Author's Note: I know, I know, I know. And I really don't have any excuse except that this story is surprisingly hard to write. I keep writing a little bit each day, then deleting it and re-writing it because it doesn't work well with the storyline. Anyways, I finally finished this chapter, and already have the next one started. Hope you enjoy, there's a lot of drama in it.

Thank you so much to everyone for all the sweet and wonderful reviews I have received. All of you are amazing and your words help me and are so very encouraging. Enjoy...

Chapter Four

"Realization"

Soon a week passed, and one Wednesday morning Brooke was awoken by a very loud Jake. She glanced to her side as the pounding on the door grew louder, and saw Nathan wasn't there. She groaned. "Jake, shut up!"

Jake opened the door a crack. "I'm coming in."

"I'm naked!" It wasn't the truth, but she wasn't a very nice morning person sometimes.

"Liar," Jake said smoothly as he walked inside the room. "We're going on the boat today, remember?"

"Yes, I remember. But its like six o'clock in the damn morning. Wake me up in three hours, and then we'll talk." She did not appreciate being summoned on her day off.

He smirked at her. "Its 9:05, so I suppose its good morning to you, Davis."

She pulled the pillow over her head. "Go to hell," she snapped, her voice muffled.

He headed to the door, and had a run in with Nathan. "Hey, man, Peyton wants us to be ready to go by ten. Tell little Miss Pissy that, okay?"

Nathan grinned at the look on her face as he shut the door behind his friend. "How do you two ever get along?" He sat next to her on the bed, placing his hand on her covered leg.

"We don't," she said simply, sitting up. She yawned and stretched as she looked around. "Where did you go this morning?"

"Luke and I went to that little café down the street. We were hungry, and Peyton wasn't around. So we just went by ourselves."

"Was it good?"

"Yeah, actually. So, about today. Who's boat are we taking?"

"My dad's," Brooke explained. "He used to have it in Tree Hill, but when I moved here he moved it as well. Its almost as if he knew he would need an excuse to come see me or something. And we have a jet ski, so it should be fun."

"Are you any good with boats?" He was wary of the talents Brooke had.

She jabbed him lightly in his side. "Shut up, we used to go on boats all the time when we were kids."

"Well, yeah, but our dads did all that. We just... sat around. I played Gameboy, and you tanned."

She sighed contently. "Those were the days."

He smiled at her. "You better get in the shower. Peyton may kill you if you aren't ready to go."

Brooke lazily got out of bed. "You know, its weird. I used to be the neurotic one who made sure everyone was ready to go at the right time. Peyton took over that trait, I suppose."

Nathan chuckled, teasing her, "I'm sure you can still be very bossy." After she disappeared into her bathroom, he made his way back downstairs. Lucas and Jake were watching ESPN Sports Highlights, which Nathan had recording at home.

"Where's Peyton?"

"In the garage," Jake said absentmindedly, not looking up from the television.

Nathan found her loading the car. He leaned against the wall as she struggled with a cooler. She heard him behind her, and whirled around.

"Nathan!" She set the cooler down, and glared at him. "You ass, you know you could be of a little help here."

He walked over, and started putting the cooler in the SUV. "True. So could your boyfriend."

"I know," she sighed. "It's a lost cause, I gave up."

For the next few minutes, they together loaded up the vehicle. When they were done, Peyton said to Nathan, "Follow me."

He obliged, and soon they were on the beach. They sat down in the sand, and Peyton absentmindedly started making J+P in the sand. "So, about you and Brooke..."

"Jealous?" He smirked at her.

"You wish. No, seriously, what's the deal? I've heard her side, now I want yours."

"I like her Peyton. A lot. She is so much fun to be around. Being here reminds me of a few years ago. That summer was one of the best of my life."

"Okay, but she still loves Lucas."

He nodded slowly. "I realize that, but Lucas hurt her really bad. She is slowly moving on from him, and if I can be that guy to help her, then I will be."

"What if she finds out about Lucas? She might go back to him."

Nathan looked down. "I know," he said softly. "Trust me, I have thought about this. Lucas and Brooke have a huge history together, which sucks for me. But Lucas won't tell her. He is afraid he will lose her altogether if he does."

"How does he figure that?"

Nathan took a deep breath. He wasn't used to talking about this to anyone but his brother. "If Brooke finds out, she will be hurt. Maybe even pissed, but mostly hurt he didn't tell her sooner. He has been leading her on to believe something that is not true. She will do one of two things. Tell him to go to hell and never speak to her again, or go back to him for good."

Peyton said, "I could see that. I just want to tell you one thing. Don't hurt her. Lord knows how many times Lucas broke her heart. She can't take anything else, I know she can't. A person can only take so much pain and heartache, and Brooke has had more than her fair share."

"Pey, I won't hurt her. That is the last thing I want to do. Right now, she and I are just... I don't know. I mean, we've kissed a few times, made out every now and then, but nothing serious. We aren't talking about the future. We are just having fun. So when something else happens, we will see where we go from there."

"Last question. Are you ever going to tell Lucas?"

"Tell Lucas what?" Jake asked, sitting behind Peyton.

