Hey Guys
One more chapter until we get to celebrate again 4-0. Nothing else is going on besides me going through OTH withdrawals; thank goodness for the DVDs right. I still enjoying writing this for you guys. If I didn't I would end it sooner than later but I have a lot of ideas and hopefully the opportunity to share them.
DanaJaycee: I actually usually don't know what is going to happen as much as you guys do until I write the chapters and they are posted. I don't write anything until I do the outline in the morning. And even then it's a surprise to me when I finally start typing.
Bluetiga: Thank you for the compliment, and Nate will be okay.
MARIALAFFERTY: It is but life happens, but I feel Brucas can make it through anything.
LuvAngel448: I honestly believe that neither of them could live without one another, they compliment each other so well and he needs her cheerfulness to get through this rough patch.
PaulineJ: I'm glad you liked the chapter; it was hard for me to write. I hate giving them problems but sometime you just have them.
Love,
Emily
(Mark Schwann and the WB own the characters depicted in this story I don't own anything… I wish I could say I owned the show but I don't)
When Karen walked and Keith saw her, he instantly became worried, he knew just by the look in her eyes that something was seriously wrong.
"Karen, what's wrong?"
"Luke called the café after his cardiology appointment."
"Is he okay?"
"They told him that aside from playing at the River Court he couldn't play anymore." Said Karen as she hugged Keith as close as she could.
"But aside from that he's okay, his medication is still working and all?" Asked Keith.
"Yeah, he said the doctor just doesn't want him under that kind of stress." Said Karen.
"Well, then what are you crying about? He knew that eventually this was going to come up." Said Keith.
"I don't know, when he called and told me that I just realized how real this is." Said Karen. "And then like he had nothing else going on he asked how I was doing and everyone else."
"Well, honey that's just Lucas' way of dealing. Has he told Brooke yet?"
"Yeah, he said she was with him at the appointment and that when we go up there he doesn't want us to make a fuss about him. He said he just wanted to live his life with Brooke and that everything would be okay." Said Karen.
"Well, we raised Lucas to be a tough kid. He can do it and if he even tries to do something stupid. Brooke's there to knock some sense into him." Said Keith.
"At least I know Brooke's around so if anything happens he has someone there for him." Said Karen.
Meanwhile in Boston Brooke and Lucas made their way to the coach's office and for once Lucas was as nervous as when he had to tell Whitey about it.
"Excuse me Coach?" Asked Lucas as he knocked on the door of the office.
"Scott what are you doing out of bed, I thought I told your girlfriend that I didn't want to see you until you were over your bout with the flu." Said Coach Cabot.
"Well that kind of what I wanted to talk to you about, oh by the way this is my girlfriend Brooke." Said Lucas.
"It's nice to finally meet you aside from seeing you in the bleachers." Said Coach Cabot with a smile.
"It's nice to meet you too." Said Brooke.
"So what do you want to say Lucas?" Asked the Coach.
"Well you know about the HCM, and I had a cardiology appointment today and I really hate to do this especially in the middle of the season."
"Get on with it Lucas quit stalling, it's not your strong suit." Said the coach.
"I can't play anymore the doctor won't let me."
"You stop responding to your meds?"
"No, he just doesn't want me to put the stress on my heart anymore, aside from a few pick up games I can't play at all." Said Lucas.
"I hate to lose you but I'm not going to take a risk and put you out there." Said the coach.
"Thank you for understanding Coach, I'm sorry for doing this to you so late in the season."
"Lucas you have to do what is best for you, and your health is the most important thing in that equation." Said Coach Cabot.
"I know but I still feel bad about it you know?"
"I know but hey what can you do, life comes up. Sometimes you have to make tough decisions, but you living through until you are an old man is the most important thing, you are one hell of a player Lucas and nothing can every take that away from you, but we all have to make sacrifices and this is yours."
"Well if you ever need any help with the team or anything I'd be more than happy to do something."
"Be careful, I just might take you up on that offer. I hope to still you at a few games." Said Coach Cabot.
"You will, I mean I have a pretty good reason to come to the games."
"Yeah, and what's that?"
"My girl."
"Uh, Scott last time I checked I don't coach women's basketball."
"No, but you do have a pretty hot cheerleader." Said Lucas joking around.
"Scott, your girlfriend is right next to you!"
"I know she is, it's her I'm talking about." Said Lucas with a smile.
"I don't understand."
"I'm a cheerleader, I have been forever that's how Lucas and I met." Explained Brooke as she smacked Lucas in the stomach.
"Oh, okay."
Brooke and Lucas left the coach's office and headed back to the dorm where Lucas had to make the phone calls he had been dreading even more than the one he had to make to his mother.
"So, are you going to call Boy Toy and Tutor Girl now?" Asked Brooke as they walked into her room.
"Yeah, and then I have to call Jake and Peyton." Said Lucas as he hung up their coats.
"Do want some privacy to talk to Nathan or anything?"
"No, because I don't think I can make this call without you." Said Lucas.
