BRIGHT LIGHTS
The Unexpected
"So how was LA?" Haley asked politely between forkfuls of chicken.
"Not bad," Brooke said with monotone. "It was nice, the whole ceremony."
Nathan nodded with slight disinterest. "Good."
"Ug!"
Brooke sat at her desk, staring furiously at her laptop. Somehow, the numbers didn't seem right, and she couldn't understand why. She had been working on the new project for so many hours that the whole office was practically dark. It would've been slightly eerie had not Brooke spent so many late nights at the office. "Ug!" Brooke said again, agitatedly, running her hand through her hair.
"Late night, sweetheart?"
Brooke looked up to see her best friend, Katherine. Katherine was strictly from a WASP-y background, but she was fun and energetic and connected with Brooke in a way Peyton couldn't. With curly blonde hair and blue eyes, Katherine was beautiful and had a killer-sense of fashion.
Katherine walked towards her, handing her a latte from the Coffee Bean.
Brooke gratefully took a sip of the hot liquid which soothed her. "Thanks, Katie." She went back to typing.
"God, you're so boring," Katie said dramatically as she lay herself over the desk.
Brooke didn't look up from the luminescent screen. "I just have to finish these McKineley-Taran numbers," she said absent-mindedly.
Katie lay out a huge sigh of disapproval. "Let's go out and party! It's New York, we're beautiful and unattached -."
"I have Jay," Brooke reminded.
Katie continued, unperturbed, "Let's go have some fun before we turn into stuffy New York work-a-holics, stone-cold bitches who have kids who hate them and a husband who cheats on them."
Brooke looked up with slight interest. "Prophesying much?"
"Shutup, bitch. You know that'll be you. I'd rather be an 'older woman'." Katherine idolized Samantha of "Sex and the City". "Are you ever going to come with me?"
Brooke shook her head no. She went back to the felt-pen marked papers.
"Fine, I'm going to go. . ." Katherine called as she walked out of the office. The wooden door shut softly behind her.
10.9.8.7.6.5.4.3.2.
The office door burst open. "-Please, just come with me!" Katherine begged.
Brooke was already shutting down her laptop. She closed it and put papers in her bag. "Let's go."
00000000000000000
Brooke peered out the dark frosted glass of Katie's black Escalade. It was a dark city, but it was lit up by so many bright lights. Streaks of light passed as the car drove on the nearly empty streets. It was late at night, and the people who were usually out at this time were at clubs. Still, people were walking lazily in the still summer air.
Brooke fingered the leather seat. The last time she had been in an Escalade was with Lucas. She tried not to think of him, but thoughts of him appeared at the most inopportune moments. It had been awhile since she had seen him, but his face was still as vivid as ever.
"Penny for your thoughts?" Katie asked, interrupting the silence. It was heavy. "You are doing some serious brooding, Brooke."
Brooding she thought. Another thing that Lucas always did. She hadn't told anyone about her encounters with Lucas. All of this was just kept up inside of her. "Oh, nothing. Just wondering about the accounts," she said, in order to assuage her friend's fears.
"Oh." Katie shrugged her shoulders. Brooke had been getting progressively distant. She was more silent and she didn't share her thoughts or ideas with her, like they used to.
Metallic notes floated from Brooke's purse. She bent down to get her cell phone. She smiled to herself as she saw "hottie" on the callerID. "Hey Jay!" Their relationship was getting steady. She hadn't held a serious relationship for a few years. "You're not going to make it? I thought you were coming home tonight." Her eyebrows creased. "I understand. No, it's fine. . ." Tears came to Brooke's eyes. "Okay, I love you. See you soon." She hung up the phone and sighed heavily.
Katie parked in the valet section of the club. "Let's talk, sweetheart."
Brooke looked up at her best friend's face. Even though it was dark in the car, she could still see the concern on her features. "In the club?" she asked as a car honked from behind them.
Katie nodded. "Yeah." They both climbed out of their respective sides. Katie draped her arm over Brooke's shoulders as they walked into the club. The bouncers were already familiar with the pair.
