Chapter Sixteen:
Megan POV
"Let's go Ravens, G-O"! The stands cheer along with us as the second half of the game wines down. Of course, we're winning. I don't even mean to sound cocky but we are the number one ranked team in the entire state. How couldn't we be when Ryder hasn't missed a shot all night, and don't even get me started on my cousin; they're both on fire.
I literally can't get enough of seeing Ryder in a basketball uniform either. Especially since his jersey is my favorite number, 14. Swears he's been wearing the same jersey number since he was a kid, another thing on the list of what we have in common. Could it get any better?
My mind gets distracted again with all thoughts of Ryder when he catches a pass from Jamie near the sidelines and steps back to make a three pointer. Again, nothing but net. This time he looks and winks pointing at me. Yeah, it just got better.
"What's the deal with you and the new kid", Amanda pokes me in the arm since she's standing right next to me.
"His name is Ryder", I let out earning an eye roll from my best friend. "And we are friends, as of now".
"Just friends", she smirks looking back out to the game. That look makes me know she "knows" something. Probably because of her boyfriend, I'm going to kick my cousin's butt.
"What did Jamie tell you", I whisper and make sure I cheer again when Russell, one of our players, scores.
"Oh he didn't tell me anything. It's what the whole school is talking about".
"And what is the word on the street", I question looking at Amanda this time.
She smiles an innocent smile that lets me know that it's nothing bad. "That someone finally might be taking you off the market. I mean two years in high school and you've turned probably every popular boy down. And now the new kid strolls into town within a day he's already yours".
Well, that is kind of what really happened.
Ryder steals the ball from one of the other players and runs down the court to make a slam dunk. I scream louder for him and smile even brighter when he comes up to me.
"See you after the game", he yells as he runs backwards.
I can't help but nod my head repeatedly.
My attention is taken to the sidelines where "Coach" is looking at me with an unknown expression. He has been acting so weird ever since Ryder and I became friends. And then there's Mom who hasn't stopped asking questions about him or how she can't stop talking to Aunt Haley about how she thinks I'm going to have my first boyfriend. My mother is more thrilled than I am. She's so excited she asked me to invite him to come to the café after the game. I did of course and she is too happy. She's been back not even a week and she's already thrown herself into full Mother mode.
Not that I'm complaining or anything, I didn't realize how much I missed her. Walking out of my bedroom in the morning and seeing her at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee is a blessing. She's there, she's home with us, and it's so much better. It makes me almost fully happy. But I won't be completely satisfied until my parents are back together. A plan I have decided I'm going to engage in Hawaii.
They're the ones who threw down my throat during my entire childhood that, people who are meant to be together always find their way in the end. So it's their time, they just need to stop being blind. I might just know the perfect way to do it too; especially since we will be seeing Grandma Karen.
The final buzzer of the game goes off and I can't help but be relieved. I love Ravens games don't get me wrong, but there's nothing like going to the café after a win with my family. And now I can let Ryder into the tradition. No other feeling in the world like being in the room with the people that matter the most.
We do a Victory cheer as the boys shake hands with the other players. Ryder's gaze finds mine as we run towards each other. He instantly picks me up off the ground twirling me around. I laugh insanely and request to be put back on my feet.
"You were amazing out there", I beam up at him since he still hasn't stop grinning.
"Well I try", Ryder laughs letting a smirk fall onto his lips.
"If you keep playing like that you might have a chance with one of the cheerleaders", I shrug fluttering my eyelashes.
"Oh really did one of them say something", he cackles reaching his hand down to lace with mine.
"Yeah they said this", I pronounce and stand up on my tippy toes to kiss him. I can tell he wasn't expecting it but he immediately kisses me back.
I stand on my tip toes trying to kiss him a lot longer but I hear a loud cough breaking the moment. I open my eyes and take my lips off of his to see Mom smiling at us.
"Hello you must be Ryder", Mom utters as she reaches her hand out for him to shake.
"Yes and you must be Ms. Davis", He swiftly replies shaking hands.
"Please call me Brooke. I'm so happy your coming to the café with us tonight. Meg told you it was a family tradition right?"
"Yeah Jamie told me I need to impress quite a few people", Ryder laughs as he puts his arm over my waist.
"I also told him to tell you how beautiful you looked tonight Aunt Brooke", Jamie announces as he comes up behind me pushing Ryder away. He picks me up twirling me around and I can't help but laugh. Jamie is beginning to get jealous that I am spending so much time with Ryder. He won't admit it since he's dating Amanda and all, but I know my cousin. He hates it.
"Congrats MVP, you did great tonight", I smirk at him which in return makes him wink at me.
"We have a great coach", Jamie adds when he nods his head behind me. And Dad just totally sees Ryder and I holding each other pretty much.
Turning around I see Dad with a distant look in his eyes, but he doesn't seem mad. He seems nostalgic in a way.