"Okay, Luke I know this is hard for you but we will get through it I promise." Said Brooke as she hugged him.
"I know, we will. But you know what I'm kind of happy that I can't play like that anymore."
"You are?"
"Yeah, I mean there's more to life than basketball and I've done it for so long, that I'm happy that I don't have to worry about my stats and how many baskets I have to score each game just I get to watch it for fun now, and I can go back to the River Court and it can be like it was before where I just played for fun you know? Like no expectations anymore." Said Lucas.
"You really are at peace aren't you?"
"Yes, and why shouldn't I be I have you, and our family. Yeah I mean it gets confusing sometimes but I'm at peace with this. Sure I'll miss it but now I can concentrate on more important things, like school, and you, and our dream." Said Lucas.
"Yeah, I like you like this." Said Brooke.
"Like what?"
"Lucas, in the time we've been together, and apart there have only been a few times I've seen you like this at peace with life, no stress. One of the times was during the recovery from the accident, like when we went to the Classic, and in the off-seasons where you relax and not worry about tomorrow's shot."
"But now I can feel like that all the time." Said Lucas. "I love to stay like this just holding you but I have to call Nate."
"Okay, make your phone calls if you must." Said Brooke as she let go of Lucas.
"Hello?"
"Nate, it me."
"Lucas you okay?"
"Um, yeah I just needed to talk to you, you got a moment?"
"Yeah, what's up?"
"I'm quitting."
"What are you quitting, and you better not say Brooke cause I'll kick your ass."
"No, Nathan, I'm not quitting Brooke, I'm quitting basketball." Said Lucas.
"Whoa, when did this get decided?"
"Right around the time the doctor told me that I couldn't play."
"Like fully or just competitively?"
"Competitively, I can still play at the River Court, I just have to take it easy." Explained Lucas.
"You gotta do, what's right for you, man. You just shocked me that's all. Who have you told?"
"Brooke, Mom, my mom probably already told Deb and Keith, the coach, and you. I still have to call Jake and Peyton. Nate can you do me a favor?"
"Yeah, anything. You know that."
"Can you tell Hales for me?" Asked Lucas.
"Don't you think you should tell her yourself?"
"Nate I would if I could but I want to tell her face to face, I wanted to tell you all face to face, but I can't."
"You got it man, I know you would if you could." Said Nathan.
"Yeah, well I just wanted to be the one to tell you, I know Deb would have but I wanted to tell you myself so you could assure Hales that everything will be fine." Said Haley.
"No problem, how did Brooke handle it?"
"She's fine, we talked about it before. I had a feeling I was going to get told sooner or later, and I made the decision before the doctor came into the room."
"It's a lot man, but you can do it."
"Yeah, but Nate this is different. A couple years ago I was so upset at the idea of quitting but now I don't know I'm a peace with it. I feel like a huge weight has been lifted from me and I can relax." Said Lucas.
"I'm proud of you man. I mean the way you're handling this is just amazing to me, this game was your life for so long and in the matter of a couple hours it's not anymore. Your whole out look is just mind blowing to me." Said Nathan.
"Thanks, but listen I'd love to talk some more but I want to catch Jake before he goes to work. So I'll call you later and we can talk some more." Said Lucas.
"Yeah, actually I just got home so I'm going to go talk to Haley." Said Nathan.
"Alright I'll talk to you tonight then."
"Alright, bye."
"Bye."
Lucas and Nathan hung up and Lucas now had to get up the courage to call Jake. Which he found amazingly.
"Hello?"
"Peyton, its Lucas how are you?"
"Good what's up you sound weird?"
"Yeah, I just have a lot on my mind is Jake still there by any chance?"
"Yeah, he's right here hang on. It's Luke." Said Peyton as she handed the phone to Jake.
"Hey Luke what's up?"
"Not much, but I dreading this conversation right now?"
"What do you mean? What's going on are you and Brooke alright?"
"Yeah, Brooke's fine it's me."
"What's up?"
"I'm done Jake."
"What are done with Luke cause you are getting me a little worried here."
"Basketball, I'm done."
"Why what happened?"
"I went to the doctor's today and while I'm responding to the meds still, basketball at the level that I'm playing with right now is putting to much stress on me and I was told that I couldn't anymore." Said Lucas.
"Wow, how are you doing with this?"
"Oddly enough I'm fine with it. I mean this is just putting a lot of things in perspective for me, like how much I just want to relax and not put everything I have into it. I mean the upside to this whole thing is I can play at the River Court. But the time I have now can be spent on so many other things and people." Said Lucas.
"Good, take that time and run with it, don't take it for granted." Said Jake.
"I don't plan on it, but listen do me a favor can you tell Peyton, I just don't have it in me I couldn't even tell Haley."
"Yeah, I will did you tell Brooke yet?"
"She was with me at the office when I found out, I called and told my Mom and Nate already too."
"Okay, so I have to go get ready for work but I'll you later." Said Jake.
"Yeah, I'll talk to you later." Said Lucas.
"Bye."
"Bye." Said Lucas as he hung up with Jake.
