The Bitter Taste
Baby, You Amaze Me
-A/N- The italics in the last chapter (We Went For A Ride) is a flashback. It's the flashback of what actually happened between Nathan and Brooke the night Brooke left for New York. I'm sorry for not explaining that better, and I hope you guys understand now. Anyways, thanks for all the reviews, you guys are the best! And please keep reviewing, they really make my day!
To let go isn't to forget, not think about, or ignore. It doesn't leave feelings of anger, jealousy, or regret. Letting go isn't winning. It isn't losing. It's not about pride. It's not obsessing or dwelling on the past. It's about loss and it's not defeat. To let go is to cherish memories, but to overcome them and move one. Letting go is accepting. Letting go is having the courage to accept change, the strength to keep moving. Letting go is growing up.
xxx
Eric followed Peyton into her room as she threw her luggage onto to her bed and immediately turned on her stereo. She walked over to her computer and turned on her web came.
Eric set down his suitcase on the floor and looked on the walls, "Damn chick, you are an artist," he complimented.
"Thanks," Peyton smiled and then leaned against the doorframe of her closet.
Eric looked at her web came and laughed, "You have a web cam?" He asked in disbelief, "Who would've thought Peyton Sawyer had a kinky side?"
"Shut up," Peyton giggled as she sat down on her bed, "I just have a web cam so people can watch me draw…I've had it ever since high school."
Eric waved at the web cam and then winked at it, "Maybe I can get one, so that I can pick up some hotties," he teased.
"I'd be careful with web cams," Peyton warned, "I cheated with my friend Brooke's boyfriend and she found out cause we forgot to turn off the web cam…"
Eric whistled, "Naughty," he said and then sat down beside Peyton on the bed, "Are you nervous about seeing Lucas?"
"Yeah," Peyton said as she cracked her knuckles, "We didn't exactly leave on a good note."
Eric put his hand on Peyton's knee, "I don't think Lucas realizes how jealous I am of him…"
"Why?" Peyton said as she turned away from him to hide her tears.
Eric put his two fingers under Peyton's chin and turned her towards him, "You're amazing Peyton," he said sincerely, "And I'm not just kissing your ass because you're an amazingly hot blonde," Peyton let out a laugh, "I'm saying that because I mean it, and I'm glad that I met you."
Without thinking Peyton pulled Eric's face towards hers and kissed him passionately; Eric returned the kiss as he traced the bottom of Peyton's tongue with his tongue. Peyton moaned in pleasure as they're hands explored each other's bodies; it just felt good to be touched. The sexual tension between the two of them grew more intense as Peyton laid back; Eric got on top of her as they kissed each other forcefully. Peyton heard a knock on her bedroom door; she looked over and saw Lucas standing there.
Eric stopped kissing her and looked over as well; he looked down at Peyton and knew that the blonde hair guy standing there was Lucas. They both wiped their lips and turned away from each other as if they were in 9th grade getting caught by their fathers. Peyton looked at Lucas and then back at Eric; Eric patted her knee and walked out of the room. Lucas didn't even look at Eric as he passed him; his eyes stayed locked on Peyton.
Peyton sat up as Lucas closed the door behind him; he was nervous, Peyton could tell. She was uncomfortable, Lucas could tell. The unbearable tension was detectable between the two ex lovers. Peyton cleared her throat, and Lucas scratched the top of his head.
"So I guess rehab was fun," Lucas finally said, the bitterness from his voice sent shivers up and down Peyton's spine.
Peyton shook her head, "No, it wasn't," she said.
"Who was that?" Lucas asked.
Peyton sighed, "That's Eric…I met him at rehab, and we became really good friends."
"Friends?" Lucas questioned, "I would've thought by the way you two were groping each other on your bed that it was something more."
Peyton got up and turned off her web cam, "Don't do this to me Luke," she said, her voice tired and torn, "We just got caught up in the moment, we've become really, really close over the last two weeks."
"I didn't know that you were going to have another date to the wedding," he began, "I thought--."
Peyton cut him off, "You thought we would go together?" She asked and then looked at him in disbelief, "We used to be able to talk about everything but now it's impossible to even start a decent conversation with you...You can't deny it, things have changed…We've grown apart and you have to face the fact that I will no longer be there every single time you need me…"
"I really thought we could work things out Peyt," Lucas said with a pleading look in his eyes.
Peyton bit her bottom lip and looked away from him, "It's done, and it has been for awhile…Let me go, let this go."
"Fine," Lucas said as he opened the bedroom door, "I'll let it go…" He said and then walked out.
xxx
Peyton walked into the bride's room of the church where Brooke stood there in front of a full length mirror with four bridesmaids around her; a tear came to Peyton's eye as she looked at her best friend. Finally, one of them was getting married, this was a day that Peyton and Brooke had talked about since they were six.
