Hey, this is a long chapter but it has a little bit of everything; it has some Leyton, some Lucas/Jon interaction, and it ends with some very expected Brucas. I love reading all of your reviews and I would love to keep receiving them.
Cristy
Chapter 6: Time To Face The Challenges and Obstacles Life Presents You With
After a lot of fooling around, cuddling and kissing the newly-engaged couple had fallen asleep in each others arms. It had been about an hour and a half since Lucas proposed and after all that excitement they had dozed off pretty quickly. Everything around them was an enormous mess because of the food fight they had started after Peyton smashed a strawberry into Lucas's face.
Peyton and Lucas were covered in chocolate, pancake syrup, jelly, scrambled eggs and everything else they could find within hands reach. Finally Lucas got a hold of Peyton and tackled her to the dirty, slippery floor and fell on top of her. After getting lost in each others eyes for some seconds they started a pretty deep, passionate and long make out session interrupted by spontaneous and sporadic 'I love yous' and for some short gasps for air. Then they just broke the kiss and stayed close to each others bodies, just for the fun of feeling each others heart beats.
Lucas was now slowly starting to wake up. He tried not to move a lot or abruptly, avoiding to wake Peyton up too. He took a glimpse at his watch and realized that if he didn't leave the house now he was going to be really late for his daily basketball game with Jon. He slowly started to break free from Peyton's grasp and when he finally got her hands unwrapped from his body he got up. As soon as he started walking away he felt the touch of a hand in his leg and turned around to find Peyton staring at him, still rubbing the sleep of from her eyes.
"Go back to sleep. I'll be back in about an hour." He said while planting a soft kiss on her lips.
"Where are you going? Got a date with your other girlfriend?"
He scoffed while smiling "I wish it was nearly that fun." He looked again at his watch "Its almost three; Jon must be waiting for me at the courts and I already stood him up this morning at the gym. If I bail on him again he is going to go on his annoying chick phase and will never let me forget this one."
"You want me to go with you?" Peyton said while sitting up.
"Nah, its ok stay here and get some more sleep. I'll be back pretty soon."
"You sure?" she said laying her head back on the floor. As messy, dirty, and hard as it was for some strange reason she felt pretty comfortable there.
"Yes I'm sure and if I don't leave right now in this instant I'm going to be even later." He said taking a look at his watch. "See you soon, take care. Bye, Love ya."
"Luke"
"Yeah?" he said as he turned around to face her.
"Take a look at yourself" she said pointing at his clothes. Lucas had totally forgotten how dirty he was.
"Damn it!"
"I think you need to take a shower before you leave. But you know that's just me." She said with a sarcastic smile on her face.
"I'm going have to call Jon and tell him I'm running a little late so he won't get mad at me." He said while taking his cell phone out of his pocket and quickly dialing Jon's cell number.
"Luke, where the hell are you? And where the hell where you this morning? I waited like a jackass for you for an hour at the gym." Jon said at the other end of the line.
"Sorry Jon. But trust I got a good excuse today, I'll give most of the dirty details when I get there. I just woke up and I need to take a shower because I look like a walking sundae. You think we could meet in an hour, same place?."
"I swear to god Luke, if you weren't my best friend I would've neutered you by now."
"See you in an hour Jonnie Boy."
"Bye."
As soon as Lucas hung up he headed for the bathroom.
"I'm going to go take a quick shower, alright?"
"Yeah, I'm going stay here and clean this up a bit"
"Ok" Lucas said already going down the hall. By the time he entered their room he only had his pants on him. He started rummaging through his stuff but couldn't find anything he was in the mood to wear.
"Peyt, have you seen the black and white T-shirt Jon gave me for Christmas?" he screamed from their room. He had to wear that hideous T-shirt just to please Jon, he couldn't tell him he hated it and he thought that if he saw him wearing it today he wouldn't be as mad as he should be.
"It's in the laundry room"
"I haven't wore that in forever. How come it's dirty?"