"Where's the guy?" A burly bodyguard asked Brooke. Jay was hard to miss and hard to forget.
"Away."
As the pair climbed the stairs, past the velvet ropes, their heels clicked. Katie found the both of them a cute corner with leather chairs.
"Talk." Katie ordered.
Fresh tears were springing from Brooke's eyes. "I don't know. I haven't seen Jay for so long. He's always working or on some 'business trip'. We never spend anytime together. Oh god, am I over reacting?" Brooke asked as an after thought.
Katie pulled Brooke into a hug. "Oh, sweetie. No, you're not." She could feel her shirt dampen from Brooke's tears. A thought occurred to Katie, she didn't want to say it, but it was inevitable. "Do you think he's cheating on you?"
Brooke picked up her head. "Yeah," she admitted. "But it wouldn't make sense. I mean he's just abnormally busy, but there aren't any other signs. . ."
"Brooke, Jay loves you. I don't think he would do that to you," Katie said truthfully. "You must be incredibly horny. Go find a guy and have a fun one night stand."
Brooke rolled her eyes. Oh, the things that came out of Katie's mouth. "I think I'm just over-reacting. . .And I think I can contain myself for a few more days. Let me get drinks."
Katie swung her legs so that Brooke could pass through. "Brooke you weren't made to be celibate. That's not humanely possible for a girl as hot as you." She sighed deeply as Brooke disappeared through the crowd.
Brooke squeezed through people to get to the industrialist-themed bar. She leaned up against the hard metal. So many thoughts were running through her head. Jay was sort of -off. She had blocked Lucas' number when he called her cell phone in order to become more focused with Jay. She was still guilt-ridden. Every Friday night, she used to have dinner with Nathan, Haley, and their kids. But the last time she saw them was a month ago. Although she was going to see them this weekend. . .
"Hey! Beautiful, you want to give me your order? Or should I just wait here?" A voice interrupted.
Brooke felt her cheeks burn in embarrassment. "I'm so sor. . ." The face, the brown hair, the sweet brown eyes. But something was different about him. "Jake?"
Jake looked taken aback. Never in a million years would he have expected to see anyone from Tree Hill. "Brooke!"
Brooke grinned at him. It was so great to see such a friendly familiar face in such a hectic time. Unfortunately, the mess had to include another Tree Hill person. "Jake. . .you've changed." He had a plain button down Armani black shirt and his hair was slightly gelled and shorter.
"As have you," he replied smartly. Brooke still looked beautiful, but she was more mature and had a somber look on her face. "Oh, and sorry about before . . .calling you beautiful. . . and all. . ."
"Hey Bartender! You want to give me a rum and coke instead of flirting?" Some random guy called out. The tips of Jake's ears turned red. He excused himself and poured some drinks for the guy.
He came back shortly. "So what do you want?"
"Four shots, a martini and Cosmo," Brooke rattled off.
Jake raised his eyebrows.
"You knew I could always drink. . ."
An amused smile was on Jake's lips. "Ah yes, how could I forget the incident of junior year at Tim's house." He poured them anyways. He put them all down in front of Brooke.
"I rather not relive those memories," Brooke told him.
A dazzling head of straight blonde hair came towards them with an incredibly handsome-right out of an Abercrombie and Fitch catalog- guy.
Brooke recognized Katie. How the hell did she find me out of all these people?
Katie gestured meaningfully at the man behind her. "I'm going to go. . .you'll be okay right?" She noticed Jake leaning sexily towards Brooke. That is one hot bartender. I need to come here more often. . . "You are so naughty, Brooke!"
"He just an old fri-." Brooke hastily put in.
Katie stood there, her boy toy looking incredibly uncomfortable and horny. "May I remind you of a certain person, Jay? Told you, you couldn't last long." She flipped her hair and walked away.
Brooke looked stunned. Sometimes Katie was a little. . . over the top. "Don't mind her."
