The Bitter Taste

The Price You Pay For Love

-Thanks for all the reviews!

xxx

Thomas B. Macauley once said the measure of a man's real character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out.

Brooke sat quietly in Lucas's hospital room as she read a book; Lucas woke up and looked over at Brooke, he chuckled lightly.

"What?" Brooke asked with a small smile.

Lucas shrugged, "It's just different seeing you reading and all."

"Hey," Brooke scoffed, "Just because I used to be a cheerleader doesn't mean that I'm illiterate."

Lucas took a sip of water, "I know you're smart Brooke," he said, "What are you reading?"

"A Midsummer Night's Dream," Brooke answered, "The course of true love never did run smooth," she quoted.

Lucas raised his eyebrows, "Very good," he said.

"Why'd you do it?" Brooke finally asked, "Why did you basically drive in front of that truck?"

Lucas exhaled, "Peyton told me about the baby."

"Oh," Brooke said simply, "I'm sorry Luke," she said and put her hand on top of his.

Lucas grabbed Brooke's hand, "I'd die without you…"

Brooke pulled her hand away and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, "Are they putting you on some serious meds, Luke?" She joked nervously.

"I don't want you to marry him Brooke," he said, "Peyton and I are over…"

Brooke stood up, "I thought we were just friends?"

"We are," Lucas said, "But this whole thing has made me think about how good we could've been."

Brooke put her hands on her hips, "You're scaring me…I'm engaged to your brother!"

"I'm sorry," Lucas said simply, "Maybe I just need some sleep." Brooke nodded and headed towards the door; Nathan was standing there.

"My brother wants to be with you?" Nathan asked as the two of them walked out of the hospital.

Brooke shrugged, "It's the medication Nate," she began and then kissed him on the cheek, "Oh shit! I forgot my purse in there," she said and then went back into Lucas's room.

Lucas held Brooke's purse up, "You left your book here too," he said.

"Thanks," Brooke said and then gave Lucas a hug. The hug broke and they looked at each other for a moment; Lucas gently pulled Brooke towards him, and kissed her passionately on the lips.

Brooke kissed back, but then pulled away. She touched her lips and looked over to see Nathan standing in the doorways, "I guess this whole lying thing is a regular thing for you two," he said coldly and then stormed off.

Brooke's eyes watered and she walked towards the door, "Brooke!" Lucas yelled to her; Brooke turned around and wiped her eyes, "Do you ever think…?"

"Stop Luke," she said tearfully and then ran out of the room.

xxx

Peyton walked into Nathan's apartment, and saw him sitting on the couch in the dark.

"I was hoping to catch Brooke," Peyton said, Nathan didn't even look at her. Peyton sat down beside him, "What's wrong?"

Nathan looked at Peyton, "Luke and Brooke were kissing again," he said sadly.

"Oh god," Peyton whispered and then took Nathan's hand.

Nathan kissed Peyton gently on the cheek, "I'm lucky to have you…"

Peyton sighed, "We can't do that," she said and then stood up.

"She's my fucking fiancée!" Nathan screamed as he stood up and kicked the coffee table.

Peyton wiped her eyes, "I know," Peyton said as she put her hands on Nathan's shoulders, "Maybe it was just a mistake…"

Brooke walked into the apartment and saw Nathan and Peyton standing there, "Nathan," she said regretfully.

"It's over Brooke," Nathan said, "The wedding's off."

Brooke began to cry harder, "Nathan, don't do this," she cried, "I love you so much!"

"You love me enough to kiss my brother?" Nathan yelled, "Fuck it Brooke! I'm not playing your little games anymore!"

Brooke leaned against the wall and caught her breath, "Please," she cried, "He kissed me because he's confused."

"I'm sorry Brooke," Nathan said; close to tears himself, "This isn't what I imagined my life with you to be like…"

xxx

Nathan stormed into Lucas's hotel room and threw one of the chairs to the floor; Lucas looked at him, "Whoa Nathan," he said holding his hands up, "I know you're upset about the Brooke thing."

"I'm not 'upset'," Nathan said, "I'm fucking pissed!" He yelled, "How the hell could you do that to me? I'm your brother!"

Lucas sighed, "Listen to me," he began, "When you were in California with Haley, Brooke and I got really close; and I think that in some way I developed feelings for her," he explained.

"So you decided to just kiss her?" Nathan asked, "And tell her not to marry me?"

