So here's the next chapter. I don't know what it was but I got this great idea for a new direction of this story. Thanks for your supportive reviews. They really helped me stay inspired. Hopefully you all like the new direction. I don't want to give too much away but people wanted some friends from Tree Hill so here they are. Tell me what you think!
"I'll be in the bathroom." Brooke spoke to Lucas for the first time all morning.
"Take your time." Lucas fell back onto the bed feeling crappy as ever. He didn't know what he did wrong but obviously he was going to pay. His cell phone began jingling from the table across from the bed and he rushed to answer it; to talk to someone.
"Peyt?" Lucas answered seeing the caller id.
"I just heard." Peyton sounded though she had been crying, "How is she?"
"I wouldn't know anymore." Lucas missed having his conversations with Peyton. She knew exactly how to cheer him up.
"What do you mean?" Peyton sighed heavily. She knew it was risky talking to Lucas while he was now with Brooke again but she missed him so much.
"Good question." Lucas rubbed his eyes with his hands, "Things are just so messed up lately."
"I think that comes with finding out you're a father." Peyton hated saying those words. Her Lucas was a father and she was not the mother.
"I guess you could say that." Lucas was so discouraged. He really thought he was making headway with the whole trust issue and then they just start back at square one.
"Does she talk about me?" Peyton missed Brooke so much. They had been best friends forever and it sucked it all got thrown away. Brooke had been there when Peyton's mom died and Peyton wished she could've been there throughout Brooke's pregnancy.
"Do you want the truth?" Lucas hated being stuck in the middle of the two girls. He had ruined their friendship and still he played mediator not wanting to hurt either of the girls more than they already are.
"Still?" Peyton thought that that weight could've been lifted off her chest but that would happen when pigs fly, "I thought she'd be over that by now."
"No such luck Peyt." Lucas shook his head even though Peyton couldn't see it, "I'll try though."
"Don't go messing things up because of me." Peyton didn't want to be the reason again. They were meant to be together and Peyton was meant to be alone for the time being at least.
"I don't think that's possible." Lucas smiled a little. Neither friend had let go of the hurt but they still looked out for each other.
"I'll let you go Daddy." Peyton teased, "I miss you."
"Miss you too Peyt." Lucas said hanging up. It was good to talk to someone from home. He felt better about his situation knowing the people that loved him before still love him now after everything that happened.
Brooke couldn't believe her ears. He still talked to her. He missed her. It all made sense why Lucas didn't want to have sex the night before. No matter how many times he said he loves Brooke he still loved Peyton. Things were just like they were back in Tree Hill and Brooke used all her time and energy to get away from it all.
Two could play this game. Just pretend like everything's okay and last night never happened and they'd make it through another fake day in their fake life. Brooke was used to this. This was what her life was based on in Tree Hill. Why would it be different here?
"Hey Luke," Brooke plastered on a fake smile, "The bathroom's all yours."
"Thanks Brooke." Lucas smiled at the fact that Brooke seemed a little happier than before.
"I'll be in the house." Brooke said taking Adam from his playpen and walked out of the pool house keeping the happy act on the whole time.
"'Morning Brooke." Kirsten greeted as Brooke walked into the kitchen, "'Morning Adam."
"Good morning everyone." Brooke said smiling and taking a place at the table, "How was everyone's night?"
"Good." Sandy nodded from behind his newspaper. Everyone else nodded in agreement too tired to speak. Brooke caught Ryan's eyes on her and she pleaded that he wouldn't bring it up. That was the last thing she needed today.
"Well kids I have to get to the office early." Kirsten said grabbing her travel mug of coffee, "Don't do anything stupid. Keep the house clean."
"Bye." Everyone grunted as they finished their breakfast.
"Well I'm off too." Sandy folded the newspaper and left it on the counter, "Be good kids."
"We will." Brooke replied for everyone seeing as no one else wanted to respond.
"I'm going to go wake up Summer." Seth left Ryan alone with Brooke.
"Tell her I said hi." Brooke shouted as he walked into the family room.
"Could I talk to you outside?" Ryan stood up.
"Why can't we talk right here?" Brooke eyed him trying to figure out his motive.
"I don't want Lucas to walk in." Ryan stood up not taking no for an answer.
"Let me leave Adam with Seth." Brooke disappeared and reappeared childless.
Safely outside Ryan sorted out the words he wanted to say to Brooke. Last night had been horrible for both of them because of Marissa and her drinking problem.
"Brooke listen," Ryan started, "About Marissa..."
