A/N:This chapter picks up right where the last one ended.
Chapter Five
I Had A Pretty Good Coach
Lucas looked after Brooke long after she had disappeared. He finally turned back to the table to see Haley staring at him.
"You two have to tell her. I don't care if you are afraid of how she will react. She deserves to know. This is just sad."
Peyton looked at Haley with a confused expression plastered on her face."I don't know what you are talking about."
"Peyton don't play dumb with me. You know exactly what I'm talking about."
Lucas took this as his cue to join in the conversation."She knows Peyton."
Peyton turned to glare at him."You told her? How could you?"she shouted as she stood up.
Haley pushed her back down."Sit your ass down, your causing a scene. He didn't say anything to me, I saw you two at the Rivercourt the other day."
Peyton looked down.
"Yeah you should feel bad. Both of you should. What you did was unforgivable."
She was cut off by Lucas."We know that and that's why we can't let her find out. She will never forgive us."
"So that makes it alright? Keeping this secret and lying to her everyday. You both will be able to live with yourselves if you do that?"
"Yes, if it means that I will keep Brooke as my best friend then yes I can live with myself."
Haley shook her head."You are unbelievable."she turned to Lucas."What about you? Could you live with yourself if you did that?"
"I don't want to lose her."his response was barely above a whisper.
Haley knew she shouldn't be yelling at him like this. This was really eating him up inside, but she couldn't help it. She felt bad for Brooke. She had been a great friend to her in this short amount of time. Especially today, giving her advise on what to do with Nathan. She also said she was starting to confide in her as she did Peyton and how was she repaying her friendship? She was keeping something from her. She hated keeping this secret from her. This wasn't like her. She hated Lucas for putting her in this position. She lowered her voice as not to yell anymore."Well Lucas, you should have thought about that before you cheated on her with her best friend."
"You don't think I know that. I already told you it was all a mistake. That if I could, I would take it all back."
Hearing those words stung. She was Lucas' mistake. He wished she had never happened. She never though he would ever say those words about her. He didn't even care that he was hurting her by what he was saying. All he cared about was not wanting to hurt Brooke. His precious Brooke. She hated feeling like this toward Brooke, but she hated feeling like nothing to Lucas even more. She quickly blinked away a few tears not wanting them to fall.
Lucas caught sight of how hurt Peyton looked. He had completely forgotten she was there after Haley started yelling at him. If he had remembered he never would have said those things in front of her."Oh, I'm sorry Peyton. I shouldn't have said all that. I didn't mean it the way it sounded."
"Yes you did, but don't worry, I'm not going to fall apart because you don't want me. I agree with you. It was all a mistake and I'd take it all back too if I could."saying those words were like sticking a knife in her heart. She didn't mean any of it. She was only saying it to make him happy because she loved him and if he would right now change his mind and say he wanted her she would jump at the chance to be with him. No matter who she hurt in the process. She knew that was wrong, but she didn't care. She honestly loved him.
"I'm glad you feel the same way."said Lucas with a slight smile.
Peyton nodded."Sure. Look Haley, Brooke can't know. If the only way to keep her in our lives is to keep this from her then we're gonna do it. We love her too much to risk her hating us and I'm sorry if you don't like the decision we've made, but it's our decision to make, not yours."
Haley just looked at her. This girl was getting on her nerves. She just chocked it up to not wanting to lose Brooke and let it go."So you two are seriously sitting there telling me that you are going to lie to her face everyday. How can you do that?"
"We have to Hales. You heard her. She won't forgive me if she finds out I was with Peyton. I can't let that happen. I love her too much."
"There's nothing I can say to change your minds?"pleaded Haley.
They both shook their heads.
"Fine, whatever. Do what your gonna do, but I'm telling you she's gonna find out anyways. They always do and then it will be too late."
"Your the only one who knows and your Lucas' best friend. You wouldn't do that to him. At least you shouldn't."
Haley shook her head. This girl just didn't know when to quit. She couldn't hold it in any longer."That's right because unlike you I don't do thing to hurt my best friend. I don't profess to love my best friend and then the first chance I get stab him in the back. That's all you Peyton."Peyton just stared at her not knowing what to say." Now I'm done, why don't you two do other things you don't mind keeping from Brooke. I'm out of here."Haley stood up and walked away from the two, upset that they were being so selfish. They didn't want Brooke to hate them and she understood that, but they were gonna keep something from her that she really needed to know.
