Part Two
Two days later, it was the day of Dan's wake. Deb had been working hard on funeral arrangements. She tried keeping her mind off the fact that her husband had just died.
Nathan had been distant from everybody, especially his mom. The only person he would talk to was Haley. Everyone else was a shadow in the background.
Peyton had been at home the last couple of days, as had Brooke. Lucas hadn't called Brooke or seen her since their infamous kiss. He couldn't stop thinking about it.
Lucas was in his room at his house getting dressed. He had been quiet these last few days. He hadn't really talked to his mom about Dan's death. Karen hadn't brought it up either.
Karen walked in. "Lucas."
"Yeah?"
"I know we haven't really talked about this..."
"Mom, can we not do this right now?"
She sighed. "I just want you to know that you can talk to me about whatever you are feeling..." She continued to talk as Lucas went to get a tie.
He opened up his closet and picture of him and Brooke fell down. It was from a party back when they were dating. They were so happy. She was in his lap, drink in hand. She was laughing at something Tim had said. He picked up the picture and smiled.
"Mom..."
"And don't forget about Keith. This is hard on him too..."
Lucas interrupted her, "MOM! I gotta go. I'll meet you at the funeral home."
She tried to stop him. "Where are you going?"
"To fix a mistake once and for all," he yelled as he ran out of the room.
Ten minutes later he pulled up in front of Brooke's house. He rang the doorbell and her housemaid answered the door. She told him to sit in the living room while she got Brooke. A few minutes later Brooke walked in.
She was surprised to see him sitting in her living room. "Luke."
He stood up. "What was the other night? That kiss, what was it?"
She shook her head. "I took advantage of you. You were vulnerable."
"But I initiated the kiss."
"But I didn't stop it."
"Why not?"
She wasn't sure where he was going with the questions. "What do you want?"
"I want what you want."
"How do you know what I want?"
He stepped closer to her. "Your kiss, Brooke. I could feel it. You miss me more than you care to say. But I know you Brooke."
She looked away. "Lucas..."
He reached in his back pocket and pulled out the picture he found. "Remember this?"
"It was so long ago."
"Four months."
"What's your point?"
"Why are you fighting this Brooke?"
"Fighting what?!"
"Us."
She was startled by his bluntness. She was quiet for a few minutes. "I promised myself Luke. I promised I wouldn't go back to you. You hurt me so bad."
He put his arm around her waist. "I know I did. And I apologized for that. If you are worried that I kissed you as a way to escape this pain for Dan, that's not it. I kissed you to see if we still had it."
"Had what?"
"The chemistry, the stuff that made us click."
"And?"
"And we do. Brooke, I know you felt it."
She shook her head. "Luke..." She pushed his hands off her.
He took a step back. "Brooke, I am about to walk out that door. If you don't come after me, then I know you mean it. You don't still love me, you don't want me back. In a few days I go back to Charleston. The only thing keeping me here is a reason to stay."
Brooke almost cried at his ultimatum.
Lucas looked at her. When she didn't say anything, he walked out.
And she didn't go after him.
Thirty minutes later Lucas arrived at the funeral home. It had hurt him when Brooke didn't come after him. He had really thought she still loved him.
He walked in and Haley came up and gave him a hug. "How are you doing?"
"Fine," he said.
She sighed. "This is so hard on Nathan, you, and Deb."
"Me? Its harder on them."
She shook her head. "Its hard on you, you are just too stubborn to show it."
"Where's Nathan?"
She nodded to the front. "Up there, with Deb."
"Is it open casket?"
Again she nodded.
Lucas winced. He wasn't sure if he could do this. Peyton walked up behind him and gave him a hug. "You ready?"
"No."
She smiled. "I'll go with you."
Haley left them and went to talk to some other people. Lucas and Peyton walked arm in arm to the front. For Lucas, this showed him she had forgiven him and wanted to be friends. For Peyton, this showed her things between her and Lucas don't have to be more than friendship.
They had their arms around each other for moral support.
Brooke walked in the back of the room and watched from afar. She saw Peyton and Lucas put their arms around each other and walk forward. She felt a pang of jealousy. She still felt the aftermath of January. She decided not to be there and turned and left.
The next day was the funeral and everyone attended. Brooke went to the service but didn't go to the burial.
Lucas stood next to Peyton throughout. Haley was next to Nathan, supporting him and Deb. Deb was keeping herself busy. She didn't want to admit to what had happened. She felt it was her fault Dan was under so much stress which brought on the heart attack. Nathan had tried countless times to convince her otherwise but nothing worked.
Even though Dan was disliked by many, a ton of people showed up to pay their respects.
Lucas and Peyton walked back to her car. Lucas had his hands in his pockets. Peyton said, "So what's the deal with you and Brooke?"
"She hasn't told you?"
"Let's get something clear. Since last winter, Brooke doesn't tell me anything about you guys."
He laughed. "Yeah I guess that would make sense."
"So...?"
"So... nothing. I thought we had something going the other night but then I told her to give me a reason to stay in Tree Hill and she didn't say anything. So I left and that's that."
"That sucks."
"What do you care?"
"Hey, I liked you and Brooke."
"And then you wanted to have sex with me?"
She pushed him lightly. "Kind of. I think I just wanted to see if you and I could be good together."
"And?"
"You are a friend. Nothing more."
"When did you figure that out?"
"After we kissed a whole bunch."
He pretended to be offended. "Thanks."
"Sorry. All I'm saying is you and I are never going to be more than good friends. And I'm cool with that."
"So you aren't mad at me for sleeping with Nicki?"
She laughed. "Nah. Old news. Still a little shocked, but whatever."
"Listen I'll catch you later okay?"
"Sure. See you."
Later that night Lucas walked into a dark house. Karen was staying with Deb for awhile and Lucas was beat. He opened his bedroom door and tried to find the light switch.
He threw his clothes onto the floor and finally turned the light on.
Brooke was sitting on his bed. He was startled when he saw her. "Brooke?"
She stood up and walked over to him.
"I'm your reason to stay." She stood directly in front of him, and pulled him down to her level and kissed him, hard and passionately.
Lucas stared at her. "Really?"
"Really. I was scared before, but not now. I don't know what I was thinking. I know now I love you and I don't want you anywhere but here."
"Well, I guess you're a good reason to stay...."
She hit his chest playfully. "Hush."
He pulled her close again. "You are the perfect reason to stay."
Author's Note: Thanks for reading and reviewing. This was just a short story that popped into my head so i decided to just write it, but i really do like it. i hope you did too! thanks again for reviewing, i am continuing my other story Trusting You as well.
-Emilie-
