AN/ Okay, firstly hope everyone's having a great Christmas!
And I've been waaay too busy the last week or so and I know I haven't kept up with replying to those that have reviewed previous chapters, sorry, my bad, but I've no idea when I'll get round to it and after this chapter... well you probably might never review again :D
it's not that bad really... umm enjoy?
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Part 41
During breakfast Deb had asked, first Nathan and then the rest of them, what they all had planned for the day. They had looked at each other not sure what to say. None of them had really thought much about what they would be doing just that they needed to head over to the apartment in the early afternoon before anyone else started to arrive.
So Deb had asked if they wanted to go shopping with her to get some baby gifts for Karen's imminent arrival. Haley had been happy to agree thinking she could use the opportunity to get a few things for herself at the same time. Brooke had declined, instead saying she wanted to spend some time with Nathan to which he'd reluctantly agreed. Peyton had then shared a silent look with the brunette before echoing Haley's choice to accompany Nathan's mom.
"I think Brooke seemed to be doing better this morning." Haley says having thought Brooke was back to her normal cheery self at breakfast that morning. "After last night."
"Yeah, me too." Peyton replied as they looked for the newborn aisle in the baby store. Deb had left the both of them to find something in another section that she'd spotted the last time she was here. "Like I told Nate at the time, it was probably just something she ate, or maybe a twenty-four hour thing."
"Hmm." Haley replied, not wanting to repeat what Nathan had said to her once he'd gotten back to their room. It had taken him a while but he'd eventually asked her if there was any chance Brooke could have been pregnant. And she had wanted to laugh at him, she really did, but he'd looked too afraid for her to do that to him. Instead she'd pulled him into a hug and waited until he'd released some of his anxiety before tell him he was being stupid, and that if Peyton heard him asking that particular question again she wasn't going to help protect him.
She had already talked about that possibility the night Peyton had broken down and told her the full extent of the attack Brooke had suffered. It hadn't been an easy conversation for either of them, both of them wrestling with their emotions throughout, but Haley had to ask that question. Peyton had been quick to assure her that from what the medics had said to her they'd given their friend something to prevent that from happening.
It didn't provide either girl with much comfort given what the brunette had to endure all alone that night, but they were both incredibly thankful that Brooke would not have to be forced into making any kind of choice had she found herself in that position.
So, although she knew there was no chance of the vomiting having anything to do with a pregnancy, she also wasn't sure Peyton was telling her the truth. But what could she do, all she and Nathan were really capable of was waiting on the sidelines in case they did need either of them.
"How are you doing with everything?" She asked the blonde as they turned down into the row that held an array of toys, clothes and gifts for newborns.
Peyton drew her brows together and looked sideways at the pregnant girl walking beside her. "What do you mean? I'm fine. As long as Brooke's okay then everything's fine." She answered.
Haley bit her lip to keep herself quiet for a moment. She hadn't spent a lot of time with the blonde lately where Brooke wasn't the main topic of conversation, but what she really wanted right now was to find out how Peyton was. She knew from past incidents that she wasn't likely to come out and simply ask for help, even if she needed it, so it was hard to know what to do.
Lucas seemed to understand what the blonde needed at times, like when he'd helped her deal with her own attack, but this time he hardly knew what he should be doing around Brooke let alone work out how to help Peyton.
"Would you look at this?" Peyton asked picking up a white dress outfit with bright pink trim complete with a little woollen hat.
Haley had to smile as the blonde waved it side to side and made a funny face at her and let herself be distracted by the spectacle. "Aww, now that's cute." She said taking it from her friend for a closer look and sighed loudly at the sight of a tiny pair of booties that came with it.
Peyton looked around a little more and found a pink leopard on the other side of the aisle. "What about a stuffed toy?" She asked as she presented it to Haley.
"Oh, maybe we should get both." Haley suggested, taking the toy animal out of Peyton's hands and cooing over it.
Peyton giggled at the way her friend was reacting. "I'm thinking someone's a little disappointed she's having a boy." She chided her gently.
Haley pouted at Peyton. "Maybe a little." She confessed in a whisper.
"Yeah?" Peyton asked, surprised at the other girls honesty.
Haley screwed her face up. "Sometimes… yeah. I don't know," She said looking around as an expectant mother with two young boys in tow walked past them. "It's not that I'm really upset, but with it being a boy…" She rolled her eyes. "Nathan can't wait to start teaching him to play basketball." She said her hand automatically going to her stomach, before looking at Peyton with a pout. "I'll have to breastfeed just to spend time with him."
Peyton burst out laughing.
Haley kept her pout in place until Peyton's laughter died down and she threw an arm around her shoulder.
"Poor Hales, don't worry I'm sure Nathan will help you have a daughter… after he gets his basketball team first." Peyton said failing to keep a straight face all the way through until the end of the sentence.
Haley narrowed her eyes and pushed the blonde away from her. "Meanie!"
Peyton was still grinning as she turned her attention back to finding the perfect toy for Karen's daughter.
Haley moped for a while longer before her thoughts drifted back to what her husband was actually doing at the moment. "So do you know what this talk with Nathan is all about?" Haley asked, knowing Nate had still being concerned over what it was about.
Peyton dropped the orange and blue bird she had just picked up and quickly leaned over to pick it up from the floor. "Ehh, what?" She asked nervously as she looked at Haley wide eyed.
