'Well, well, well. I didn't expect I'd be seeing you tonight'

'You heard then?' Lucas perches on the wall.

'That my big brother is crawling back on his knees for the princess of tree hill?' The taller, muscular brunette throws the ball in hand. It soars through the net. 'Yeah I heard'

'You know I get pissed off when you bad mouth her Nate'

'That was me being nice! You know I get pissed off when you make an ass of yourself by following her around with your fucking tail between your legs' He tosses the ball again, this time without looking. It flies into the hoop again.

'That's not what I'm doing'

'No? It sure looks like it from where I'm standing'

'I don't know why you give her such a hard time' Lucas grumbles.

'No? I don't care how many fucking shiny awards she's got, I'm not a fan of cheaters'

'She never cheated' Lucas tiresomely answers.

Nathan scoffs. 'Well she never fucking ended it. She fucking dumps your sorry ass in rehab and the next thing you know she's married'

'I appreciate your loyalty. Really, it's kind of refreshing to have someone so resolutely fighting my corner but you weren't around at that point of my life. We barely spoke. You barely knew me nor liked me. I was an ass. She had every right to leave me'

'Is that what you think about Haley's choices too? That I'm the ass?'

Lucas sighs because everything always leads back to Haley James. Much like everything leads back to Peyton Wolf for him. 'It's a completely different scenario'

'How so? Times get a little bit tough and they fucking scarper and fall into the arms of the nearest douche. Sounds pretty similar to me big brother'

'You can't solely blame Hales'

Nathan glowers at his sibling then. 'I can't blame her for fucking another man? Hmm, that was my fault somehow? I'm real interested in learning how I played a part in it'

'I'm not saying it was your fault. I know she fucking did wrong. What she did was..' He shakes his head. He doesn't want to use the word unforgivable because he's actually rooting for his best friend and brother to sort their shit out. 'was unfathomable' He settles on. 'But things weren't good between you guys. You have to admit that. You have to take some responsibility in the fact that you weren't around. You put basket ball first'

'She put music first long before I ever put a game before her' He growls. 'You fucking know that'

Lucas's hands fly up in peace then because he can see his brother's rage is on a dangerous tipping point. 'I know man. I know' He nods. 'What do you want me to say that I've not already said Nate? She's my best friend and you're my brother. She did a shit thing. You've been a dick. But all I can fucking see is that you still love her and she loves you. You could both move past this. Do you know how lucky you are? The girl you love still wants to be with you. There's only so long that she's going to hold on before she's going to have to start looking at a future that doesn't include you'

'Not if she really loves me' Nathan shakes his head. 'I mean look at you? It's been nearly fourteen years. You've not looked at a future without Peyton. Lets be honest'

'Oh, so you're testing her are you?' Lucas frowns.

Nathan sighs heavily. 'Am I talking to my brother or my ex's best friend right now?'

'Your brother Nate. Always'

'I'm just not over it yet. I dunno if I ever will be but I'm...I'm not ready...Anyway' He clears his throat. 'Tell me big brother. If princess Peyton gave you everything you've ever wanted and left her husband would you be able to just let go of the fact she's been fucking another man for the last thirteen years?'

Lucas cringes. 'Nate'

'What?' He shrugs. 'It's a mere observation. I'm not okay with Haley having done it the once. Mind you I don't even know if it was just the once. Peyton's had a whole fucking marriage that's a whole different ball park'

'I'm well aware of her marriage jackass'

'I'm just saying I don't, I don't know how I'd be able to get past that. I mean even in your little fantasy world of her leaving him for you, he's still going to always be there. He's the father of her kids. She's always going to have that with him. She's always going to be connected to him'

'It's the 21st century Nate. People get divorced every day. Families are complex. We'd make it work. I'd make it work. Her kids are great'

'She's not getting divorced though' Nathan reminds him.

'No. You're the one that started this little fucking hypothetical world, I've long come to terms with the fact that I'm never going to have her in the way I want'

Nathan laughs at that. 'That's funny. Really funny. You talk bullshit a lot Luke but that's got to be up there. You've come to terms that Peyton Wolf will never be Peyton Scott? My ass you have! Why go on this tour Luke? You're torturing yourself. Why continue to put yourself in these fucked up situations? What happened to that Lindsey chick? I liked her. She seemed like a good girl'

'She's been outta town'

'And you think she's going to be alright with you touring with your ex?'

'Lindsey and me are just having fun Nate. Besides, she knows Peyton is married. Everyone knows'

'Please, everyone knows your fucking history. Everyone knows that bloody album'

'Well any girl I have in my life is going to have to come to terms with the fact that Peyton is a part of my life. She'll always be my friend'

Nathan shakes his head in despair. 'You know you being friends with Peyton is basically the same as saying I should be okay with Hales having a friendship with Chris Keller'

'It's not the same' Lucas disagrees, his face contorted. 'Keller is a fucking douche. I think we've done enough talking little brother. I thought I'd drop by and play a bit of ball with you' He steals the basket ball from Nathan and squints at his target. Misses.

