Chapter Four: Special Kind of Summer

"So, is cradle robbing your new hobby?" asked Lucas, as he and Nathan drove away from the club. Nathan laughed.

"She's hot. And you were totally checking out the blonde," argued Nathan.

"And I'm pretty sure I'm supposed to be falling for the brunette. But she's Davis' twin. It's creepy," said Lucas.

"One of them is plenty," agreed his brother.

"Did you see her face when you were flirting with the kid? Dude, she's insane," said Lucas.

"Davis? A little neurotic, far from insane. She's practically harmless," disagreed Nathan.

XxxxxxX

Lucas focused his attention on the TV when he heard a low moan of desire from the direction of his brother's room. At the best of time, his big brother made him annoyed. Nathan had been showing obvious signs of desire to deflower a high school kid two hours previously, and now he was in the next room over, happily screwing the girl that the entire male population of America wanted to screw.

He puzzled again over a thought that had always puzzled him: how exactly was Davis Ryan famous, anyway? Sure she was a party girl, but so was everyone in LA that mattered. Sure she gave money to charity, but that wasn't exactly unique. She'd briefly modeled, but it continually plagued him that the girl who partied for a living was America's darling.

Lucas got hastily to his feet as a knock sounded on the door.

"Hey," he said in surprise to the pretty brunette at the door.

"Hey. Lucas, right? Davis told me that this was her room," said Brooke in surprise.

"Yeah, I really wouldn't recommend going in there right now," said Lucas awkwardly, standing aside to give her admittance to the room.

"Are the all American boy and the golden girl going at it? Ooh, dirt," said Brooke excitedly.

"Trust me, it's not an uncommon occurrence. So you do realize that we've been set up, right?" asked Lucas.

"Of course. Who says I mind?" asked Brooke. Lucas cracked a smile.

"I wouldn't dare," he said.

"She's such a meddler," said Brooke in slight disgust.

"Like you weren't continually pushing Haley toward Nathan," said Lucas. Brooke shrugged.

"That's different. Haley can't marry Chris. He's not attractive anymore and he's too damn tall for her. They've got no chemistry anymore, but she's never going to realize it. So I have to take matters into my own hands," explained Brooke.

"How noble of you. Especially the part about pushing your best friend towards your cousin's boyfriend," said Lucas.

"I know. But I don't want her to hook up with Nathan because he's an asshole and she never will, I only want her to figure out what she's missing. And don't think I didn't notice you making eyes at Peyton," teased Brooke.

"I got the impression that she was taken."

"That wasn't a denial. Yeah, Jake's just a friend," she explained.

"A friend who's madly in love with her?" he asked.

"The best kind, I've always thought. She's blind," said Brooke, her voice warning him.

"Who's to say I don't have a girlfriend?" asked Lucas.

"Please. You're Lucas Scott. You're Nathan Scott's brother. You're Davis Ryan's… friend slash almost sister in law. If you were dating anyone it would make the front cover of US," said Brooke.

"Of course."

"You're laughing at me," accused Brooke.

"You're funny," said Lucas.

"Do you know what I'm doing here, Lucas?" she asked abruptly.

"I have some idea," he said slowly.

"You know, this is a going to be a long, boring summer. Partying and tanning can only take you so far. I'm going to be looking for some other way to spend my time. Tell me if you think of anything," suggested Brooke lightly. A smile played around Lucas' lips.

"I'll keep that in mind," he said to himself as she walked out of the room.

XxxxxxX

"This summer's going to rock," announced Brooke Davis, coming into Haley's room to discover Haley and Peyton sitting on the bed reading magazines.

"Yeah. I'm having so much fun already," said Peyton sarcastically.

"No, seriously. I just lined up a steamy summer affair and Haley's making flirt eyes with Nathan. It's perfect," said Brooke happily. Peyton frowned. She had some idea of how Brooke's "affair" would go, and who her affair would be with.

"I was not making flirt eyes. That's ridiculous," said Haley, flashing her left hand. Normally such a gesture would show the silver promise ring on her finger.

"You're not wearing your ring," observed Peyton. Haley blushed and grabbed it from the nightstand.

"It was bothering me. Earlier. Nathan has a girlfriend. I have Chris. I love him," said Haley.

"No you don't," muttered Peyton. Haley heard her but pretended she hadn't.

"What are we doing tonight?" asked Haley.

"Party at my place. For Nathan and Davis and Lucas. Be there or be bored," said Brooke.

Haley dropped backward onto her bed.

"This summer," she said dramatically, "Is going to suck."