XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
:Eighteen:
The world was just beginning to wake. Flowers unfolded, each petal stretching toward the sun. The morning sky was painted topaz, stretching as far as the eye could see. Not a cloud marred the smooth canvas.
Beautiful maybe, but a hint of the day to come. Lucas had shrugged out of his sweatshirt more than twenty minutes ago. The blond hunched tense shoulders, adjusting the set of the pack on his back. He'd left the bulky suitcase behind, preferring the freedom of his school bag. There wasn't much to stuff into it.
A deserted bench caught Lucas' attention, and he sank down gratefully. It had taken longer than he'd expected, walking into town, asking for directions to the nearest bus stop. At least there weren't too many people about. Relaxing in the partial shade, Luke shut his eyes. It had been a long night.
Images of Keith's accident played against the blackness of closed lids. Whether awake or sleeping, he couldn't shake the vivid scenarios. In all of them, his "father" lie prone and still, covered with blood. Scarlet in the darkness. Even during the "dead" hours of morning, when the moonlight faded and inky oblivion shaded the world, Keith's brooding face remained one step ahead. Luke felt himself longing for an end to the night, previously comforting and sheltering him. Now playing into the grisly scepter of his imagination.
A man, Keith, was beckoning to him with outstretched hand. The fingers spread, imploring. "Luke, you were the only person I had." A gentle grasp on his wrist, but the flesh touching Lucas was cold and wet.
The touch became a reality. Lucas jumped, almost exclaiming out loud.
X
"What are you doing here?" Brooke's brow furrowed in concern. The color had drained out of the blond Scott's face, leaving it chalky white.
"Are you okay, Lucas?"
He seemed to gather himself, lips curving in the merest semblance of a smile. "Ya, um, just-" he clapped his palms together. "I must have drifted off."
"You look like you've seen a ghost."
"Maybe I have."
The brunette hesitated. "I'm going to sit down." She tapped his arm. "Scooch over."
"You can stop looking at me like that."
"Like what?"
Lucas leaned toward the cheerleader. "Like I'm a little lost cat."
"No. You've got the whole lost thing going on, but you're not little." She smiled appreciatively.
Silence ensued; strangely enough, it wasn't the awkward boy-girl variety Lucas usually encountered. He sighed.
"So, why are you at a bus stop? I mean, besides the obvious."
"Long story." Luke couldn't see her reaction, because Brooke tilted her head. Apparently studying her shoes.
"Then you aren't staying."
"I was going to. I wanted to. For real, Brooke. Something came up-"
She loved the way he chewed his words. The casual self-assurance exhibited in a simple tee shirt and jeans. Face it, Brooke Davis liked sharing a paint peeled bench with this Scott.
"How long will you be gone?"
"I don't know."
And there sadness crept into the blond's voice, undeniable. Brooke faced him, squinting against the sunlight. "It has something to do with Nathan and the team, doesn't it? If you're looking for a place to stay-"
"Thanks, Brooke. But-"
"I have money. Enough money, I could take a bath in it, okay?"
"Brooke-"
"You see that store? I'm like family. I practically keep them in business."
This time a genuine smile stretched Lucas' mouth. "It's not about the money. But I appreciate it." He touched the brunette's sleeve. "I'm going to miss you."
"Really?"
"Yes. Brooke Davis, you're the only real friend I've got."
"But you've only been to one party."
"One'll last. Trust me." The blond shook his head. He paused. "I like you, too."
Brooke tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Wait. I never said-"
"I know you do."
She laughed, half embarrassed. "What?"
"Like me too."
The cheerleader punched his shoulder. "Okay, rhyme boy."
X
"Lucas. There you are."
He'd spotted his son from down the street, white, blue and blond. Orange knapsack across Lucas' lap and an unmistakable feminine form.
Dan stepped off the curb, slightly ludicrous when he hurried. The brightness of his cheeks could have been credited to the warm summer day or irritation.
Luke glanced up, mild surprise settling over his features. Unconsciously gripping the bright bag tighter.
"How much time did you think you'd save? I told you I'd take you to Charleston in the morning. And here you are, sneaking out of the house. By the way, Deb's doing a silverware count. How did you expect to pay for this?"
Lucas opened his mouth, but the brunette cut in.
"Mr. Scott, I lent Lucas the money."
"Don't you have to be in school? Like say, half an hour?"
