NOTE FROM AUTHOR/

Sorry this chapter took me so long to write. Looks like I lost all my fans…Aww well. I know this story somewhat sucks, but thank you for those of you who have been reading regardless.

Nathan'sRaven:I've finally updated. YAY ME!

Brucas4ever: This whole chapter is Brucas related and things heat up later with them. Not in this chapter.

Chapter 14

No Choice in The Matter

Peyton walked in their hotel room to see clothes strewn all over the place. Brooke was running back and forth, what she was doing was unclear.

"Peyton?"

"Is that you Brooke? You were moving so fast I couldn't see you."

Peyton wished she hadn't said so with the look Brooke was giving her now. Obviously now was not the time to joke around. "I thought you said you weren't going Brooke?"

"I'm not. What are you talking about?"

"Then why have you raided out closest for the perfect outfit if you are just going to slam the door in his face? Why can't you just answer naked? What difference does it make anyways?"

Brooke thought about this for a second before putting all her clothes back in their suitcases. Peyton was right, it didn't matter how pretty she looked if she was just going to greet him at the door. Besides, Peyton had given her an idea. She walked into the bathroom and slightly shut the door. A moment later the clothes she had been wearing came flying out the door.

"Brooke?" Peyton called tentatively through the door. "I didn't literally mean naked."

Brooke wrapped a towel around her self and looked in the mirror. Not bad, as soon as he sees this she would have him wrapped around her finger. It would be even funnier to slam the door in his speechless face now. She quickly pulled her messy hair back, leaving a few strands down to frame her face and lay on her bare shoulders. She pulled the towel tighter when she heard the door knock. It was now or never.

Peyton was just about to enter the bathroom when a somewhat covered Brooke whizzed past her to answer the door.

Lucas stood, unable to form a sentence. Staring back at him was a almost naked goddess of perfection.

"Yes?"

He cleared his throat, and it occurred to him to play it cool. "You know, I thought we would get to that part later in the evening. But if you want-"

"Actually, I'm not going anywhere with you. And you give up your fantasies because they are NOT going to happen. Goodbye." A satisfied Brooke tried to shut the door but Lucas stopped her, stepping closer to her in the process.

"Actually, you are. I suggest you change, unless you want me to carry you naked for the rest of the city to see. But I prefer my eyes be the only ones to lay sight upon you."

Her mouth flew open in aghast. He wouldn't! Would he? Did she really want to find out? Feeling a sense of loss overcome her she hung her head in defeat and went off to change.

"You do know she is going to take forever right?" Lucas looked up to see Peyton from where she had been standing the whole time.

"I figured as much." He raised his voice so even in the other room Brooke could hear him, "I'm going to take her in 10 minutes, no matter how little she is wearing."

Poor Brooke, Peyton thought. True every scene between her and Lucas was priceless, but every time Brooke tried to come out on top Lucas had stolen the spotlight from her. Though, it was nice to see someone who matched Brooke in the need for victory.

"You're coming too."

"Excuse me?"

"Yea, I thought I would torment Brooke but truth be told, she and I aren't at that level where we can spend time together. I will take her out tomorrow, but tonight there are some things both of you need to see."

"So you lied to her?" Peyton asked. She was trying not to encourage this with a smile that was trying to break out but the whole situation was incredulous.

"No, I wouldn't say that. I told her something to see how she would react, and had she come ready to go out I would have taken her. But if she had done as I asked, I wouldn't have been able to see that pleasant sight now would I?"

Brooke appeared in the doorway. Instead of obliging him she put on a casual pair of jeans and a baggy sweatshirt. Even so, she still had the ability to look amazing.

"Are you ready to go? I invited Peyton to come with us, for your sake."

"Let's just get this over with." Brooke spat, suavely walking past him towards the door.

"PLEASE can we take the blindfolds off now?" Brooke whined. Brooke always was an inpatient person.

Lucas laughed lightly, and the very sound sent shivers coursing through Brookes body. "Almost." He guided both the ladies up the steps off an extremely loud building. He opened a door and noise gushed through the door to greet them. Pushing the girls a little but farther he yelled over the music and others, "Now."

Both girls quickly untied the ties knots and removed them from their eyes. They looked around at the one place in this city that looked exactly the same before they left.

"TRIC!" Peyton exclaimed

"Still the same as before." Lucas added.

Brooke just looked around in amazement. The dance floor was surrounded by people she had never seen before. But it was still the same lights shinning on them, the same counters serving drinks to underage teenagers. The stage had the same layout but a band was performing that she didn't recognize. When she looked back to Lucas she found his gaze was on her and Peyton had disappeared. "Probably went to see who she could find from old times." Lucas said as if reading her mind. "Maybe went looking for a Jake?"

Brooke shook her head and raised her voice in order to be heard over the commotion. "Jake moved into L.A and works with Peyton."

Lucas had to blink at this piece of information. "Did they pick up where they left off?"

Lucas was caught off guard again when Brooke shook her head. "He tried, Peyton refused him until he got the answer. But Pey still wants to be friends with him like old times."

Lucas nodded in confusion. But Jake and Peyton were always so good together. They always seemed so….right. Peyton had never been the same since Jake left, she longed after him. Lucas always thought she left to go find Jake and brought Brooke with her. It didn't make sense.

"Love is only in fairy tales Lucas. Don't get hung up about something that is done with. Jake was your friend, so was Peyton. They are grown adults making their own decisions."

"Your right." Lucas agreed, "So care to dance?"

Brooke scoffed and gave him a sly smile. "Not tonight buddy." She walked past him to find Peyton and Lucas followed. However long it took, Brooke Davis would eventually come to her senses. At least Lucas hoped so.