CHAPTER 15: Breaking the News

Brooke had returned to Nathan and Haley concerned and slightly guilty. "Oh I hope I didn't hurt him…I hit him really hard," she murmured quietly. Haley giggled, and Nathan patted her hand comfortingly.

"He's tough…you of all people know that, look at all he's been through. And he loves you, so I'm sure it didn't phase him," he assured. Haley agreed, and Brooke felt just a little better.

As soon as she got home that afternoon, by way of Andy, Brooke ran to her room, only to find it empty. Slightly discouraged, she looked around the entire bottom floor. Concern filled her. Where was he? Karen and Andy had gone out, so she couldn't get their help with looking for him…

"Everything okay, Cheery?" Lucas questioned behind her in a low voice. She jumped in surprise, and turned around to find him standing in the doorway. She ran up to him and threw her arms around his neck. "I'm glad you're home too," he laughed.

"I'm so sorry that I hit you so hard, Broody," she whispered, being careful not to squeeze too hard. He guided her to her bedroom, and shut her door.

"Brooke, it's okay. You can only seriously hurt me in one way, and that's if you ever left me…I don't know if I could handle being without you again."

Lucas' piercing blue eyes gazed lovingly into hers, and she got the familiar feeling that he was looking right into her soul. Whenever they had these moments, she felt like no one understood her, the way Lucas did, which was pretty much true anyway. He always knew when something was wrong, and he always had the right thing to say.

Brooke smiled, and Lucas found himself falling in love with those adorable dimples all over again. She seemed so perfect to him, and he was so happy that she had given him another chance to prove that there was no one else in the world for him.

"You don't have to worry about any of that…I'm not leaving you, and I won't let you leave me either. I love you, Lucas Scott." After she finished speaking, Brooke leaned forward and kissed him gently. "You know, I'm not going to be able to keep up the pretense of hating you for long. It was hard enough today. And never scare me like that again, ok! When I saw you stand up and close your eyes, my heart skipped a beat."

Lucas gave her a sympathetic, loving look. "I'm sorry, baby. Hey, why don't we go get some coffee? We never got there last time."

Brooke shook her head vigorously. "Uh uh, not after last time…I won't be able to enjoy myself thinking about what happened," she insisted sadly.

Lucas gave her a quick kiss to let her know that he was still there, and that he was okay. "We can walk…it's a little chilly but that's nothing a scarf and gloves can't handle. C'mon," he urged, offering his hand to her as he stood. She took it with a sigh, and they let their hands fit together easily. It wasn't even something either of them thought about…it was just something that happened for them.

They walked to the Café in comfortable silence, and Lucas opened the door for her. Karen looked up as they walked in, and grinned. Already knowing what they both wanted, she turned and prepared their orders. Lucas and Brooke made their way to the back room to sit and talk privately.

"So…when are you going to tell Haley?" Brooke questioned quietly and slowly, knowing he'd probably get upset for her asking. Her warm chocolate eyes met his blue ones, and held for a long moment. Neither of them realized that Karen had put their coffees in front of them.

"Soon…but I'm…I'm scared, you know? How is she going to react? Seeing the way you took it was hard enough…I don't know what I'm going to do." Lucas put his head in his hands, and sighed.

Brooke rubbed his back comfortingly, and leaned forward to kiss his temple. "No matter what happens, I love you and I am here beside you. I will always be right beside you. And she will probably be pissed at first…that's a given…but she loves you, Lucas, as much as I do. She'd be crazy to shut you out completely."

"Who'd be crazy?" a deep voice questioned cheerily. Lucas looked up, and saw Nathan and Haley standing in the doorway, coffees in hand. "Everything okay, bro?"

Brooke took Lucas' hand and squeezed it gently, encouraging him to tell them now. Lucas slid his fingers in between hers, and squeezed it back. "Uh…no…I um…I think you might want to sit down."

Haley glanced from Brooke, to Nathan, to Lucas, confused. Nathan quickly realized what was going on, and guided Haley towards the couch. "What's going on, Lucas?" she asked nervously.

Luke took a deep breath, and his gaze shifted to the floor. "Do you remember when I told you that I didn't have the HCM?" he began, his voice barely audible. He was bracing himself for Haley's anger. Glancing up at his best friend, he saw the shock in her face. Nathan was watching her as well, sympathy in his eyes. "W-well, I uh…I wasn't being honest. I…I do have HCM."

Haley was silent for a moment, and Nathan pulled her close. She pushed him away, and stood. "You lied to us! How could you lie to us! It's not even like it was something small…you lied about a heart condition!" She started to breathe heavily. "I need some air…"

Nathan jumped up beside her. "I'll take you-"

"Why aren't you freaking out about this? Did you know? How could you not tell me! Why the hell am I the only one who didn't know!" Haley yelled, tears of fury filling her eyes. Nathan tried to pull her close, but she shoved him away. "Stay away from me. All of you stay away from me! I don't want to talk to you anymore!"

With that, Haley ran out of the café, leaving Brooke and Nathan in shock, and Lucas in heartbreak. His best friend didn't want to speak to him. What was he going to do? Haley had always been there when he needed her…except for now. He needed to know she'd support him, that she'd be there if something happened. "I…I need to walk," he muttered, his breaths getting short and his chest tight.

"Lucas, are you okay?" Brooke questioned, concerned at the pain in his eyes. She grabbed his arm before he could leave, and he turned to her slowly. "Hey, it's going to be okay, she'll come around. Just give her some time."

Lucas nodded, leaned forward to kiss her lightly, turned and hit fists with Nathan, and then walked out alone. He knew where he was headed…the place he hadn't been since the night of the accident. When he got there, his breaths had returned to normal and his chest had loosened. He made a mental note to ask his mom to order a refill for his meds...they were running low.

He found the basketball, and picked it up in something that resembled reverence. When he played, everything else seemed to fall away. It was his escape, and the thought of never playing again killed him.

He had to stop when his chest started to get tight again. Frustration filled him, and he let himself fall to his knees. He didn't know what else to do…except cry. No one was looking, so why hold back?

He stayed that way for a long time…he wasn't sure exactly how long, but he heard heavy footfalls coming towards him, a deep voice calling his name, and a gentle hand on his shoulder. Lucas looked up, and saw Nathan looking back at him, concerned. Brooke was a little ways behind him, jogging up to them.

"Lucas, what are you doing here?" Nathan questioned softly, sitting down so he was on Lucas' level. Brooke came over and did the same, but took Luke's hand. They both looked concerned and angry at the same time. He'd done a stupid thing, and all of them knew it.

"I don't know…I can't help it…I hate not being able to play. I guess…I just come back here in hopes that I'll find out it was all a dream, and that I'm awake now and can play again."

Brooke leaned her head on his shoulder comfortingly, and Nathan squeezed his shoulder. The three of them stayed that way, comforting each other, and watched the colors change on the river as the sun began to set.