"Hey Dad good win", I smile going to hug him. He squeezes me back and I chuckle when he gives me a wet kiss to my forehead. This man right here means more than anything.
"Thanks kid. Your friend Ryder played a good game as well". I try to hide my shocked expression since he actually said something nice about him.
"Thank you Coach", Ryder almost blushes sending him a nod. Okay I definitely like this. All Dad has to do is act like a not controlling father for the night; which technically he is, and let me be able to date Ryder when we come back from Hawaii. If we ever go, I feel like it's been dragging along for so long. (haha)
"You guys ready to go eat, I'm starving", Mom interrupts my thoughts as she walks to stand next to me putting her arm over my shoulder. This is another thing I'm getting used too. It's like nothing ever happened these last five years. She's so affectionate lately and it's like she's glowing lately. She's Mom again. I also can't help but notice when she's not looking at me, her eyes are on Dad. And it's been even more constant.
"Yeah Jamie's taking Ryder and I there. See you in a few", I answer as I grab Jamie and Ryder by the arms walking out of the gym.
Brooke POV
"Does she always look that happy", I ask and it actually comes out like word vomit. Megan's sitting in the back booth with Ryder, Jamie, and Amanda. You can tell she's telling one of her many stories since her eyes have that special glint in them. The three of them are eating up every word because you can hear their laughter from the other side of the café.
"You should see her when she's talking about you", Lucas answers as he bumps his elbow into my side lightly.
"Now you're just trying to butter me up", I laugh rolling my eyes. I know I haven't been the greatest mother, she's told me herself.
"I think you question the amount of love Megan feels towards you. It can outshine the amount of hurt she's been through any day. And you can count on that. She actually learned that quality in life from someone I think I still know very well".
The comment makes me smile brightly; knowing that being the strong person in life hasn't always been so easy.
"Thank you for that. You always know what to say to me", I smile wishing that we always talked to each other like this. "I know you may not believe me, but I have really missed this".
"Missed what", he questions as his eyes start to boar into mine.
"Talking to you", I smile trying to fight back tears. "I never wanted to lose you".
He frowns nodding his head, both knowing the path we choose five years ago wasn't what we wanted. It was just an act of love. That's what I convinced myself it was at the time. Now, I'm not so sure.
"I missed you too", he softly replies after a few moments of us looking at each other. It's like were just taking in each other, because we're finally at this place where anything can happen.
"I just hope we can actually work on being friends again", I add glancing away from his blue eyes to see the kids laughing still.
"You and I both know that we can never just be friends", he mumbles under his breath and I try my hardest not to comment on it.
"Hey Uncle Luke I'm going to take Ryder and Amanda home. I'll see you Sunday in Hawaii", Jamie interrupts as he walks over to us.
"Alright you guys be safe and I'll see you tomorrow. Hope you guys have a Merry Christmas", Lucas replies doing a manly hand shake with Jamie and Ryder.
"I'm so glad you're home Momma Brooke", Amanda cheers as she hugs me goodbye. It's a little weird how much Amanda reminds me of a younger Peyton. She's always been there for Meg and they are always up to something. And now that she's dating Jamie I hope one day she becomes a permanent part of our family.
"Me too, I'm glad to know that Megan and you will always be best friends", I reply squeezing her back.
"The day that Meg and I stop being friends is the day hell freezes over. She's stuck with me", Amanda smiles at I can tell in her eyes she's being genuinely honest.
"I've put too much time into this relationship to just cut it off", Megan adds as she puts her arm over Amanda's shoulders.
"12 years and counting, don't know what I'd do without her", Amanda laughs nudging Meg's side.
"Likewise sister", Megan beams and the two best friends hug each other.
"I'll call you tonight when I find that bikini you wanted to borrow", Amanda says while walking out of the café with Jamie.
"It was great to meet you again Ms. Davis. Thank you for letting me tag along tonight", Ryder says as he extends his hand for me to shake.
"I told you to call me Brooke, and you're very welcome. We'll see you next week hopefully ", I reply shaking his hand.
"Yes you will. Have a safe trip to Hawaii. And have a Merry Christmas", he smiles walking to Lucas to shake his hand.
"Keep up the hard work over this break too. I'll see you back at practice next Monday morning", Lucas says putting his coaching voice on. It's like he is trying not to accept the fact that Ryder isn't just one of his players, he's Megan's (hopefully soon) boyfriend.
"I will Coach. Have a Merry Christmas as well", Ryder answers and starts to walk to the door.
"I'm just going to walk him out", Megan whispers backing up to walk outside with him. I try not to look to see Megan and Ryder embrace each other. Or when he puts his hand on her face putting a strand of hair behind her ear, they look at each other very similar to the way Lucas and I used too.
I look at Lucas who is staring at them much like I am. I wonder if he is thinking the same thoughts I am.
"Do you ever want to go back", I let out turning to him.
