Hey guys! So sorry I haven't updated in forever. Is anyone still reading? Tell me what you think? Stop or continue? Enjoy :)
What was it about having or giving people false hope that wasn't good? Oh yeah reporter and gossip magazines aren't that big on retractions and the statement that Jake and Peyton were merely working together only put fuel to the rumors of them dating. If you could believe 'MoonMag' the wedding was just around the corner. It was a home weekend for Nathan and Lucas and so the group of friends gathered at the Naley residence to have a barbecue. Peyton, Haley and Brooke were all sitting in deck chairs waiting for Lucas and Nathan. Jake was manning the grill while the kids played in the pool.
"How long do you think this madness is going to continue?" Haley asks her friends.
"I hope they stop printing that crap. Do you remember three days ago when I wore that tunica shirt?" Haley nodded and Brooke simply started laughing.
"Let me guess they say you are pregnant?" and Haley burst out laughing too.
"Hey that so isn't funny!"
"What isn't funny?" sounded a new voice over the garden followed by a high pitched
"Daddy!"
The three women got up to greet the two new arrivals. After giving each woman a kiss to the cheek Nathan went over to Jake.
"Hey man, great game!" the musician greeted.
"Thanks and it is good to see you."
"You want a beer?"
"Yeah thanks. Can I ask you something?"
"What do you want to know?"
"Are you really with Peyton now? I mean they print so much stuff about the two of you. And just today on the plane I read she is supposedly pregnant!" at this Jake spit out his beer.
"What? Oh no and if she is pregnant not with my child. We are friends who happen to work together and we go out sometimes but only as friends!"
"Okay, well I guess you know why I am asking, right?"
"You are asking so you know if you should help Lucas kill me or if you are here for my protection?" Jake jokes and Nathan laughs
"Yeah that's about right!" The fall into an uncomfortable silence.
"Was there something else you wanted to ask?"
"Yeah about that marriage thing…"
"Nathan Scott! You are not reading Magazine are you?" Jake manages to say in between his laughs.
"In my defense Luke forced me to but honestly is it true? Have you been engaged to Peyton?" Jake looks around helplessly and tries to catch Peyton's eye. Brooke notices him staring and nudges the blonde in question.
"So? Are you going to answer?" Nathan reminds his friend of the dilemma is in and Peyton asks
"What was the question?" Nathan turns so he is watching both his friends now.
"I was asking if and when you two have been engaged." Nate clarifies.
"Okay well I guess we should tell everyone because besides Brooke no one knows that story." Peyton says and motions for Lucas, Haley and Brooke to come. "I think it is time to reminisce a little." She says when her friends all have gathered.
Lucas, who had kept his distance from Jake and Peyton until now stood a little behind the others but he was curious of what was to come now.
"Nathan just asked about …! Could you repeat the question for all of us?" Peyton started while continuously rethinking how to tell the story.
This is going to be awkward and so not helping!
She turned to Brooke and hissed "This is all your fault!" but the Brooke we all know and love just shrugs her shoulders and smiles
"And if it is getting Luke and you back together it was worth it!" "Unbelievable!" the blonde mumbles under her breath while Nate fills the rest of his family in on what is going to come now.
"So have you two been married?" Haley asks.
"Straight to the point, foxy! Well I have to go back in time to explain this. You remember the time when I was sort of dating Pete Wentz?" the group nods and she goes on. "The weekend before the second wedding he wanted me to visit him but my dad told me to follow my heart and I followed it to Savannah!"
"Okay but what does that have to do with you two being married?" Haley interrupts.
Brooke watches Lucas during this first part and she notices that his eyes gradually form to slits.
Uh his catching on and getting angry! It's working!
"Hales I am getting there but it isn't easy for me okay?"
"Maybe I can tell the next part?" Jake offered and after Peyton signaled her okay he continued. "Well she arrived and because I had to work, I played in a bar with my band, I took her with me and kind of sang to her. We spent the whole weekend together and she told me 'Every song ends is that any reason not to enjoy the music!' and we kind of got back together. Well things were good until Jenny called Peyton 'Mama'."
"Jake I think I should tell the rest!" Peyton put a hand on his arm to stop him. Lucas' eyes were barely open by this time.
Why hadn't she ever mentioned that she had gotten back together with Jake?
"We better put a stop to this story and just to inform you yes they have been engaged but never married. Jake sent Peyton back and we didn't talk for some time!" Brooke said fast.
"Brooke! Why did you do that?" Peyton and Jake ask in unison.
"I think the rest isn't important and definitely not going to help to keep the emotions down tonight!" Brooke explains motioning in Lucas' direction.
"Oh!" Peyton says when she sees the expression on his face. "Luke?" but Lucas didn't answer he simply turned around and left.
"What did I say before! This is all your fault!" Peyton exploded on Brooke.
"Why? You never told anyone about this and just to remind you it could be much worse!"
"What could be much worse?" Haley asks and Peyton wishes for a hole to open and swallow her.
"We could have told you who proposed and how I ended up back in Tree Hill and not speaking to Brooke anymore!"
"That wouldn't have been the best thing seeing how Luke is mad already!" Brooke chimes in.
"Okay now you have to explain in total and we promise not to tell Lucas!" Nathan demands.
"Ehm I proposed and well you know that I talk in my sleep!" Peyton admits.
"Oh my god!" Haley gasps and Nathan teases
"Yeah a whole novel at times!"
"That novel wasn't so funny! She said 'I love you, Lucas!" Jake tells them.
"You did what?" Haley asks incredulously.
No one noticed that Lucas had come back and he had heard everything. Not wanting everyone to know he knew Luke silently slipped behind a tree because Peyton continued the story.
"After he had told me that he sent me back home and I, thinking it would be better to be honest, told Brooke that I was still in love with Luke leading to us not speaking."
"You did what?" the group heard and turned towards the angry voice.