She smiled at him. "Tell him what an amazing boyfriend I have."

He looked at her. He knew that was not what they were talking about because he had just been watching television while Peyton loaded the car, which was not "amazing boyfriend" actions. He let the issue go, and wrapped his arms around her, and she nestled into his chest.

Lucas had shut the television off and was making a midmorning sandwich when Brooke came downstairs. Her hair was wet, and she was wearing a brown bikini with her trademark short denim mini skirt. She smiled at him, telling him, "Morning."

"Hey. You're up late."

She rolled her eyes, grabbing a Diet Coke out of the fridge. "Not really. Its like nine thirty. Not late."

"Whatever, late for me." His words were mumbled as he quickly ate his sandwich.

She joked, "Well, maybe that's because you get up at the crack of dawn on a regular basis."

"I don't like to waste the day away by sleeping," he defended himself.

She laughed. "Sure. So, Broody, excited about our boating excursion?"

He flinched slightly at the use of an old nickname, but said, "Of course. I haven't been on a boat since... Well, since back when you and I were dating."

She grinned. "Awesome, today is gonna be so much fun. Right Nate?"

Lucas turned and saw his brother coming in the back door. Nathan looked confused. "What?"

Brooke breezed past him on the way back upstairs. "Just say right."

"Right," he shrugged. He walked into the kitchen. "What was she talking about?"

Lucas answered, "Its Brooke. Who knows. Hey, did Peyton need help out there?"

Nathan chuckled to himself. "Yeah, but I helped while you and Jake just sat there."

Lucas tried to defend himself, "You know, if she needed help she should have asked."

"Sorry, I'll remember that next time," Peyton said sarcastically as she entered the home. "Okay, I sent Jake to buy last minute things. We will leave when he gets back." She looked around. "Where's Brooke?"

Nathan nodded towards the stairs. "She just came down, but went back up."

Brooke was throwing random items into her beach bag. She was on the hunt for her Aveeno sun lotion as Peyton entered the room. Glancing up, she smiled. "Hey best friend, what's up?"

"Not much. Just thought this would be a good time to talk."

Brooke raised an eyebrow. "Because we won't be together on a boat all day?"

"Well, yeah. But the guys will be there. We can't talk talk in front of them." She sighed, exasperated. Brooke grinned at her. "Anyways, how's the whole you and Nathan thing going?"

Brooke examined her new pedicure before answering. "Its... going, I suppose."

Peyton inched forward. "Do I detect hesitation?"

Rolling her eyes, Brooke flopped onto the bed, laying on her stomach. "I don't know. I mean, Nathan is great. He has a great personality, he has a great job, a great life, and let's face it his body is great. But this thing between me and him? Seems forced almost. I mean, I want it to be great. Really, I do. Its just not yet. But its only been like a week, so maybe the greatness will come."

Peyton said gently, "Brooke, are you wanting what you had a few summers ago?"

Brooke's head turned sharply towards the window, evading her friend's eyes. "No. Yes. Maybe. Dammit, I don't know. Nathan and I worked well together last time, we did."

Peyton kept quiet this time. She knew what Brooke's problem was. Like it had been since she was sixteen, her problem was Lucas. She wanted so badly for Nathan to be the one she could move on with, move on from Lucas. But she and Lucas had meant so much to each other. She still loved him, and Peyton knew she couldn't move on until she stopped. Somewhere, deep in her heart, Brooke knew that too. She would never admit it, though, and Peyton would give her time.

"Well, like you said, its only been a week. Give it some time."

Brooke looked at Peyton and said, "The more time I give it, the more Lucas will be hurt if or when he finds out."

The group soon found themselves on Brooke's boat, and it wasn't long before they were on the water. Brooke and Peyton had already smeared tanning lotion on themselves, and were settling back on the deck to bask in the sun.

Jake had taken over as 'Captain', and was sitting at the wheel. Nathan was next to him, and the pair was staring at their ladies in front of them.

"Nate, what are you looking at?" Lucas asked from behind.

Nathan jumped. He had completely forgotten his brother was onboard. "Nothing. Brooke drives me crazy, she has to be perfect and make sure her lotion is evenly spread out over her body."

Chuckling, Lucas stole a glance at his ex girlfriend. She was adjusting her bikini straps. "That's Brooke for you." Nathan turned away, and Lucas looked at her again, and his stare lingered longer than a 'friend' should be looking at a 'friend'.

Only a few feet away, Brooke said softly, "Is it crazy that I keep thinking about Luke when I'm with his brother?"

"Crazy, no. Disturbing, yes," Peyton joked. Brooke hit her with her towel, causing both girls to giggle.

"Seriously, though, I think there is something wrong with me. Remember when Haley first got involved with them, and I remember thinking 'That's crazy, to get stuck between two boys'. I thought it was such a silly waste of time. Sure, she was only friends with one of them, but still. And here I am, in the middle and one of them doesn't even know it. Actually, neither of them know. I am such a horrible person." She realized she was practically whining, but decided she didn't care at that point.

