Disclaimer: The characters don't belong to me, but rather to the WB's One Tree Hill.
Lunch in the cafeteria at Tree Hill High was a nightmare. Lucas often stole off to a corner of the campus to eat in solitude or with Haley. But today he was eating with the team. They had called a meeting to find a way to convince Whitey to resume practice. Jake and some of the other guys had grabbed two tables, which were now filled with the team, clad in their varsity jackets.
Lucas preferred Chinese water torture to lunch with the team, but he wanted to start playing again. He missed the feeling of the ball in his hand and the spectators in the stand as he dribbled the ball down court. He missed the roar of the crowd as he shot the ball in the air and swoosh it made the basket. Everyone had been right, playing on the team wasn't the same playing in the park.
"So what's the plan?" asked Jake. "If we're benched much longer, we're all going to lose out with the scouts. I need a scholarship to go to college," he said. Everyone nodded in agreement.
"Can he even do this?" asked Anthony one of the second-string players.
"He's Whitey," said another. "He can do whatever he damn well pleases. We've got to change his mind."
"I'll do it," Nathan said quietly.
Everyone stared at him.
"He stopped practice because of me. I've got to convince him that we're good to go. Even if it means going on without me."
"Nathan, we need you on the team."
"I didn't say I was going, but if it comes to that -" Nathan looked around the table. "I don't plan on quitting, but the team comes first." He stopped his gaze at Lucas. "You can win without me."
"I'll come with you," said Lucas. "I'll back you up. Whitey will listen to us if we come together."
There was a murmur of agreement among the team, but Nathan shook his head. "This isn't about us and how we kill each other out on the court instead of working together. It's about why I collapsed." Nathan could not bring himself to admit to the entire team that he had taken drugs.
"No, but if he sees that I of all people have your back, it might make a difference."
The team continued to show their support for Lucas and Nathan didn't have much choice but to agree. Silently, he was glad that Lucas would be there. He wanted his brother's support when he faced Coach Durham.
They went to Whitey's office as soon as the last class of the day was over. Nathan stopped in front of the coach's door and took a deep breath before he knocked. Whitey grunted something that sounded like enter and so Nathan slowly opened the door.
"Coach," he said hesitantly. "Can we come in?"
"If you must," grumbled Whitey. He looked up and took a double take when he saw Nathan and Lucas walking in together.
"Coach," said Nathan. "We want to play again. It's time, Coach."
"Scott, by now I would think you learned that no one tells me when it's time. I say when it's time and if I say it's midnight when the sun is high in the sky it's midnight," growled the coach.
"I'm sorry," said Nathan, lowering his head. "I just meant I want to play." He stole a quick glance at Lucas. He had started out all wrong.
"Coach," said Lucas. "When you first asked me to join the team, I said playing in the park was good enough for me. I was wrong. The crowd has given me a strength I didn't know I have. And I don't want to give it up just yet."
"And I won't make the same stupid mistakes I made before," Nathan said resolutely. He wanted to admit to Whitey that he took drugs, but he couldn't. As long as it remained unspoken between them, Nathan could stay on the team. If anyone gave voice to their suspicions, they would certainly suspend Nathan.
Nathan put both his hands on Whitey's desk and leaned forward, some of his old macho-self returning. "I had something to prove to my father. I don't care about that anymore. I just want to play the game."
Whitey looked at Nathan long and hard. He gazed at the boy straight in the eyes, daring him to avert his gaze, but Nathan held it steady. Neither said a word. Lucas watched the two, in their silent battle of wills, afraid to make a sound.
Finally, Coach Durham blinked first. "Tomorrow practice at three. And tell the guys to leave their pumps and skirts at home."
As soon as they exited the coach's office, Lucas and Nathan jumped in the air, slapping each other on the backs, shouting with glee. The waiting team heard their reaction and a roar went through the room. They were ready to play ball again.
Lucas and Nathan got to the café later than usual. Deb was waiting for them with her arms crossed and a scowl on her face. "Where were you?" she demanded.
"Talking to Whitey," Nathan said excitedly. "Mom we did it. Lucas and I did it. We convinced Whitey to resume practice. Tomorrow we're going to play ball!" He did a little dance around his mother.
Deb shook her heard. She had not seen her son this happy since he was a little boy at Christmas. "How did you manage?" Nathan told her, with Lucas throwing in a few comments to embellish the story. "You said all that Nathan. Is it true?" asked Deb. "Do you really love the game? I was never sure."
"Yeah, Mom," he said. "I really do like playing the game. Listen, when we meet with Dad tonight, don't tell him."
"I'll let you give him the good news," said Deb.
"No," said Nathan shaking his head. "Dad doesn't need to know for now. He'll figure it out eventually, but for now, I just want to play without him on my back."
Deb reached up and put a hand around Nathan's neck, forcing him to bend down and give her a quick hug. "Absolutely," she said. "We'll keep it quiet for as long as we can."
Lucas barely had his apron tied around his waist when Brooke came in. "You did it," she cried, throwing her hands around Lucas's neck. "You got the coach to start playing again."
"It was Nathan, not me," insisted Lucas, grabbing Brooke around the waist and spinning her around the room. He couldn't contain his joy. He longed to get out on the court and play some ball. He was bound to be out of shape, being that he hadn't played in a week. He hadn't worked out either. Anymore time on the sidelines, and he would be getting soft.
