Hey, ya'll. Sorry it took so long to update, but I have already started working on the next chapter, and that will up so soon. I appreciate all your reviews, and I will continue to write this story if you keep sending them in. Please, if you read it, review. I want to know that people are reading this story. I hate when people read it don't review. It gets discouraging because I think that no one is reading it. So, please review...Anyways, this is a Brooke and Nathan centered chapter. So, I hope ya'll enjoy it. The next chapter will be up soon.
"Hello, Brooke."
"Hey back at you. What are you doing?"
"Well, right now I'm in the boy's locker room. We just got finished with practice." Brooke smiled as she pictured his teammates hot, sweaty, and half-naked.
"Sounds like I called at just the right time," she added. Nathan chuckled and glanced around the steam infested room as the fog condensed on the windows above his head. "So, what are you wearing?" Brooke jokingly purred into the phone. Nathan decided to play along with her witty repartee as he looked down at his apparel.
"Uh, my air jordans, my black jersey shorts, and a smile." Brooke suddenly longed to be in the boys' locker room to see the smile that was clearly evident on Nathan's handsome face.
"Oh God, tutorboy. Please tell me you are wearing underwear," she gasped.
"Why whatever for?"
"Okay, eww." Nathan laughed as he heard Brooke's revolted reaction.
"Relax, I was just kidding." Brooke arched an eyebrow and leaned back in her father's comfortable, brown leathered armchair; a chair her father never seemed to occupy due to his unrelenting absences at work. "So, what are you wearing?" he teased. She smiled in amusement and didn't even attempt to look at her clothes for she always knew without a doubt what she was wearing and responded instantly.
"A red Calvin Klein tank top, black Calvin Klein jeans, and my trusty Doc Martens."
"Oh God. Please tell me you aren't wearing underwear." Nathan pretend-gasped, mimicking Brooke's earlier comment pertaining to outer garments. She sneered in response.
"Of course, I'm wearing underwear; Victoria's Secret to be exact." She sounded offended that Nathan had even asked and tried to explain her reaction. "The reason I asked if you were wearing any underwear is because one, you never mentioned it to me, and two, men should always wear underwear," she replied matter-of-factly. Nathan sat down on the bench and untied his shoes as he listened to Brooke's theory on the evolution of underwear.
"Oh, really?"
"That's right," Brooke nodded into the phone.
"So does that mean that women should always wear underwear?" Brooke cleared her throat as she attempted to answer Nathan's absurd question.
"As a matter of fact, it is perfectly respectable if women don't wear underwear, or as we like to call, panties, but there are some acceptations to that rule." Nathan expected her to continue with her ramblings, but realized she had been expecting him to ask the obvious question. Why didn't she just continue, Nathan asked himself. Was it her method to ensure he was listening to her? Or was it just one form of Brooke's annoyances? After all, she did seem to have so many of them. He relented to Brooke's will.
"Alright Brooke, what are these acceptations?"
"Well, it isn't proper for a girl to not wear panties when she is wearing a skirt. That is even slutty by my standards. But wearing no panties with a dress is generally accepted, even encouraged, you know because of those stubborn panty lines."
"Right, cause I have to worry about those when I wear dresses," he sarcastically responded. A man he recognized as one of the trainers suddenly turned around to face Nathan. His huge pectorals bulged above his indented six-pack. A gigantic tribal tattoo covered his massive chest, and a white towel hung from his narrow waist, barely concealing what the towel was meant to hide. He spoke with a heavy yet discernable accent due to his Mexican descent, as thought he had difficulty forcing the words out. He frowned at Nathan and shook is head in disgust.
"You know, that explains so much." He rolled his eyes and turned his enormous back to Nathan.
"Nathan, you still there?" Brooke asked. Nathan ignored the trainer and turned his attention back to her.
"Yeah, I'm still here. What did you want to talk about?"
"I wasn't finished with my explanation about why women are not required to wear underwear and why men are." Nathan looked uncomfortably at the half-dressed trainer.
"Can we finished this conversation another time?" he whispered into the phone.
