Hometown Ties
Chapter 8
Author's Note : I am humbled and blown away by the feedback from the last you. Let me know you're thoughts.? Review!
The Bridge
I would never admit it out loud but i was nervous. The run in with Brooke at the cafe was uncomfortale enough. Having her reach out to me made me want to bury my head under the covers. Just seeing her brought up alot. For me and Lucas we haven't discussed the run in by ourselves yet but the talk between us was coming. I could feel it.
When i saw Brooke standing there near the bridge it brought me back to high school. A part of me felt an overwheling ache for the friendship we used to have. I moved around alot of times before ending up at Tree Hill High. With my parents never around. Constantly traveling. My friends became my family. Brooke and i got so close we ended up living together. We were pregnant at the same time.
My baby lived and hers didn't. I still remember holding her in my arms when she told me what happened. She admitted to me that she had to leave town. Losing the baby was a breaking point for her and she had to start over somewhere new.
"Thanks for meeting me." Brooke said.
"We are creatures of habit. Our cell numbers haven't changed in all these years. I'm glad you reached out to me. I've been wanting to talk and clear the air. We didn't know anyone was around. Especially you. If we did. We would of been more cautious." Rachel explained.
Brooke's eyes went wide. "I saw the two of you all over each other. In his car. I was taken aback. I thought Haley would of told me or Nathan for that matter." She replied.
"Why is their job to monitor and report to you about Lucas's personal life.?" Rachel asked.
Brooke sighed deeply. Wrapping her arms around herself.
"They kept Peyton and I up to date on everything else happening in town. I thought that would be included."
"Rach. Why Lucas.? You could of had any other guy in town." Brooke asked. Emotion causing her voice to break. As she looked out at the bridge and rushing river in front of her.
"Lucas and i had been friends for years up until a year ago."
"For him this is fun without a for me it's alot more then that." Rachel said.
Brooke swallowed hard. Staring back at her former close friend.
"How do you feel about Lucas.?" Brooke asked. Needing the truth. And to put a stop to the non stop theories in her mind.
Rachel couldn't meet Brooke's gaze as she spoke.
"I love him. I didn't expect to. This wasn't planned. Spending so much time with someone. Going through things together. Sharing a child. Changes the dynamic between two people." Rachel admitted.
Brooke felt her heart break in pieces.
"You wanted him back in high school. Didn't you.! Just waiting on the sidelines. For you're chance with him!" Brooke yelled.
"Brooke it didn't happen that way. I just explained the entire left town for 12 years! Did you seriously think life just stopped moving because you weren't around!" Rachel yelled back.
Brooke turned from Rachel. Running her hands through her hair.
Attempting to calm down the inner turmoil overboiling inside herself.
"I'm sorry alright. If you want me to break it off with him. I will. Yes it would hurt. But i would deal with it and move on. I miss having you in my life as friend. If i have to end things with Lucas for that to happen i will." Rachel said.
Brooke stared back at her. "I left town because of the miscarriage. That changed me. I never even told him i was pregnant. I thought running was only solution."
"I let Victoria into my head. That i wasn't good enough. That Lucas and i were too different. It would all end in heartbreak and diaster. I didn't want to risk that. Him hating me. The thought alone tore my heart out. Me leaving was my choice. I'm not going to stand in the way of the two of you." Brooke stated.
"Answer this one question then. Are you in love with Lucas or not.?" Rachel asked.
"Yes i'm in love with him. But that doesn't matter now. I'm married he hates me. What difference would it make him knowing that now.?" Brooke replied.
"It matters to me. And it will matter to Lucas too." Rachel said.
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