Peyton knocked on the door to Haley's house, tapping her foot. She was not in the mood to be kept waiting. She had gone to Nathan's apartment, but no one was there. She had decided to try the other deceitful person that had hurt Brooke. She sighed when the door finally opened, revealing the short brunette.
"Hey, Peyton. What's up?" Haley asked, walking out onto the porch.
"Oh, I wonder. I just found out why Brooke was acting weird today in school," Peyton explained. "Seems that she saw you making out with Nathan last night!"
"What?" Haley asked, shocked.
"Yeah, that's right. Look, I know that I messed up when I went behind her back with Lucas. I accepted the consequences and worked hard at repairing our friendship. But I never would have thought you would do that to her. Especially after you saw how hard she took it when I betrayed her. You were the person she turned to during that ordeal, Haley. Why would you do the same thing to her?"
"Peyton, you have to let me explain. I had no idea that Brooke saw me and Nathan kiss. I wish she wouldn't have, because it didn't mean anything. I was upset last night, because of some things that happened with Chris. I went to Nathan's, looking for a friend. We talked and I got caught up in the moment and kissed him. He pulled away from me and explained that he was in love with Brooke and didn't want to jeopardize their relationship. That's all it was. A mistake," Haley explained to the upset blonde.
"Are you sure that's all it was, Haley? I know that I really have no room to judge anyone, because of what I've done in the past. I'm just worried about Brooke. If you have any feelings left for Nathan, you need to tell me now. I will not stand by and let her get hurt again. I couldn't fix it the first time, but I will the second time," Peyton declared.
"Peyton, I do not have any left over feelings for Nathan. Sure, he'll always be my first love, but I've moved on." Just then a car pulled into Haley's driveway and a tall guy got out. "And there's my boyfriend now," Haley said, smiling when she saw Chris walk up to her. He kissed her on the cheek before nodding to Peyton.
"Oh, thank God," Peyton exclaimed, pulling Haley into a hug. "I'm so sorry that I was a bitch, Haley, but I had to make sure. I just don't want to see Brooke miserable again. I'll leave you two alone now, but I'll see you tomorrow in school." Peyton walked towards her car and pulled off towards her house. She had to call Brooke.
"What was that about?" Chris asked his girlfriend.
"Peyton is just crazy sometimes, baby," Haley replied, leaning up to kiss him.
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"Don't act like you don't know what I mean, Nathan," Brooke said.
"I honestly don't know what the hell you're talking about, Brooke."
"I saw you last night, Nathan. I saw you and Haley kissing. It confirmed my suspicions from last week," Brooke explained.
"What suspicions?"
Brooke sighed and started her story. "Last week, I overheard you and Peyton talking at school. She was trying to convince you to tell me a secret you had. You told her that you didn't want to ruin our happiness. I was going to ask you about it, but your mom got in her accident, so I didn't. Then last night, I went back to your apartment only to find you and Haley kissing in your kitchen. I was so shocked that I just bolted. I couldn't face either of you."
"Brooke, this all has been just one huge misunderstanding after another. You have got to believe me, baby," Nathan pleaded. "Look, last night Haley was upset about Chris so she came over to talk. Well, I helped her see things from a guy's point of view. She got caught up in the moment and kissed me, but I pulled away from it. I told her that I loved you and wouldn't let anything damage our relationship. And the conversation with Peyton wasn't about Haley. It was about college! UNC wants me to go there straight after graduation, and I told them that I would. I didn't want to tell you that I was leaving early, because you were so excited about having the summer together. That's all it was, baby. I promise."
Brooke was left speechless. Not only was she embarrassed by her earlier actions and jumping to conclusions, she was also floored by what Nathan had said to her. She let a small smile grace her face and looked up at her boyfriend.
"Nathan, do you know what you just said?" she asked, hope dripping from her mouth.
Nathan sat next to her on the couch and pulled her hands into his. "I know everything I just said, Brooke Davis."
