Disclaimer: I own nothing but my own characters!
The week slowly crept by for Lucas. He had taken the coward's way out and told Charity her mother had been called back to Paris for the remainder of her trip. He did it partly because he wanted Brooke here when he broke the news, and partly because he still wasn't sure. He had been sure. Then he told Brooke. The pain he caused her had hurt him deeply. He realized just how much he loved her. His question now was could love be enough? He needed someone he could depend on, lean on for support, and she was none of that.
He was done thinking. He had spent three days holed up at home, thinking. It was Friday night and he wanted to get out and do something. Charity had already informed him that she wouldn't be home tonight. She had practice after school, then a game, then she was going out. That was fine with Lucas.
He quickly grabbed some nice jeans and a button up shirt and hopped in the shower. He spiked his hair and dabbed on some cologne. He jumped in the car and headed into town. Deciding that a few drinks sounded good, he pulled into Nicky's Tavern. He smiled as he walked in, remembering his first date with Brooke.
Glancing around he saw Peyton and Jake sitting at a table. He was about to walk back out and find a different bar when Jake waved him over.
"Hey man, it's been awhile." Jake said, clapping him on the back and motioning for him to have a seat. Lucas glanced at Peyton and saw that she was giving all of her attention to stirring her drink.
"Yeah, too long." Lucas agreed. This was going to be a long night. After a few minutes of awkward silence, Lucas was about to make up an excuse to get out of there.
"So, how's Brooke?" Jake asked.
"I'm going to go and get another drink." Peyton said suddenly. Lucas waited till she left the table before responding.
"Uh, she's good, well as good as you can be when you're getting divorced." Lucas said with a sigh.
"I'm sorry to hear that. I always thought you two were good together." Jake said, frowning. Lucas just nodded. It was hard to talk about it. Just then Jake's cell phone rang and he gave Lucas an apologetic smile.
"Hello?" Jake answered.
Lucas tried to tune out the conversation as he glanced around the crowded room.
"Do you see Peyton anywhere?" Jake asked, hanging up the phone and scanning the area around the bar.
"Nah, I haven't seen her." Luke replied.
"Damn. That was Jenny on the phone. Her car broke down on her way to the high school and the game starts in about twenty minutes. I've got to go and pick her up and take her." Jake explained.
"Go ahead, I can get Peyton home." Lucas offered. He had actually been hoping for a chance to talk to her again.
"Are you sure man?" Jake asked hurriedly. When Luke nodded, Jake grabbed his jacket and took off. Lucas just hoped that Peyton wouldn't be too upset with the situation.
Finally Lucas saw Peyton making her way back to the table.
"Where's Jake?" Peyton asked, glancing around.
"He left. Jenny was having car trouble. I said I would give you a ride home." He told her.
"Are you sure Brooke won't mind?" Peyton asked in amusement.
"Well I hadn't planned to call Paris to as her." Luke replied with a smile.
"Paris huh? She went back?" Peyton asked.
"Yep. She needed space to process some stuff." Luke said vaguely.
"Lauren?" Peyton guessed.
"No, actually. I told her I wanted a divorce." He said with a sad smile.
"Wow. I'm so sorry if this had anything to do with me telling you about Lauren." Peyton said as her eyes widened.
"It didn't. Well, not completely. We've been rocky for years." He admitted.
"Do you want to get out of here?" Peyton suddenly asked. Lucas nodded and they grabbed their things and headed out the door. Peyton gave him directions to her house, but otherwise the drive was quiet. When they pulled up Peyton invited him in. He knew he shouldn't but he accepted anyway.
"Have a seat. Do you want something to drink?" She asked, throwing her jacket over the back of a chair.
"Water would be great, thanks." He replied. He walked around the room, looking at all the pictures of her and Lauren. He stopped and picked up one of Lauren when she looked to be only a few months old. Peyton walked up beside him and touched the picture.
"This was taken right before you came home the first summer. I had this taken to give to you when I told you. But then Karen told me that you were married and that Brooke was pregnant and I couldn't go through with it. She said that she had never seen you so happy." Peyton said softly.
"Do you ever wish you could do things over?" He asked. Peyton nodded sadly.
"Me too, because as happy as I was with Brooke, I would give anything for a second chance with you." He told her as he cupped her face in his hands. He leaned down and kissed her softly. The kiss grew deeper, quickly. It was filled with 16 years of wishing, dreaming and most of all passion.