Hey...
Like, always, I want to thank everyone who is reading, and a special thanks to everyone who has replied. Thanks again.
This is mostly a filler chapter, but hopefully it won't be a total waste. Onto chapter 6...
Summary: Lucas Scott is just a boy...who seems to control his life. What is Nathan supposed to do when Lucas slowly takes away everything he has ever known? Two brothers, brought together by the love for the game, and the love for the girl. Naley, Brucas
I'LL BE THERE FOR YOU
Chapter 6
Lucas plopped down onto the old worn couch, the bowl of popcorn resting on the cushion spilling some. He popped the top to the can and took a hearty sip, smacking his lips appreciatively as he rested it on the table in front of him. He offered the unopened can to Haley who scrunched her face.
"You know I don't drink." He simply shrugged and placed it beside his half empty can. "Keith will kill you when he finds out your pilfering from his supply by the way."
"Eh, I'm leaving tomorrow anyway." He smiled carelessly. He propped his feet onto the table, his arms resting behind his head as the TV flashed light across his face.
"Yeah." Haley replied less enthusiastically. She mimicked his actions, stretching her shorter legs to reach the table. "Can I ask you a question? Why are we having this dinner tonight?"
"Brooke wants me to meet her brother." He replied with a smirk. He was well aware of how Haley felt about the guy; tonight was definitely going to be fun. He was going out with a bang. "Nathan is coming too."
"I'm starting to rethink that beer." Haley eyed it thoughtfully; she was going to have to get through the night somehow. She figured being drunk would definitely lessen the blow.
"What is going on with you two anyway?" Lucas inquired as he strained his neck to meet her eyes. If she were lying, he would definitely be able to tell. She would always bite at her lip, or her eyes would drift off as she attempted to think of something.
"We're trying the whole 'friends' thing." She frowned slightly.
"He still loves you Haley." Lucas stated factually. He waited to see her reaction but she quickly turned from his piercing stare.
"And I love him." She mumbled quietly. "But this is something that I feel I need to do."
"But friends?" Lucas scoffed skeptically. "I know how the guy mind works. And trust me on this Hales, this is just some stupid plot to get you back."
"Probably."
"You know that I'm gonna support you, no matter what." Lucas turned slightly to her, drawing her eyes back to his. "But I gotta admit, even I'm a little confused."
"It's just that," Haley sighed, "my whole life I've depended on someone. My parents, you, and now Nathan. I've never had to depend on myself. And I just think that I'll be cheating myself if I have to depend on everyone else."
"I guess I see what you're saying…" Lucas tried to sort out everything in his mind. "But Hales, I want you to depend on me. I'm always going to be there for you. And I'm sure the same thing goes for Nathan."
"I know that." She admitted truthfully. "And I'm thrilled that I have both of you in my life. I'm not trying to push Nathan away; I really do love him. But I just need some time."
Both heads snapped toward the front door as a loud energetic knock echoed throughout the small house. Haley nodded slowly, signally to Lucas that they were done with the conversation. He patted her leg as he stepped over them and answered the door.
"Hey boyfriend." Brooke kissed his cheek happily as he half-hugged her. "This is my brother Jake."
"Hey, Lucas." The blonde extended his hand toward him. They shook briefly before Lucas stepped aside and allowed the three to enter. "Nate." He nodded politely to his brother as he passed by him. Nathan returned the gesture before continuing into the living room.
"The uh, chicken should be done in a few minutes." Lucas clasped his hands together as the four stood in the living room. Haley smiled up at Brooke, waved lightly to Nathan, and scowled openly at Jake. He simply winked, his lips curling into a discreet smirk. "Why don't you guys sit and I'll go grab some drinks for everyone."
"I'll help you." Brooke jumped from the chair and followed the boy into the kitchen, the wooden door swinging shut behind the couple. Lucas smirked as she sauntered up to him, her arms wrapping tightly around his waist and pulling him close.
"You were just waiting for an excuse, weren't you?" He murmured huskily into her hair, his fingers grazing over her exposed skin on her stomach. She pulled herself onto her tippy toes, her arms pulling his neck down to allow their lips to touch. "What if someone walks in?" He questioned against her lips.
"I'm just getting a refreshment." She whispered quietly before completely pulling away as the door swung open. Nathan quickly shielded his eyes, mumbling an apology as the two released each other. "And now I'm leaving." Brooke threw both boys a smile before exiting.
"Sorry about that." Nathan apologized sheepishly as he leaned himself against a counter. Lucas retrieved another beer from the fridge and tossed it over to him. "Thanks."
"Figured you'd need one." Lucas smiled gently as Nathan popped open the can.
"So uh…" The younger brother cleared his throat nervously. "Did you talk to her?"
"Yeah I did." Lucas replied as he began to pull the chicken from the oven. He dropped the heavy pan on top, the smoke rising into the air. Golden brown, just like his mother's; perhaps all those forced cooking lessons had actually worked. "I'm sorry man, but she seems stuck on the whole 'time-out' thing."
"It was worth a try." Nathan shrugged dejectedly as he lifted the can to his lips once again.
