Here's the next chapter, which I finished quicker than anticipated, so depending on the updating, you may get them all at the same time. I hope you enjoy and please review.

------------

Chapter 16

Brooke walked into the kitchen, took another shot of vodka, and then went back to her room to apply her lipstick. She wasn't looking forward to tonight at all, but at least she had a buzz going for her. It also helped that Lucas would be there. However, she wasn't in the mood for dealing with Haley and Steven or Haley and Nathan for that matter. She was still cursing Lucas for making her go when there was a knock on the door.

"Can you get that?" Haley called from her bedroom.

Brooke sighed, but went to answer the door anyway. She wasn't surprised to find Steven on the other side.

"She's in her room," Brooke told him evenly and then started back to her room.

"Nice to see you too, Brooke."

She rolled her eyes and continued to her room, she grabbed her keys and then left for Nathan's they were having dinner.

--------

Steven made his way to Haley's room and knocked lightly before entering.

"Ready, sweetie?"

"No and I still don't see why we have to go. We don't even know them."

"That's why we should go. Lucas is dating Brooke."

"Like you care. You don't even like Brooke."

"I think it's the other way around, Haley."

"And us making her go tonight isn't helping that situation any," she said reaching around her neck to latch her necklace.

"Let me," he said walking over to her. "It's one dinner. I promise it won't be the hell you think it will." Haley sighed. "There, all done." He ran his hands down her bare arms and kissed her neck lightly. "If you hate it, we'll leave early." Haley turned to him quickly.

"Promise?"

"Promise," he agreed with a nod, "though I really don't think it'll be necessary."

"You think what you want and I'll think what I want, but if I hate it, you promise me we'll leave."

"Only if it's for valid reasons."

"My valid reasons, not yours?"

"Fine, now we better go or we'll be late."

------

When Haley and Steven arrived at Nathan's they were greeted by a cheerful Peyton.

"Haley, Steven, so glad you're here," she said ushering them inside. Haley gave her a faint smile and Steve a genuine one.

"It's nice of you to invite us," Steven said.

"Well, I don't know many people in California and I've been anxious to meet Brooke, so this seemed like a perfect opportunity for both."

Perfect opportunity my ass. Haley thought as she searched the open rooms for any sign of Brooke. "Speaking of Brooke, do you know where I could find her?"

"They're all outside, I've just been hanging inside until you two showed up. We decided bar-b-que, I hope that's alright?"

"That's perfect," Steven said with a smile.

"Nathan's a great cook, I'm sure you'll love it."

"I'm sure we will," Haley said putting on her best face as they walked into the large yard.

------

The more time Brooke spent around the Scott brothers, the more she like them. Lucas was amazing, to say the least. Not only was he gorgeous, but smart, athletic, and incredibly sensual. Everything that she had ever hoped for in a guy. This was just the first time she'd found them all wrapped into one package.

Nathan was different than Lucas. Obviously there were physical differences, which she learned recently came from the fact that they had different mothers, but there personalities were different as well. While Lucas was confident, he was a shy confident, he didn't know the power he possessed and if he did, he sure didn't show it.

Nathan was a completely different story. One look at him and anyway could tell he knew the power that he possessed. He bordered the line of confidence and cockiness. His dark features made him stand out and just added to the sense of boldness a person got when looking at him.

Brooke also noticed the similarities between them. The way their eyes sparkled when they smiled and the laid back attitude they had about life in general. Nathan may be an athlete and Lucas a writer, but neither of them were high strung. They had an amazing sense of humor, she'd barely stopped laughing since she got there. They complimented each other very well and it reminded her of her relationship with Haley.

"It's about time you got here," Brooke greeted when she saw Haley walk through the glass door behind Peyton, Steven not far after.

"Glad to see you're having fun."

"These boys are very entertaining," she said glancing at them both. Lucas gave her a warm smile and Nathan looked incredibly uncomfortable, picking up on that, Brooke offered him a way out. "Nathan, do you think you could show me how to make one of those famous drinks you and Luke were telling me about earlier?"

Nathan quickly agreed. Lucas took over the bar-b-que.

"How about you bring us all some drinks, Nate," Peyton suggested.

He just nodded and lead Brooke inside. Peyton, Steven, and Haley took a seat at the round table by the pool.

-------

"So I'm guessing this dinner wasn't your idea," Brooke said helping Nathan remove the glasses from the cabinet.

"Not in the least."

"And Peyton?"

"What about her?"

"I just...from the other day, I didn't really get the impression that you had a girlfriend."

"I didn't....I don't."

"But Haley said..."

"Haley says a lot of things."

"I'm confused now." Her expression matching her statement.

"Peyton and I used to date. She just came into town yesterday and she introduced herself as my girlfriend when we saw Haley this afternoon."

"Oh...So, she's not your girlfriend."

"Not really."

"But she thinks she is?"

"Apparently."

"Man, do you have problems."

"You're quite observant," he said rolling his eyes.

"I'm going to ignore the eye roll and just go in for the kill."

"And what is 'the kill' exactly?"

"Asking you what you're planning on doing."

"Nothing," he said as he filled the glasses with ice.

"Nothing?"

"Yeah, nothing."

"So you don't think there's anything to do here."

"You're quite nosey."

"It's all part of my charm."

"I wouldn't be so sure." She was almost insulted, when she saw him crack a smile.

"She likes you."

"Who? Haley?"

"Yes, Haley."

"Did she say that?"

"No, but she wouldn't."

"And why is that?"

"Because she's scared."

"Scared?"

"She's not like you and me. She doesn't take risk or live life on the edge. She wants security and that's what Steven gives her."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"Because I know Steven's not the guy she should be spend the rest of her life with, but you're the only one that can show her that."

"And why is that?"

"Because while Steven give her security, you give her life and we both know which one is worth more in the end."

"So what do you suggest I do?"

"Two options. Make her jealous, which won't take much since she was in a complete frenzy after her supermarket encounter with the blonde."

"Or?"

"Or just tell her how you feel." Nathan cringed at the mere thought.

"That's what I suspected. I think it's time for you to lay on the Nathan charm, that I know you posess."

"You do?"

"You got under Haley's skin and that's not an easy task. I figure since blondie came all the way here, you must have some hold over her too."

"You're an interesting woman."

"That's what most tell me."

"Luke's a lucky guy."

"And don't you ever let him forget."

Nathan poured the liquor mixture he'd been working on into the glasses and they made their way back outside, both looking forward to the night's events more than they had ever anticipated.