Chapter 16

Brooke decides to walk to Haley and Nathan's house, and get there an hour early. Knowing Haley, Brooke figures she can probably use a hand. Jamie answers her knock. She hasn't seen her godson since she left Tree Hill, more than a year before. Of course, the little boy is bigger and even more handsome. The smile and the voice are the same. "Aunt Brooke!" He grabs her waist in a tight hug.

She kneels down and hugs him back. "Hi there, handsome. Missed you. A lot."

"I've missed you too." He breaks the hug and runs. "Mom! Mom! It's Aunt Brooke."

,

Haley speaks from somewhere inside. "I'm in the kitchen."

Brooke walks in to see Haley smiling at her, white apron, a scarf around her head. A wooden spoon in one hand and an arm around Jamie's shoulder. A beautiful house goddess, in Brooke's opinion. The air smells enticing, so Brooke walks right past Haley and sticks her nose in a bubbly stock pot. "Hmm..."

Haley pretends to frown at her. "Hey! Whatcha you doin' Tigger?"

Brooke giggles and takes a step away from the stove. "Just sniffing. Smells good."

"Of course it does!"

The two women stare at each other for a second, laugh and hug one another. After they separate, Haley keeps Brooke's hands in hers. "You're early."

"I thought you could use an extra pair of hands." Typical Brooke thoughtfulness, Haley thinks to herself.

"There's the works for a nice salad in the bottom drawer of the fridge. Wash and chop, Tigger."

Brooke smiles and gets to work. "Perfect job for me, Tutormom." She looks at Jamie. "Help?"

The little boy jumps with excitement. "Sure!"

A few minutes later, a giant salad bowl is half-full, and ready for tossing. Jamie vanished upstairs and Haley is done with the stove for the moment, so she sits at the kitchen table with two glasses and a bottle of sparkling apple juice. Brooke accepts a glass, sips and sits carefully, flinching a bit at the end. Haley follows her movement with a little concern. She opens her mouth to ask about it, closes it again and snickers. "It's basketball. It makes their hands really rough."

Brooke opens her eyes wide, smiles and blushes a bit. "It does."

"When?"

"Last night. Twenty."

Haley shakes her head. "Too many." After a little silence she continues. "Did you enjoy it?"

Brooke looks a little distant and whispers. "More than I can say."

Haley looks thoughtful and nods. "I know what you mean." She laughs a bit. "We're both crazy."

Brooke gets back to earth and replies in a droll tone. "You're crazy. I'm amazing."

"I know."

"I'm glad Taylor is in town." Haley stiffens up at the mention of her sister. "Sam looks more relaxed with her around."

Haley frowns and nods. "I imagine. What about Lucas?"

"What about him?"

"Is he more relaxed with Tay around?"

Brooke gets a little annoyed. "Bitchy much?" When Haley faces closes up, Brooke continues. "He is mine and she knows it."

"I don't trust her. She's impulsive and destructive."

"I don't know her very well, but what I've seen, I like. And Broody trusts her."

Haley gets up, paces and raises her voice a bit. "Oh, she is great. Awesome even. Until she isn't"

Brooke frowns. "I can see what Lucas' problem is."

Haley seems to deflate, and sits back down. "Right. I made him choose between myself and her."

Brooke continues in a dry tone. "And he chose her." Haley looks down, her eyes moist. "I would too in his place. She's got an exceptionally fine ass."

Haley guffaws and looks back at Brooke, with a bout of unintentional laughter. "True." She continues in a low tone. "She accused me of not being a true friend to Lucas. And she was right."

Brooke frowns and looks into Haley's eyes. Haley feels a little naked under her gaze. "Were you jealous of her and Lucas?"

Haley answers quickly in a shrill voice. "No! Of course not."

Brooke lifts an eyebrow. "Really..."

"I'm not jealous of you! Never was. Why would I be jealous of her?"

"I'm not Lucas' friend. She is."

"What do you mean you're not Lucas' friend? Of course you are."

Brooke smiles and waves a dismissal. "I'm his slut, his sex toy. It's all I ever want to be." She crosses her arms under her breasts. "But you are avoiding the issue."

Haley stares at Brooke for a bit, and finally speaks in a tired voice. "You may be right. Jealousy, or a sister thing. She doesn't make it easy, you know? She's stupid, meddling, selfish and hurtful."

"That doesn't sound fair."

