A/N: Thank you for all the awesome reviews. Lucas's secret will eventually be revealed. And thanks to my beta: Leeese.
Chapter Four
You Can't Always Get What You Want
Over the next couple of weeks, Brooke and Haley helped Karen get ready for the grand opening of her café. As per their agreement, Lucas and Brooke took it slow. Even though Brooke wasn't used to the slow pace, she enjoyed it. Every day, she and Lucas learned a little bit more about each other. However, he still hadn't told her about his last relationship. Brooke knew that she had to be patient and that he would tell her when the time was right.
On that particular Saturday morning, Brooke woke up super early. She wasn't usually a morning person. However, she had promised Karen that she would be there early to make sure that everything was running smoothly.
She headed to the bathroom and took a quick shower before going to her closet. Luckily, she had already picked out the perfect outfit the day before. However, she was going to wait until the time of the opening before wearing it.
She looked through her clothes and finally picked out an outfit. As she finished up, she heard a familiar sound. She looked out of her bedroom window and down to her pool. She groaned in frustration as she saw a familiar figure swimming in it. "Not again," she muttered as she stormed out of her room and into the hall. Soon, she was downstairs. She marched through her kitchen and out into her back patio. She glared at the figure as she walked over to the pool. "Felix, how many times that I have to tell you to stay the hell out of my pool?" she demanded as she put her hands on her hips.
Felix popped his head out of the water and just smirked at her. "Say that again. I couldn't hear you. I was underwater."
Brooke rolled her eyes. She wasn't in the mood for his annoying comments. "Look, I really don't have time to lecture you this morning. So why don't you spare me the trouble and get out of my pool?" she asked.
"I will after I do a few more laps," Felix replied before he started to swim again.
Brooke knew that it was pointless to try and talk him into leaving. So she just decided to give up. She walked back into the house and into the kitchen and she decided to grab something to eat so she could have food in her stomach before working.
As she was glancing through the food in the refrigerator, she heard footsteps behind her. She turned around and was surprised to see that her mother was walking into the kitchen. Her mother didn't even acknowledge her daughter as she looked out onto the back patio. She frowned as she saw Felix in the pool. "Who is that?" she asked as she turned to Brooke. "Are you letting him use our pool without my permission?" she demanded. Brooke was about to protest when her mother spoke again. "No, I don't want to hear it. Just get rid of him. And then go through your closet and pick out a suitable dress. You're going to a wedding after all."
Brooke looked at her confused. "What wedding?"
Victoria gave her a look. "Drop the act, Brooke. You know exactly which wedding I'm talking about."
Brooke racked through her brain as she tried to remember an invitation to a wedding recently. However, nothing came to her mind. She shook her head. "No, I really don't."
Victoria looked at Brooke exasperated. "My best friend Sylvia Baker is getting married in Charlotte this afternoon. And she's expecting both of us there."
Brooke was surprised that her mother had made plans without asking her. In fact, she usually went to events alone. "But I've already made plans for today," she protested. "I was invited to the grand opening of Karen's Café this evening."
Victoria tried to hold her laughter in as she spoke. "A little café? That's what all the fuss is about? You would rather spend your evening at a café than at a gorgeous wedding? That is completely unacceptable. You are going to the wedding, whether you like it or not." Brooke was about to protest again when her mother stopped her. "And I don't want to hear another word about it." They then heard the doorbell ring. "Now you take care of the pool boy while I get the door."
Victoria was about to head to the front door when Brooke spoke up. "It's going to be Haley. She came to pick me up," she told her.
"Fine, you get the door and I'll discuss pool rules with our neighbor," her mother replied abruptly before she walked towards the back door.
Brooke sighed as she walked towards the front door. She pulled it open and was surprised to see that it was Lucas. He gave her a wide smile. "Hey, I thought I would surprise you and pick you up. Are you ready to go?"
