"On my count, man…1…2…3…lift."

Lucas grunted as he and his brother lifted the heavy dresser and transported into the basement. Even though it was well past the hot summer season, the weather had taken an unusual turn and the day had been rather warm. The brothers were hot and tired, both using the ends of their shirts to wipe the sweat beginning to drip from their brows.

"Dude, it's time for a break", Lucas announced.

Nathan chuckled.

"We just started."

"Yeah we just started moving our shit but we've been busting our asses all day to get the queen's stuff situated upstairs. I'm dead tired."

"I'm tired too but we have to get through it, man", Nathan took a swig of cold water.

"Moving sucks plain and simple", Lucas muttered.

"You got that right but we don't have too much stuff."

"No. Like I said, we finished all the hard parts."

Nathan sat his water down.

"Okay, Luke. Talk to me. What is your problem with Brooke?"

"I just don't like the broad."

"Why not? She seems like a nice enough girl."

"It's an act, trust me."

"I don't know. I think I can read people pretty well. She's been nothing but nice to me since I've been here and she seems to really care about my mom."

"Yeah, she's gotten pretty close to Deb. I'll give her that. But I think she's just a spoiled little rich brat."

"What's her story? Where did she come from?"

Lucas shrugged.

"Who knows? That's the thing, bro. It's weird. She just kind of showed up in the middle of a rainy night. Nobody really known anything about her or where she came from."

"If that's the case, how do you figure she's rich and spoiled?"

"First of all, she showed up in this god awful, hideous Alexis Carrington fur. I mean, who wears stuff like that anymore and especially around here on the Coast."

"So she's not from around here. She's from someplace cold. So?"

"So, there's more. She just came off with this snobby attitude like she was better than everyone else."

Nathan tried to hide his growing smile.

"Sound familiar?"

"What?"

"Wasn't that you in high school?"

Lucas made a face.

"Well, yeah but that wasn't my fault. Besides, I've changed…"

"Yeah, you have. People change, Luke. Hasn't she gotten a little bit better?"

"Yes but…"

"Come on, dude. Cut her some slack."

"I've tried. Look if you like her, that's all fine and good. I'm just saying be careful. She might mean well but she isn't all that smart. She's broken practically ever dish at the Den and she almost set this place on fire because she didn't have the common sense to work the microwave."

"It's okay. People make mistakes. She'll learn."

"Whatever, Nate. I don't know. It's just something about her that just isn't right. I mean, why is she here and where did she come from? I'm telling you, she's hiding something and whatever it is, it's big."

"Maybe so, big brother but it's none of our business."

"That's what Deb says."

"Mom is right."

"Yeah until we find out she's a criminal or something."

Nathan laughed.

"I doubt she's on the America's Most Wanted List. I just met her but Brooke doesn't strike me as the type. She's a sweet girl. Look, I don't have any answers. She hasn't told me anything and I'm not gonna push her. Frankly, I don't really care. But we all have to live and work together, at least for the time being so that means everybody needs to make an effort to get along."

Lucas defensively put his hands in the air.

"Fine. I'm not starting anything. I try to stay out of her way. Look, I don't need any more trouble, Nathan. I've got enough problems of my own."

Nathan looked away.

"How is Haley?" he asked softly.

"Hell, you probably know more than I do. She's not exactly talking to me. But I know she did contact a lawyer and she's starting the divorce proceedings."

"Sorry. That sucks, man."

Lucas nodded.

"It does but it's my own doing. I know that now. I admit it. I screwed up. Haley's just reacting. She's had enough and who could blame her?"

"Yeah…"

"I owe her a big apology and I owe one to you, too."

"Man, you don't have to. It's done…"

"I know but I shouldn't have gone off on you like that."

"It's cool. It's over. We squashed that a long time ago. Besides, I know you're sorry that you hurt her."

"I am. Haley's a good girl but those are the breaks. Now, I just have to be man enough to deal with the consequences."

"You two gonna be okay if you get scheduled to be at the Den at the same time?"

"Yeah. It's not like that."

"Good but just so you know, um, it might not be the smartest thing to, you know, bring your other girls around."

Lucas shot his brother a look mixed with anger and surprise.

"It's not like that either, Nate. There are no other girls. I'm not seeing anybody."

"Okay. I believe you. Sorry I brought it up."

"Whatever. Don't spend so much time worrying about my love life. I don't see the chicks knocking down your door."

Nathan laughed.

"I don't need that. I don't have to have a woman around just to validate my manhood. But since you did bring it up, I am kind of seeing somebody."

"Who, Daytona?"

"Well, yeah."

Lucas nodded.

"You two did seem a little touchy feely. It's cool, I guess. I never would have thought it up but whatever works. She's always had a crush on you."

"I like her. We have a lot in common. Daytona's fun."

"You fuck her yet?"

Nathan threw a towel at his brother.

"Is that all you can think about? Get your head out of the gutter."

"What? Have you?"

"No. It's not like that. We're getting to know each other."

"You've known her your whole life."

"But it's different now and we're taking it slow."

"Alright", Lucas shrugged. "If you say so."

"I do say so but enough about me. I've got my life pretty figured out which is more than I can say for your ass. Now what are you going to do?"

Lucas shook his head.

"I don't know but I'm working on it. It's one day at a time, you know? I'm just trying to deal with everything. My own fuck ups, my marriage crumbling, when the hell I'm gonna get out of your mom's place and figure out to do with my life…everything. And trust me, avoiding my crazy ass family is like a full time job these days."

"Ah, the Scotts…"

"You know how that one goes."

"That I do. How are they?"

"Same old. Let's see…Grandpa is still an ass, Grandma is still a naïve sweetheart, my mom is still married to her work, Keith is still banging my mom and our dad is still the same old pathetic jerk he's always been."

"Only in Tree Hill", Nathan sighed.

"Does Dad even know you're back?"

"I don't think so. I haven't seen or talked to him but you know that word travels in this town. It's only a matter of time before he finds out."

"You gonna see him?"

"I don't know. I always say no but I just end up getting sucked in anyway."

"Just say no", Lucas smirked.

"I try but it's hard."

"Suit yourself but you'll learn. One day you'll get tired enough of it and quit bearing the brunt of that ridiculous relationship. Sometimes you just have to walk away."

Nathan knew all about that.

"It's cool", he said looking around. "Now what do you say? This crap isn't just gonna move itself. Ready to get back to work?"

"Do I have a choice?"

"Not really."

"Then let's go. We'll move in the mattresses and box springs next."

"Okay", Nathan said as he began to laugh.

"What's so funny?"

"I was just thinking. We've been brothers all our lives but we didn't get close until we were almost grown. Now look at us. In our 20's and now we're sleeping side by side in twin beds in my mom's basement. I don't know. It just seems kind of…ironic."

"Or pathetic", Lucas mused.

"We'll be okay. Who knows, it could be kind of fun?"

Lucas rolled his eyes.

"Don't get crazy on me."

"At least it will be an adventure."

Lucas looked around and surveyed the situation.

"With Deb being sick and unable to keep order, with us all running the Den, you and me practically in bunk beds, my soon to be ex wife in the mix and our crazy father just across town…oh and not to mention Hilary Banks upstairs…I'd say it's going to be a hell of an adventure, little brother."