Chapter 23

Quality Time

Beach House

(This scene was going on same time as the Laley scene in the last chapter, I just put it in this chapter. Sorry if there is any confusion.)

Nathan ran after Brooke."Brooke wait up. I mean it, stop."

"Nate just leave me alone. Go back to the party and your precious wife."

"You know I'm not gonna do that. I'm not gonna let you walk all the way home wearing that. You'll freeze to death and god knows what could happen to you."

"I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself without anyones help."

"I know that, but it's cold and late. Let me take you home and then if you still want to be alone I'll leave."

"Fine, take me home. I really don't want to walk."

They both walked to Nathan's car and got in.

"You weren't lying to me when you said you didn't know about Lucas and Peyton right?"

"No, I would never lie to you B, I honestly didn't even know Haley knew. She never told me."

"You know I never thought that Haley would keep something like this from me, but she did."

"I'm not saying what she did was right, but you have to look at this from her point of view. At the time she was only Lucas' best friend. You two weren't even that close and then Lucas was in that car accident. You have to know that if it were to have happened recently she definitely would have told you. I know that for a fact."

"I know, Haley's been a great friend to me. It was just a shock to hear that's all."

"So your not mad at her?"

"No all that happened a long time ago. It doesn't matter anymore."

"Well that's good to hear. I know that Haley must be hating herself right now."

"I should talk to her. Can you just take me to your apartment?"

"Sure if that's where you want to go."

"Yeah, I should talk to her tonight. I didn't leave things well."

In no time they had reached the apartment.

"Go ahead and go up. Will you tell Haley I'll be back later, I need to go make sure the beach house isn't too wreaked."

"How do I know Haley's even here? What if she's still at the party?"

"I'm sure she's not, but here take my key and if she's not here let yourself in and wait."said Nathan handing her the key.

"Thanks."

"Sure, I'll be right back."

Brooke got out of the car and started up the stairs. When she was out of sight she heard Nathan pull away. When she got to the door she didn't bother knocking she just used the key and let herself in."Haley are you here?"

Haley walked out of the restroom."Brooke what are you doing here? I thought you would be hating me right about now?"

"I don't hate you Haley. I could never hate you. Sure you knew that Lucas was cheating on me, but he was your best friend, so of course you would side with him."

"No, that's not it Brooke. It wasn't about taking sides at all. After I found out what was happening, I told Lucas I knew, but he denied it. I told him I saw him and I couldn't believe what a jerk he was turning into. We got into this huge fight and I told him never to talk to me again. He was supposed to tell you everything, but then he got into that car accident."

"It's okay Haley, you don't have to explain anything to me. I understand."

"I hope you know that if that were to happen again now, there's no way I wouldn't tell you."

"I know that things are different now and you would tell me, but lets just hope that it never happens again."

"I was so afraid you were going to hate me. I'm glad you don't, but what about Lucas? Are you still mad at him?"

"No, I'm not mad at anyone, well except Peyton."

"Good. You know he really knows you well."

"What do you mean?"

"Well he wasn't worried because he said he knew you would realize that it was a long time ago and that we're good enough friends that you'd know I'd tell you now."

"He was right, I guess."

"I thought he was wrong. I was sure you'd hate the site of me."

"Haley your making a bigger deal out of this than it is."

"Well you did make a scene and walk out of the party."

"A party isn't a party without a little drama right?"

"And leave it to Brooke to cause the drama."

"You know it. Now come here and give me a hug."said Brooke wrapping her arms around Haley.

"I really am sorry."

"I know."said Brooke letting go.

"So where is Nathan? Is he waiting outside until we're finished talking?"

"No, he dropped me off and gave me his key in case you weren't here. He went to make sure the beach house was still standing. He said he'd be back in a while."

"Oh well are you going to go home when he gets here or do you just want to stay here? It's pretty late."

"I am kind of tired. I guess I can stay here tonight."

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Early the next morning Brooke awoke with a slight hangover, but nothing major. She went to get a couple of aspirin from the restroom and saw Nathan's car keys. She knew she had to get home and that he wouldn't be waking up for a while, so she took the keys and replaced them with a note saying she'd bring the car back in a while.

Brooke pulled up to her house and saw Lucas' truck parked in the driveway. She hurriedly went inside and to her room where she saw Lucas asleep in in the most uncomfortable chair in the house. She knew he would regret sleeping in that thing."Broody, wake up." whispered Brooke in his ear. He stirred, but didn't wake up."Hey Lucas get your skinny ass up."said Brooke this time considerably louder.

"What time is it Brooke?"Lucas saw the sun was now out."Where the hell have you been? I was worried about you. I stayed here all night waiting for you to come home. You didn't do anything stupid, did you?"

"What do you mean by that? Was that your non polite way of asking if I hooked up with someone?"

"I guess it was. You were pretty pissed at me when you left the party."

