Chapter 17

Brooke and Lucas drove away from Karen's house.

"Well, that went surprisingly good." Brooke said. She really was surprised at Karen. She was expecting this trip to be hell, but it was obvious Karen cared about Lucas. They got to the restaurant and went inside. Brooke was quiet and fidgety the whole time, and Lucas suspected something was up. He figured she tell him in a matter of time though.

When they got to their table, Brooke opened her mouth as if to say something, but then closed it and ordered her dinner. Once they had eaten, Brooke decided to tell Lucas what she had been thinking about.

"Lucas, I have to tell you something. I haven't been wanting to tell you, what with your surgery and recovery, and also, I was hoping that if I didn't say anything, it wouldn't happen. But I cant deny it any longer. The day you went into surgery, my mom called and s-she." Brooke looked down. She refused to let herself cry. Lucas put his hand on top of hers on the table, and Brooke looked up and smiled. " She called and told me that she and my dad were moving to Charlotte. They told me that they had already bought a house down there because it was cheaper, and that they were moving in three weeks. They're moving tomorrow." Brooke stopped and looked down again. It was really happening. She was going to have to move. Brooke looked up and felt a tear roll down her cheek. Lucas leaned over the table and wiped it away.

"Brooke, you cant move to Charlotte. Why don't you stay in your house?" Lucas asked. He couldn't live without her in his life.

"They sold our house, and they want me to sell mine and move down with them. My whole life is here, Luke. You, and Peyton, and Haley and Nate, everyone. I cant leave this place. I-I don't know what to do." Brooke felt her eyes well up again.

"Brooke, why cant you stay in the house your grandmother left you? Then you could stay here." Lucas searched his head for ideas. "You cant leave. We'll figure it out."

"Lucas, I am moving. There is nothing I can do. Don't you think I have thought of every possibility? I cant stay in my grandmothers house. I'm not 18, they can make me do anything." Brooke said, frustrated.

"Unless, Brooke, you could get emancipated! We have enough money together for you to live, and I'm sure your parents wouldn't mind not having to deal with you." Luke said, convinced he had the perfect idea.

"Luke, I only have five grand, and you only have ten. Fifteen grand is not enough for anyone to live off of, especially me." Brooke said, positive it wouldn't work.

"Um, I have an idea." Lucas said. It was his last resort, but he had to do it.

"Lucas, where the hell are we going?" Brooke asked as Lucas gave her directions in the car.

"You'll see, I want you to drop me off here and go home. I'll talk to you tomorrow. I don't want you to be here." Lucas said. Brooke was worried. She knew how desperate he was to have her stay, and the way he was acting didn't help her feeling.

"Lucas, stop." Brooke said as she pulled over. "Luke, I want you to tell me exactly what you are doing right now. I'm not going to let you do something stupid. Moving to Charlotte isn't the worst thing in the world. I can still come down here a lot, and I'm not going to let you get hurt at my expense. That surgery was expensive, I'd rather not have it all go to waste, which is going to happen if you DIE, Luke."

"Fine, Brooke, I'll tell you. I just don't want you to get hurt. When I was living with Dan, I found out a secret about him. At the time, he offered to pay me off in order for me not to say anything, but I refused. I didn't want Dan's money. But desperate times call for desperate measures and I am just going to take him up on his offer. I didn't want you to see me stoop so low as to go to Dan, and I didn't want you to see me blackmail." Lucas said, ashamed.

Brooke leaned over and kissed him. "Luke, I could never ever think anything bad about you. I want you to trust me, and tell me all your devious plans." Brooke laughed. Two hours later, they were at the bank, cashing in their check for $500,000. "Thank you so much Luke. Really, I mean that. I didn't want to move." She said, and hugged him.

"Brooke, I would do anything for you." Luke said. "Shit, its 10:45, I have to get home." Luke laughed. It was weird to have to watch the clock again.

"Lucas, um, do you want to move in with me? God knows I have enough room. Don't freak out or anything, its just an offer. I don't want you to have to choose between your mom and me, so whatever you want. I just wanted to let you know that you always have a place to stay." Brooke laughed. She was trying to joke, but she really wanted Luke to move in with her.

Luke laughed and kissed her. "Baby, I would love to live with you. I was really hoping you were going to ask." Brooke sighed.

"Phew, thank god. I really didn't want to stay in that house alone, its kinda scary." Brooke giggled, "Plus, we don't ever have to worry about anyone walking in!" Brooke kissed him.

"I just have to figure out how to tell my mom." Lucas laughed.