"What's the matter? Is there some naked man standing next to you listening to our inappropriate conversation?" she asked.
"Pretty much," he nodded.
"Is he cute?"
"Brooke, I am not going to dignify that question with a response," he said irritably as he stripped off his shorts, now clad in his favorite pair of boxer briefs.
"So what's going on?" he asked as he sat back down on the bench.
"Well, I just want to know if your schedule was clear tonight because mine is totally clear."
"Why, what did you have in mind?" he asked as a smile came to his face.
"I was thinking we could play some miniature golf. I've never played before, but my dad said he had a blast playing with some of his coworkers last week. What do you say?" Hmm, Nathan thought to himself. An evening watching his roommate, Mike, cursing obscenities because he died while playing Halo, or an evening playing miniature golf with Brooke? It wasn't too difficult to answer.
"Sounds cool, dude. What time do you want me to pick you up?"
"Actually, I figured I could swing by your place. I don't really fancy another joyride in that rust bucket of yours," she replied.
"Hey, you can insult me all you want, but never insult Stewie."
"Stewie?"
"Yeah," Nathan hesitated. "That's the name of my car," he admitted. Nathan jerked the phone form his ear because all he could hear on the other end was Brooke's incessant laughter. He put the phone back to his ear when her laughs subsided.
"You name your car?" she asked between giggles. Nathan was taken aback as he blushed.
"Yeah, so?"
"You just lost some cool points with me," she added. "So what's your address," she attempted to change the subject.
"Carnegie Hall, number 32; it's on 6th Street." He heard Brooke scribbling his address down and he continued. "Do you think you can find it?"
"Yeah, I should be able to. My dad recently installed one of those hi-tech navigational systems in my car. If I can't find you, then I am completely hopeless."
"Just remember to be ten percent smarter than your equipment," he joked. Brooke smiled. "So, what time will you be by?"
"Well, it's 5:30 now. So I will be there around 7."
"Cool, so I will see you then."
"Yeah, unless the Gap is having a sale, I will be there."
"Alright. See you soon, Brooke."
"Bye tutorboy." Brooke ended the call and breathed a sigh of relief. At least she had plans to hang out with someone besides herself. Yes, it had been nearly a week since Brooke had last spoken to her hometown buddy. It was a week filled with sensuous body massages, manicures, and a lack of shopping due to her injury. She had reapplied countless bandages to her hands as well as knees and even soaked her sore feet in a soothing solution of Aveeno foot wash. Already her scars had nearly faded, and it no longer hurt like a bitch when she took her morning showers.
Brooke looked up the clock again and noticed five minutes had already passed since she had ended her conversation with Nathan. She reluctantly got up from her extremely comfortable position on the recliner and drug her feet to the bathroom because she still needed to take a shower before her appointment with Nathan. Brooke pulled off her shirt before she reached the bathroom and dropped it on the bedroom floor. Conveniently, Brooke had her own suite witha king-sized bathroom that had both an enclosed shower and a jacuzzi bathtub in the center of the circular room. Removing the rest of her clothes, she grudgingly stepped on the bathroom scale and peered down at the digital, blinking numbers. She smiled in surprise as she saw the numbers blinking back at her: 105. Yes, she was back to her former weight. So much for those five extra pounds she had added to her 5'3'' frame with the constant consumption of cheetos. No more running for me, Brooke thought to herself as she climbed into the porcelain shower and allowed the water to soak her face. It's amazing what sitting on your inactive ass for a week can accomplish.
Fifteen minutes later, she emerged from the shower and wrapped her beach-sized Sponge Bob Square Pants bath towel around her shivering self. Brooke walked towards her walk-in closet with her towel still wrapped tight around her and surveyed her clothing options. She chose to go casual byselecting a long-sleeved, pink-and-white-striped v-neck and a pair of white capris. Brooke managed to dry her hair, which she allowed to cascade down her bronzed shoulders, apply her demure makeup with sheer expertise, and finally dress herself. Her last accessories were her shoes as she grabbed a pair of white tennis shoes and laced them up. As Brooke tied her shoes, she glanced up at the grandfather clock and realized she was going to be late for it was already 7 o'clock.