"I slept at Haley's last night, when we finished talking it was pretty late so I just stayed there, but thanks for the vote of confidence."

"It's not that, it's just that I was worried about you and then you never came home. You were pretty drunk too."

"I was not drunk Lucas, besides I left with Nathan, he would never let me do anything stupid."

"I know that, but Haley's was the last place I thought you'd want to stay. Your not mad at her?"

"No, I just over reacted and Nate helped me see that. He dropped me off at his house. I'm surprised he didn't tell you where I was when he went back to the beach house."

"Well I dropped Haley off and then I came straight here. I didn't go back."

" Oh well that explains it."

"Ow, my back and neck are killing me. What is up with that chair?"

"Nothing it's just not meant to be slept in. Why didn't you sleep in the bed?"

"Well I wasn't planning on falling asleep. I thought you'd come home at any time so I sat and waited. I guess I fell asleep."

"Come here, sit."said Brooke patting the empty space on the bed in front of her."I'll massage you even though you don't deserve it. How does that feel?"

"Great. Oh that feels good. So you and Hales worked everything out?"

"Yeah, everything is great."

"What about with us? Is everything okay with us too?"

"I'm not mad Lucas, if that's what you mean."

"Good because when you didn't come back here you had me worried."

"Well don't, but do me a favor will you?"

"Anything."

"Next time I want to play that stupid game will you remind me of last night?"

"Will do. So what do you want to do today?"

"Drive your truck."

"Brooke come on anything, but that."

"You said I could."

"Well I lied."

"Oh yeah?"said Brooke pressing down on Lucas' shoulders hard.

"Ouch, what are you doing?"

"Nothing, just showing you that you didn't lie."

"Well it's not going to work."

"Really?"said Brooke grabbing a big piece of his skin and pinching it."

"Stop!"

"Look, I need to take Nate's car back so how about you drive his car and I drive your truck? Come on it's only like five minutes away. Your getting off easy. I was planning to take it for a long ride."

"If I say yes will you drop it and never ask again?"

"Yes."

"Okay, fine. Why don't you go take a shower and change and I'll wait for you in the living room."

Brooke showered and changed and was ready in no time."I'm ready, keys please."said Brooke holding a hand out.

"I don't know about this."

"Oh come on, your acting like I'm the worst driver out there. Sure I get a lot of tickets in a short amount of time, but I don't ever hit anything. Now quit being such a baby and hand over those keys."

Lucas gave her his keys."You better be careful."

"I always am."

Lucas watched her get into his truck and drive away. He did the same in Nathan's.

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Nathan and Haley's Apartment

Nathan happened to wake up early and found the note left by Brooke. He showered and changed and waited for her.

"Knock, knock."said Lucas letting himself in.

"What are you doing here?"asked Nathan.

"Just dropping off your car."

"I hope your not expecting a ride back home."

"I can't believe you. I do you a favor by bringing you car back and all you can say is I hope your not expecting a ride home. That's great Nathan."

"Hey you didn't do me any favors, you did your girlfriend a favor. You brought back the car she stole. I was two seconds away from calling the police."

"Well she didn't steal it she just borrowed it."

"Whatever, where is she anyways?"asked Nathan.

"She's on her way. I let her drive my truck. In fact she should be here by now."said Lucas looking out the window.

"You let her drive your truck? You do know she sucks when it comes to driving right?"

"Don't remind me. I had to let her though, we made a deal of sorts."

"I don't care what she offered me. If I had a new truck like you I wouldn't let her near it."

"If you knew what she said she'd with hold, you wouldn't be saying that."

"Man I don't even want to know."

"You don't want to know what?"asked Brooke walking into the already opened door.

"Nothing."both Lucas and Nathan said.

"Okay, well here are your keys Broody. I love your car. I'm definitely gonna have to drive it again."

"No way Brooke. I said only once."

"Fine you big baby. So where is the wife Nate?"

"Still asleep."

"No I'm not."said Haley coming out of the room."Who could sleep with those two around?"

"Sorry Tutor Girl, we'll keep it down next time."

"Sure you will. So what is everyone doing here this early?"

"We're just dropping off your car. I took it earlier. We were just about to leave though. You two probably want some alone time."

"No actually I wanted to take you out to breakfast B."said Nathan.

"Okay, I could eat."

"We all know you can eat Brooke."said Lucas.

"Shut up Broody."

"Well why don't you give me twenty minutes to get ready and then we can leave."said Haley.

"Well I really just wanted Brooke to come if you don't mind."

"Oh, well that's fine. I guess Lucas and I can find something to do here."

"Are you sure it's okay? I just haven't spent any time with her alone and it's kinda been weird."

"It's fine Nathan. You and Brooke go ahead and go. Lucas will stay here and keep me company right?"

"Yeah."

"Okay well we'll be back later."said Nathan kissing Haley on the head.