"Never did. Hey, my shift just ended; do you want to get out of here and catch-up?" Jake asked.
Brooke was delighted. "Yeah!" She blushed at her excitement.
Jake laughed. "Let me get changed. . ."
Brooke fingered the rim of her cappuccino. "It's been quite a few years."
Jake sipped his black coffee. "I know. And you've changed. I bet everyone's changed."
"Jake! You've probably changed the most. Look at you! Working at the trendiest club in New York City. You must get killer tips. You're all city-like. You used to be the. . .the-"
"-Sweet country boy?" Jake finished for her.
"Yeah," Brooke finished lamely. The café was near silent. There were very few customers and Brooke loved the solitude of it. It was very low-key.
Jake finished the rest of his coffee. "Well quite a few things have changed."
"How do you work, with Jenny and all?"
Jake looked hesitant. "Nikki got custody of her."
Brooke was shocked. "Oh god, Jake. I'm so sorry."
Jake looked away and his face grew reminiscent of his baby girl. "That's just how the court is. They always side with the mother. Even if she did abandon the child. I'm allowed to see her. But I don't. It hurts too much; Jenny doesn't know I'm her father, Nikki got her when she was still a baby. It'll confuse her if I went to see her now."
Brooke was speechless. The pain Jake must feel. "I don't know what to say. I'm really sorry."
"Yeah, but there isn't much I can do about it anyways. On the bright side, I'm leading the ultimate bachelor life." Jake leaned back in his chair.
Brooke smiled. Leave it to Jake to be so optimistic. "Being a cute bartender, huh? What's your day job, superman?"
"Some boring office job. I just look at a bunch of numbers," Jake joked.
Brooke got up to leave and Jake courteously, being the gentleman he was, left the amount due and a generous tip behind on the small round wooden table.
They walked to Brooke's apartment building.
"Woah!" Jake commented on the lavish furnished lobby.
"Ms. Davis," The doorman tipped his head towards Brooke.
"Hey Harold." Brooke said as she and Jake walked towards the elevator.
Harold shook his head disapprovingly as Brooke playfully shoved Jake.
Brooke pushed open the door to her apartment building. She turned to face Jake.
"I guess this is goodnight," Jake said politely.
Brooke was disappointed. Jay had been gone for such a long time and all she wanted was some companion ship. She didn't want this night to end. "I got a rocking DVD collection," she said suggestively.
"Brooke. . ." he started.
"Please, Jake?" She smiled sexily.
"Fine. But if we watch a movie with Mark Ruffalo. . .I'm out."
Brooke pouted. Damn.
She popped in a DVD and sat with Jake on the couch, sharing a blanket between them. The credits began to roll.
"Brooke!" Jake said clearly exasperated. "I thought I told you I wouldn't watch a movie with Mark Ruffalo."
Brooke giggled. "Sorry." She squeezed Jake's hand under the blankets. Bad Brooke! Bad!
Jake just gave her a sweet smile, and they both watched the movie.
Brooke ran the doorbell, a bag full of presents and a cake in her hands.
Haley answered the door. "Brooke!" She gave Brooke a long hug. She looked down at all the stuff Brooke had brought.
"Auntie Brooke!" A little boy and girl ran to Brooke. They tugged at her sleeves.
Haley rolled her eyes. "Stop buying my kids' love with presents."
Brooke ignored her. She would spoil her godchildren as much as she wanted to. She gave each of them a brightly wrapped gift.
"Dolce?" Haley asked as she eyed the box her daughter was holding. "Oh Brooke! You don't have to do this!"
Brooke rolled her eyes. "I was just driving her and then I saw the dress in the store window, and it was just. . . irresistible. Haley, it was calling my name."
Haley laughed and ushered Brooke into the house. "Nathan only dresses Ethan in Air Jordon and sport clothes. Oh and we have a certain guest-"
Brooke ignored the rest of her conversation as she marched into the large kitchen where wonderful smelling food was cooking. "Nathan!"
Nathan turned around, startled. "Jesus Brooke. No need to screech."