"I guess." Lucas sighed. "She'll come around though. I know Haley. Just give her some time and she'll realize the mistake she's making."
Nathan nodded unhappily; for once he hoped Lucas was right. "Thanks anyway." He flashed a forced smile. "So uh, how did Brooke get you to do this whole thing anyway?"
Lucas grinned as he rolled his eyes. Nathan knew not to ask. "What about you?"
"She played the freaking 'best-friend' card." Nathan grumbled with disdain. "I hate when she does that."
Lucas chuckled amusedly. "That's how I got Haley to come."
"So uh, do you need help with anything?" Nathan offered. Lucas regretted bringing her up again, especially when he knew it was a sensitive subject.
Lucas surveyed the kitchen briefly, "Yeah, could you just grab the noodles. I think that's it." Nathan complied and grabbed the bowl as the two made their way into the dining room.
"Dinner's ready guys." He called into the living room. A few seconds later the other's arrived and took their seats; Lucas sat at the end, on his left was Brooke, on his right was Haley. To Haley's right sat Nathan; next to Brooke sat Jake. "Good thing too, cause I'm starved. Somebody would let me eat anything the entire day." He shot a pointed look to the brunette across from him.
"No." She returned in the same tone. "I wouldn't let you eat that humongous sandwich. A normal sized snack would have been just fine." Lucas busied himself with dishing out the food. He passed the last plate around and took his seat.
"I'm sorry." Jake said as he shoveled a scoop of mashed potatoes into his mouth. He pointed with his fork between the two other boys, his brow furrowed in confusion. "I don't see the resemblance. You guys are really brothers?"
"I guess tech—"
"Yeah, we're brothers." Nathan cut in, his head nodding as he answered. He too scooped a mouthful of food into his mouth. "This is really good."
The other three exchanged surprised glances around the table at Nathan's statement. Jake seemed oblivious to the weight it held. They quickly shrugged it off; perhaps the beer was already affecting him. "Mmm, it is." Haley agreed as she too sampled the food.
"Thanks." Lucas beamed proudly.
"So where's your daughter?" Haley questioned Jake curiously. She hated even speaking to the man, but she figured she would give him the benefit of the doubt and try to act politely.
Jake held up a finger as he finished swallowing, "Nate's mom is watching her for the night." He replied. "Why, planning a midnight rendezvous?" He wiggled his eyebrows. It amazed Haley how a simple gesture could annoy her so much.
Jake let out a loud groan as Brooke's foot 'accidentally' came into contact with his shin. She gave him an insincere smile. Nathan had to stifle his laugh behind his napkin as Jake grimaced in pain. She inclined her head toward the other brunette as Jake shook his head. He finally gave up, his hand still massaging his leg as he cleared his throat.
"Listen Haley." He paused to throw Brooke a dirty look before turning back to Haley. "I'm sorry about before. I just get a little carried away sometimes; I never meant to offend you or anything."
Haley nodded civilly, he seemed sincere enough. "Don't worry about it." He nodded too before diverting his attention away from her.
The rest of dinner went over smoothly; there were no arguments, no insults thrown. Lucas shut the door behind the three as they left before rejoining Haley on the couch. "That was--."
"Dull?" They shared a laugh together. "I guess it was ok." He admitted honestly. It was a nice dinner.
"So I was thinking." Haley smiled widely at him. "Since it's your last night, I thought maybe we could make it a movie night."
"Yeah." Lucas nodded in agreement. "That'd be cool."
Nathan threw himself down onto his couch, his face buried in the cushions. Brooke lifted his feet and sat beside him before allowing his legs to lie across her lap. Nathan turned over after a second and rested his head against the armrest. "I had fun tonight."
"Yeah." Brooke nodded in agreement. "I like having dinner with everyone there. My family." Nathan smiled, it was his family too. "By the way, what was with that comment earlier?"
"What? About the food?" Nathan questioned, his brow furrowed with confusion. "It was good. Not that I was surprised, his mom is a cook and all."
"It was." She rubbed her stomach jokingly. "But I meant about you and Lucas being brothers. I've never actually heard you admit it before."
"Yeah, well…" Nathan shrugged coolly. "We do share the same father."
"Still…" Brooke eyed him skeptically. They always shared the same father, but that had never made Nathan own up to it before. "You like him, don't you."
"Brooke, he's my brother." Nathan's face scrunched up in disgust. Brooke swatted his leg harshly.
"Not like that you pervert!" She shrieked loudly. "God, why is it that with guys the word 'like' is always associated with that? I meant that you don't think he's the scum of the earth anymore."
"Fine, I like him, ok?" Nathan blew out deeply. "I guess he can be an ok guy."
"I'm glad for you two." Brooke smiled gently at him. He rolled his eyes at her; he should have known that Brooke would turn it into a gushy moment. "I mean it. You deserve someone in your life like Luke. Some real family that's not messed up."
"I've already got family that's not 'messed' up." Nathan argued.
"Yeah, like who?" Brooke challenged doubtfully. "Dan? I guess Deb is ok…"
"You." Nathan stated assertively. "You're my family."