Peyton looked back to Lucas."She's not gonna tell Brooke right? I mean she wouldn't do that to you right?"Peyton practically pleaded with him to give her the answer she desperately wanted to hear. If she couldn't have Lucas, she didn't want to also lose Brooke. She just couldn't be left all alone.
"Hey, don't worry. If Haley said she won't say anything, then she won't. At least for now. I don't know how long she will be able to keep this from Brooke though. The past couple of days they've gotten really close and keeping a secret from a friend she cares about is going against everything she is. I bet she really hates me right now for putting her in this situation."
"I can't lose Brooke, Lucas. If she finds out she will never speak to either of us again."
Lucas took her hand that was on the table in his own."Don't worry, we won't lose her. I couldn't take it either."Lucas gave her a small smile.
Peyton was happy to be holding his hand, but then he spoke and ruined it. He had to talk about how much he needed Brooke. She knew he was only trying to reassure her because of what she just said, but it still hurt. She loved Brooke, but at the same time she couldn't stand her because she was the one Lucas wanted.
Brooke walked in silence and stopped when she reached her destination. She pulled open the door and walked in."Hey Loser! What are you doing?"
He looked around the gym before he turned and looked at her."Are you talking to me?"
"Well do you see any other losers standing around?"said Brooke placing her hands on her hips.
"Very funny Brooke. What do you want?"
"You know your still very predictable."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"Just that I knew exactly where you would be. You always used to come here during lunch when you and Peyton would have a fight."
"Then you'd come in here and try to fix everything for the both of us."
"That I did Natey Boy."
"We were really close back then, weren't we?"
"Yes we were."
"What happened?"
"I don't know, you started letting everything your dad said get to you and you became hard to be around. Then Lucas came into the picture and you became unbareable."
"Thanks."said Nathan rolling his eyes.
"Your welcome."
"Well what did you expect? He took my position and he wanted my girl."
"He doesn't want Peyton."
"Maybe not now, but he did. I hated the guy. Hell, I still do."
"So you decided to use Haley to get back at him?"
"That bastard told you, didn't he? Doesn't he know how to keep his mouth shut. This isn't any of his business."
"Yes he does and he's not the one who told me. Haley did."
"She did?"asked Nathan a little surprised.
"Yes she did. We are friends now you know... well kinda... we're getting there."
"Well that's good. Haley doesn't have many friends and your a great one to have. So what else did she tell you?"
"Just that. That you used her to get back at Lucas and then you two broke up. Why? Is there more?"
"No, that's pretty much it. So what are you doing here? Are you going to try and fix everything like you used to?"
"Well I actually came her to do this."said Brooke as she walked up to him and slapped him on the back of his head.
"Jesus Brooke! What the hell was that for? That really hurt."
"That was for telling me to shut up earlier. You better never do that again."
Nathan raised his hands in defeat."If that's what I have to look forward to if I do it again, then you don't have to worry, it won't happen."
Brooke smiled."Good that's what I wanted to hear, but seriously Nate, using Haley? What the hell were you thinking? It's one thing to use her and I'm not saying it's right or that I even like it, but it's another thing to tell her you used her. What was that about?"
"It just slipped out. I didn't even know what I said until it was too late."
"Obviously you really are that dumb."
"Brooke, I already feel like crap, so if your here to insult me you can just leave."Nathan turned away from her and back to the net where he shot his ball which went in perfectly.
"Don't you ever get tired of this place?"asked Brooke changing the subject as she grabbed the ball out of his hands after he ran to get it."I mean your in this gym everyday. Why would you come here in your free time to play a game you always play. You should be with your friends somewhere having fun. Your gonna have to be here after school for practice anyways. What is it about this place that you love so much?"Brooke positioned herself in the middle and shot her ball. It too went in perfectly. She turned around and jumped up and down squealing.
Nathan couldn't help but laugh at her."I see you haven't lost your touch. Your still pretty good."
"Well I did have a pretty good coach, who taught me everything I know."
Nathan's face grew serious."He was just pretty good?"
Brooke couldn't help but laugh. Here she thought she was giving him a compliment and he took it as an insult. She decided to play along."Yes, he was just pretty good. I've had better."
"Oh, yeah?"asked Nathan as he began to chase her around the gym.
After a while Brooke stopped, holding up her hands."Okay, okay. I give. Your the best coach there is. There is no just being pretty good with you. Your awesome."
"Yeah, that's what I thought."laughed Nathan.
