Chapter Ten:

Megan POV

"Hey", Ryder answers straightaway as he progresses towards me. He's even more handsome then I remembered. What is it about this boy that won't let me stop looking at him? When the lights from the river court flash across his face I can't help but roll my eyes at his stupid smirk. Plus it was the only thing I could do to help break the eye contact we've held since he stepped out of the car.

"Did you know that most of Tree Hill knows you"? He yells while eyeing my body suspiciously. I gaze into his eyes shrugging. Anybody who's anybody in Tree Hill knows who I am.

"I went to this little café with my parents for lunch and when I sit down there's a picture of you on the wall".

I laugh loudly at the comment which only seems to amuse him.

"So of course when the waitress comes over I ask pointing to the picture, which was adorable I might add, if she knew who you were. She looked at me like a complete idiot and said that she was your Nanny Deb".

Of course, the picture of me at the Cafe is pretty big and noticeable. It's my class picture from this school year, not one of my favorites, but Dad always hangs them up.

"That's my families Café".

He nods while chuckling. "I figured that out on my own". His stare is locked on mine again. I feel a chill run down my spine at its intensity but relish it. I've never had someone look at me like this before.

"Did you figure anything else out", I query blushing at our eye contact.

"Your still a mystery to me Megan", he stutters while stepping closer to me. "But I want to know more".

I shyly nod my head along with what he's saying. "So do I".

He shows me a dimpled smile which literally takes my breath away. We're still caught up in each other until he laughs a little to himself and scratches the back of his neck. "Do you want to go get some ice-cream or something"? The brown eyes that are pouring into mine seem to be pleading to say yes. How could I not?

"I know a place with the best milkshakes", I wink and get rewarded another dimpled smile. He extends his hand out towards the car signaling he would drive making us walk towards in silence. Is this really happening?

Ryder walks to the passenger door where he opens it for me to climb in. I mutter a thank you and buckle my seat belt. He runs over to his side and starts the car. It then hits me; I seriously know nothing about this boy except for his name.

"How do I know you're not trying to kidnap me", I question even though I'm half joking half serious. I see him roll his eyes without looking at me as he starts backing away from the river court.

"I can see why you would think that since you didn't even get to talk to me last night", he shrugs but doesn't take his eyes off the road.

My cheeks instantly turn red. I'm thankful that it's dark so he can't see me blushing. Having Uncle Nathan pick me up was embarrassing enough but now I have to explain why. I don't want Ryder to know everything about me yet.

"Sorry about that I had some family issues going on", I reply trying to act normal.

"So you have a crazy messed up family too", Ryder asks and turns to look at me when we reach a red light.

"You have no idea", I add thinking just how messed up my family is.

"Good to know there's someone else who gets it", he winks turning his attention back to the road. My heart sank then. God he's so hot.

He's leading us into the center of town which is exactly where I wanted to be. "Pull up in front of Karen's Café", I mumble and he turns his blinker on to park. Peering out my window I see the closed sign is up with all of the lights turned off. Perfect.

"It's closed", Ryder coos but I shake my head. I reach into my sweat pant pockets and hold up my keys. I never leave home without them.

"It's not when you're the owners daughter", I sass as I unbuckle my seat belt and run to the front door. My heart leaps a bit when I turn around to see him following me.

Unlocking the door I open it wide for Ryder to walk in first. Switching on the lights from inside I look up to see him scratching his neck again. I'm assuming he does that when he's nervous.

"Are you sure we should be in here", Ryder bursts.

"Probably not but if the cops come we can go out the back", I shrug. His jaw falls then and looks utterly shocked. "Take a joke Ryder I was kidding", I laugh which earns a small shy smile from him.

"So how about that milkshake"?

Lucas POV

Brooke and I are seated on the couch now. The TV is turned off along with both of our cell phones. This conversation we both decided called for no interruptions.

"I really don't know where to start", Brooke first says after a couple minutes of awkward silence. There's so much to talk about. But the easiest thing for me to do is talk about Megan. My feelings for Brooke can't be discussed there.

"We can start with Megan, you probably have some things to ask", I add which in reply she nods along.

She tries to speak but she shuts her mouth. All I want to do is reach over and grasp her hand letting her know I'm right here with her. That everything is going to be okay with our baby. But I know I can't. It breaks my heart a little bit more.

"How is she doing with everything"?

"We raised a strong teenager. She'd like to tell you that she's doing fine and not to worry about her too much. But she also knows how to store away her true feelings, reminds me of someone I used to know".

Brooke nods her head but doesn't add anything on my comment about her.

"Is she allowed to play basketball still"?

"No but she still does it anyway", I laugh knowing Megan won't ever stop playing.

"Huh reminds me of someone I used to know", Brooke smirks and slaps my arm that's lying against the back of the couch. She is right though. Megan gets her stubbornness from the both of us.

"She's turning out to be a beautiful girl isn't she", I suddenly blurt out. I'm looking at a picture that's framed on the coffee table in front of us. It's one of Meg and my Ma from this thanksgiving and they both have the brightest smiles. I had to frame it because it's one of my recent favorites.

Brooke reaches over and holds my right hand giving it a small squeeze. "Thanks to you she is. You have done such a great job with her Luke. She completely adores you. You're her hero".

I smile sadly at her and shake my head, "there was a time where that used to be you. Don't you miss it"?

She takes her hand away from mine and frowns, "Everyday".

"Then why can't you be that again"?

Brooke POV

With that I'm left utterly confused. Could that be again? Could I have my family back?

"I don't think it's that easy Lucas", I mutter looking away from his intense stare. Why does he always have to look at me like that?

