Disclaimer: I own nothing but my own characters!
Brooke felt like a ship tethered to a harbor in a growing storm. She felt as if she had been beaten from every angle. She was worried about Charity. She looked so completely different from the happy vivacious girl that Brooke had left just two weeks ago. She was mad as hell at Lucas for not realizing that Charity was hurting and needed someone. He was probably too busy with Peyton to notice anyone else. That thought made her feel sick to her stomach.
"Mom, what are you doing here?" Charity finally responded.
"This competition is important to you, I'd never miss it." Brooke responded, hugging Charity tightly.
"Everything is so messed up mom. I really messed up and I don't know how to fix it, or even if I can." Charity sobbed into her mother's shoulder.
"Sweetie, I'm sure everything will work out. I'm here now. We'll talk after the game and figure everything out, okay?" Brooke promised, stroking Charity's hair.
Charity nodded and wiped her eyes. She gave Brooke a weak smile before joining her squad on the floor.
Brooke glanced around for any signs of Lucas. She was spotted Jake Jagelski walking through the doors. She knew his daughter cheered on the squad, but she hadn't expected to see him here.
"Hey Jake! How have you been? You haven't by chance seen Lucas this weekend have you?" Brooke asked, smiling at her old friend. She was surprised to see him stiffen at the mention of Lucas.
"I've seen and heard more about him than I cared to, actually." Jake replied bitterly. Brooke shook her head in confusion.
"Peyton dumped me for him. We were engaged and planning our wedding." He explained angrily. Brooke's fury at Peyton rose to an unprecedented degree. Jake had always been devoted to Peyton, and for her to throw away everything they had, just to steal Brooke's husband put her on a whole new level of skank, in Brooke's book.
"I am so sorry Jake. I know how you must be feeling." Brooke replied ironically. She usually hated when people said that to her, but this time she actually did know how he felt. Jake nodded sadly.
"That's right. I forgot that Lucas told me that he was divorcing you. For Peyton, I assume?" Jake asked.
"Apparently. I've always just been the back up plan." Brooke said, her voice full of pain.
"Brooke?" She heard Lucas ask in surprise. She turned and saw him making his way over to them. Jake squeezed her hand before he hurried off. Apparently he wasn't in the mood for a showdown with Lucas today. The good news was that Brooke certainly was.
"Well, if it isn't my cheating dog of a husband. Where's your bitch?" She turned, squaring off with Lucas.
"Put some ice on it, Brooke. We'll talk about it when we get home. What are you doing here? I thought you wouldn't be back until next weekend." Lucas said, trying to diffuse her anger.
"It might come as a shock to you, but I came to see Charity compete. And it's a damn good thing I did. Have you even seen our daughter Lucas? She needed you and you were too busy shacking up your skanky home-wrecker to notice!" Brooke yelled angrily.
"What's wrong with Charity?" Lucas asked worriedly, glancing over to where the squad was standing. Charity was sitting on the floor, leaning her head onto Lauren's shoulder. Lauren was whispering to her and stroking her hair, much as Brooke had done earlier.
"I don't know. I just got her. You, however; have no excuse. You've been here with her all weekend." Brooke replied through clenched teeth.
"Brooke, I'm sorry okay. I've just been so preoccupied, with everything going on." Lucas explained, running his hands through his hair.
"Peyton." Brooke stated, rolling her eyes and glancing around the room. She couldn't look at him just then.
"No Brooke. Everything is not always about Peyton!" Lucas yelled. He softly cupped her face in his hands, forcing her to look at him.
"I'm sorry Brooke. I messed up with Charity this weekend. There is no excuse for that. I'll fix it, okay?" He said softly. Brooke nodded.
She hurried past him, into the hallway. She sank down against the wall. The two weeks she spent in Paris had been good for her. She had gained some clarity, being separated from the situation. She realized that Lucas was right. She had been fighting for a relationship that hadn't existed in years. She didn't know if she was willing to give up that fight though. And she sure as hell wasn't ready to hand Lucas to Peyton on a silver platter.