Brooke turned around and smiled as she saw her best friend of forever standing there with tears in her eyes, "If you start crying, I'm going to cry," Brooke said sadly; Peyton smiled and walked over to Brooke and the two best friends hugged.
"I heard as the maid of honor I have to come in here and convince you that you're crazy and then have you drive off to Vegas with me," Peyton teased as both the girls dabbed their eyes.
Brooke smiled and looked at herself one last time in the mirror, "If I weren't so madly in love with Nathan I might actually take up the offer," she said with a sigh.
"You look beautiful Brooke," Peyton said.
Brooke looked down at herself and then touched her veil lightly, "Thanks," she said softly, "I'm really glad you're here."
"I wouldn't miss this for the world," Peyton said as she rubbed Brooke's arm.
Brooke did the famous 'Brooke smirk' and nudged Peyton, "I saw Eric," she said suggestively, "He's a fox P. Sawyer!"
"Excuse me!" Peyton laughed, "You're getting married!"
Brooke rolled her eyes, "You know what I mean," she said, "Tell me you two have done the deed."
"Some things never change," Peyton said as she looked down at the ground, slightly embarrassed.
Brooke gasped, "You did, didn't you?"
"No!" Peyton exclaimed, "We were making out on my bed and Lucas walked in…Brooke, you do realize we're in a church right?"
Brooke laughed and then put her arm around Peyton, "Eric's hot, and it seems like he likes you…"
"So what you're trying to say is…" Peyton began.
Brooke winked at her, "Go for it," she said as the two of them walked out of the room.
The music began and everyone in the church stood up; Keith walked Brooke down the aisle and everyone was amazed at how beautiful she looked. Brooke was always a beautiful girl, but she was ravishing. Brooke and Nathan made eye contact the whole time she was walking down the aisle. They smiled at each other and Brooke's eyes became damp, as did Nathan's. Brooke had never remembered seeing Nathan so happy before. Keith lifted Brooke's veil and gave her a kiss on the cheek; Brooke silently thanked him and stood beside Nathan.
Their personal vows were said; and there wasn't a dry eye in the church. During the vows Peyton looked onto the church and made eye contact with Eric; he smiled at her and Peyton smiled back. Peyton then looked at Lucas who was looking at her; she smiled weakly at him. He sighed softly and looked at Brooke and Nathan who were now facing each other.
"Do you Nathan Scott take Brooke Davis to be your lawfully wedded wife through sickness and in health, till death do you part?" The priest asked.
Nathan smiled at Brooke, "I do."
"And do you Brooke Davis take Nathan Scott to be your lawfully wedded husband through sickness and in health, till death do you part?" The priest asked.
Brooke smiled and winked at Nathan, "I do."
"I now pronounce you husband and wife," he said and then looked at Nathan, "You may now kiss the bride."
Nathan looked at Brooke and kissed her passionately on the lips as they wrapped their arms around each other. The music started up again and the church cheered as Nathan and Brooke made their way down the aisle together.
Brooke threw her bouquet and then got into the limo with Nathan; Peyton caught the bouquet and laughed along with the bridesmaid. She looked at Eric and kissed him. Lucas watched in agony as he watched the one woman that he had ever truly loved kiss another man.
xxx
Nathan and Brooke walked into the reception greeted by applause and cheers; they both smiled as they walked over to their reserved table. They kissed and hugged as their pictures were taken by loving relatives and old friends. Peyton walked over and hugged both of them, "Congratulations!" She said excitedly.
"Thanks," they both said in unison.
Lucas walked over and gave Brooke a hug, and patted Nathan on the back, "How does it feel to be married?"
"Great," Nathan said; Brooke looked over at him and smiled. Nathan kissed Brooke passionately and Brooke giggled.
Brooke took a sip of her champagne and took Nathan's hand, "I really love this bride stuff!"
"Well congratulations you two," Lucas said with a warm smile; they thanked him again and he looked at Peyton, "You look nice tonight."
Peyton smiled, "Thanks," she said, but Lucas had already walked away.
"Hey," Eric said as he walked over to Peyton.
Peyton smiled, "Hey," she said as the two of them sat down, "Did you enjoy the wedding?"
"Yeah," Eric said, "I think I'm enjoying it a hell of a lot more than you…" He said and then followed Peyton's gaze to Lucas.
Peyton looked Eric in the eye, "Tree Hill's a difficult place to get used to," she offered.
"I can tell," Eric said with a laugh, "I never got to talk to you about that kiss, and I never got to talk to you about what we are."
Peyton put her hand on top of Eric's, "When you kissed me earlier today, I couldn't help but think…This is exactly what I want."
"So are we together?" Eric asked; Peyton kissed him passionately on the lips.
Peyton smiled after the kiss and grabbed his hand, "Let's dance."