'We're not doing that cause you suck' Nathan chortles earning him a glare.

'Ha ha ha'

'Come inside. I'm fucking starving' Nathan grabs a towel from the wall and begins to walk toward the grand house behind them. 'So, shouldn't you be packing if your first show is tomorrow?'

Lucas looks at him suspiciously then. 'Whitey was the one to tell you I take it?'

'No' Nathan snorts. 'I ran into your Mum earlier actually. You know Whitey and I strictly talk ball. He's been giving me some guidance for the championships... I take it he's not for this big decision of you touring either then' Nathan smugly assumes, amused by the fact the important mentor in both of their lives has dished out advice that matches his own, something that is a rarity. 'Look at me, I'm getting oh so wise in my old age'

'An interfering asshole you mean. Can we drop this now?'

'Sure, sure. Left over Chinese or' He's rifling through the limited contents of his fridge. '...left over Chinese?'

Lucas shakes his head. 'Dude it's really time you learnt how to cook'

'Nah. Why do that when other people can do it for you?' He shrugs indifferently and begins to haphazardly set out the boxes of take out on a tray to heat up in the oven.

'Don't you ever feel fucking lonely rocking around in this empty mansion? It's so echoey it gives me the fucking creeps'

'Are you asking to move in?'

'Hell no. I'm happy with my abode thanks. Money doesn't buy happiness Nate'

'No? You wouldn't have been saying that last night. You missed a great party Luke'

'Mm...your buddies aren't really my scene'

'How would you know? You're so fucking judgey sometimes'

'What're you doing throwing parties anyway? You're meant to be completely focused on ball right now. I've got a couple of bets riding on the championships so you better not let me down'

'Eurgh, despite popular belief ball isn't everything to me Luke'

'Nope. I'm aware. Haley James is'

Nathan scowls at him. 'I'm just...I think I might be ready to call it quits'

'Retire from ball?' Lucas looks at him in disbelief.

'In terms of the game I'm getting old Luke. That injury last year is still giving me fucking problems. I'm just, over it you know? I'm thinking about maybe looking into coaching'

'Wow. I just...I mean if that's what you want'

'I mean don't be throwing this around will you. I've not made my mind up. It's just been something I've been thinking about and it's definitely not something I want a dozen voicemails about from Hales'

'Your secrets are safe with me little brother... though you know what this means? You won't be able to keep hiding from her'

'Me hiding? Dude I'm the one with a fucking home. A stable base. She's the one that's off galavanting about the country'

'You know she's made her schedule so crazy so she doesn't have to deal with the fact that you're not here waiting for...only you are aren't you'

'It's time for you to shut up'

'Uhuh' Lucas nods, taking over the preparation of their thrown together dinner.

'...how is she? When did you last see her?'

Lucas smiles widely, his back to his brother. 'The other week...she's...the same. She's pissed at me though so I've not spoken to her since'

'What did you do?'

'I said somethings' Lucas sighs. 'She was trying to talk me out of the tour much like every other fucking person in this town. I wasn't interested in listening and well, I just was perhaps a little harsh on her about some of her choices' He admits, setting a plate before the younger Scott sibling. 'You don't get to look at me like that Nate. You're worried about her? Fucking answer her calls. I'm sick of being your twos go between man'

Nathan is silent for a beat. Takes a large mouthful of his noodles. Swallows. 'So where's the first stop for the Lucas Scott and Peyton Wolf reunion?'

'LA'

'Will Hales be there?'

'I doubt it'

'Well when you see her apologise for whatever jackass thing you said to her and then tell her to come to the championships'

'Yeah?' Lucas nearly chokes on his food.

'Don't make me fucking say it again Luke'

'You could ask her yourself you know?...But I'm quite happy to be the go between man in this instance' He backtracks, unable to contain his smirk.

'Don't make me hit you Luke. Do me a favour'

'Gees you're very demanding tonight. You want me to ask her to move into your lonely bachelor pad too?'

'Oh this favour isn't for me. It's for your fucking self. When Princess Peyton comes out on that stage tomorrow night and you sing with her and that crazy power she has over you starts to take over the little logic your brain has, remind yourself that it wasn't fucking her that was there waiting for you after rehab. Haley and Karen collected you. They were the ones that were there for you. She wasn't'

Lucas averts his eyes to his plate. Wishes his brother's words were the pep talk he needs right now. But it falls short. It falls short because he knows whilst it's true it was Haley and his mother that had been waiting for him, he also knows it was Peyton's god damn words that had convinced them to be there waiting for him. He's read the letters written to his mother. Letters written with so much love. Letters that begged his mother not to give up on him. Not to cut him lose. Not to loose him over Keith. Not to loose him over an illness he was trying so hard to beat and gain control of. He doesn't bother telling Nathan that though. Instead he shakes his head. 'This tour isn't about me getting her back Nate. It's about letting her go'

Nathan's smile is amusement and disbelief. 'If only that were fucking true big brother'