She rushed outside after locking the door to her parents' mansion and found herself safe within the confines of her bug. Brooke started the ignition and heard the faint sounds of her engine as she punched Nathan's address into the newly-installed navigation system located above her five disc CD changer and drove off to her destination.
Nathan sighed as he leaned back against the second-hand cushions of the chair he and Mike brought at the Salvation Army. She was late. Not that he was surprised. He really hadn't expected her to be on time.
"I got you, you son of a bitch!" Nathan looked over at an anxious Mike who was literally glued to the television screen as he fondled the control to his game of Halo.
"Mike, dude, maybe if you talk to the TV enough, it will start talking back to you," he joked. Mike paused his game and looked over at Nathan in agitation.
"If I was you, I'd be quiet."
"I'm sorry. I couldn't help myself."
"Fool, you are cruisin' for a bruisin'," he warned as he turned his attention back to the game.
"I think that expression went out like in the eighties," Nathan chuckled.
"'Aint you got nothing better do but just be sittin' around here and cirticisin' me, dawg?"
"Nah, not really."
"I thought you was goin' out with that fine ass number?"
"That fine has number has a name: Brooke."
"Whatever. I'm just gonna start callin' her fine ass cause you know what she is?" Mike paused his game once again looked over at Nathan seriously. Nathan shrugged. "Fine ass." Nathan laughed as Mike grinned and turned back to his game of Halo.
"Yeah well, I wouldn't say that to her face if I were you; not unless you want her to kick your ass. And knowing Brooke, she probably could."
"Please. A little 5 foot, 90 pound girl is gonna kick my ass?" He paused and turned to Nathan. "Actually, I just might let her." Nathan shook his head in pity.
"That's just sad."
"Yeah, well we can't all be as tall and good-looking as you, Tree Hill. So, where she at anyway?"
"I don't know. She probably got stuck looking at herself in the mirror." Nathan rolled his eyes.
"Aww, she one of 'dem high maintenance broads, 'aint she?" Mike nodded his head in understanding.
"Oh, yeah," he murmured. Instantly, Nathan and Mike's conversation was cut short by a soft rap on the door, and he immediately got up from his seat. Nathan looked over his shoulder in Mike's direction as he walked towards the door. "Speaking of high maintenance." He heard Mike chuckle as he opened the door.
"What did I hear about high maintenance?" Brooke asked.
"Oh, we were just talking about Mike's grooming habits," Nathan quickly replied. Brooke wore a disbelieving expression on her face. "So, look who decided to grace us with her presence. Your late by the way," Nathan said as he closed the door behind Brooke after she entered.
"No, I'm not. I said I would be here around 7, and it's..." Brooke grabbed an unsuspecting Nathan's arm and looked at his watch and frowned in concentration as she attempted to read the roman numerals. Admitting defeat, she threw her hands in the air, "around 7," she declared, albeit halfheartedly. Nathan smirked and looked at his watch.
"Brooke, it's 7:30." Nathan pointed at his wristwatch.
"I knew that. It's just you're wearing one of those watches," she sighed.
"What kind of watch are you talking about?"
"You know, those kinds of watches with hands and those weird symbols," she added as she looked up at him innocently. Nathan smiled as put his hand on Brooke's shoulder and held his arm containing the watch just inches from her face.
"Well, you see these symbols, Brooke? They're called roman numerals. And when the long hand is just past this little V here with and l, then it's 7." Brooke glared at Nathan with extreme irritation and was intent to interrupt Nathan's little lesson on telling time, but Nathan continued. "And when the little hand is on the V and l, then that a 30. Get it Brooke? It's 7:30." He smiled at Brooke's naivety. She was so unlike Haley. Usually, it would've been Haley who had given Nathan a lesson, hence his nickname of tutorboy Brooke had so generously bestowed upon him. But this time, the tables sure had turned, as Nathan had evidently taken his rightful place behind the steering wheel. It felt great knowing that he had never been in that position before, but now he was forced to compensate.