Haley gives her an angry look, but quickly breaks down. "I know. It isn't. She's also loyal and she has a big heart."

"And a fine ass."

Haley smiles. "I have one of those too. So do you, for that matter."

Brooke smirks. "A little sore today." Brooke loses herself for a moment, recalling being bent over, loud slaps alternating with deep, slow caresses. The memory nearly makes her moan. Instead, she sighs and turns serious. "If you're going to fix this, you need to give her a chance. A real one."

"We'll see..."

Brooke gets annoyed at Haley's evasion. Her voice turns harsh. She pokes a finger at Haley's chest. "You are going to fix this."

Haley steps back a little and rubs the spot Brooke poked. "Sheesh! Settle down, Tigger. I'll fix it! I promise."

Brooke relaxes and smiles. "Right."

"By the way..."

"What?"

"That story that all you ever want to be is his sex toy?"

"Yeah? It's true."

Haley shakes her head. "You're lying to yourself."

"No I'm not." Brooke laughs and shows Haley her tongue. Haley just shrugs. She knows she's right but she also knows arguing is plain useless.

=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=

Lucas walks a few steps behind Taylor and Sam. They talk softly to each other, teasing and laughing. Lucas knows Sam missed Taylor, but looking at them, seeing Sam relaxed and happy makes it all too obvious. It makes him wish Taylor would just stay.

Taylor is dressed in her usual way, black converses without socks, tight jeans shorts and a grease-stained camouflage tank top, an inch of bare skin between the two. In your face, mouthwatering sexy. Sam is a sharp contrast. Demure, with a short denim skirt, black leggings, ballet shoes and a red long-sleeve top two sizes too big for her. Their hair is almost the same tone of light chestnut, both tied in a high ponytail, Sam's a couple of inches longer, just past her shoulder blades.

Just as he is happy to see Taylor, and not just for Sam's sake, Lucas is still worried about how Taylor's presence will affect things between him and Brooke. That thought sends his mind into a little spin.

They've nearly arrived when the two women notice Lucas has stopped walking and is just staring at them with a frown.

Taylor laughs. "Lucas! Would you wipe that stupid look from your face?"

Taylor's words and Sam's guffaw snap him out of his brooding. "Oh!" He shakes his head and smiles. "Sorry."

Sam runs back, grabs his arm and hauls him forward. "Where were you?"

Lucas follows sheepishly. "Just glad to see you two happy."

Taylor hits him with a playful punch on his shoulder. "Liar!" Lucas blinks in surprise and the girls laugh. "But we love you anyways."

Lucas rubs his offended shoulder. "Happy to hear that, I think."

They get to the door and Taylor knocks, while Sam stretches on tiptoes and plants a soft peck on Lucas' cheek. That warms Lucas heart as few things ever do. He can count the spontaneous kisses she's given him with the fingers of one hand. He smiles broadly and Sam smiles back at him. He hopes it will happen again."Thanks."

She shakes her head, dismissing it and points at Taylor with her chin. "What she said."

Jamie opens the door, and after a quick hug from his uncle and aunt, grabs Sam but the hand and hauls her upstairs for a video game. Haley is in the kitchen, fiddling with something and Taylor joins her. Lucas finds Peyton and Nora sharing a sofa.

"Hey girls!"

Two broad smiles in reply. "Lucas!"

Lucas gives Peyton a kiss on the forehead and squats in front of Nora, a hand resting softly on her baby bump. "How's my godson treating you?"

Nora smirks. "He's a miserable little shit. Spent all last night jumping on my bladder."

Lucas snickers and Peyton frowns, nudging Nora with her elbow. "Nora..."

"What?"

"Easy..."

Nora turns to her, raising her voice. "Fuck you, blondie! I can't wait for this little cunt to show up, so I can strangle him with my own hands!"

Lucas is still amused. He knows Nora's attitude is mostly hormones and some serious insecurity about being a mom. However, Peyton's reaction is different. She frowns and her eyes glisten. Nora is a little too wrapped up in her own angst to notice, so Lucas nudges her and points to Peyton. Nora instantly changes her tune and grabs Peyton in an awkward hug. "I'm sorry, cutie! I'm sorry. I was just kidding..."

Peyton gives a little sniff. "I know. No problem."

Lucas stands up and just watches them cuddle for a little bit. "You two are going to be great moms."

Peyton just smiles softly and Nora replies. "I hope so, stud. Just keep saying it, all right?"

