Title: Evening activities
Author: Joy
Email: Julianna@ziplip.com
Rating: PG-13
22.
Haley and Lucas had decided to go to the quarry to dance by the sound of the radio so Jake's role in the evening was over. He went back into Lucas's room to pick up the book Luke had recommended when he caught a glimpse of the blond he was finding himself drawn to still on the computer monitor. He had watched her and Brooke talk while he waited for his turn in the evening's activities. Now as he stared at the screen Peyton was alone in her room looking almost lost. Jake took a deep breath and decided it was time to re-enter the dating scene.
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Brooke called to Peyton from the bathroom, "So you think Tutor Girl is going to give it up tonight?"
"Brooke, that's just crude…and besides I don't think either one is really ready for that…not after the accident."
"Whatever," the brunette said exiting the bathroom sporting a new dress. "So…what do you think?"
Peyton smirked, "I think Nathan's eyes are going to be straining to stay looking at your face and not your cleavage."
"That was the look I was going for."
The blond sat back, "Why? I mean, I know you were all about Lucas and Nathan was all about Hailey but you both have changed because of them…why slide back to old roles?"
"Lucas didn't want me," Brooke countered.
Peyton shook her head, "Lucas didn't want the drama. He likes you just fine. He would have taken Hailey and split if he didn't think you were awesome…especially when she gets jealous of us."
"Hailey gets jealous of us?"
"Oh yeah," Peyton said with a chuckle. "You should pay more attention…in fact we should probably give them some space." Brooke nodded. "Besides Nathan has been really nice to you. He knows how much the situation sucks for you both. He'd come around more if things weren't so strained with the old married couple, we refer to as Luke and Hales."
She nodded and considered a moment. "And things are getting ugly with his parents divorce. I think Nathan might actually quit the team until things settle down," Brooke commented.
"Whoa…where'd you hear this?"
Brooke shrugged, "Nathan…we talked last night."
"On the telephone?" Peyton wanted to clarify.
"Yeah…so…"
"Brooke…you may be seeing the transformation of Nathan Scott into a decent human. I think you might like who he becomes," Peyton stated drawing again.
She looked at her friend skeptically, "Like dating wise?"
"Who knows? Stranger things have happened."
"Yeah…like Nathan and Hailey," Brooke joked.
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Jake arrived on Peyton's front stoop just as Brooke was opening the door to leave, backing out as she went. She yelled back up the stairs, "Don't worry Peyton. Jake will grow some balls soon." Brooke nearly bumped into Jake as she turned around. She eyed him a moment then yelled again, "Maybe sooner than you think."
Brooke planted her hand in the middle of Jake's chest and pushed him back away from the door. "What are you doing here?"
"Getting some balls, as you so eloquently put it," he replied.
An index finger was stuck in the middle of his chest. "Don't jerk her around… okay?" she scolded.
"Okay…Can I go see her now?" Jake asked.
"Alright but you are still in the penalty box for taking so long." He nodded. "Her room is up the stairs on the left."
Jake gave a small smile, "Thanks Brooke."
"Get going."
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A soft knock got Peyton's attention. "What did you forget Brooke? You're never this polite," the blond said as she opened her bedroom door.
The shocked look on Peyton's face made Jake regret waiting so long to come by or call when there was an obvious attraction between them. "Ummm… Brooke told me which one was yours. I hope this is okay," he said sheepishly.
Peyton shook herself. "Yeah…yeah…fine. Um…come on in," she said quickly.
"So," he murmured. "Where's the camera?"
"What?" Peyton said confused then realized what he meant. "Oh. There but…" she threw a t-shirt over the camera, "Now its taken care of."
"Thanks. Makes me a little unnerved thinking of who could be watching."
She smirked, "Why? You been watching?"
Peyton was startled to discover that Jake was blushing. "Umm…yeah actually. Earlier…Lucas left it on while he and Hailey ate."
She motioned him to sit, "How'd dinner go?"
Jake rather uncomfortably sat rather far from Peyton on her bed. "It…it went well. She was a knock out in Brooke's dress. Lucas's uncle had his eyes about pop out of his head."
"Brooke will be so pleased."
There was a lull for a moment before Jake cleared his throat, "Did you know Lucas's mom is dating his uncle?"
Peyton chuckled, "I suspected they were headed that way from things Hailey and Lucas had said at lunch." She looked at her hands, "You should really join us some time."
Jake smiled softly, "I'd like that. Normally I'm so beat from being up with Jenny I just sack out…"
"Oh…don't feel like you have to or anything," Peyton said quickly.
He continued, "…But with such a lovely offer of your company I think I could find the time."
Peyton smiled a little then bit her lip.
"So…"
"So…" They teens stared at each other a long awkward moment.
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The trucks lights illuminated the basketball court while the radio served as jukebox. They had both changed back into jeans and t-shirts for comfort. It had started with simply wanting to be away from the audience at the house. Their dancing had slid into kissing and things were now moving into groping on the court.
Hailey was on tiptoes kissing Lucas over and over while he held her protectively. His hands caressed her back and rear while he took her in through touch, taste and smell. Most rational thought was escaping him as his tongue dueled Hailey's.
She bit his lip lightly. "Hmmm…Hales…oh…" he murmured against her mouth.
"Liked that huh?" she questioned scraping her nails down the back of his neck while trailing a gentle finger over his lips.