Peyton propped herself up on one arm. "No you are not. You have something that most people don't. You know who you are. You know your strengths and your weaknesses, and right now you are just trying to figure out who this person you are should be with. That's not horrible, that's life."

As she thought this over, Brooke paused before whispering, "I think I'm going to end things. Not today, because we are all having so much fun. But I don't want to do this anymore, I care too much about Lucas. And I'm not being fair to Nathan at all by leading him on like this." As much as she thought she was over Lucas, she realized she wasn't ready to move on quite yet. And when she did, it shouldn't be with his brother. It wasn't right, and felt awful every time Nathan kissed her or smiled in her direction. She also felt awful every time Lucas laughed at Nathan and Brooke's arguing antics, because it was as though he suspected nothing.

Peyton peered at her friend, and saw that she truly was struggling with this. She didn't want to hurt either of them. "What about Luke?"

"I'm going to tell him. Maybe not tomorrow or two days from now, but before he goes home I will tell him," she said firmly. "I've never kept something like this from him, and since we are friends now I don't want to start."

"Just do what's right for you. You never think of yourself."

Even though she knew Peyton was right, Brooke said brightly, "Okay, new subject." She turned around, and waved at the boys. "Guys, we don't bite."

Jake let the anchor down so that he wouldn't have to stay in one place, and made his way to the girls. He sat next to Peyton, wrapping his arms around her. She leaned into him, and whispered in his ear sweet nothings.

Brooke took this as her time to leave, and walked up to the Scott brothers. They were trying to figure out how to work the jet ski.

She cocked her head to the side. "Problems?" She wouldn't want to hurt their pride...

They glared at her, and Nathan said, "No. Its just not working."

"Move," she commanded. Not in the mood to argue, they did as she said. She fidgeted with the vehicle for a moment and then it reared to life. Turning back at them, she smirked. "You're welcome."

Nathan rolled his eyes and moved so that he could get on. Brooke walked back past Lucas, and had to squeeze to get by him. He gently placed a hand on her bare hips as he maneuvered himself around her, and whispered, "Thanks," before going to untie the jet ski from the boat.

Brooke's breath caught at his touch, but she sternly told herself to stop. She was with Nathan... kind of. But whatever they were, she could not be enjoying touches from Lucas. He had his chance.

Though, if that was the case, then why was she suddenly looking forward to spending time with Lucas while Nathan rode the ski?

"Davis!" A shout jolted her from dreamland.

Looking around, she saw the voice belonged to Nathan, who was perched on the ski. "Yeah?"

"Ride with me. You work these things better than I do, anyways."

Hesitantly, she glanced at Lucas, who was talking to Jake. He looked up and smiled at her before continuing his conversation. She looked back at Nathan, who was patiently waiting for her to join him.

"Coming." She climbed on in front of him, and felt his body wrap around hers, and his fingers tickled her stomach as he rested his arm around her abdomen.

"Ready for the ride of your life?" She asked, and started to drive.

After a half hour of doing tricks and having fun, Brooke pulled the ski to a stop, far away from the boat. They couldn't even see their friends from where they were.

"Not bad, Davis. But I get to drive back."

"Oh joy, I get to meet my death," she teased.

Nathan pretended to be offended. "Excuse me, but I am a good driver. I went on these when I was younger."

"Sure, like twelve years ago so it hardly counts."

Nathan silenced her by placing a hand on her face. She swiveled around so that she was facing him. He leaned in and gave her a light kiss.

Flustered, she said, "Nathan, not here. Lucas is around."

He brushed the comment off, "No, he's not. He's on the boat."

She sighed, wringing her fingers together. She already knew she was going to break things off, and kissing him and pretending everything was okay was making her heart break. "Nate..."

Again, he kissed her, putting more passion into this one, and pulled her close.

There were many boats in the ocean this day, and so when one came up behind them neither of them thought twice. Until they heard Peyton's voice. "Brooke..."

Brooke froze, and she knew at that moment Lucas was watching. He was watching his brother kiss her. He was watching them.

Nathan looked up, and tightened his hold on Brooke. Ashamed, she looked at Lucas and all it took was half of a second to see the hurt and anguish in his face. Quickly, she turned away and shrugged Nathan's arms off of her. Nathan steered the jet ski up to the boat, and hopped off. Lucas was still standing on the edge, and didn't speak a word.

Brooke stayed where she was, and stared at Lucas. He met her eyes once, and then wouldn't look at her again.

Brooke wasn't making any notion of getting off, and Peyton said softly, "Come on, Brooke." She knew Brooke's heart was shattering into a thousand pieces right now. This is exactly what Brooke feared. She had wanted to tell Lucas herself, and yet somehow plans change.

Brooke swallowed, and slowly got off. Jake helped her up, grabbing her hand. She stood in the middle of the boat, and looked at her surroundings. It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Nathan was on the open deck, and Lucas had not moved. He looked so hurt, it was killing her. She took a step towards Lucas, who in turn jumped on the jet ski.

Without a word, he was gone. "LUCAS!" Brooke screamed, with tears in her eyes. Soon, though, he disappeared into the distant ocean.

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