Lucas rubbed his temples, "Brooke has been the best woman in my life…Did Peyton tell you about how that baby was Jake's? Huh?" He exclaimed.

"That's no excuse for you to kiss my fiancée, or should I say ex-fiancée!" Nathan said in frustration.

Lucas groaned, "You cancelled the wedding?" He asked in confusion, "How could you do that?"

"She's all yours now Luke," Nathan said, "Congratulations!" He said sarcastically and then left the room.

xxx

Brooke sat at the bar and finished off her drink; she looked around at all the happy couples. She smiled sadly to herself and ordered another drink. Peyton sat down beside Brooke and took a deep breath.

"I'm sorry," Peyton said softly.

Brooke swallowed the lump in her throat, "Me too," she said; her voice raspy and weak, "Just when something good happens," she began, "Something bad happens."

"Nathan loves you," Peyton pointed out, "You guys love each other, you'll figure out a way to work this out."

Brooke bit her bottom lip, "I thought you'd be pissed at me," she said, "I mean, you and Lucas and all."

"No," Peyton shrugged, "It's time to move on from everything."

Brooke nodded in agreement, "Plus you have Jake," she said and took a sip of her drink; she saw Peyton's look and set her drink down, "What?"

"I'm not with Jake," Peyton said as she played with the ends of her jacket, "I told Lucas that Jake and I were dating so that he could move on too…"

"Peyton," Brooke said, and then finished off her second drink, "I can't believe that Nathan doesn't want to be with me anymore," she said and began to cry.

Peyton put her hand on Brooke's back and tried to comfort her, "It's going to be okay," she said and then hugged her, "At least I hope so," she said softly to herself.

xxx

Peyton walked towards Lucas's room and saw Anna storming out of it; Peyton watched her pass, and then walked into the room. Lucas looked at her and then down at his hands.

"She seemed pissed," Peyton said casually.

Lucas looked up at her and nodded, "The baby isn't mine," he said thankfully.

"That's good," Peyton said and then looked around the room.

"Are you mad about the Brooke thing too?" Lucas asked.

Peyton shook her head, "You and I aren't together anymore," she said, "And I just wanted to say goodbye because I'm probably leaving tomorrow."

"Oh," Lucas said, "Thanks for coming down," he said and cleared his throat, "It means a lot to me."

Peyton nodded and then looked down at the ground, "You know Luke…Nathan really loves Brooke, and Brooke really loves Nathan."

"I know Peyt," Lucas said, "And I feel bad that they're not getting married, but…"

Peyton rolled her eyes, "You don't get it? Do you?" She asked, "It's not fair for you to just kiss on whoever the hell you want! You ruined someone's relationship because of your ego!" Peyton said coldly, "And that's not the Lucas I know," she said and then walked out.

xxx

Brooke put her engagement ring down on the counter in Nathan's apartment and then looked around; she sighed sadly and then turned around to the door.

Nathan walked in and saw Brooke standing there; he looked at her and then closed the door behind him, "What are you doing here?"

"I thought I'd give this back," Brooke said as she picked up the ring and handed it to Nathan.

Nathan looked at it regretfully as Brooke walked towards the door to leave, "Do you love him?" He asked.

"No," Brooke said and then turned around, "He's one of my good friends Nate, and that's all he'll ever be…"

"I love you too much to let you go," Nathan began as he studied the ring.

Brooke wiped her eyes, "Then don't."

"Did you feel anything when you kissed him?" Nathan asked.

Brooke walked towards Nathan and put her hand on his cheek, "It only made me realize how much I love you," she said softly. Nathan smiled and slipped the ring back on Brooke's finger; Brooke kissed him passionately as Nathan wrapped his arms around her.

Peyton walked into the apartment and saw the two of them kissing; she smiled to herself and walked out quietly.

xxx

Peyton walked into Lucas's room and sat down beside his bed; Lucas looked at her, "I'm sorry about earlier," he said.

"Brooke and Nathan are getting married still," Peyton said quickly, "I just thought you should know before you fuck anything else up."

Lucas looked away from Peyton, "I thought about what you said," he began, "And you're right…You're right about everything," Lucas said and then smiled at Peyton, "I want to try us again…"

"Really?" Peyton asked as her eyes began to tear.

Lucas nodded, "As soon as I'm out of the hospital I want work on us…"

"Okay," Peyton said softly and then kissed Lucas passionately, "I love you…"

Lucas smiled and kissed Peyton again, "I love you too…"

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