"Ahuh…more…" he whispered and started kissing Hailey anew. His hand stole under the hem of her shirt so his palm ran up and down her back on bare skin.
"That feels…amazing," she gasped slightly as his fingernails scratched down her spine. She threw back her head giving Lucas the segue he wanted to kiss her neck.
He was in a daze until he bit down on Hailey's neck and it caused her to claw his hips to bring them closer. The insistent circular motion she began to do against him, nearly drove Lucas insane.
"We have…we have to stop…take a break or something," he panted. Hailey nodded her head even as she kept rocking against him. "I'm serious Hailey," he said gently removing her hands from his hips.
"Sorry," she whispered shame faced looking down.
"Don't be," he answered leading her face up with his finger.
"Things just started moving fast…I like…I mean, I'm sixteen…of course I like…I just want it different…That make sense?"
Hailey smiled smugly, "You love me and want my first time to be special…not groping in a park."
"Uh…Hailey…" Lucas began with a curious expression. "Our first time…not just yours…remember?"
She drew her hands up his shoulders, "I thought you and Brooke…"
His eyes went big, "Brooke…you thought me and Brooke…"
"Well you did get drunk and a tattoo besides seriously making out with her…I thought maybe you did more than make out?" Hailey half shrugged.
"No…" Lucas said sternly.
"But…"
"No," he said again. "I opted out of the drama before it got that far."
Hailey looked down, "And Peyton?" She whispered, "You can't deny that you would have had sex with her…"
Lucas clamped his eyes shut, "No I can't…but it doesn't matter. This is us now."
Her big eyes found his, "Are you sure it doesn't matter?"
Luke sighed, "She came back remember? I didn't bite. I spent break with you… I chose you."
The smile returned to Hailey's face, "Yeah…you did." She pulled Lucas into another dozy of a kiss that made his toes curl.
He rested his forehead to hers, "The knots you tie me in…"
The radio played Iris by the Goo-Goo Dolls in the background as they danced in slow circles enjoying the night.
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Peyton sat with her pillow in her lap laughing at Jake's last comment. He had been there almost an hour and was really enjoying himself. He had seen some of her sketches including one she had done of Jenny while Peyton had watched her. By now they were sitting closer together on the bed just chatting.
For Jake's part he was happy. Peyton was cool. She didn't treat him weird because he had a daughter…in fact she really liked Jenny. Peyton laughed at the right places in his stories, bit her lip when she didn't know what to say and they shared the most amazing eye contact. He barely blinked while they gazed at one another.
"So…Peyton," Jake began. "Do…Do you have plans for the winter formal?"
Her face lit up like a Christmas tree. "No…I don't."
"Oh…" he knew she was going to say that but he half expected her to say 'we could go together' or something. But she didn't which meant he did have to ask…AND that just sucked. The next time Jenny's mom called and asked him point blank if he had asked anyone out-- the way she did each time they talked-- he would have to say yes. While on paper it was no big…it would be very big to the mother of his child…a child she abandoned but their child no less.
All these things passed through his head and shown in his eyes while they sat in silence. Peyton hadn't a clue what to do. For a moment it seemed so certain that Jake was going to ask her but then it was like he freaked.
Peyton tilted her head to the side to watch his inner turmoil. "Jake…this doesn't have to be a big deal if you aren't ready… We could go as friends…or not at all. Just spend the evening watching a movie with Jenny or something… You aren't asking me to be your daughter's step-mom, just someone to pass the time with."
Jake turned to her, put his hand on her cheek bringing her lips to his in the most perfect, simple, brief kiss Peyton had ever received. "Thank you," he whispered stroking his thumb along her cheekbone before kissing her again. "Thank you for understanding something I'm still trying to wrap my head around."
Peyton stared at him a moment with hitched breath. She was sure any moment now she would freak like she had with Lucas. The terror of the seriousness in Jake's eyes would make her run in just another minute…but another minute past and they were still staring at each other.
Suddenly Jake's face broke out in a smile and he kissed the tip of her nose. "Let's do whatever you want." He snuggled her down in his arms with her head on his shoulder and she felt safe. Safe…what a novelty?
Peyton's eyes began to tear and she hugged his middle. "Pizza and a movie… maybe a party after the formal," she sniffled.
"We have a plan," Jake replied.
Jake looked down at the girl curled in his arms and remembered holding Jenny's mom like this when she first found out she was pregnant. "She…she left Peyton," he mumbled. "She didn't want to be a mom but…I didn't want her to have an abortion." He swallowed shallowly while he tried to gather his thoughts. "I just want you to know that I am serious about my relationships and I know that scares you so I'll do my best not to…"
Peyton put her finger on his lips. "Not tonight…tonight we just enjoy the comfort of being with someone who gets it."
Jake gave a small smile and kissed her temple.
TBC…
A/N: Okay so it was heavy on the Jake/Peyton front. I doubt they will get another chapter. Then again this whole story is going longer than I planned. For those of you who want to see Nathan return I suggest you send me (Julianna@ziplip.com) ideas on how to do that…Ideas that will be believable with this story. So far the only thing I got is the formal itself. Oh well. We'll see. Inspiration has struck before when I was sure my gargoyles were dead. (Normal people say their muse is what inspires them…I say the four gargoyles in my bedroom that came with my husband into our marriage are what whisper the most bizarre plot twists to me in my sleep. I never claimed to be normal.)
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