Hey guys! Here's a quick update. There's only two chapters left to this story, so things are wrapping up now. I do have another story in the works...just got to work out a few kinks and write a few more chapters; it's basically about L/P's history (lots of flashbacks...hopefully it won't get too confusing like my last story). It may also be a Christmas fic, since I'm starting to get into the holiday mood. Anyways, hope you enjoy the rest of this story:

Chapter 24

They were having lunch on the patio of a restaurant on the promenade. Lucas, Peyton and Nathan had just ordered drinks and were still waiting for one more friend to arrive. Peyton excused herself to go to the bathroom, leaving Lucas and Nathan alone at the table. When she was out of sight, the two boys sighed and leaned back into their seats. Neither of them said a word to each other, nor did they make eye contact.

They weren't exactly friends again but appearances are sometimes deceiving, especially in front of Peyton. Lucas and Nathan had decided to call a truce for Peyton's sake. She had been through a rollercoaster of emotions this summer and once she thought the ride was over, Brooke threw in loop. The brothers both cared for Peyton and agreed to act at least civil towards each other.

"Hey, guys," Jake said as he entered the patio. "Sorry, I'm late. Jenny was having a fit,"

Lucas smiled happy to see someone he could actually talk too, "Hey, don't worry about it. Glad you could make it,"

Nathan nodded at Jake, "Hey,"

Jake had just sat down in a seat beside Nathan when he finally noticed Nathan's black eye and Lucas's split lip. "What happened to you guys? Get in a fight or something?"

Lucas was about to answer when they heard the familiar voice, "Well, well, well. What do we have here?" It was Brooke and following close behind was Bevin. "Oh look Bevin, it's the three boys who are wrapped around Peyton's little finger,"

"Hey, guys!" Bevin said cheerily which only caused Brooke to throw her a glare.

The brunette turned her attention back at the boys. Neither one of them had said a word. Lucas was too busy shaking his head in disbelief. Nathan refused to look at Brooke and casted a glare at the table. Jake, on the other hand, was surprised not just that Brooke was back, but also at her comment. He was unaware of the recent feud between Peyton and Brooke.

"What's the matter boys? Cat got your tongues…or should I say Peyton?"

"Oh my God, Nathan. What happened to your eye?" Bevin asked.

Brooke then noticed Lucas's lip. Her gaze went back and forth between the two boys. "Let me guess…you two were fought about, oh what a surprise, Peyton again," She shook her head and smirk, "You know guys, I'll let you in a little secret. She's not worth it cause in the end she'll just stab you in the back. She's just a little…"

"Brooke, you better stop right there," Lucas finally said. He stood up from his seat and leaned over the rail to make sure Brooke heard him loud and clear, "If there's someone you want to be mad at, it's me. I'm the one who led you on and tried to use you. I'm the one who hurt you. Don't take it out on Peyton,"

"Oh, please," Brooke rolled her eyes, "Don't be so conceited Lucas. Not everything is about you,"

"Then what is it Brooke? What is it that Peyton did to deserve the way you've been treating her?" Lucas gave Brooke a moment to answer but she didn't reply. "You know what? I don't care anymore," Lucas stepped aside and pushed his chair in, "I'll let you in a little secret," he mocked, "You're the one losing out on a good friend. I don't know why she bothers with you when all you do it is just treat her like crap,"

Lucas pulled out his wallet and threw money on the table to cover the drinks he and Peyton had ordered. "If you keep pushing her away, one day when you really need her, it'll be too late," before walking away, Lucas looked at Nathan and Jake, "Sorry guys, I guess we'll do lunch another time,"

Brooke watched Lucas head towards the doors. Just as he exited, he nearly bumped into a surprised Peyton who was just coming back from the bathroom. Brooke watched on as Lucas and Peyton gazed deep into each other eyes. His hand gently cupped her face, keeping her attention on him. Lucas was saying something in a soft whisper so that only Peyton could hear. Jealously, Brooke watched on as Peyton let a smile slip between her lips and nod her head excitedly.

She couldn't bear to watch anymore. But it wasn't because Peyton was happy. In fact, Brooke was happy for Peyton. Brooke wasn't the terrible person everyone thought she was. Deep down inside, all Brooke wanted was exactly the same thing that every other girl wanted; someone to fight for her; someone to protect her or defend her; someone to look at her as if she was the only one in the room; someone to simply love her. She wanted everything that Peyton had with Lucas.

Bevin, a romantic at heart, let out a sigh and a grin as she watched Lucas whisk Peyton away. She was too busy caught up in a fantasy of her own to notice Brooke walk away with tears stinging her eyes.

Jake, dumbfounded with what just happened, sat in his seat looking back and forth between Nathan and Bevin. He was hoping that someone would fill him in.

"Jake," Nathan finally said, "sorry, but I think I lost my appetite,"

It wasn't exactly what he wanted to hear, but he didn't exactly have a choice either because the next thing he knew, Nathan was long gone.

"Do I smell or something?" Jake wondered out loud.

Bevin got closer to Jake and sniffed, "Actually, you do smell kind of nice,"

Jake's eyes wandered over to Bevin. She had been so quiet he forgot she was still there. He shrugged it off as his stomach rumbled, "Want to join me for lunch then?"

"Hey," Nathan called out, "Wait up a second,"

Brooke spun around, "I'm sorry, you must have me confused for the curly blonde girl. Her name is Peyton,"

"I'm not confused, Brooke. I...I just wanted to see if you were ok,"

"Well, isn't that sweet," Brooke said sarcastically, "as you can see, I'm hunky dory…so now you can run along back to Peyton,"

"Can you stop with Peyton? Lucas loves her and she loves him. Why can't you just be happy for them?"

Brooke rolled her eyes, "Surprise, surprise, another Peyton-defender…"

"Look, can we just talk about it?"

"Don't bother, I've already heard enough from your brother," she turned back around and started to walk away when Nathan grabbed her arm.

"That's not what I want to talk about. I want to talk about what happened to us in California,"

Brooke scoffed and crossed her arms, "A week after we had sex…a week after you told me that you had to get back to Haley…a week after Haley left your sorry little ass…no thanks," She had been hurt by Nathan before and she was determined to prevent that from happening again.

"Brooke! That's not how it happened,"

"That's funny, cause that's how I remember it. You know what, I don't care how you remember it, but I am not going to be someone's second choice. I deserve better,"

"Is that why you were all over Feday the other day? I saw you two together,"

"What are you stalking me now?"

"What's going on between the two of you?"

"Wouldn't you like to know," Brooke said coyly.

Nathan's eyes narrowed, "Forget it. You know, I'm tired of playing games. I thought you were someone different," he angrily said before walking away.