"Bye Broody. I'll see you later."

"Bye."said Lucas.

They both left shutting the door behind them.

"You don't think we should be worried about those two do you?"asked Lucas jokingly.

"No, of course not, but I am a little jealous of them though. They have this great friendship, like the one we used to have. He's right, they haven't hung out in a few days and he's already fixing that. Don't get me wrong I'm happy for them, I just wish we were still like that."

"We are Hales. We're still close."

"I know that, but we haven't hung out just the two of us in forever. It should have been us making plans to spend time together, not them. I guess I wish our friendship was as good as theirs."

"It is Haley, or at least it will be again. We will make sure we spend time together from now on you got it?"

"Yeah, now why don't you help me make us something to eat since we weren't invited to breakfast."

"Sure thing just tell me where the pans are."

"So how are you and Brooke doing? Obviously she isn't mad at you."

"No, she said she over reacted last night just like I said she would."

"I guess you know her better than I do."

"I guess I do. We're actually better than ever. I've wanted this for so long, to be with Brooke and now I am."

"Brooke's wanted the same thing. She pretended to hate you, but we could all see it was an act."

"Good."

"So don't hurt her again Lucas. Don't even think about messing around on her again."

"Why does everyone keep telling me that?"

"Because we all know what you did to her before."

"That was a long time ago and it's not the same this time. I don't have Peyton in the back of my mind."

"Good because I told her last night that if I were to see you with anyone now I would tell her and I wasn't lying, best friend or not I'm telling her."

"You don't have to worry about that Haley. I love Brooke and nothings gonna change that."

"I'm glad you two are back together."

"Me too."

"I know this is changing the subject, but have you talked to that friend of yours?"

"Alison? No why?"

"I don't know, she really made me mad last night and I know I shouldn't be because everything she said was true, but I am."

"Come on Hales she didn't mean anything by it. She knew she messed up and was looking for a way out and found it in you. Will you just give her another chance? She's a really great person once you get to know her."

"Brooke's not mad at me so I guess I shouldn't be mad at Alison. She isn't that bad."

"Thanks Hales, now how many eggs do you want?"

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Karen's Café

Brooke and Nathan take a seat and wait to order.

"Well since breakfast was your idea I hope you know your paying."said Brooke.

"Don't I always?"

"So what's up Nate? Why was it so important that we come alone?"

"I just miss you B. It's weird because I know we haven't been best friends for as long as you and Peyton, but I don't know what I'd do without you Brooke."

"I feel the same way Nate, but where is this coming from?"

"No where really. I just noticed that since Lucas has been back we've spent less time together."

"I've noticed that too, but it's not always gonna be like this. It's just that Lucas and I just got back together and it's still new and exciting. I'm sure you remember that feeling with Haley, always wanting to be together."

"Yeah I do, but I wouldn't want to lose my best friend over it."

"And Neither do I. Nate you were there for me when I really needed someone and you didn't have to be."said Brooke putting her hands on top of his and holding them."We've gotten close these past few months and I wouldn't trade that for anything. I've said it before and I'll say it again, You mean too much to me and I'm not giving you up."

"I feel the same way B."

Both Brooke and Nathan were too into the serious conversation they were having to notice that Alison had walked in and was watching them. She couldn't believe this. It was too good to be true. Brooke was cheating on Lucas with his very own brother. She knew they left the party together, something must have happened. They weren't even trying to hide it. They were holding hands in public. In Lucas' mom's café of all places. She decided to go up to them and see exactly what was going on." Hey you guys what's going on?"

Brooke removed her hands from Nathan's."Hey Alison. What are you doing here?"

"Nothing, I was just hungry and wanted to get something to eat and Peyton said this place was great. So what are you two doing here alone?"

"The same, getting something to eat. Nathan decided we should spend some time together."

"So where are Lucas and Haley?"

"At my house."said Nathan a little annoyed with Alison's questions.

"So you guys just decided to switch off today?"

"Gross."said Brooke laughing.

"No we're all just friends."said Nathan even more annoyed with her last comment."Now if you don't mind we were kinda in the middle of something."

"Oh, I'm sorry. I'll let you get back to each other. I guess I'll see you at school. Bye."

"Bye Alison."said Brooke.

Alison went and sat at the counter. Tons of ideas were circling her head. She now knew how she was going to get Lucas and Brooke to break up. She was going to make it look as if Brooke was cheating on him with his brother. It was even going to break up the happily married couple which was now a plus because she couldn't stand Haley anymore, not after trying to blame her for everything at the party."I am so smart."she said out loud.

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I hope you liked this chapter. I know it wasn't one of my best, but I really wanted to get some more Brathan and Laley friendshipness(if that's even a word) in. Please read and review.

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Coming up:

Peyton finds something out.

Peyton talks to Brooke.

Brooke talks to Lucas.