"Did you mean it?"
"Every damn word," he replied.
"Nathan..." Brooke started, but couldn't finish. Tears of happiness streaked her face and she climbed into her boyfriends lap, resting in his arms and snuggling into his chest. A minute later, she looked up at him and smiled her dazzling smile. "I love you, too, Nathan Scott."
"God, I love you, Brooke. I really do," Nathan said before pulling her in for a kiss. The two sat there, kissing, holding onto each other until Brooke broke their kiss and stood from the couch.
She held her hand out for Nathan to take. He did and was pulled through the living room into the main foyer. Brooke led him up the stairs and into her bedroom. She shut and locked the door, just in case someone decided to stop by. Nathan sat at the edge of Brooke's bed, staring up at her.
"Brooke...." he whispered. "What are you doing?"
"Well," Brooke started, unzipping her hoodie. "I'm about to make love with my amazing boyfriend." She dropped the hoodie onto the floor at her feet before pulling her tank top over her head and letting it fall with the other garment.
Nathan stood up and walked over to Brooke. He pushed her hair out of her face and gently kissed her. "We don't have to do this, baby. I'm more than happy to, but I don't want you to feel obligated."
"I know, Nathan. I want to, though. I love you, and I want to show you how much," Brooke explained, leading him over the her bed. They both sat down and resumed kissing.
Soon, their clothes were in a pile on the floor and things were quickly heating up. Their activities were interrupted by a knock at Brooke's bedroom door. They both groaned but didn't move from where they were.
"Who the hell is it and what the hell do you want?!" Brooke yelled.
"It's me," Peyton said through the door. "I just got back from Haley's house and had to talk to you. Brooke, Nathan never betrayed you. You have to talk to him, okay?"
Brooke smiled up at Nathan and chuckled. He shrugged and continued kissing her neck.
"Peyton, we already talked," Brooke said.
"When?"
"A little while ago. And if you would kindly leave my home, we could finish making up," Brooke said, giggling as Nathan's mouth teased her skin.
"Oh my God. I am so gone," Peyton announced, running out of the house.
The couple in bed both chuckled for a minute before continuing.
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Brooke laid in her bed, her body draped across Nathan's. They were both sweaty and still panting. Their second round of lovemaking had proven to be even more exhausting than their first. Brooke sighed as she continued drawing patterns onto Nathan's bare chest as he played with her hair.
Finally, she propped her head on his body and looked up. Nathan smiled down at Brooke, genuinely happy with this moment.
"Hey, baby," Brooke said.
"What?"
"Earlier, you said that you were leaving for UNC early. Why?" she asked.
"Their coach offered me a full scholarship if I play for their basketball team. He wants me to go early so I can start training with them. Brooke, as much as I don't want to leave you, I can't pass up this opportunity. I have always wanted to play at UNC."
"I know, Nathan. That's why I want you to go. Don't worry about us," Brooke said, reaching over to pull something out of her nightstand drawer. She handed Nathan an envelope. "Open it. I got it in the mail last week."
Nathan pulled out the letter and laughed. "Brooke Davis, when were you going to tell me that you got accepted to UNC on a cheerleading scholarship?!" Nathan asked, laughing.
"Well, I figured I would wait until you got your letter from them. I have always known that you would make it there, Nate. I never once doubted it. That's why I applied there. I was just completely dazed when they actually accepted me."
"Why, baby? You have pretty decent grades, and you are an amazing gymnast. I now know from experience how flexible your body is," Nathan said, wiggling his eyebrows at her.
Brooke only laughed at her boyfriend and leaned up to kiss him.
"So I guess this means you'll be accompanying me in moving to Chapel Hill early?" Nathan asked.
"Oh, I guess I could. I wouldn't want you to have to go and be all lonely without me," Brooke replied. "Plus, I know you cannot wait to show off your incredibly sexy and talented girlfriend to all of your teammates."