"Exactly, what's the point in washing it if you don't wear it?"
"C'mon I really wanna wear it. I want Jon to see me wearing it at least once."
"He gave it to you eight months ago and now is the right time for him to see you wearing it? Just wear something else."
"No that's the one I want and that's the one I'm wearing." He said while running for the laundry room with only his boxers on.
"Why does he have to be so goddamn stubborn? Why?" Peyton mumbled. "Lucas that shirt probably stinks. It's been in there for months." She told him.
"Great" Luke said holding up the shirt pointing out an enormous mold stain on the center of the shirt. He tossed it to the garbage can and jogged back to their room leaving Peyton clueless about what just happened. He opened his drawer and took out a gray shirt and some sweat pants and went into the bathroom. He turned on the hot water while he stripped. He got in the shower, grabbed the soap, and started to clean all the food off of him. Few minutes later he heard the bathroom door open but ignored it knowing that it was Peyton. What he didn't expect was her being completely naked and jumping in the shower with him.
"I think I need a shower too." she said with a mischievous look on her face.
"I'm sure you do" he said heading towards her and starting a very passionate kiss.
In a matter of minutes they were out of the shower, their bodies wrapped in towels and both heading for the door. Peyton jumped on the bed just as she let out a loud sigh. Pretty quickly Lucas started changing and was now giving his look the final touches and almost ready to head out. He went to the bathroom spiked his hair with some gel, put some perfume on, checked his looks on the mirror, and approved it. He was now ready to go. He still had a couple of minutes to spare but he thought the least he owed Jon was getting there early; he had already waited long enough.
"I'm so going to miss you." He said while kissing her goodbye.
"Yeah, Yeah" Peyton said rolling her eyes. "Just go already."
Lucas blew her a kiss from the door and rolled his eyes realizing how cheesy he had just been. He took his car keys and his basketball, and went out the door.
In no time he got to the court and saw that Jon was sitting on the benches, his back to Lucas. He silently got off the car and he snuck over to him.
"Boo!" he said as he shook him from behind as Jon threw a high pitched scream.
"You're an ass, Lucas Scott. Did you know that?" he said as he turned around and saw who it was. "You could've killed me." He said as Lucas laughed.
"Maybe that was the plan. Dude, I swear to god you are getting gayer every day. Did you yourself scream? That was a definitely a chick scream." He said as Jon shot a killer look at him.
"You really scared me. And I really don't think it's possible that I could turn any gayer. Besides I just really like to pamper myself."
"Right." He said with a sarcastic tone "You like to pamper yourself by getting manicures, pedicures, facials, plucking your eyebrows, waxing your body, and stuff like that? Dude that is chick stuff."
"I just like to look good for my man."
"I look good for my girl but and I don't have to do any of that."
"Well you should. Have you seen your chest lately? Its like George of the Jungle in there mister." He said poking Luke's chest. "You should let me and Sam wax it. We do a pretty good job on ourselves." He said showing his chest to Lucas.
"Eww and Hell no! You, Sam, a shirtless me, and wax in the same room. Not a good combination. Sorry buddy but I like my hairy chest and I haven't heard Peyton complain yet so I'm pretty sure it'll stay like that for a while longer."
"Your loss macho man." To this comment Lucas rolled his eyes and after a couple of seconds of silence replied.
"I did it Jon. I finally had the guts. I finally proposed." he said as a large smile appeared on his face and immediately Jon screamed and threw himself over Lucas, and Lucas immediately pushed him off, looked around to see if anyone saw what just had happened, straightened his clothes, and tried to play it cool.
"Jon how many times have I told you and Sam to keep the demonstrations of affection towards me on a minimum level when we are in public?"
"What? Straight boy is scared people might start to think you joined our club?" Jon said as he slapped Luke's butt and Lucas immediately moved a couple of steps away to a place where he was sure Jon's hand couldn't reach any one of his vital spots that were lower body.