"Well what I think is that Megan is going to need her mother. And if I'm being honest, I don't think I can do this on my own anymore".

With that confession I immediately turn to look at him. He almost looks like he has tears in his eyes. Lucas vulnerable is not one of my favorite things to see. It breaks my heart completely.

"She needs you Brooke. And I know she will kill me for this but she wants you to come back to Tree Hill for good".

Megan wants me back? That's what I needed to hear. But what about Lucas, what does he want?

"What about you? Do you want me back"?

Lucas smiles a little and reaches over to hold my hand. "You know I'm always going to put Megan above everything else. So how I feel is going to be put aside. I'm trying to learn to forgive you, for Megan".

I nod my head and try to hide the tears that are starting to form in my eyes.

"So what do you say are you coming home or are you staying in New York"?

Home is where the heart is. And my heart is Megan, Haley, Jamie, Nathan, the town of Tree Hill, and even Lucas. This is where I lived my entire life. This is where all my dreams started from. New York has my new life. It holds my fiancé, who truly loves me, Rachel, my parents, and my company. I'd never thought five years later I would have to choose again one or the other. But when it isn't how it should be, you do anything to get it right.

"I'm coming home".

Megan POV

"So Ryder Lynn, if that's your real name, what's your story"? We're sitting at the counter with two chocolate milkshakes in front of us.

He blushes slightly at my comment but smiles. "What do you want know"?

"When did you move here"?

"A week ago. Parents wanted to transfer from city life to small town living".

"Where did you use to live"?

"New York City".

"So you lived that Empire State of Mind", I giggle as he laughs along.

"You could say so".

"My Mom actually lives there now. Upper East Side", I quietly add which makes his eyes go wide.

"That's funny I lived in that area too. What's her name"?

"Brooke Davis", I whisper and look away before I could see his reaction.

"She's a famous fashion designer right", Ryder asks and I nod. "She's pretty hot".

I slap his arm that's next to me. "You can't say that about my Mom".

"I was just kidding", Ryder chuckles as he leans in to knock his elbow into my side.

Rolling my eyes I try not to laugh along with him.

"Alright enough of that, what are your interests", I say to focus on getting to know him more.

"Basketball and music how about you"?

Did those two words really just come out of his mouth? "Same", which earns me another smile.

"Really what's your favorite team in the NBA"?

"Charlotte Bobcats, my Uncle used to play for them".

"Shut up who was your Uncle"?

If I hadn't had a huge smile on my face before, I did now. Other than Jamie, I am so proud to tell people who my Uncle is. "Nathan Scott".

Ryder's jaw drops practically falls to the floor after that. "You're kidding me right"?

I instantly crack up then. "No I'm not. My last name is Scott. He's my Dad's half-brother".

"Wait does that mean your Dad is Lucas Scott, the author of "An Unkindness of Ravens" series"?

Nodding my head yes again I can see that this is a really big deal to him. "I'm guessing you're a fan"?

He starts laughing then. "You can say that again. Nathan Scott was one of my favorite players growing up. I play point guard because of him. And those books are my favorite series. I can't believe you're his daughter".

Shrugging I reach over to grab my milkshake glass. "It's a pretty normal life even with a famous family".

"I'd guess so. How come you don't live in New York with your Mom"?

"I thought I was the one asking the questions here", I smirk raising and eyebrow.

"I thought we both were trying to get to know each other", Ryder answers with a similar look on his face.

Sighing I nod my head. "I didn't have a choice when my Mom left my Dad and I five years ago".

"Oh I'm sorry", Ryder mumbles reaching over to touch my hand. I look up when I feel the contact of his hand on mine. It's warm and a fuzzy feeling and I don't think I ever want it to leave.

"It's okay. People always leave someway right"? I don't really ask but say. It's what I've always thought. Everyone leaves my life at some point, no one ever stays.

"I don't know if I believe that. Sure, people always leave, but maybe that's because it's not the right person".

Instantly I turn my body towards him and smile. "I didn't know I was talking to such a deep thinker".

"Neither did I", Ryder whispers sending me a wink. "But you're probably going to think I'm so uncool, I have to go. I told my parents I would be home before twelve and it's almost that now".

The sound of my laughter fills the entire café. "Okay Ryder Lynn I'll let you go home".

He smiles that boyish grin while trying not to let me see his blush. "We should do this again".

"Here give me you're cell I'll add my number".

I've never seen someone reach into their pocket so fast in my entire life. He hands me the phone and I quickly add my contact information into it.

"How do I know you didn't just give me a fake number" Ryder questions. He holds his phone up so I can see it shows he's calling my number.

"Because my phone is vibrating in my pocket right now", I smirk reaching down to show him it.

He turns crimson red then. "I just didn't know if you were playing a game or not".

"I'm through with playing any games Ryder", I answer honestly which makes Ryder smile.

"Good to know because I'm not either. This has been probably the best night since I've moved here".

"Well you picked a good person to spend it with".

"I'm glad I can spend it with anyone. It sucks moving to a new town with no friends", he adds.

"Well I'd like to think that we're starting off to a beautiful friendship", I mumble flushed.

"Just friends", Ryder questions and leans across so that his face is inches away from mine.

"For now", I whisper breathlessly. Before I can say or do anything Ryder leans his lips into mine and kisses me. It's short and sweet but doesn't last as long as I want it too. I open my eyes and see he is smiling.

"Welcome to Tree Hill Ryder Lynn".

SOOOO I suck. I have been way to busy with my life. To depressed to write and other things. But I AM BACK! and have more inspiration then ever.

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