Brooke shrugged. "I'm seeing Lucas off."
"There's nothing to see. He isn't going anywhere."
"What do you mean?" The blond's jaw tightened. Brooke could feel Lucas' body tense next to her.
"I mean, son, I called the hospital this morning. By telephone. A lot easier than walking all night."
"I needed the time alone."
"All for nothing." Dan shifted to peer down the street, shading his eyes with a hand.
"What-what do you mean?" Lucas crushed his bag.
"Relax. Your daddy turned uncle is going to be just fine. He's probably in the psych ward by now, nursing fractured legs and a broken collarbone."
"How is he?"
Dan pressed his eldest back down. "I just told you. Beyond that, some cuts and bruises. Nothing worse than a couple of stitches."
"Oh, God."
Brooke watched Luke raise a hand to his forehead. He wasn't able to completely control the shaking.
"I have to see him."
"In a few days-"
"No. Not in a few days. I'd deserve it if he died. But he didn't. He didn't."
"Lucas, don't make a scene. Keith was an alcoholic and he brought this on himself. I'm not going to have you running off to stand at his bedside. If Keith cared about you, or me, or any of us, big brother wouldn't have tried doing what he did."
"What happened was my fault."
"No, it wasn't."
"Yes, it was. I knew him. I know what Keith's like. I was stupid and selfish-"
"You aren't going back."
"I have to do what's right. Don't you understand? I'm getting a second chance."
"What's right is that you stay here, work at fitting in. Make something of yourself. With my help-"
"This isn't about me."
Dan caught the blond's shoulders, forcing his gaze. "I'm your father now. Keith made me legal guardian, so you don't really have much of a choice."
"Three days ago all you wanted was to make my life miserable, and now you're my best protector?"
"I know it's hard to understand, Lucas, but it's the truth. I care for you like a son."
"Ya, now that you know I'm your son."
"There's no love lost between me and big brother. That's the way it is." Dan didn't remove his hands. Just stood there, waiting for Lucas to give in.
"I didn't come this far for nothing." The blond's lips flattened.
"We'll see Keith in a few days. Promise. Just give him a chance to cool down."
"This is still a game!"
"You aren't a game to me, Lucas. How can I make you understand?"
"Mr. Scott, instead of shaking him, why don't you let Lucas sit down?"
The taller man blinked. "Excuse me, this is none of your business. In other words, butt out, Miss Davis."
"Oh, but it is my business. Nobody treats my boyfriend like crap."
"Boyfriend? Abandon the fairytale." Dan leaned in. "I know your type."
The cheerleader just stood there, hands at her hips. Jaw out thrust.
"She's right."
Dan nearly missed the quiet statement, releasing Lucas' arms in surprise. Half laugh. "What?"
"You heard."
"Lucas, get real. How long have you known this girl? 48 hours? I thought we talked about this the other night."
"You talked. It doesn't take weeks to figure out if you like some one."
"Keep throwing it in my face. I'm past all that, but obviously you aren't. I've accepted you, Lucas, but you can't accept me."
"I want to. I want you to be my dad. I just don't think you can."
"Whatever. Go find Keith, see where it gets you."
Dan twitched his suit into place. "This is a waste of time."
"I-"
"Leave it, Lucas. The whole town's talking."
For the first time, the trio noticed the clusters of passers by. Many of them openly staring, watching the drama play out.
The blond watched his father walk away, tight, choleric stride. Luke had felt the anger, the frustration. He was sorry, but things couldn't be helped.
"Come on." Brooke gently took his hand, tugging Lucas after her.
"I have to go, Brooke."
"I know."
Luke followed the brunette, trying to release his fingers. "I'm really not hungry-"
"You will be."
"What are we doing?"
They were standing beside the street, cars glinting in the streaming sunlight. Lucas winced in the glare, adjusting his knapsack. "Listen, Brooke, thanks for sticking up for me. But I've got to go-"
"I know, what's-his-name-Keith."
"I'll call."
"Get in the car, boyfriend."
"Wha-"
"Did you really think I'd pass up a trip to shopping capitol central?"
Lucas' worried frown eased somewhat. He almost smiled. "You'd do that for me?"
"And clothes."
"You know-" the blond threw his bag to the back, slipping into the passenger seat, "You're such an act."
"Better get used to it." Eyeing his lips.
"Are we really dating?"
"I don't know. It feels like we are."
"Not completely."