"No Jon, I'm sorry to disappoint you but I'm pretty sure I like women." Luke said and Jon rolled his eyes.
"No biggie, I used to like women once too. But one night I just realized that guys know how to have a whole lot more fun." Jon said as he winked an eye at Lucas.
"Jon I seriously don't want to hear again the story of the night you realized you were gay."
"But its so funny." He said as he slapped Luke's arm.
"Not for me it isn't."
"See now I can't kill you, I couldn't make Peyton a widow. And notice that I'm saying a widow because by the smile you had on your face a while ago I'm guessing she said yes."
"Who could say no to me? I mean take a look at me." He said spinning around for Jon to check him out from head to toes.
"You are pretty hot" and Lucas quickly realized how much of a bad idea spinning around for his gay best friend was. "I just love that sexy body of yours. You are like such a waste of a man. But once again I just have to say your ego is such a turn off."
"Whatever man." There was a short period of silence between the two guys.
"Ok so did we come here to play basketball or to watch the cars pass?" Jon said getting up and throwing the ball at Lucas, who stayed immobile.
"Brooke called me today." Luke said looking down at his feet.
"As in 'your ex-girlfriend, Peyton's ex best friend, girl with the hottest sense of fashion I've ever seen and only chick on the planet who would make me turn straight again with just asking' Brooke?"
"Pretty much." He said raising his eyes to look at Jon.
"What did she want?" Jon said putting the basketball on the ground and sitting on the benches besides Lucas. "Hasn't it been like six years since you guys last saw her or even talked to her?" he asked as Lucas nodded.
"She wants us to meet tonight for dinner."
"I don't see the harm in that."
"When I say us I mean Brooke and I, and without Peyton finding out." He said as Jon made a disgust face.
"This could get ugly. Aren't you and Peyt doing the whole no secrets things?"
"Yeah, and I really don't want to start keeping secrets from her now but Brooke said that Peyton wasn't invited to dinner because there was something really important she needed to talk me about and that it concerned Peyton."
"What are you going to do?"
"I don't know man. If I go when Peyton finds out she's going to be really pist. But if I don't go I'm going to wonder what was it that Brooke wanted to talk to me about Peyton for the rest of my life."
"Then go. I'm sure Peyton will understand the circumstances that made you keep this from her, but regretting this for the rest of your life. Now that's major." Jon said as Lucas nodded his head in agreement.
"I guess you are right. But I'm going to need your help with this one."
"No" Jon said as he shook his head "If Peyton is going to be mad at someone its going to be you. Don't drag me into your mess."
"Alright so then you tell me exactly how I'm going to manage to leave the house to go to dinner with Brooke without Peyton getting suspicious."
"Tell her you need to work late at the office to make up for all the paperwork you have piled up because of your project on Medieval lit."
"I'm supposed to be out of work at six. She knows that none of the things I have to do in the company require me to be at the office. I can perfectly do all the things I have to do at home. She is not going to buy it. I really need your help in this one."
"Ok fine. But with one condition."
"Oh god." Lucas said putting on a very worried face. Knowing Jon this wasn't going to be pretty. "What do you want from me?"
"If you want me to help you tonight you are going to have to do something for me too."
"What?"
"You are going to let me wax off all your chest hair monthly from now on."
"No way!"
"Ok then you're on your own tonight." He said as he turned his back on Lucas "So, did we come to play ball or what?" Jon said as he picked up the basketball from the floor and made a three-pointer from where he was standing.
"Alright" Lucas mumbled between his teeth.
"I'm sorry, did you say something?" Jon said as he walked towards Lucas and Lucas sighed in frustration.
"I said alright" Lucas mumbled again.
"Little louder please. I still can't quite understand what you said." Jon said, placing his hand on his ear and getting his head close to Lucas's mouth. He loved annoying Lucas as much as Lucas enjoyed annoying him.
"I said alright!"
