"I hate doing this with all these damned cameras around", Lucas huffed.
He and Nathan were in Atlanta doing an event for the Make A Wish Foundation charity.
"Yeah, dude. Me too. It feels so fake and like it's all for show. I like it much better when we can do stuff low key and on our own."
Both brothers were anonymously affiliated with several charities. They loved the opportunity to give to those less fortunate because the feelings came from within, not because some over paid sports agent thought it would look good in the papers.
"My agent has been trying to book me for every appearance from here to Antarctica. It gets crazy sometimes and I was even tempted to say no today but what better feeling is it than the looks on the faces of those sick little kids who just can't wait to meet us?"
"I hear you, bro", Nathan smiled. "It's a good thing we're doing itand it's all about the kids anyway. They're great. I just thank the Man upstairs that our own kids are healthy and happy."
"Yeah. I don't know what I'd do without my Harmony. I mean, she's only been here five months but it's almost impossible trying to imagine what life was like before she came along."
"Remember how me and you used to spend hours in your room talking about what it would be like if we evermade it to the pros?" Nathan smiled. "We said we'd build a Playboy type mansion and live in it together…"
"And all our maids and cooks would be hot naked chicks", Lucas laughed.
"…Hell yeah. And we'd have crazy parties every night…"
"…And do nothing but spend money on ourselves buying jewelry and cars and beer…"
"And look at us now", Nathan sighed. "Two boring old family men with kids. Man, in a million years I never imagined my life would be like this. Don't get me wrong…I love it. I love Haley and my boys more than life itself but did you ever see us this way years ago when we were running laps in the gym with Whitey screaming at us to leave our pumps and make up at home?"
"No, man. Never in my wildest dreams. But it's good though. The money and the fame and the fans are cool but it only goes so far, you know? We've got each other and we've got our kids and a chance to do better by them than what Dan did for us."
"That's true. And I have Haley. And she's great and I love her and the life we've made together but I'm worried about you, man. Since we were kids, it's always been me and Hales and you and Brooke. I know you love her, I just hope you'll be okay without her."
"I will be", Lucas answered confidently. "I never thought I could say that and actually mean it but I do. Sure it'll be weird and I'll miss her and it might suck for a while but I think I'm gonna be alright. Brooke and I are friends nowand thank God for that because we're going to raise Harmony together."
"You're taking this well."
"What other choice do I have?" Lucas chuckled. "Life throws you a curve ball and sometimes you just have to roll with it."
Nathan laughed out loud.
"What's so funny, little brother?" Lucas asked.
"You, man. You're just…amazingly calm about all of this."
"And you rather I'd be on top of the Empire State Building right now threatening to end it all?"
"No. I'm glad you're okay…I'm just surprised. I mean, it's cool, you know?"
"Yeah."
"Hell, it's not like you've got someone waiting in the wings to take Brooke's place?" Nathan laughed.
Lucas did not return his brother's laughter.
"That was a joke, Luke. You know, ha ha, go ahead and laugh…"
"Nate…"
"Oh shit, dude. I know that look. Is…is it someone else?"
"Not like you think", Lucas sighed. "But yes I did meet a girl. I met her in Tree Hill actually."
"A local?"
"I don't think so", Lucas laughed. "I really don't know a lot about her. Her name is Anna and she's based in Miami for now. Anyway, we hung out and exchanged numbers and stuff. I've talked to her a few times and actually we're going to see each other in a few days."
Nathan look stunned as he sat taking in all the new information.
"Luke, I don't know what to say. Hell, you're a soon to be free man, right? Live your life, bro. Just be careful."
"Well, I appreciate the advice but it's not like that. She's just…cool. I don't know. I like hanging out with her and that's all it is for now. She gets that. We enjoy each other's company and having a new friend is more than enough for me right now. Trust me, I am not looking for any serious romantic entanglements. I need more woman trouble like I need a hole in the head. Besides, like I told you, from now on Harmony and my career come first…in that order."
Nathan simply nodded. Lucas had been through a lot. During their teen years it was Nathan, the carbon copy of their father, who had been the token jerk. Lucas was the good one. The shy, considerate, kind and sensitive one who always did the right thing. As the brothers had grown closer, Nathan had seen Luke for the good and decent man he was. He had always looked up to him and that would never change. Even when his older brother was at his worst,Nate had never stopped loving him. People make mistakes. Nathan had made enough in his life to understand that. Sometimes it didn't seem fair that the whole world was riding Luke for the one stupid move he would be eternally sorry for. Lucas had tried his damnest to make things right and get his family back but for Brooke the fairytale union was over. Even with the divorce just seconds from being final, it seemed everyone, including Haley was pushing for the Brucas reunion. Nathan felt just the opposite. He loved Brooke but what was the point of a reconciliation when she would never completely forgive his brother anyway? And why had Luke turned into the sniveling, whiny, crybaby constantly kissing Brooke's ass and always begging for something or another. No, his big brother was better than that. Life would go on and if there was another special girl waiting in the wings, then more power to Lucas! He deserved to be happy again.
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He smiled as he saw her standing in the midst of thousands of airport passengers. She looked great in form fitting jeans and her long, dark hair fell beautifully over a dark green sweater. He watched her for a while, her eyes nervously searching the many travelers.
"Hey you", he whispered, grabbing her from behind. "Pick up any famous strangers lately?"
