Thank you to all who are constantly reviewing! I give you cookies!

Disclaimer: I don't own it, blah blah blah...but if I did, Jake and Peyton, would not or could not happen. I would have to make Peyton gay to keep her away from Jake. No joke. I love him.

Chapter 9

"Hot, Pink, and Spicy"

The next few weeks past in a blur, and finally marked the week Karen was returning from Italy. There was buzz around the small Scott community. Lucas, of course, was thrilled to have his mother back home. Keith was hoping for a relationship after so long. Deb wanted to keep up her's and Karen's budding friendship. And Audrey, really needed a woman she could trust to talk about this Jake situation.

Sure, there was Brooke, but she didn't know if they were close enough to share Audrey's emoitional turmoil. Her father was obviously out of the question. She liked to share almost everything with him, but she really needed a woman's advice, which is why she couldn't turn to Lucas or Nathan. Deb was there, true, but she didn't understand her the way Karen could. Oh, and Haley, but she was off in Nathanville, failing quizzes, drinking, and skipping school. There's one more girl too, but don't let her get started about Peyton.

Audrey walked to the Autoshop after school like she did a couple times a week. The only exception: She didn't usually walk. Keith had used Karen's car, and Lucas had borrowed the truck for his date with Brooke. So, Audrey had the raw end of the deal.

Maybe I can convince Uncle Dan to loan me one of his dealership cars.

Audrey decided this was a good idea. She took out her cell and dialed the number to the dealership.

"Dan Scott Motors. How may I be of service?" A young-sounding secretary asked.

"I'd actually like to speak to Dan Scott himself." The secretary became very annoyed.

"And will he want to talk to you?" She asked.

"Um, probably, I'm his niece." The secretary sighed heavily and got in contact with Dan. He answered almost immedietly.

"Hello dear niece. What can I do for you?" Audrey hesitated.

"Well, I was wondering," She paused and spoke slowly. "I mean, my dad and I, only have one car, and I have no way to get anywhere, and so I was hoping I could loan out on of your dealership cars." She breathed deeply and crossed her fingers. Dan paused, obviously in thought.

He spoke again cheerfully. "Of course! When can you make it down here?"

"Well, I'm on my way to the autoshop, hoping to pick-up the truck, and then I can head down there." She waited at the crosswalk, staring at the autoshop across the street. "No dance today."

"Great! Come by ASAP and we'll hook you up!" Audrey said her goodbyes and headed into the shop.

"Were you just on the phone?" Keith asked, working on an engine.

"Yeah, talking to Dan. He said he'd let me use one of his dealership cars." Keith stopped what he was doing immediately.

"Dan is giving you a car?" He asked suspciously.

"Yeah, is that bad? I mean, he always promised he'd give me one by the time I was 16, and I am!"

"He promised you that?" Keith was obviously upset.

"Yeah. I mean, Deb doesn't have any brothers or sisters, so I'm his only neice." Audrey shrugged. "I don't know, he likes to spoil me." Keith started to laugh, but was gradually growing more angry.

"I'm not going to keep it, just, use it for a while, until I can get my own. I mean, you and I have only one car, and that causes problems." She pointed behind her with her thumb.

"I'm gonna take off. Love you Dad!"

"I love you too Audrey. Get a real fancy one." He chuckled and went back to work.

Audrey pulled into the dealership in the clunky tow truck. Dan walked out with a disgusted look.

"No wonder you want a car." Audrey laughed and gave her uncle a hug. He brought her into the showroom, and pointed out the cars she would like best, mostly convertibles. He showed her one of the most prominent models.

"I love it! What colors does it come in? I mean, that are available to walk out with."

"Come with me." He led her outside, where the same model that was shown was parked, but in a hot pink, and a red bow over it. Audrey gasped.

"Happy 16th! I know it's a little late, but I wanted it to be perfect."

"I-I love it! It's the best! Thank you so much! I owe you forever!" She hugged him and ran to the car. Dan shook his head.

"You don't owe me anything. This is your birthday present, I want you to keep it." Audrey almost fainted in excitement.

"AHH! You're the best!"

"I try." Suddenly, Audrey frowned.

"Dad's gonna hate this." Dan shrugged.

"Let him. You deserve the best." Audrey shrieked in excitement. She climbed into the car, and looked at everything.

"This is an amazing car." She said in amazment. Dan got into the passenger's side.

"Isn't it?" He handed her the keys, with a little jeweled flower on the keychain. "Take it for a spin." She put on her seatbelt and started the car. Before she could take off, she had to find a good radio station. When she settled on a techno rock station, she hit the gas and the road.

Audrey pulled up to Keith's Body Shop with Dan, and beeped her horn. Keith walked out and gaped at his daughter and brother sitting in this hot pink convertible. Lucas came to see what the commotion was, but went back into the shop in digust.

Keith jogged over the car.

"It's, nice." Audrey squealed.

"And I get to keep it! It's my birthday present!" Keith glared at Dan.

"I don't think so." Audrey's face fell.

"What? Why?"

"We can keep it, we didn't pay." Dan stepped in.

"It's a gift. From me. She can keep it, and I don't want it back. I insist." Keith sighed and looked around.

"Where's my truck?"

"At the dealership. Um, why don't you come for a ride, and you can pick it up!" Audrey asked hopefully. She and her father would've probably chosen Lucas to do this job, but because of Dan, it wasn't an option.

"Sure." He said. Dan got out, and let his brother climb in the back. Audrey pounded the gas again, and they were off.