"Oh, why couldn't you just have a digital watch, you smart-ass!" Brooke smacked Nathan's arm, and he recoiled in laughter. "So, are you going to give me the official tour or what?" she asked impatiently as she looked around the apartment. Nathan stopped laughing.
"Oh yeah, umm that's the bedroom," Nathan languidly pointed to Brooke's right, "and that's the bathroom next to it,. That's the kitchen," he pointed to her left as she struggled to keep up with his quick gestures. "And you are standing in the living room, where my annoying roommate currently resides." Brooke looked over at Mike in curiosity.
"Hey man, I heard that," Mike responded grumpily as his eyes never left the television screen.
"Nice place you got here, Nate," Brooke added with a hint of sarcasm as she examined the faded carpet, 70's-inspired kitchen, and the peeled ceiling.
"Hey, I have a budget, alright," Nathan explained. Brooke chuckled.
"So, you ready to go do some miniature golfing?" she asked.
"I am if you are. Lead the way." Brooke walked to the door, and Nathan followed suit. "Bye Mike." There was no response as Nathan opened the door. "Don't mind him. He's a video game junkie with nothing better to do with his time," he told Brooke.
"Hey man, I heard that!" Mike shouted from behind the sofa, apparently too engrossed in his game to bid Nathan a proper adieu.
"Bye Mike, " Brooke yelled as the door was halfway open. Mike's ears perked at the sound of herhusky voice as he immediately forgot about his game of Halo and peeped his q-tip shaped head over the top of the sofa. Mike gazed at a departing figure of Brooke with adoring eyes. She had acknowledged his presence, and he felt whole again.
"Goodbye beautiful," he spoke dreamily. Brooke's cheeks burned with blush.
"Mike, I think you just died..." Nathan interjected.
"And gone to heaven," he sighed as he gazed at Brooke still wearing the same dreamy expression.
"No, I mean your Halo player just died." Nathan pointed to the screen. Mike was suddenly pulled out of his dream state, and his eyes grew wide with panic as he scrambled toward his control in desperation. He slammed down the control in frustration as he realized the demise of his player.
"No!" he wailed as he looked up the ceiling pleading to the heavens above. "How can you do this to me?" Then his expression changed to one of determination as he looked at the television. "Damn, you mother..." Nathan closed the door at the sound of Mike's incessant cursing of Halo. Brooke looked at Nathan in bewilderment as they walked out of the complex to her car.
"Well, that boy seems passionate about his Halo," she muttered.
"More like retarded," Nathan replied dryly. Brooke laughed as she got into the driver's seat, and Nathan got into the passenger's side.
After Brooke had been driving for a few short minutes, Nathan interrupted the silence that had engulfed the car.
"This is such a chick car," he said. Brooke nodded her head in agreement.
"For once I agree with you. You wanna know why I bought it?" she responded.
"Why?"
"Because no guy would ever want to drive a chick car." Nathan smiled and glanced at Brooke as an oncoming headlight beam hit her face and she was bathed in the light. He noticed for the first time that Brooke's eyes weren't really brown, but more a shade of hazel with specks of green scattered across the iris. Funny how he never noticed how very entrancing her eyes were until that moment.
"You know, I think this is the first time I have ever been in your car," he realized aloud. Brooke pondered Nathan's realization.
"You're right. The only people that have ever been inside my carare myself, Peyton, Lucas, and tutorgirl," she glanced over at Nathan's fallen expression nervously, "er, I mean Haley." She turned her eyes back to the road. Great thinking, Brooke. Mention the wife who abandoned him for some wannabe rocker star who has a really bad habit of abusing hair gel, she scolded herself.
"Not that buying a chick car ever prevented some guys from driving my car. In fact, I remember Lucas driving it several times," she paused as she thought. "Yep, Lucas passed that test with flying colors." She looked at Nathan out of the corner of her eye to gauge his reaction. He smiled gratefully at the bizarre comment, and Brooke sighed in relief.
"What test?"