She relaxed and smiled instantly at his voice.
"It's you. Oh God, Lucas I didn't even recognize you."
He was dressed down in baggy black jeans, a hoodie, and shades.
"Trust me, it's best when I travel incognito."
"Well, welcome to Miami. I'm glad you came."
"And I'm glad you invited me. I wish we had more than one day and night but my schedule is crazy sometimes. I have more time during the off season."
They exchanged pleasant smiles and drove in Anna's Mercedes to a spacious condo that overlooked South Beach. They made small talk and after a quick snack in the kitchen, Anna informed Lucas that she had a surprise for him outside.
"Ta da! You like it?" she grinned.
"Very nice", Lucas nodded, appreciating the custom made basketball court.
He grabbed a ball and threw it. It missed the net and bounced off as he gave chase.
"You gotta hang your wrist. You know? Freeze after the release. Like Jordan did when he beat Utah in the finals."
"What about following the ball?"
"Following the ball is following your miss", Anna grinned
"Right. What? You play for the WNBA or something?"
"Not exactly but my high school team did beat the crap out of Our Lady of Peace every year. So…what do you say? Quick game of hog?"
"How bout this?" Lucas compromised. "For every shot I hit…you tell me something about yourself."
"Okay. But what do I get when I win?"
"Depends. What did you have in mind?"
"I win…we watch the meteor shower tonight together."
Lucas smiled again.
"And if I win?"
"If you win, then we watch the meteor shower together", she giggled
Lucas couldn't help but grin as he began dribbling the ball. Somehow he really liked those odds.
He shot first and the ball went straight into the basket.
"Okay", Anna began, keeping her part of the bargain. "My confession is…I come hear sometimes to relax by the beach and be away from it all…my family, my crazy family business. Miami is home for me now but I also have a place in Charlotte and a ranch in Houston."
Lucas nodded and handed her the ball.
"Granny style", she laughed as her attempt drew nothing but net.
"Nice shot", Lucas complimented as he grabbed the ball.
"Thank you. So what do you got?"
"I confess that I'm sometimes selfish. I don't always give back as much as I get. But I'm really trying to change all that, more so now that I'm a father."
He shot again and missed deliberately.
"Well, well. I believe that's…H…O…G. And um…did I win? Looks like you owe me one meteor shower, Mr. Scott."
She winked at him and invited him into the kitchen where she proceeded to cook a delicious Mexican meal that included beef enchiladas, Red Beans and rice and Margaritas. For dessert she prepared, Flan, a traditional creamy custard baked with caramel glaze. He was in Heaven tasting the food and just being in her presence. It was obvious she didn't talk a lot about herself but he did manage to get her to explain a little about her heritage. Her mother was born in Mexico and had moved to the States and married an older white Oil tycoon thus producing the older half brother that Anna described as controlling, manipulative, handsome and wildly successful. After that man's death, Anna's mother had remarried to her father, a Filipino restaurant executive. She had travelled the world, attended the best schools and now worked with her parents managing the family business. Her older halfbrother had chosen Advertising and Marketing and had ruthlessly pushed his way up to the top and was enjoying the good life in homes all around the world.
That was pretty much all she was willing to give up and had instead turned the tide of the conversation over to Lucas. He began at the beginning with life in Tree Hill with his mother and ball at the River Court on up to Nathan, Brooke, college, the pros, marriage and the dreadful mistake everyone had read about in the papers.
"…So that's my life in a nutshell basically. Brooke and I are getting divorced, Dan and I are trying to reconcile and Harmony and Nathan are probably the only true things I have in my life now besides Mom and Hales."
"Wow, so many names. That makes Haley your sister-in-law and Harmony your daughter, right?"
"A Lot of names, a lot of characters but yeah", Lucas laughed.
"Life can be complicated, huh? And I thought I had a complicated upbringing. Looking back now I guess it was just the classic case of the poor little rich girl. But I'm glad you and your brother are so close now. That's nice."
"You could have that too, you know. Trust me, if Nate and me can make it work, then anyone can. So what's the deal with your brother anyway?"
Anna sighed as she tried to explain.
"I guess he's not as bad as he seems. He can even be a half decent person when he wants to but he's so…ruthless is the only word that comes to mind. Money, respect, power and success mean everything to him. And when he sees something he wants, he'll stop at nothing to get it."
"I guess we won't be having dinner with the guy anytime soon", Lucas quipped.
"I don't think you'd like to anyway."
"Look Anna, I like you. And…I think…if we hang out…I'm just gonna like you more. We're both in really complicated situations right now and I hate the thought of sneaking around. I'd never want it to be that way between us."
She smiled as she gently rubbed his hand.
"Of course you'd never want that. Good boys always do the right thing."
"You do understand where I'm coming from though, right? I mean, at a certain point, I have to stop talking about wanting to be a different guy…and start being that guy. I owe it to myself and to my daughter."
"I do understand, Luke. And…I know you think you have to work at it, but you're already a good guy. At least I think so and I'm sure your daughter does too."
He smiled at her. How did she always know when to say exactly the right thing? They finished the dishes together, then went out to beach where they watched the meteor shower together. After a late night of talking and more Margaritas, she gently tucked him into the guest bed before heading off to her own room. Lucas couldn't help but feel deliriously happy. Everything was seeming to fall right into place. Maybe a new beginning wasn't such a bad idea after all.