"I knew it! Now I'm going to be able to get rid of all that unwanted hair" he said as he looked and pointed down Lucas's t-shirt. "Its been bugging me since the day we met. Give me your phone." Jon said putting out his hands as Lucas looked at him quizzically. "Do you want me to call Peyton, yes or no?" he said as Lucas reached into his pockets and pulled out his cell phone. Jon took it from his hands, dialed the familiar number to Lucas's house, and started pacing around the court waiting for Peyton to pick up. "Peyt honey, How are you?" Lucas heard Jon pause, Peyton was talking "Fine, Sam is doing just fine. Well anyways I'm just calling to let you know that I'm kidnapping your man tonight. We are having a guys night in." Another pause "Why? Um, well we made a bet today and he lost so tonight me and Sam are going to give him a makeover. We're going to pamper him as every single man should be pampered." Lucas heard yet another pause and Jon let out a laugh "Alright we'll do that too and don't worry about the rest, it's a surprise. Well honey, talk to you later. Your man is going to be my private work of art, and that is going to take some time." Jon said as he flipped the phone. "She's ok with it. You so owe me one. Big time."
"I don't owe you one, because you are making me wax my chest for this. So my payment is done."
"Talking about wax, we should get going. I have to heat the damn thing and knowing you and how difficult and whinny you are the whole waxing process is going to take some time." Jon said as he grabbed Luke's hand and made him stand up and walking towards their respective cars. "Oh, by the way she asked me to get rid of the facial hair." Jon said pointing to Lucas's face. "She said its starting to get itchy." As Jon said this Lucas rubbed his face.
"No way. I've been letting this baby grow for a month now. I'm not getting rid of my beard. Waxing my chest is enough."
"How do you expect her to believe that we gave you a make over if there is no difference on you?"
"Missing hair in the chest area is a big difference to me."
"Dude we have to do this one. Besides your baby will grow back again." Jon said giving Lucas a sympathetic look. "Don't be so whinny. Come on."
"You know you are really starting to get annoying."
"And yet you still hang out with me." Jon said as he got into his car. Lucas shook his head and rolled his eyes and immediately got into his car and they both started their engines and headed of to Jon's house.
"Baby, we're home." Jon screamed as he entered his and Sam's apartment. Lucas quickly followed and sat on the couch that was in front of the TV, grabbed the remote, and tuned in the sports channel. Jon's house had been his second home for the past three and a half years, so when Lucas was here he felt like if he was at his own home.
"Nuh Uh." Jon said as he took the remote from Lucas's hands and turned the TV off. "You didn't come here to watch TV. You came here to get beautiful." When he said this Sam was walking out of the bedroom and into the living room.
"Hey Straight Boy" Sam said to Lucas, walked over to Jon and pecked him on the lips. "Hey Sweetie."
"Guys, guys, guys, guys" Lucas said as he closed his eyes and shook his head in disgust. "Straight Boy is still in the room. Mind if we keep the PDA close to zero while I'm within eyesight distance?" Sam scoffed.
"We have to watch you and Peyton do it all the time." Sam said.
"Not the same."
"Yes the same." Sam replied. Jon knew that Lucas and Sam couldn't be in a room without starting an argument, so he had to get rid of one of them if he wanted to get anything done today.
"Sam, honey, why don't you go gossip a little with Vinnie downstairs? Luke and I have some stuff we need to do."
"Why do I always get kicked out when he comes over?" Sam said annoyed and curious.
"Because you two can't behave when you are around each other." Jon said pointing at Lucas and Sam. "You guys remind me of cats and dogs."
"Its not my fault. He always starts it." Lucas said pointing to Sam who put on a shock face.
"Not true. If you weren't so stuck up maybe I could try to get along with you. But that is impossible because you are impossible." Sam said giving Lucas some of his feisty attitude.
"I'm not stuck up and I'm definitely not impossible." Lucas said in a defensive tone while standing up from the couch and facing an angry Sam who rolled his eyes at Lucas's response.
