Peyton stared absently at the large Pina Colada in front of her that once upon a time had been frozen and frosty and somewhat visually appealing. Now it was simply a melted mess, an ironic metaphor for the young woman who had ordered it.
"…Anyway, Karen called Lucas in last week last minute to lock up the café and we had plans for the movies and we were already gonna be late and…well, let's just say we did other things to occupy our time", Brooke hinted with a wink.
"What things?" Anna asked.
"Let's just say we did a little cooking of our own and it had nothing to do with the grill", she laughed.
"Iiieeww", Haley blushed. "Right there? In plain view?"
"For your information, Tutor Girl, it was on the counter…okay it started on the counter and ended on the floor but we shut the lights off and no one was inside with us and the only way anyone could have known what we were doing from the outside is if the pervs were directly peeking in."
Haley shook her head.
"What?"
"Brooke…that's just…I don't know. It's Karen's place."
"So? What's the difference between the bed in her house and the restaurant and tell me that her and that delicious specimen of a boyfriend of hers, Andy, haven't gotten busy in the storage room a time or two."
"That's just gross and not just because I have to work there", Haley rolled her eyes with a chuckle. "What do you think, Anna?"
Anna shrugged and took another sip of frozen strawberry Margarita.
"I don't know. I mean, I totally understand the thrill of doing it in a public place or somewhere you might get caught. That just kind of adds to the excitement, although I, myself, have never done it in the workplace. Props to Brooke and Luke but that's just a little too risky for my taste. And the café? Sorry Brookie but I'm with Hales on this one. Gross. I swear, I will never look at the cheese Danish there the same way again."
"Please", Brooke grinned. "Quit being so old fashioned. I can tell you some of the places where Lucas and I have gotten it on and it would make your head spin. Let's see…on a Ferris wheel, on the train a la Risky Business, in the gym, on the court, in a cemetery…"
"Now that's just creepy", Haley shuddered.
"Other places too but I'm all of a sudden drawing a blank."
"You should keep a diary of all your wild escapades", Anna teased.
"Someone once said it's the good girls who keep diaries and the bad girls never have the time. Me? I just want to live a life I'm gonna remember… even if I don't write it down. Don't you agree with me, P. Sawyer?"
Peyton oblivious to the conversation and the whole notion of a girls' dinner out, simply stared sadly at the table.
"Hel-lo! Earth to Peyton? Anyone in there?" Brooke asked.
"Huh?" Peyton looked up. "Oh. Sorry guys. Brooke, did you say something?"
"Okay. What's the deal with you, Pey? And don't say nothing because we've been best friends forever and I know it's something so you may as well confess. Now why are you turning our wonderful but rare girls' night out fun fest into a mopey snooze fest? Talk to us, P."
"It's…I mean, really. I'm okay."
"Peyton…"
"Nikki's back", the blonde blurted out.
"Nikki?" Haley and Brooke asked together.
"Who's Nikki?" Anna asked.
"Jenny's skank of a mother", Brooke replied. "Oh my God! Details please! When did this happen? What does she want? What did she say? What did Jake say?"
"A few weeks ago", Peyton sighed. "Haley, remember that night in the café during the storm? The dark haired girl I spilled hot chocolate on?"
"Yeah…oh my God. She, she did say she was an old friend of Jake's but I never put two and two together. Oh Pey, I'm sorry…"
"It's okay. It's not your fault. Um, actually she came to the house and said she wants to get to know Jenny. She isn't trying to take her away but she's sorry for her past mistakes and wants to be a part of her child's life."
"I bet", Brooke huffed.
"What did Jake have to say?" Anna asked.
"He's not trying to hear her, trust me. There's a lot of history there and she obviously hurt him a lot and he' still angry. He wants to protect Jenny and he feels the best way to do that is by keeping her away from Nikki."
"I agree", Brooke added.
"Well, I don't", Peyton said softly.
"Peyton!"
"I felt bad after he turned her away that first night so I went to see Nikki."
"You what? Are you crazy?"
"We talked and guys…I don't know. I do believe her. I feel bad for her. I feel like she has changed. And that's why, that's why…"
"Why what?"
"I agreed to let her spend an hour or so in the park with Jenny and me."
"Peyton, you what?"
"What? She just wanted to see her and she didn't tell her anything and I thought…"
"No, obviously you weren't thinking", Brooke shook her head. "Whatever you do, don't let it happen again and for God's sake, please don't ever let Jake find out! Jagielski would kill you!"
"Peyton, you have to be honest", Haley interjected. "Lying to Jake isn't right and besides, if you feel Nikki really has changed then maybe you can convince Jake of that."
"Oh Hales, please", Brooke rolled her eyes. "The Mary Poppins of Tree Hill act is so played out."
"Jake does know", Peyton told her friends. "I can't and I won't lie to him. I told him as soon as we got back and uh…you're right, Brooke. He was not pleased. Actually, he was pretty pissed. It's um…it's the first time he has ever raised his voice at me in all these years. He told me that it wasn't my place to make decisions like that."
"I'm sorry", Haley said, putting a sympathetic arm around Peyton.
"It'll blow over soon, Pey. The bitch will get bored and move on and you and Jagielski will be fine and back to playing house in no time."
"But Nikki…"
"Screw Nikki. Who cares about her? She did all this to herself."
"Yeah, I know but people change. Brooke, I do believe in that and I believe that Nikki has."
"So what if she has? Since when are you loyal to her? Quit playing Devil's advocate. No one gives two shits about what Nikki the psycho slut wants."
"This isn't about Nikki, Brooke. It's about Jenny and what's best for her. She should know her mother."
"You are her mother."
"I know. And I love her with all my heart but there is another woman out there who loves Jenny too and she gave birth to her. That has to count for something. Jenny deserves to know the truth."
"It'll all work out", Haley sighed.
"Doubt it", Brooke said, downing a shot. "These things never do. Don't you guys watch Dynasty and Dallas reruns on the soap channel? Anyway, I smell trouble with a capital T. I think you're making a big mistake."
Peyton took a deep breath. She didn't know what to think anymore. She wanted to protect Jenny and Jake as well but she still wanted to do the right thing…whatever that was.
"Look guys, I hate to bail but I'm really tired and I guess Jake and I need to talk…"
"Say no more", Haley smiled. "I hope you guys can work it out. It'll be okay, Peyton."
"Tell the ho tell her sad story walking", Brooke suggested again.
Peyton nodded.
"I'll see you guys later."
She walked to her car overwhelmed by a looming sense of dread…of the immediate future going home to Jake and also the unknown of what the long term held in store.
"Peyton! Hey, Peyton, wait!"
Peyton turned around. It was Anna.
"Hey."
"Hey. Listen, um, I don't really know the whole story and I didn't want to get into it with Haley and Brooke in there but for what it's worth, I think you're doing the right thing."
"You do?"
"Yeah because you're going with your gut and with your heart. You're putting Jenny's needs first even above your happiness. That's what being a mother is all about, isn't it? Who could ever fault you for that?"
Peyton managed a small smile as she breathed a sigh of relief. At least someone somewhere remotely understood.
"Thanks, Anna. I mean that. It means a lot."
"If you ever need me or if you ever want to talk, I'm here for you Peyton."
Peyton nodded as she opened the door to her car. One look in those brown eyes immediately let her know that she would have someone there for comfort and support without judgement and criticism. She would have a friend.