"Hey, don't get too cocky. I only conceded because I'm wearing heels. If I had on my sneakers there is no way I would have given in. You would still be just pretty good."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever you say B."
Brooke stopped smiling."Wow, you haven't called me that in forever."
"I know, but I figured it was time it made a come back. Don't you think?"
Brooke smiled once again."I sure do, but only if I can start calling you Nate again. Nathan is just too long."
Nathan laughed."You know, your the only one besides my mom to call me that."
"Good then it's our little thing."
"It sure is B."Nathan took another shot.
Brooke took the ball Nathan offered her and took her second shot and it again went in."Yep, my coach was definitely better than just pretty good."
Nathan laughed again. He couldn't remember the last time he'd laughed this much. It had been a long time ago and it had been with Brooke. He realized at that moment how much he missed her. She always had this affect on him. He was always happy when she was around. He wondered why he ever let them grow apart. Things just got in the way. Life, just got in the way.
"Hey Nate? It's your turn. Nate?"
Nathan looked up."Sorry... I was just thinking."
"Okay, what is it about me that you guys find so boring that you'd rather think than be with me in the flesh? I mean just yesterday Lucas and I were having a conversation and he totally spaced out on me and then today I'm with you and you do the same thing. Am I that boring to be around that you have more fun being inside your head?"
"Being inside my head? What the hell does that mean?"
"Come on, you know what I mean?"
"Yes, I do and come on Brooke you know your not boring. You may be a lot of things, but boring will never be one of them."Brooke smiled."You just give me a lot to think about."
"So does that mean you were thinking about me?"asked Brooke arching her eyebrows.
"As a matter of fact I was thinking about you."
"Really? I was just kidding before."
"Well I'm not."
"Well then what exactly were you thinking?"
Nathan stepped closer to her and leaned his head down by her ear and whispered."Wouldn't you like to know."he pulled away and began to laugh.
Brooke punched him in the shoulder."You really are an ass. You know that?"
"You really are pretty strong for being so little. Stop hitting me! It hurts."
Brooke laughed."Oh poor, big, bad, Natey Boy is getting beat up by little Brookie."
"Your not funny."laughed Nathan.
"Oh yeah, then why are you laughing?"
Nathan stopped."I'm not."
"Whatever."smiled Brooke.
Nathan got serious."You know B, I've really missed you."he turned away not wanting her to see how sentimental he was getting. He was supposed to be a man, he wasn't supposed to let his vulnerable side show.
Brooke smiled seeing him turn away. She knew what he was doing. She decided against teasing him."I missed you too Nate."she knew he was always uncomfortable sharing his feelings so she quickly threw him the ball and it hit him hard in the chest."It's your turn again."
"What did I tell you about hurting me? You really under estimate your strength Davis?"and just like that the seriousness was gone, but the feelings were understood.
Brooke laughed."Quit being such a wimp Scott."
"No, you need to quit being such a bully."
"Little bitty me, a bully? I think not."
"Say that to me tomorrow when I'm covered in bruises after spending only thirty minutes with you."
The conversation slowly dwindled and they continued to take turns shooting baskets in silence until Nathan spoke up."So you and Lucas huh?"
"Yep, me and Lucas."smiled Brooke.
"How are things going?"
"They're great actually. He told me he loved me for the first time last night."
"Wow. Really? Did you say it back?"Nathan found himself wanting to hear her say no. Not because he liked her or wanted to be with her, but because it seemed that everyone around him worshiped Lucas. They always thought he could do no wrong and it was getting to him. He always felt inferior when he was with Haley because he thought she was comparing him to the elusive Lucas and now one of his best friends was dating him. What's next? His dad was gonna move him into his room?
"What do you think? Of course I said it back. I love him."
"Okay, well that's good for you and all, but I happen to hate the guy so can we not talk about how much you love him?"
"Hey, your the one who asked about him not me. I wasn't even thinking about bringing him up."
"Your right. It was clearly a moment of insanity."
Brooke looked up at him."Okay well lunch is long over and we're already late for our next class. We've gotten reacquainted, joked around, played ball, I've beaten you up, and we've even talked about Lucas."
"What's your point?"
"I was getting to that you smart ass. Are we gonna get to the part where I try to fix things?"
Nathan frowned."There's nothing to fix B."
"I hear what your saying, really I do, but I know it's not the truth."
"Brooke just leave it alone."
"I can't. You two are like the perfect couple. I mean besides me and Lucas. You two have to get back together."