"Actually, there has been a change of plans," Brooke told him sullenly. "I have to accompany my mother to a wedding this afternoon." Lucas looked at her surprised. "Yeah, that's exactly what I thought. And it doesn't look like I can get out of it. I'm really sorry."
Lucas was disappointed, but he still tried to remain cheerful. "Well, you may not be able to help out my mom with setting up. But I'm sure you'll get back in time for the grand opening," he assured her.
"I hope so," Brooke replied. "I'd hate to miss that. I've been looking forward to it for weeks." There was then an awkward silence before she spoke again. "You should probably go." She hated to push Lucas out of the door, but she wasn't ready for him to meet her mother.
Lucas agreed. "I'll see you when you get back. Bye, Brooke."
"Bye Lucas," she replied before she closed the front door. She let out a sigh before she headed up the stairs and into her bedroom.
A few short hours later, Brooke was sitting next to her mother in a limo, being driven to the wedding. However, the ride was quiet as Brooke stared out the car window, daydreaming. She wished that she was with her friends right now. Haley had called earlier to confirm that Brooke truly wasn't coming. She had been surprised about Victoria's forcefulness; as was Brooke. She couldn't believe that her mother was making her go to a wedding. In fact, she had never taken her anywhere before. Brooke wondered why it was different this time.
Victoria knew that her daughter was in a foul mood and wasn't going to stand for it. "Quit your moping. You're going to a wedding. Act happy. I'm not going to let anything ruin Sylvia's wedding and that includes your attitude."
"Do I know her?" Brooke asked.
"Of course you do. You and her son Julian used to have play dates all the time when you two were little," Victoria replied. "But it didn't work out since he was two years older than you. However, I'm sure it will be different this time. After all, you two are older and more mature than last time. At least, I hope you will be. I want you to make a good impression on him."
Brooke turned to her shocked. "So that's what this is all about? You want to find a husband for me?"
Victoria gave her a look. "Don't be ridiculous. You are far too young for that. I want to find a suitable boyfriend for you."
Brooke couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Where is all this coming from? You've never cared about butting into my personal life before. Why are you trying to control it now?"
"Because we have a reputation to uphold. I don't want you to tarnish the Montgomery or the Davis name with your frivolous behavior," Victoria replied in a firm tone.
Brooke raised her eyebrows. "Maybe if you were around more to be a parent, I wouldn't have to act like that," she snapped.
"Well, that is all going to change now that I'm the head of the household," Victoria replied. "The trial separation isn't over, but that doesn't mean that I can't make some changes around the house. That includes no more allowing that boy to use our pool."
"I didn't let him use the pool in the first place," Brooke protested.
"I don't want excuses. Just make sure he stays out of there," Victoria ordered. Brooke didn't say anything as they arrived at their destination. "Now please try and pretend you're happy to be here," she told her daughter as she climbed out of the limo. Brooke was right behind her, plastering a fake smile on her face as she followed her mother into the huge church. "Why don't you go find a seat?" Victoria suggested. "I want to check on Sylvia." She didn't even let her daughter respond. Instead, she hurried into another room.
Brooke let out a sigh before she headed into the parsonage. She smiled at an usher as she told him which side she was supposed to sit at. He led her down the aisle before he stopped near the front of the church. She thanked him as she sat down on a pew next to a brunette with glasses. They exchanged greetings as they introduced themselves. "I'm Millie," the brunette said with a warm smile.
Brooke smiled in return. "I'm Brooke," she replied. "How are you related to the bride?" she asked.
Millie turned red, embarrassed. "Actually, I'm not," she admitted. Brooke looked at her surprised. "But my half-brother Julian is. We have the same dad, but different moms. I'm his date today since my sister Alex couldn't make it. They are closer than me and him."
Brooke nodded understandingly. Now that Julian was mentioned, she was curious to meet him. "So where is Julian now?"
"He's getting ready with the rest of the groomsmen. He's going to walk his mom down the aisle," Millie replied. "So are you related to Sylvia?"