"What's this I hear about you dressing Ethan all ghetto-fabulous? Heaven-knows he's a white boy. You don't want him getting beaten up at the playground." Brooke ranted. Ethan needed to be dressed in preppy clothes, with tiny polos and khakis.
Nathan grew serious. "All the girls can protect him because he inherited my good looks."
"Still as cocky as ever," Brooke muttered.
Nathan looked to his wife who was coming in the room. "Hales, isn't it true that all the girls will protect him from harm? After all he has the Scott gene."
Ethan looked disgusted. "Ew, girls." He ran away.
Haley chose not to answer and went to the refrigerator to get a juice box for Maddie.
"You and the 'Scott gene'," Brooke said condescendingly.
Haley continued to block out their conversation. Nathan and Brooke always fought. She was very accustomed to their bickering. Although it was very amusing at times.
"To be a Scott is a great thing. I mean look at me." Both women rolled their eyes. Nathan continued, "And look at Lucas-."
"What's that I hear about me?" Lucas walked in the room coming from the bathroom. His eyes immediately connected with Brooke's.
"You!" They both said simultaneously.
Brooke turned angrily at Haley. "I can't believe you invited him here!"
Haley defended herself. "I tried."
Lucas looked at his younger brother. "I can't believe you didn't tell me she was going to be here!"
The both turned to each other.
"Why are you here?" Brooke asked contemptuously.
"What are you doing here?" Lucas retaliated.
"I come here every week!" Brooke paused and stared with hate at Lucas. "Shouldn't you be in LA anyways? Oh and how are you and Angela."
"We're just fine." Lucas bit back.
Nathan looked at his brother questioningly.
"How are you and Jay?" Lucas said with a glint in his eyes.
"We're just perfect."
"Even though he barely even sees you. With all of his 'business trips'?"
"How would you know?"
"Brooke, he's my best friend."
Haley and Nathan looked at each other in confusion. They didn't know anything about this. And quite truthfully, even though they had kids and were grown-up, gossip was still interesting. And they would like to be included in the circuit. They just had kids, they weren't dead.
"So, what?"
"I know you guys barely see each other. And that something is very, very wrong."
Brooke blew up. "Lucas, just because I left you inthat alleydoesn't give you a right to bash on whatever I have. I love Jay."
"Do you think he thinks the same?" Lucas said with fury as he stepped closer to Brooke.
Fear took over Brooke for a second. Then it dissipated. "Yes I do." She answered with confidence.
"Why are you so blind, Brooke?"
"What the fuck are you talking about?"
Maddie's eyes widened and. Her parents forgot she was even there. Haley bent down to Maddie and whispered for her to go to her room.
Lucas was almost in Brooke's face. "Brooke! Don't you get it! He's avoiding you! He's afraid of commitment! Jay is trying to break up with you."
Brooke felt tears stinging in her eyes. She turned and fled the house. Lucas ran after her. She jumped in her white Porsche and started the car. She could see Lucas's hands pressed against the window.
"I'm sorry!" Lucas yelled. His voice was muffled by the thick glass window.
Brooke pulled out of the driveway.
"Brooke! I broke up with Angela for you."
Wait, you what? Brooke stopped the car and rolled the top of her convertible down. "You did what?" She asked, her voice shaky.
"Brooke. I love you." Lucas bent down and grabbed Brooke, kissing her.
It felt so natural and so comfortable. Wait, what am I doing? This is all too soon. "No Lucas." She pulled back. "This is so wrong." She wiped away a tear as she sped her car down the street and turned right, disappearing out of sight.
"What the hell was that?" Nathan asked as him and Haley caught up with Lucas standing in the middle of the road, still looking down the street Brooke left on.
"I don't know," came Lucas' honest reply.
Haley just hit Lucas in the back of the head. "Brooke has been in so much. And you just made it worse. Who is she going to turn to now?"
Author's Note: A nice long chapter for you. I think this may be one of the longest I've ever written. . .