"You don't think I want that Brooke? Because I do, but she hates me right now."
"She doesn't hate you Nate. She's just angry right now. She'll get over it."
"I'm not so sure she will."
"Look you may have a few jerk like tendencies, but your not a full fledge jerk. I know that just because you started off using her it doesn't mean you still are."
"I'm not. It hasn't been about that for a really long time now."
"I know and that's what I told her."
"What you already stuck up for me? Even after I told you to shut up?"
"Yes, but only because I knew I was going to hit you the next time I saw you."Brooke laughed when she saw Nathan rub the back of his head where she hit him."And I did so that's that and I know it will be the last time too. Anyways I told her she needed to forgive you. I also told her if she didn't she'd probably regret it. I just hope that after she calms down she takes my advice.
"Thanks B, you really are the best."
"Hey don't thank me yet. She hasn't forgiven you. Since I gave her some advice on you, I'm now gonna give you some on her. Although I don't really know her, I know girls in general. She's hurt, she feels betrayed because she feels that all you've done is lie to her. She's gonna push you away. She's gonna try and ignore you, but you have to be persistent. You have to show her that you care and that you really are sorry and want to make it up to her. Do little things to make her feel special. Let her know that you will always be there for her even if she doesn't want you to be at the time."
"Do you really think those thing will work?"
"Well they can't hurt can they?"
"I guess not. Thanks B, you really are helping me fix this like old times."Nathan leaned in and wrapped her in a tight hug, kissing her forehead.
The door opened and in walked someone."Hey, hey, what's going on in here? You two are looking pretty cozy. Am I gonna have to go find Lucas and Haley and tell them what I just witnessed?"
"Well if it isn't Jake, trying to stir up trouble. This isn't like you and it wasn't what it looked like. Nate's having girl problems and I was trying to help him out."said Brooke matter of factly.
"Yeah, it looks like you were helping him out, alright."
"Jake shut up. I happen to love Lucas."
"Oh come on man, what did I say about hearing that Brooke?"cut in Nathan.
"Sorry."
"I bet you are."
"Anyways, I should be going. I am definitely late for class. Which reminds me. Why are you here and not in class yourself?"she asked Jake.
"I have study hall this period and was caught up on my work so I decided to come down hear and shoot some hoops. I just didn't know that I'd come and find you two making out in the middle of the court."laughed Jake.
"We weren't making out, he was just thanking me."
"Is that what you kids are calling it these days?"
"Shut up Jake. I'm gonna get going, but before I go I need to ask you something Jake."
"Sure, go ahead."
"Well what do you think about Peyton?"
"What do you mean?"
"Do I have to spell it out for you? Do you like her?"
"She's alright. Why? Does she like me?"
"Yeah. I think so. So if I can arrange it, will you go out with her? Just once to see if you two like it. Her last boyfriend completely sucked."
"Hey! I'm standing right here."shouted Nathan.
Brooke turned to him."It's not like you don't already know you were a horrible boyfriend to her Nate. Anyways."Brooke turned back to Jake."Will you?"
"I'm game if she is. I mean she's not bad to look at."
"What a gentleman you are."kidded Brooke."Well thanks Jake, I'll get back with you and I'll even baby sit for you so you can go."
"Thanks Brooke. I might have to take you up on that."
"Sure thing, and you."she said pointing to Nathan."I'll talk to you later. Bye guys." Brooke walked off with her mind racing. Now she just needed to get Peyton to agree. She knew that was going to be harder than it was with Jake. It would be okay, she'd find away. She always did. Brooke walked to class already forming a plan.
A/N:Thanks for all the reviews especially Brucasfanatic. I really look forward to your reviews. I'm glad you sorta see where Peyton's coming from, but still like you said she could control if she acts on her feelings. I also like the deeper side of Brooke and I want to show that more along with her bitchy side of course and we will see both when she finally finds out about Leyton. Also thanks to Ali213, I'm glad your reading and liking my story, you know how much I loved yours, and to Mony19, there will be a lot more Brooke and Nathan in this story, but I'm not sure it will be anything more than just a friendship. Crazy and kinGsFaN your reviews were also great. Thanks to all of you and everybody else who has reviewed. I hope you all enjoy this chapter. It's a little longer than I expected, but I really love writing Brooke and Nathan and the words just kept coming to me. Please let me know what you think. Read and review. Thanks!
Coming Up:
Brucas have some alone time.
Keith gives Brooke a hard time.
Lucas has a surprise visitor.