"Oh no! Here we go again." Jon said as he walked over to Sam and started pushing him towards the door. "You need to go. Come back later." Jon said as he opened the door, nudged Sam out into the hallway, and closed the door. Immediately he turned around to face Lucas who had gone back to sitting on the couch.
"Your boyfriend gets on my nerves." Lucas said.
"And you get on his. So lets call it even." Jon said as he walked over to Luke and pulled him off the couch. "Now, lets step into my office." Jon said opening the door to one of the rooms in his apartment. Lucas was surprised when he walked inside and saw so many cosmetics and beauty products. He was sure Peyton didn't have this much stuff and she was girl. Jon realizing that Lucas was fairly surprised by what he saw said "Wipe off that shock face. You know very well that I love to spoil myself." Jon said as he gave Lucas the final nudge he needed to step completely into the improvised spa.
"Wait a second" Lucas said as he turned to face Jon "I've known you for what, almost four years now? Why haven't I been in here before? Hell, why didn't I even know this place existed? You've never mentioned it before."
"Yes I do mention it all the time, its just that you start ignoring whatever I say whenever I get into really gay mode, besides you know me and Sam do all of our pampering here at home. Where did you think we did, in the living room or the bed room? I'm better than that." Jon finished talking and Lucas had a puzzled look on his face. A few seconds of silence followed as Lucas's eyes scanned the room unsure and afraid of what might happen to him while he was in here.
"Straight boy, time for the magic to begin." Jon said as he grabbed Lucas by the shoulders and made him lie down on the bed. "Take of your shirt." Lucas shot him a 'yeah-right' glare. "Don't get all shy on me. I've seen you butt naked on the showers. We are on the same team, remember? Plus I need to examine the damage extent on your chest." Jon said as he walked away and turned on the wax heater. As Jon did this Lucas complied and took his shirt off.
"Honey," Jon said in a sympathetic tone with a sad look on his face "should I call the zoo and tell them I have one of their creatures here in my apartment?" Jon said and Lucas gave him the finger. "Feisty. I like that."
Jon started rummaging through one of the drawers in the room and a few seconds later pulled out a razor blade. "Now get in there" Jon said pointing to the bathroom "and loose the beard."
"I said no man. I'm not shaving the beard." Lucas said as Jon walked over to him threateningly.
"Either you do it or I will. Your choice cowboy." Jon said giving Lucas an ultimatum. Lucas knew there was no way he was getting out of this one, so he snatched the razor out of Jon's hand and headed for the bathroom. About ten minutes later Lucas walked out and found Jon lying on the bed.
"Is this good enough?" he said as Jon stood up from the bed and walked up to him.
"Lucas Scott I said loose the facial hair."
"Oh come on. It was a beard, now it's down to a goatee. There's a makeover right there." Lucas said and Jon raised a brow and pointed towards the bathroom.
"I hate you." Lucas said as he slammed the door on Jon's face.
Couple of minutes later Lucas walked out again. This time with no facial hair in sight.
"Gorgeous, simply gorgeous." Jon commented.
"Whatever. Lets just get this over with. I don't even know why I asked for your help."
"Because you love me maybe?"
"Doubt it."
"Get your butt over here and lay down. The wax is hot and read for you." Lucas obeyed and laid shirtless and face up on the bed while Jon was preparing the wax. Seconds later Jon was walking over to Lucas and looked down at him. "I'm not going to lie to you. This is hot and it will hurt, but beauty has its sacrifices." He said as he applied the first batch of wax on Lucas's chest. As soon as Lucas felt the heat touch his skin he winced. "I guess karma does bite you in the ass. This morning you said I scream like a girl. Now it's my turn to hear you scream." He said as he pulled the strip of fabric he had applied a few seconds ago on top of the wax. Lucas clenched his fists in pain, mumbled a few curses and got up from the bed.
"Where do you think you are going missy?" Jon asked.
"There's no way in hell that I'm going to go through that again." Lucas said and Jon laughed. "I know you enjoy making me suffer and its not funny, at least not for me."