"You can count on me." He looks around. "Brooke?"

Peyton points her thumb at a closed door nearby. "Talking to Nathan."

Lucas knocks and is told to get in. Brooke immediately squeals and jumps him, kissing him like she hasn't seen him in weeks. Lucas exchanges a brief glance with Nathan, noting his approving smile, before giving himself wholly to Brooke's kiss. After a minute, Brooke steps away, all bright eyes and dimpled smile, looking even younger than he remembers from high school. Lucas greets his brother, a heartfelt hug and muted laughter. "Hey, little brother. Good to see you."

"Good to see you two! Finally!" His smile is as heartfelt as Brooke's.

"I'm glad you approve."

"I sure do." He crosses his arms and turns serious. "Be good." He waves a finger in Lucas' face. "You're damn lucky you've got another chance..."

Brooke interrupts Nathan. "It's not luck, Hotshot. Boytoy here takes good care of little old me."

Nathan snickers. "Damn lucky."

Lucas nods in agreement. "What's up?" He had clearly interrupted some serious conversation.

"We were talking about PSawyer. Hotshot here has been a little uncomfortable about her present inclinations." Heavy sarcastic emphasis.

Lucas looks at Nathan, who looks away, clearly embarrassed. "Really?" He frowns. "And what would be the problem... ah! You didn't know."

Now both Brooke and Nathan look at Lucas, puzzled. Brooke voices the question. "You did? Since when?"

Lucas laughs. "Since always?"

Brooke puts her fists on her hips, striking an utterly adorable pose. "I was her best friend and he was her boyfriend and..."

"And I was her stalker." Lucas explains. "She was discreet about it." He laughs again. "But she couldn't help it. She was really into both of you..."

"Ew!" Brooke shudders.

Nathan just looks a little relieved. "She was, for real?"

Lucas shrugs. "You're kidding, right?"

Brooke recovers from her funk. "I told you! You can't fake that kind of chemistry you two had."

Lucas adds. "You made her miserable, and still she couldn't stay away."

"Right. That too" Brooke nods emphatically.

Nathan shakes his head, trying to process what Lucas and Brooke were saying. "I guess I've been a jerk lately."

Lucas smiles. "Lately?"

Nathan grins and Brooke shoves Lucas with her shoulder. ""Don't start."

"Hey!" Lucas gently shoves her back. He turns to Nathan. "If you're going to make it up to them, be gentle. They're kinda fragile right now, specially Nora."

Nathan nods. "Will do, Coach."

Dinner is served, and they rejoin the others. Haley and Taylor are behaving unusually nice to each other. Lucas figures it's mostly to his benefit, but he doesn't mind. Before they leave, Haley approaches him, avoiding his eyes and talking softly.

"I'm sorry..."

Lucas is not about to let her get away so easily. "You're sorry about what, Haleybob?"

"Everything. Not being a good friend to you, and being jealous of you and Tay, mostly."

Lucas nods. "I'm sorry too. I could have been more... open, I guess."

"That's fine, Lucas." She raises her face and looks into his eyes. "Am I forgiven?"

"Yeah." He pulls her into a tight hug. "Just don't treat Tay like garbage anymore."

"I won't. Promise."

Lucas and Brooke make it slow and tender that night, a faint breeze from the sea cooling their intertwined naked bodies. She wakes up around three in the morning, startled to find herself alone in bed. A quick search finds Lucas outside in their bedroom balcony, staring at the waves. Brooke pads quietly to his side and presses herself against him.

"Brooding?"

"You know me... I call it thinking."

She giggles. "Brooding. What about?"

"You're a miracle worker, you know?"

"I know." A long silence. "What exactly have I miracled?"

"That's not a word."

"Fuck you, Broody."

He snickers. "Sorry. You fix things. Haley, Taylor and I, Nathan and Peyton."

"Well, that's just being a friend."

"Right." Another long silence. "I'm glad you're here."

"I'm glad to be here. Wanna fuck?"

He laughs. "Always."

"That's my Broody. Come to bed."

"How about we do it here?"

"Anywhere, anytime, in any way you want it." She leans over the balcony, legs slightly parted. Fingers herself."

Lucas sighs and mutters. "Nice."

Her voice turns hoarse. "You can join me anytime."

"Let me savor the view a bit."

She laughs. "Take your time. I ain't going nowhere."