"By driving my ultra-chick car, Lucas proved to me that he is comfortable with his sexuality. You know, he's not afraid to embrace his feminine side. I dig that about him." Nathan laughed at her comment.
"You make him sound like a pansy-ass mamma's boy, which come to think of it, he is." Brooke frowned and glared angrily at Nathan.
"Look, I know you two aren't getting along, but that gives you no right to insult him in front of me. I don't appreciate hearing about someone whom I care deeply about being degraded."
"I can't believe you're sticking up for that asshole after everything he's done to you..." Nathan shouted.
"I forgave Lucas a long time ago, Nathan, and you should to." Brooke calmly stated this as she stared at the road ahead, which suddenly seemed to go on for hundreds of miles.
"Forgive him for what, lying to me about Dan or about Haley? Brooke, he betrayed me." Nathan's voice grew an octave higher as Brooked gripped the steering wheel tight. Suddenly, a friendly car ride had turned into an unexpected screaming match based on who could scream the loudest. Brooke looked over at Nathan as his nostrils flared with anger. "If it weren't for him, I wouldn't have met Haley, and he's the reason my life fell apart last year." Nathan's complexion grew red as Brook's grip around the steering wheel continued to tighten intensely.
"You can't blame Lucas for you and Haley not working out. It had nothing to do with him. Obviously, something went wrong in your marriage, and the blame should be placed upon the two people involved: you and Haley," Brooke pointed to Nathan at the mention of his name and quickly returned her hand to her tense grip on the steering wheel. Nathan raised his eyebrows and snorted.
"Oh, so now it's my fault, huh?"
"Yes, Nathan. Lucas was no more responsible for your impending divorce, no more than me being responsible for Lucas and I breaking up," she paused as she searched for the right words. "Just be a man and admit it!" She glanced at Nathan's angry expression out of the corner of her right eye. If Nathanwas a kettle, his lid had already blown off at that exact moment. Brooke never remembered Nathan looking angrier in that instant, and suddenly she regretted her choice of words. She had clearly hit a nerve. Miniature golf was sounding so good right now.
"Well, maybe if you weren't such a slut, then Lucas would've never dumped you for, who was it again, oh yeah, your best friend." He smiled in contentment at the horrified look on Brooke's face and turned to look out his window in satisfaction. Nathan noticed nature's green flash by, but immediately noticed the flashes come to a halt as Brooke slammed her foot on the brakes. Nathan's nose connected with Brooke's glove box on impact. He yelped back in pain as he covered his throbbing nose and looked at Brooke accusingly.
"Are you freaking crazy?" he barked as Brooke looked at him through cold eyes. Brooke swiftly undid her seatbelt and leaned over Nathan's lap to open his door.
"Get out."
"What?"
"I said get out!" she shrieked as she pushed Nathan's broad shoulder's out of the car with all the might of her small upper body. Nathan stared at her dumbfounded. He had never seen Brooke angrier. Her beautiful face was distorted in fury as she looked at him with the door still ajar standing on the side of the road clutching his bloody nose.
"Look, whatever I said..." Nathan stammered.
"I don't want to hear it, Nathan. Maybe call me tomorrow if I decide to answer my phone. Until then, enjoy your long walk home." Brooke slammed the car door in Nathan's face and sped off. Nathan turned helplessly in the direction of Brooke's fleeting car.
"Brooke!" he screamed at the top of his lungs.
After waiting several minutes, Nathan finally realized Brooke wasn't coming back. She really had left him to walk the 15 miles home to his apartment in the middle of the night. Nathan looked at his surroundings and realized he was on a country road surround by woods. He sighed in frustration and started walking home. All thoughts of hitchhiking were lost as he pictured how he wouldappear to oncoming traffic, especially with his face covered in blood. They would probably think he was a lunatic who had somehow escaped the throes of the nearest insane asylum. He had also left his cell phone back at the apartment. All his communication to the outside world was nearly 15 miles away; 15 endless and tedious miles away. Nathan looked at the never-ending road ahead as he walked. This was going to be a long night.
Next Chapter: The apology...