"Can we celebrate tonight?" asked Brooke.
Luke stared at her with raised brows. "Were you there last night?"
"Did it get bad after we left?" she asked sheepishly.
"Sort of. He didn't ground me or anything, but he said if I screwed up again, he'd tell my mom everything. And she'd probably come right home. I don't want her to do that," he added.
"One of the reasons I am so crazy about you, Lucas Scott," Brooke said, pulling Lucas down so their foreheads touched, "is that you are so loyal. We'll celebrate this weekend, just like we planned. You know, when you're free again."
"Hey Scott," called Nathan. "Go take care of your table already."
"Like he's such a pro at this," mumbled Lucas, loud enough for Brooke to catch. "He's broken more glasses this week than I have in six years!" But Lucas walked over to the table to take down the order.
Whitey worked them to the bone. He had them running laps, doing lay-ups, practicing from the foul line and playing a hard game. Practice lasted twice as long as usual, but no one complained. They were all ready and thrilled to be back at it.
"Scott," called the coach. When both Lucas and Nathan turned, Whitey amended, "Lucas. What's with you? You're playing like a girl. You've been winded since you ran the second lap."
"Getting over the flu," Lucas said. "Haven't been working out much."
Whitey growled something, Lucas didn't catch, but the coach didn't say anything else. Every so often, Lucas would catch Brooke's gaze as the cheerleading squad worked out beside them. Lucas was running extra laps, when Brooke sprinted up beside him.
"You turn me on when you're all hot and sweaty. I'll meet me in the locker room when it's all clear," she said.
Lucas waited for the team to leave. He told Nathan that he was staying to work out a little more, to see if he could regain some of his strength. "Tell Deb, I'll do the dinner shift."
Nathan agreed to carry the message to Deb and Keith, knowing Lucas would be getting a very different type of workout than they imagined.
The locker room was eerily quiet. He jumped when Brooke gently tapped him on his shoulder. "You scared me," he said.
"I have that effect on guys."
Lucas laughed. "So what did you have planned?"
She ran her hands down his chest. "Stretch your imagination," she said in a sultry voice. She kissed him hard on the lips. "So, what did you imagine?" asked Brooke.
"More of that," Lucas said in a husky voice. He pushed her against a locker and kissed her, running his hands up and down her back, feeling her small round breasts push up against his chest. They almost didn't hear the slow plodding steps of Whitey walking through the locker room. Lucas held up a finger to his lips and they pressed themselves up against the lockers. Luke had to put a gentle hand over Brooke's mouth to stifle her giggles.
When they heard the door to the locker room slam shut, both Lucas and Brooke doubled over in a fit of giggles. "Come on," said Brooke, pulling Lucas's arm.
"Where are we going?" Lucas stumbled behind her.
"You'll see."
You'll see was Whitey's office. The door was locked, but that didn't stop Brooke. She slipped a credit card out of her purse and played with the lock. "That doesn't really work," said Lucas.
"How do you know? Have you ever tried?"
"I never tried breaking and entering."
"Well, I'm not virgin," she said. There was a twinkle in his eyes. She slid the card up and down one more time before the lock snapped open. "We're in."
Lucas stepped into the office hesitantly. "Maybe this isn't such a good idea."
"Lighten up Scott. Whitey is gone for the night. Let's just have some fun. She sat down in the chair behind Whitey's desk and spun around. "Come here sexy," Brooke called, wagging a finger at Lucas.
Shaking his head, Lucas went to her and knelt down before her. She leaned forward kissing him again, putting her hands under his shirt and pulling it off over his head. He tugged at her shirt, and Brooke shrugged off her cheerleading sweater, revealing a soft lavender bra.
Lucas ran a finger over her bra, outlining the lace. "You're so beautiful," he said. He kissed her neck. Brooke reached up and unclasped her bra, letting it fall. Lucas stared. "I repeat," he said, "you are so beautiful." He ran a finger on her milky white skin.
They continued to kiss, locking lips and tongues, running their hands all over each other. Lucas was breathing hard as was Brooke. They were so engrossed with each other; they didn't hear the footsteps approach behind them, until the lights flipped on and Whitey cleared his throat.
"Forgot something," Whitey explained. "Didn't expect to find anyone in my office."
Lucas jumped up guiltily. His face flushed a deep red. "Coach Durham."
"Mr. Scott. Ms. Davis," he said nodding at Brooke. Brooke was busily pulling on her sweater, trying to hide her naked chest from the coach. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"
"I'm sorry Coach, we were just fooling around."
"Sit," the coach commanded, pointing at the two chairs at the other side of the desk. "What on earth were you thinking? I have to call your parents now."
"Coach, please, don't."
"Don't have a choice Scott. Even if I overlook the breaking and entering, I can't ignore –" he waved a hand at the two disheveled teenagers. "I can't ignore this."
Lucas slumped back in the chair. "We were just making out."
"Yeah, but you're not supposed to do that in school. I've got to inform your parents. It's policy. Now cough up your phone number."
"555-2090," said Brooke. "But I doubt anyone's home or they care."
"My mom's away," sighed Lucas. "Keith is staying with me." Lucas gave him the number.