on her own, she already knows Peyton's part anyway… besides, he'll know sooner or later, although he actually was excited to know since it seemed to be… eventful.

Haley looked at Lucas with a smile moving to sit next to him, "Alright, buddy, what's really going on?" she asked him.

"Why are you insisting there's something going on?"

"Because we know you." She said mentally adding that she knows what is going on exactly.

He groaned and caved under her look, "How do you do that?"

"Do what?"

"Get people to open up."

She laughed, "It's a gift." She said and he shook his head, "So, what is it?"

He sighed, well, he's busted, they do know there's something and he knows that Nathan left for that sole reason, but, what is he supposed to say? Just blurt it out that he deliberately kissed Peyton? Twice! Or tell her about all the times he wanted to but didn't? And then what? He is not there to get their opinion about his little –sudden- crush, but to help make sense of other things.

And if he's being completely honest, he's okay with keeping the whole crush and kissing thing to himself at the moment…

And that's how he found himself speaking, "What do you think about Lindsey?"

Haley wasn't expecting that, and she didn't know what it meant, she just figured that this was her best friend and she had to be honest with him and tell him the partial truth.

She sighed, "Well, Lucas, I don't really know her, I just saw her only a couple of times, and we never really talked."

He nodded, "Yeah, but, that never kept you from forming an opinion about a girl I'm seeing before."

She chuckled, "That's true. Well… to be honest, I'm not really fond of her."

"Why?"

"I don't know, I got those vibes about her… I feel like you'd find someone better for you."

"Like who?" he asked looking at her and she didn't expect that question either, and it got her thinking wither she's saying so because she knows about Peyton or because she really thinks so.

But, no, that was what she thought way before Peyton said anything.

Is it a trap?

"I don't know, Luke." She shrugged, "Anyone. Why are you asking now though?"

He sighed, "Because suddenly I'm not sure about Lindsey."

"Something happened?"

He shook his head, "I don't know… I guess I have been trying to connect with her harder than I should be, and… at the same time, I figured that connection could happen without even trying… I… I don't know."

Haley's brain was already imagining a wedding, well, there already was one, but, oh well, she's imagining them together now, because she could see by how confused he looks now just how he's feeling, and it wasn't a lot different than Peyton.

"Is… there someone else?" she asked carefully.

"Will you judge me if I said maybe?"

"I don't judge you, you know that," she shook her head, "I just want you to be careful, not to complicate things and end up hurting yourself and people…"

He sighed, "That's exactly what I'm trying to avoid."

"Okay, what does your heart tell you, Luke?"

He thought for a moment, "The thing is…it's scary; I really don't know what I want right now, I… I was just at Lindsey's you know… and I know she's a good person, she's been by my side all the time those past few months, and yet, I feel like we don't know each other that much… not like we should be at this point, and I don't know if it's because of this whole game or it's because we just don't connect, like we want different things or something… but at the same time, I have been having… some sort of connection with… someone… and I don't know what to do now."

She smiled comfortingly at him, "That's alright, Luke, but that wasn't your heart answering… that was you trying to make it logical."

He looked at her knowing she's right, he nodded and gave a smile thoughtfully, "You're good, Haley James Scott."

"I know I am. Now, speak to your heart, Luke, where does it lie?"

"It's… hard."

She nodded understandingly, "Take your time, Lucas, you know it's fine either way, just figure it out now to avoid unnecessary drama."

"You're right." He nodded, "But, how?"

"Okay, Lucas, for as long as I've known you, you've been a hopeless romantic."

He opened his mouth to protest but she cut him off, "Shut up, you know you are. Anyway, I know you want to form a family one day, I know that's what you try to find when meeting all those girls. But, your problem is that you always spend too much time trying to only focus on the good things about the girl and ignore the issues –that sometimes might be screaming at you to see- just to try and make it work… you eventually see it, but, you waste time that you could actually use finding the right one… I mean, who knows, maybe 'the one' passed by when you were taking this snoopy selfish chick to dinner."

"I know what you mean…" he sighed, "I just don't like giving up unless I'm really sure it's not working."

"That's because you want it to work. Every time. What I'm saying is… you want to have a family, and that's beautiful, Luke, but you can't let this be your motive to be in a relationship… you can't let it be your main reason, I mean, where are you? Where are your needs? Your personality, your stories, your dreams… all of you… it has to be all of you wanting to be with this person, not just some of them and go on believing that the rest could be coped with, because it can't, Lucas."

He stared back at her; it hit him, he knows that, after all, he's the one who told Peyton not so long ago that finding the one is about circumstances, attitude, feelings, and thoughts preparing a person to meet 'the one' and develop the bond where your body, your heart, your soul and your mind all agree, yet, apparently, when it came to his own relations, he didn't follow that… apparently, he was a being a little too desperate to settle that he kept dropping one of the four for a while before deciding it's not working.

At least he followed it eventually to actually decide it's not a good match.

But, Haley was right, he wasted a lot of time in the process, time that he could have spent doing a lot of other things.

And then, it hit him again, maybe that was it about Peyton; he wasn't trying to form anything with her… it was just like the circumstances threw them into each other lives hanging their normal attitude between one another and leading to develop feelings that were too much to handle at the moment… he never tried to get closer or have anything with her, he just suddenly felt he wants to.

What does that mean? His own logic suggests that it means that she is…

But, no, no, that's just ridiculous. And terrifying as hell.

He looked at her again, "Um… yeah, you're right."

She frowned, "Are you okay?"

No, he's not. He's terrified now. But, he nodded frankly gulping down and he knew there's no way he's looking okay, "Yeah, fine. It's just hit me… you're right. Anyway, thank you…" he said getting up and she looked at him with an open mouth and a confused look as he hurried to leave.

The one? Peyton? That's impossible!

However, Haley's face broke into a smile as she watched him leave like that, because once again, his horror resembled Peyton's and she knew what that meant, "Nathan," she shouted, "Get down here, honey, we have some plotting to do."

Seconds later his voice seemed to be getting closer, "What is it?"

"First off, Keith owes you some money no matter what they say later, second off… Sit down and listen because you're gonna like it…" she said with a big smile.