Everyone danced for hours, and then they sat down to eat; Lucas stood up and gently hit his fork against his champagne glass. The room got quiet and Lucas cleared his throat, "Now as the best man, I have to make a speech," he began and then looked down at his brother and once girlfriend, "Now, if your from Tree Hill than you know the story of Nathan and I, we used to hate each other, but in the end we found out how to be friends…And brothers," Nathan smiled up at Lucas, "And as for this little girl…Excuse me, this little woman Brooke. She was my first love when I came to Tree Hill," Lucas smiled down at Brooke and she smiled back sadly, "I have watched these two go from hating each other to loving each other, then back to hating each other," he joked as the room laughed, "But through everything they always loved each other again, no matter what. I once heard that happy marriages begin when we marry the one we love, and they blossom when we love the one we married. My Greatest wish for the two of you is that through the years your love for each other will so deepen and grow, that years from now you will look back on this day, your wedding day, as the day you loved each other the least. Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Scott," Lucas said with a chuckle, "May you have many, many happy years together. Cheers."
Everyone clinked glasses and smiled; Brooke got up and hugged Lucas tightly, "That was beautiful," she said and then kissed him on the cheek, "Thank you!"
Nathan got up and hugged Lucas as well, "Thanks," he said.
"No problem little bro," Lucas said and then reached out his hand to Peyton, "May I have this dance?" He asked.
Peyton smiled and nodded, "Of course," she said and the two of them headed out to the dance floor.
"Eric's not a bad guy," Lucas said.
Peyton looked at him in confusion, "So you're saying you like him?"
"If he makes you happy than I like him," Lucas said sincerely.
Peyton smiled, "Well he makes me happy."
"Good," Lucas said as he brought Peyton closer to him, "I was thinking about what you said earlier…About letting us go."
Peyton sighed, "I want us to be friends Luke."
"I know," he began, "And I know that you don't love me anymore, so I'm just going to let it go."
Peyton looked at him with sadness, "For some reason I don't know which one I'm in love with you or the memories…"
"I'm going to go," he said with a simple smile as he let go of Peyton. Lucas nodded at Eric and then walked away.
Eric took Lucas's place and looked at Peyton, "Are you okay?"
"Yeah," Peyton said as she took her eyes off Lucas, "I'm fine…"
xxx
Nathan carried Brooke into their wedding suite; Brooke kissed him passionately as they fell onto the bed. Brook began to take off her dress as Nathan took off his jacket.
Not a word was said as the two of them undressed; the covers were already pulled down; they kissed hungrily as if this was each of their first times. Nathan pulled Brooke into him as she kissed at his neck. Nathan's tongue traced the top of Brooke's lip as she nibbled on his bottom lip.
The sex was amazing, they both agreed. Brooke moaned in pleasure as Nathan whispered her name, "I love you," Nathan breathed into Brooke's ear.
The hairs on Brooke's neck stood up as the shivers ran through her body, "I love you too," she said and then grabbed Nathan's face gently; he looked down at her as the two caught their breath, "You don't even have to say a word. Silence is good enough for me just as long as you're here," she said sincerely.
"I remember the first time that I really looked you in your eyes I was thinking to myself there will never be anybody else," Nathan replied as Brooke's eyes watered, "Baby, you amaze me."
Brooke smiled as Nathan went into her again; they both screamed out in pleasure, neither caring how loud they were.
xxx
Lucas walked to Peyton's house and walked up to her room. The thought of her and another guy made him furious, but Lucas knew that he had to accept it.
Lucas knocked on her bedroom door; Peyton opened the door and poked her head out, "Luke," she said in surprise, "Hey, what are you doing?"
"I came to talk to you a little bit," he said, "Is that okay?"
Peyton bit her bottom lip, "Right now isn't really a good time," she said apologetically.
"Who's there?" Eric asked as he got up and opened the door wider; Peyton looked down at the ground and Eric's smile dropped, "Luke…Hey…"
Lucas looked at Eric who was wrapped in Peyton's sheet from the waist down, and then he looked at Peyton who also had a blanket covering her, "I'm sorry," he said and then turned around, "I had no idea…I didn't know…Oh god, fuck, I'm sorry," he said and then walked away.
Peyton looked at Eric and then stumbled as she put her clothes on; she ran outside and stopped Lucas, "Luke," she said, "Look, I'm really sorry you had to see that…"
"It's cool Peyt," he said and then looked down at the ground, "I think it would be better if I just left…"
Peyton sighed, "What did you want to talk about?"
Lucas looked up at the stars and then looked back down at Peyton; he had to let it go, she was right all along. She had moved on and he was acting like the jealous ex. He made a mistake and let her go, and now he was paying for it. Luke dug his hands in his pockets, "It was nothing important," he said as he squinted his eyes and walked towards his car.
"Are you sure?" Peyton asked as he opened the door.
Lucas looked up at her and smiled, "I'm sure," he said and then got into the car.
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