"So you are telling me that you intend to walk into the showers after practice tomorrow like that?" Jon said pointing to Lucas chest. Lucas automatically looked down, saw the bald spot he had on one of the sides of his pectorals, mumbled some more curses, and laid back down on the bed.
"This better be over quickly."
After a few minutes and a lot of curses Lucas's chest was completely hairless. Jon was very proud of his work and Lucas was in a lot of pain.
"Now go take a shower." Jon ordered Lucas.
"Man, I just thought of something. What am I going to wear to dinner tonight? I don't have any clothes with me and I'm pretty sure I'm not going in sweats."
"Then you are so lucky you and Sam are about the same size. Go take a shower and I'll pick your outfit. I'm pretty sure there is something in Sam's closet that you can wear."
"Should I be worried?"
"Just go. Its already 7:22 and you don't want to be late. You take a shower and I'll handle the wardrobe." Jon said as he shooed Lucas into the bathroom and walked out of the room and into his and Sam's room.
About ten minutes later Lucas walked out of the shower with just a towel wrapped around his waste. The first thing he saw when he walked out of the bathroom was the clothes that were sprawled out on the bed. He was shocked; Jon had done a pretty good job picking out the outfit. Definitely something he'd wear.
"You better get your butt in gear." Jon said standing at the door and resting on the door frame. "Its 7:38 already, either you pick up the pace or you are going to be late." He said exiting the room and closing the door after him so Lucas could change. Lucas was out of the room completely dressed and ready to go in ten minutes. By the time Lucas walked out Jon was sitting in the couch watching whatever game was on at that moment. When Jon saw Lucas he smiled.
"Brooke is going to be one horny chick when she lays her eyes on you. You look absolutely delicious."
"Whatever you say man. And I don't care if Brooke gets horny or not. Its not like I'm going to get any benefit from it. I've got Peyton to take care of that." He said walking over to Jon and shaking hands with him. "Normally I would say thank you for helping me out but this has been one of the worst experiences I've had in a long time so maybe some other day."
"Hey hot shot, talking about Peyton, what am I supposed to say if by any chance she calls asking about you or wanting to talk to you?"
"You know what I'll leave that up to you. You're the bullshit master, I'm pretty sure you can make something up." He said walking over to the door and Jon laughed. "Anyways man look at time; its 7:49 already I've got to jet."
"Alright. Have fun, take care, and don't have sex."
"Never going to happen. Bye" Lucas said closing the door behind him.
"Bye" Jon answered even though he knew Lucas couldn't hear him.
It was now seven fifty-two. Lucas stormed out to his car and started the drive towards the restaurant. He had a hard time finding a parking spot and by the time he got to the restaurant it was three minutes past eight. Immediately after he walked in he headed towards the hostess.
"Good evening sir may I help you?" Said the tall, blonde, good-looking girl that stood behind the counter.
"Yeah. I, um, do you know if Brooke Davis is here already?"
"Oh, you're the gentleman Ms. Davis is expecting. Follow me please." She said as Lucas immediately followed her. She took him towards a secluded, silent, very private area of the restaurant. This was obviously the VIP area. He immediately spotted Brooke who was sitting, his back to him, in one of the few fancily-prepared tables of the room. She was wearing a bare-back scarlet red dress that left very little work for your imagination. The cleavage was a v-cut that ended right under her firm and nicely shaped breasts. She was wearing black stilettos and a lot of makeup. All these years have done nothing but make her more beautiful. She looks perfect.
He wore black formal pants and a long-sleeved black shirt with very thing white stripes. Jon had made him pull the sleeves to elbow level, he said it made him look stylish, and he had the two top buttons unbuttoned. Jon wanted him to show his recently waxed chest. He looks astonishing.
Brooke immediately acknowledged his presence and smiled. He walked over to the table, but she didn't turn around.
Lucas gasped as soon as he saw Brooke; he had never seen her so beautiful or even so sexy for that matter.
Shit! This is going to be a long, hard night. Lucas thought.