Brooke shook her head. "According to my mother, they are best friends." Millie frowned in confusion. "I'm not close with my mother. So I'm going to take her word for it."
Millie was about to respond when Victoria appeared with an usher. She didn't say anything as she sat down next to Brooke. Millie was about to introduce herself when Brooke gave her a warning look. She remained quiet as the music started to play. The wedding guests turned back towards the doors as they opened up.
Brooke didn't recognize Julian as he escorted his mother down the aisle. Yet, she knew that it was him. However, he didn't seem as attractive as Lucas was when she first saw him. She didn't want to tell her mother that though. And she didn't want to judge him before getting to know him. She knew that she would have to meet him at the reception. She would have to see what he was like then.
It wasn't long before the wedding was over with and they were at the reception. Brooke was sitting next to Millie again as they watched the bride and groom take their first dance. Soon, other couples joined them. "So do you have a boyfriend?" Brooke asked her.
Millie turned red. "No, I don't. I don't think any guy would want to go out with a girl like me."
Brooke gave her a reassuring smile. "I'm sure that there is someone out there for you."
Millie smiled gratefully. "What about you? Do you have a boyfriend?" she asked.
"Actually, I don't," Brooke admitted. "I'm taking it slow and not rushing into a relationship this year."
"I'm just glad that you're not going after Julian," Millie said. "He's not exactly the boyfriend type."
Brooke remembered that Peyton had said the same thing about her. "Let me guess, he's the one who will throw wild parties and have one-night stands with girls he hardly knows?" she asked. Millie looked at her surprised. "I was the exact same way."
"I wish you could convince him of that," Millie replied. "And he's getting Alex to do the same thing. And my parents can't seem to stop her. I just wish someone would. Or she is going to go down a dark road and she'll never come back."
Brooke knew exactly what she meant. "I've been down that road before and I got a hard dose of reality."
Millie was about to respond when they heard another voice. "You must be Brooke Davis. I'm Julian Baker. You probably don't remember me. It's been awhile since we've seen each other."
Brooke put another one of her fake smiles as she looked up at him. "Yes, it has."
"Do you want to dance with me?" Julian asked her as he held his hand out. "And we can get to know each other?"
Brooke was about to refuse when she noticed that her mother was watching her from across the room. "Sure," she replied as she took his hand. However, she had a feeling that the conversation wouldn't go well.
Sure enough, he made rude comments and flirted with her. He reminded her of Felix, making her even more annoyed with him. She couldn't wait until she was able to get away from him. After several dances, she was finally able to convince him that she needed a break.
Luckily, her mother was ready to leave. Brooke was relieved, but disappointed when she found out that it was too late to head to Karen's Café opening. She was upset that she missed that important event, but did her best not to show it on the way home.
When they returned to the house, Victoria immediately headed to her bedroom to get ready for bed. She claimed that she was exhausted. However, Brooke wanted to stay up a little longer. Even though she was exhausted, she wanted to talk to her best friend. She sat down on the couch and dialed Haley's number.
Haley answered it on the first ring. "Hey, how was the wedding?" she asked her.
Brooke was grateful that she wasn't bragging about the café opening. Of course, Haley wasn't one to do that. "It was fine except my mother was trying to match me up with her friend's son. He was so annoying. How was the grand opening of the café?"she asked hesitantly.
"You'll find out tomorrow night," Haley replied. Brooke was confused. "Once Karen found out that you weren't able to come to the opening, she decided to postpone it until tomorrow. She didn't think it was right to do it without you. Nobody did." There was then a short pause. "I heard that Lucas didn't meet Victoria yet."
"I don't think he should right now. She was acting so weird today," Brooke replied. "I think the trial separation is making her feel like she's powerful now. She can now run the household the way that she wants it."
"What's going to happen when the trial separation is over? Do you think that your dad will move back in?" she asked her.
Brooke was silent for a moment. "Honestly, Hales, I don't think so,"she admitted.