Chapter Twenty: Paranoia

Haley relaxed and drifted into a daydream as Brooke strictly lectured her about Chris. Haley knew that Chris was a jerk, it was why she'd dumped him.

"You know if I was bigger and taller and not afraid of breaking something I'd totally go right now and kick his scrawny ass," said Brooke bitterly. Haley smiled as Brooke's brushed out all the tangles in her long blonde hair with efficient, practiced strokes.

"No need. Nathan did," said Haley.

"Seriously? Why?" asked Brooke curiously.

"Hush. I might still be mad at you," said Haley sternly. Brooke was positioned behind Haley on the bed so Haley couldn't see her best friend's face, but she could imagine it.

"It was just pity sex. I don't get why everyone's so mad," she said.

"Because you're supposed to be in love with Lucas. Your boyfriend, who by the way left for LA last night," said Haley. Brooke sighed.

"I am in love with Lucas. But don't I get to mourn my first love, just a little?" asked Brooke. Haley moved to turn around, but cried out in pain when Brooke jerked the brush suddenly.

"Yes. I guess not at the expense of your new one? I don't really know the rules, sweetie," said Haley.

"Me neither. It hasn't been like it is with Lucas. Not since Mouth," admitted Brooke.

"I know."

"You wouldn't believe how badly I don't want to talk about this. Let's discuss your love life," she said excitedly.

"About my boyfriend, who just hit me? Let's not," said Haley.

"No, I meant your actual love life. How's your Knight in Shining Armour?" asked Brooke.

"Being less of an asshole every day," admitted Haley. Brooke shrieked excitedly.

"Aww. You softie. You're so falling for him," she said.

"I don't know. It's too early, but… All men should look like that, you know?" said Haley.

"I prefer blondes, but I see your point. He is some kind of hot," said Brooke.

"He is every kind of hot," mumbled Haley, feeling vaguely that Brooke was years older than her.

Jake paused at the door and smiled.

"I didn't know I had such a strong affect on you, Hales," he said, walking into the room. Haley hadn't yet put on a shirt over her bra, and Brooke had stripped down to her underwear to try on some new outfits of Haley's, but neither bothered to take cover.

"Jakey. 'Sup?" asked Haley.

"I'd ask the same, but I'd actually prefer not to know. And I have something to discuss with you," he said. Brooke gasped theatrically.

"You're pregnant!" she said with fake enthusiasm.

"Uh, not quite. It's about Peyton," said Jake. Brooke placed the hair brush on the bed and turned her full attention to him.

"If this is about how in love with her you are, we've kind of already figured it out," said Haley.

"No, it's not that. It's about her, not me. My love for her doesn't affect her, honestly. It's just that Peyton…" Jake looked sideways at Haley.

"Spit it out," she said, impatient to get back to her girly bonding.

"She kind of had a sleepover with Davis," he said.

"My mortal enemy?" said Haley, at the same time that Brooke spoke.

"Sounds like some party you'd love to get in the middle of."

When Jake frowned, Brooke gasped in recognition.

"God! You don't mean she…"

"I don't know. Am I being crazy? I mean it's Peyton," said Jake.

"She's never shown any interest in you. Most girls have at least a mild interest in having sex with you," said Brooke thoughtfully.

"I always have," said Haley helpfully. Both looked at her in surprise but moved on quickly.

"Right. But she's known you forever, it could change things. It might mean she still sees you as a ten year old," said Brooke.

"Thanks," said Jake, interrupting her.

"Sure. She's never had many boyfriends, but she's always been kind of reclusive. And she liked Lucas in the beginning, right? And Chris?" asked Brooke.

"All of you fell for Chris. It was quite the low point in my career, losing all my girls to some musician," said Jake. Haley laughed appreciatively.

"I feel like a tabloid right now. I can't discuss this any more. Sorry Jake," said Broke apologetically.

"Don't worry. I get it. I just have to lecture Haley for a while and then I can leave you two to whatever it is you were doing," he said. Haley rolled her eyes.

"I've got it covered, trust me. Now go spend some quality time with Peyton. Or with Davis. I can't keep up with you these days," teased Brooke, smiling as he stood up and walked out.

"Wow," said Haley, after an uncomfortable minute of silence.

"Yeah. I mean I get it. My cousin is pretty fine," said Brooke, gaining a startled look from Haley. "Jake's probably just being paranoid."

"And threatened," she agreed.

"Like you always hoped Chris would be?" asked Brooke. Haley didn't say anything, but Brooke knew what her response would have been. More or less.