Thanks for the awesome reviews. I'm so glad that you guys are still reading it and are liking it. I think this story is taking a life of it's own. I had a different ending for this chapter in mind, but for some reason it ended it like this. But no need to worry...everything will work out in the end.

Chapter 22

After leaving her house and Brooke that late afternoon, Peyton had gone for a drive. Driving was another way for Peyton to clear her mind but even after an hour of driving, with no particular destination, her troubles refused to go away.

The thought of picking between her best friend and her current boyfriend never crossed her mind. Peyton refused to pick because she couldn't. Both Brooke and Lucas were a very important part of her life and she would always need them both. That didn't mean to say that she didn't care how Brooke was feeling. In fact, it was quite the opposite. Peyton would do almost anything to make it all go away for her.

With a loud sigh, she slowed the car down and eased off the road. She wasn't ready to talk before, but she was now. After putting the car in park, Peyton sat there and stared straight ahead of her for a few seconds before leaning forward to turn the blaring music down. She leaned back into her seat. Then, she slowly looked up and turned to the boy who was sitting next to her.

Before going for a long drive, Peyton stopped by the Rivercourt to pick up Lucas. When he saw first saw her pull up, Lucas saw the look in her eyes and immediately knew that things didn't go over well with Brooke. He quickly gathered his belongings off the bleachers and got into the passenger side of her car. The music was turned up and the blonde didn't look at him when he got in. Lucas knew that Peyton didn't want to be alone but she also wasn't ready to talk about it yet. Although he was concerned and wondered what exactly was said, he kept quiet and waited patiently for Peyton to be ready.

Brooke was fed up. She hated feeling sad and rejected. Something had to be done and she knew exactly what would cheer her up. The old 'Brooke Davis' never got her heart stomped on and never lost her best friend. Determined to be that girl with a protected heart again, Brooke picked up her cell phone and scrolled through her phone book for a number.

She was now cuddled up beside him, all cried out.

"It's my fault," she sniffed.

"It's not your fault, Peyton. It's no one's fault,"

"I should have told her last night…I should have hidden our pictures better…I should…"

"Should stop worrying so much," he interrupted, "Brooke just needs time. She needs to realize that you didn't do anything wrong…and when she finally realizes that…" Lucas leaned his head forward to get a better view of her face and hoped to see a smile. "…you'll forget all about poor little old me,"

Peyton rolled her eyes and let out a smile, "It's always about you, isn't it?" she sarcastically joked.

"If it gets a smile out of you, then yes, yes it is," He leaned back and placed a gentle kiss on the top of her curls, "She'll come around, Peyt," He then gently rested his head on hers and he wrapped his arms around her tighter. "I promise, it'll work out,"

Even though she knew he couldn't really promise her that, Peyton did have hope for it.

Suddenly a Dashboard Confessional ring tone went off. Peyton bolted up and grabbed her phone, hoping that it was Brooke, but it wasn't.

"Shoot," Peyton muttered, "I forgot about him,"

Lucas's eyebrows furrowed, "Him?"

Peyton flashed a quick smile and held up her index finger, indicating that she'd explain in a minute.

"Hey, Nathan," she said into the tiny mic.

"Did you talk her yet?" Nathan said impatiently.

"Yeah…but listen, she found out about Lucas and I on her own and she went ballistic. I didn't have a chance to talk to her about you…I'm sorry,"

He was somewhat disappointed, but then thought better of the situation, "No, it's probably for the best. I think it's better if I told her myself,"

"Yeah, I hope things work out you,"

"Yeah, me too. I'll talk to you later, Peyton and thanks,"

Peyton ended the call and remained frozen for a few seconds. She didn't forget that Lucas was in the car. She was just trying to figure out a way to tell him what had happened between Nathan and Brooke over the summer, which also happened to be the deciding factor for Haley to go back on tour.

Finally, Lucas broke the silence, "Peyton, what's going on?"

She bit down her bottom lip.

His voice wasn't angry, just confused, "Why would you talk to Brooke about Nathan?"

"Lucas…" she began.

Nathan had just turned onto Peyton's street. He was three houses away from the Sawyer residence when he noticed someone standing on the front steps of the house. It was a rather tall boy with brown hair and wearing a Bobcat's basketball jersey.

Nathan stopped mid-stride as he strained to see who the boy was but he couldn't see his face. Taking a few steps closer, Nathan finally noticed the name on the jersey was that of an NBA player. It read, 'Feday'. It was Aaron Feday – a power forward for the Tree Hill Raven's basketball team.

He didn't have time to process it any further when he saw the door finally open. He watched on, horrified, as Brooke emerged from the house, wearing a top with a very low v-cut and a pair of rather tight jeans. Nathan had to admit to himself that while Brooke did look good, the sight also made him sick.

Brooke took Feday's hand and led him towards his car. With a huge smile plastered on the boy's excited face, Feday opened the passenger side door for Brooke and helped her in.

"Luke, say something. Please," Peyton pleaded as she followed him up the steps of his porch.

Ever since Peyton had told him about Haley, Nathan and Brooke, Lucas had only said three words to her: 'Take me home,'

Lucas stormed up to his front door and fumbled through his keys for the right one.

"Lucas, stop. Please," Peyton reached for his hands, but he quickly moved them away. Lucas turned and finally faced Peyton. The anger in his eyes made her stomach turn nervously.

"You knew all this time…that Haley really left because of what Nathan did. How could you not tell me?"

"Because it wasn't my place to tell," Peyton defended, "Besides, Haley told me not to tell you,"

"Does she even know that it was Brooke who Nathan slept with?"

Peyton looked down and shook her head. "I just found out it was Brooke today,"

Lucas disgustedly shook his head and muttered. "That bastard isn't going to get away with this,"

"Lucas, don't,"

"Why are you defending him? I thought Haley was your friend,"

"She is! And I hated seeing her hurt like that, but honestly…I think this was the best thing that happened to her,"

"Or for you…"

"What? What has this got to do with me?"

"Don't you get it? Brooke is pissed off at the world right now and it's all because of Nathan,"

"Don't even go there, Luke," she warned.

"But if you help Nathan get Brooke, then Brooke will be happy and then suddenly you'll be best friends again, won't you? Haley deserves better. She deserves a better friend. God, Peyton, how could you be so selfish?"

Peyton's head shook in disbelief. She wanted to respond but she was too choked up. It not only angered her, but it hurt her knowing that her boyfriend thought of her as a selfish and inconsiderate girl. As her lips quivered, Peyton held up her arms, surrendering the argument and walked away. After an emotional day, she didn't think she had any tears left in her but somehow, they still managed to flow freely down her tear-stained face as she walked to her car alone.