He raises his eyebrow up with a puzzled face.
"I remember being sixteen and everything just seemed much easier", I sigh letting my shoulders sag down. "Would you do it differently"?
"I'd try to appreciate the things I took for granted", he answers turning to stare only into my eyes again.
More than anything all I wanted to do was close the gap between us and fall into his arms. But I'm not that sixteen year old girl who would have wanted more than anything for Lucas to save me. I can save myself.
Because we aren't supposed to still love each other anymore, right?
Lucas POV
The Next Day..
"Meg wake up", I nudge her since she's sound asleep with her head on my shoulder. She sat in the middle of Brooke and I on the plane but after a couple hours she wanted to sleep deciding to cuddle up onto me. I didn't mind it of course but the plane just landed.
"Are we finally there", she grumbles sitting up half smiling.
"We just landed", I laugh leaning over to kiss her forehead.
"I can't wait to get off of this plane and see Karen", Brooke practically cheers as she stretches her arms.
"I just want to be reunited with Lily", Megan smirks which makes me roll my eyes. It's so funny to me how close they are. They see each other at least once a year but talk almost every day. And they are complete opposites, literally.
We pick up our carry on and start walking through the airport. Thankfully are luggage is already there for us to get when we reach the luggage claim. As I grab my suitcase I see in the corner of my eye Meg and Brooke are staring outside.
"Look how beautiful it is here", Brooke points showing all of the tropical life. It's breathtaking and it actually makes me completely relax. This is just what I needed.
"Come on lets go find Grandma", Megan cheers grabbing her bag and practically skipping towards the exit. But she doesn't have to wait long. As we walk out the door there is a sign my Mom is holding that reads, SCOTT FAMILY. Lily is standing next to her and it looks like she's grown a foot since we've seen her last.
"Megan", I hear Lily yell and the two run towards each other hugging. My eyes go straight to Mom as she races towards me throwing her arms around me.
"My Boy", she whispers in my ear kissing the side of my face.
"Hey Ma", I laugh squeezing her back. Gosh I have missed her.
"I'm so glad you guys could come, the phone calls every day just don't do it justice", she replies holding my face between her hands. She turns around to Brooke and I can hear her voice start to break.
"Brooke Penelope Davis-Scott you better get your butt over here and give your Mom a hug", she answers making Brooke dart right towards her. It makes my heart drop in a good way.
"It's so good to see you Mom", Brooke answers but she sounds muffled. I think she's trying to stay strong.
"I'm even gladder you decided to come along. We're going to have so much fun", Mom states releasing her. It's then that I notice her eyes search for Megan and I can't help but have my smile break from my lips.
"Hi Grandma", Megan cheers as she throws her arms around her.
"There's my grandbaby. You are turning out to be so beautiful", Mom gushes and I can tell she's crying now. "I've missed you so much".
"I've missed you too".
"What's up bro", Lily laughs as she walks over to hug me. I take my eyes away from Mom to smirk at my little sister.
"Not much sis", I answer once we hugged. She's so tall, a little shorter than me at best. She has long brown hair, hazel eyes, and looks almost exactly like Mom. Lily has this glint in her eyes like Keith did and I hope one day she can be just as good as a person that he was. I know she can.
Megan, Brooke, and my Mom are all chatting away as they walk towards the car they have to pick us up in. Lily looks at me then staring and elbows me in the arm. "Thanks for coming and brining Meg. It has made Mom so happy. And even happier that you decided to bring Brooke, I thought you might of decided to bring that Lindsey girl Meg says you've been seeing".
"She's my editor and friend. Besides why do you care", I laugh throwing my arm around her shoulder.
"I just want you happy. And Meg happy too", Lily replies softly. "And I think making her happy would be if her parents were to reunite".
I roll my eyes and laugh louder. "That subject is way too complicated to talk about. Besides, she's engaged. And I am moving on".
"You keep thinking that", Lily sarcastically replies. "But I know you and I know my sister-in-law, or whatever she is now, and that is that you two are inevitable. I hope one day you two will just quit the bullshit and be together".
"Thank you for your sisterly advice, but I got this. Besides shouldn't you have teenage problems to worry about other than my love life", I answer rolling my eyes.
"Oh I do. I'm just giving you a lecture before Mom corners you", Lily winks as she skips over jumping on Megan's back.
I can't help but shake my head at this realization that everyone in my life wants me to be with Brooke. God help me this week.
Thank you to those that have review my story and those that have messaged me. The amount of gratitude I feel towards those is very remarkable. This story isn't possible without you guys who have reviewed and told me how much you guys love this story. It is my biggest dream come true. I started this story a little over a year ago because I wanted to write something that mattered to me. And to have it matter to others. You guys make me feel like what I am doing matters. Thank you for that. I love you all and I will be posting more than just a chapter every few months. I will be throwing myself into this story because of you all. Saying thank you will never be enough.
-yours truly