"Ryan stop." Brooke held up her hand, "I don't care."
"Yes you do." Ryan stepped a little closer, "She doesn't know what she's saying when she's drunk."
"That's bullshit Ryan and you know it." Brooke snapped, "They can get away with their words and actions because they're drunk. It doesn't mean they don't know what they're doing."
"She didn't mean it Brooke." Ryan pulled her into a hug.
"The thing is she did Ryan." Brooke began to sob, "She meant everything that she said. I used to be just like her and I knew what I was doing."
"I'm going to get her help Brooke, I promise you that." Ryan whispered into her ear. Brooke tilted her head up towards him and gently her lip found his. No matter what was going on with the rest of the world their kisses always seemed right. It was strange how they worked but they did and it made Brooke happy.
Getting caught up in the kiss neither of them heard the car pull up or the door slam.
"Hey Brooke." Jake said standing there with one hand shoved in his pocket and his other holding tightly to a little girl.
"Jake?" Brooke squinted not believing her eyes. She snapped out of her trance and ran over to give him a hug, "What are you doing here?"
"I told you I'd visit." Jake hugged her back filling that missing spot for so long.
"How'd you find me here?" Brooke pulled away eying him curiously.
"Nice to see you too." Jake smirked liking the shock on her face.
"I've missed you." Brooke hugged him again and pulled away once more and turned her attention to the little girl, "Jenny girl! How are you doing babe?"
"Bwookie!" The girl giggled in her arms as Brooke twirled her around.
"She missed you too." Jake never wiped that smile off his face. He was happy to see that Brooke was doing so good even finding herself a new boyfriend, "Where's the A-man?"
"Inside with Seth." Brooke grabbed Jake's hand and almost walked right past Ryan, "Oh god, Ryan this is Jake."
"Nice to meet you." Jake held out his hand to shake Ryan's, "It's nice to know Brooke found someone to look out for her."
"No, we're not together." Ryan shook Jake's hand uneasily, "Just friends."
"With benefits I see." Jake's view of Ryan changed instantly. Friends with benefits would only get Brooke hurt again.
"Let's go get Adam." Brooke said pulling Jake away from Ryan and inside the house.
"Seth!" Brooke yelled through the house, "Where's my baby?"
"God woman you don't have to yell." Seth came into the hall with Adam in one arm and the phone in the other, "Another boy Brooke? You're just full of surprises."
"This is Jake, Seth." Brooke introduced, taking Adam from Seth.
"That makes three." Seth caught Brooke's glare, "Nice to meet you. If you'll excuse me I have this annoying voice in my ear telling me to leave you kids alone."
"Is he gay?" Jake asked after Seth left.
"Nope." Brooke led Jake into the living room, "That annoying voice in his ear is his girlfriend."
"I see." Jake nodded soaking it all in.
"It's not that confusing when you hang around them for a while." Brooke shrugged realizing how much the Cohens plus Summer had grown on her.
"God, he's gotten so big." Jake traded babies with Brooke.
"So has she." Brooke studied Jenny with awe. She looked so much like Jake it scared Brooke. The poor girl never had a chance to be a girl with Jake as her father.
"I know. They grow up so fast." Jake watched as Brooke talked with Jenny as if they were old friends. Technically they were. Brooke had stayed with Jake for a while in Savannah before she left for California.
"It's been a while hasn't it." Brooke turned her attention to Jake. They had spent everyday together and the all of a sudden it was over. They were halfway across the country from one another that put a dent in their relationship.
"We missed you." Jake said stopping his little game with Adam. It was a little wrestling/tickling game that Jake had started with Adam as a newborn. Now that Adam was older he tried to tickle back.
"It was strange waking up without you guys." Brooke snuggled in closer to Jake. They had never really been friends in Tree Hill but after the whole Peyton/Lucas thing they sought comfort in one another.
"I know." Jake agreed, "Jenny searched for you forever until I finally told her you were gone. She thought you were playing hide and seek."
"Aw my poor Jenny girl." Brooke hugged Jenny close, "I wish I was just playing hide and seek. Things haven't been easy."
"Let me make things easier." Jake leaned in and kissed Brooke. It was deep and passionate like Ryan and Brooke's kiss from earlier but it was familiar and made Brooke forget about California.
"Brooke?" Lucas said from the doorway, "What are you doing? Who is that?"
"Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you." Brooke looked at Jake uneasily at Jake.
"Hey Luke." Jake smiled uneasily and gave Lucas a small wave.