"Nathan said she tried to tell him something yesterday but changed her mind. You don't have any idea what it could be?" Haley asked curious at the blonde's sudden change in behaviour.
"Umm, no. I don't think so…" Peyton answered, looking away from Haley and picking up another toy from the shelf. "But I'm sure you'll find out soon enough. I mean… I'm sure Nathan will let you know what it's about… after he's talked to Brooke… about whatever." She finished, waving her hand in mid air hoping to appear unconcerned with the topic.
Haley watched as Peyton continued to avoid looking at her. It almost made her smile at the way her friend was acting, she had seen the look that had passed between the two girls before Peyton had agreed to leave Brooke alone with Nathan, but she was still somewhat apprehensive about it.
"So it's nothing to worry about then?" Haley said trying once again to draw the answer from the blonde.
"No." Peyton replied quickly. "I'm sure it's nothing bad, Hales."
"Then why-"
"You know what? I think this one will do, don't you?" Peyton asked interrupting Haley before she could ask yet another question on what Brooke wanted to talk to Nathan about.
There was only so much Peyton could take before she would end up just blurting out the truth. And she'd already told Brooke she wouldn't do that, at least until she'd talked to Nathan first, by which time she expected him to being calling his wife with the news.
"Uhh, yeah, I guess so." Haley offered.
"Great, now let's go find 'Granny'." Peyton said turning to head back the way they'd came.
Haley sighed but had little choice but to waddle after the blonde.
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"Kind of… drab, isn't it?" Brooke mentioned as she looked around the nursery for the first time. The walls had been painted a pale yellow colour that did nothing for the room in her opinion.
"Yeah, well Haley's already mentioned doing something else with the room." Nathan explained as he laid out the pieces of a wooden mobile that would hang from his son's crib once he'd fixed it together. "I think I'm going to be repainting it tomorrow." He continued as he picked up the instruction sheet to see where he was supposed to start.
Brooke frowned. "Why not just ask Peyton to paint something in here. You've seen what she can do, I'm sure she'd love to." She mentioned, thinking Peyton should have been the first person they'd have gone to.
"Yeah, maybe." Nathan replied trying to sound as nonchalant about the idea as he could. "I'll have to ask Hales." He said, his eyes still trained on the sheet in his hands.
In truth he'd been planning to ask Peyton to paint some kind of kids mural in the room but Haley had been adamant about not involving the blonde. She'd said Peyton already had enough to worry about without them asking for favours as well.
He sighed quietly as he picked up the first two pieces and then asked Brooke for the right type of screws.
Brooke handed a few over and watched as Nathan started fixing the two bits together. She wasn't sure how to start a conversation about the truth of her sexuality, but she'd talked with Peyton all morning about it and she just felt that it was time.
It was time to let her friends know this bit of information about her. Peyton had offered to be there with her, but she had wanted to do it herself. As much as she welcomed Peyton's continual support she wanted to see Nathan's reaction, and if Peyton was here with her she knew he would probably temper it to the way she was acting.
She may be a skinny blonde, but she packed a mean punch, one her face had first hand knowledge of.
"How did you like the view yesterday?" She started, thinking that going from one shock to another wouldn't be too bad a way to get through this.
Nathan's head shot up to stare at her. "Umm, you, ah mean… when I, like the idiot that I am, walked in on you and Peyton?" He asked, waving the screwdriver in his hand around as he felt his face heat up.
"That'd be it." Brooke replied with a smile, enjoying how easy it was to fluster Nathan. She watched him squirm for a moment waiting for him to work out an appropriate reply.
"It was… ah…" He said, fumbling over what to say. In reality what he saw infuriated him, Brooke was like a sister to him, and for someone to hurt her so badly… he knew if given the opportunity he'd make Ian Banks regret ever having set foot in Tree Hill.
"Not like you remembered?" Brooke said softly no longer able to look him in the eye.
"Brooke…" He whispered to her sympathetically, but her head stayed down. Putting his things onto the floor he moved closer to her and then wrapped an arm around her shoulder, pulling her into him.
"If you think I care about a couple of scars that probably won't even be visible in a few months, then, well, I guess I've given you a very bad impression of the new and improved Nathan Scott." He said hoping to draw a smile from his friend.
"And Haley's going to be really ticked at you, because she worked damn hard fixing me." He continued.
Brooke grinned, unable to remain upset any longer. He was right, he had changed over the time he'd known Haley. And it was a change for the better.
"She did a good job." She complimented his wife as she raised her head finally.
He nodded at her. "That she did, but don't go telling her or she'll get a big head and the big stomach has been hard enough to deal with as it is."
Brooke hit him in the gut for that comment, even though she knew he was joking for her benefit, she still had to defend Haley in her absence.
He grinned at her getting a smile in return. "I don't care about the scars Brooke, I care about you. I know we haven't spent lots of time together lately, and with the sex tape, I know I made things harder for you." He said getting a nod of agreement but she let him talk.
"With everything I've gone through, almost losing Haley and the baby and then almost losing you…" He swallowed, pushing back the emotions that rose with those particular thoughts. "I just… I'm not good at this, Brooke… but I just… I need you to know I'm here for you. If ever you need me, I'm here, okay."
"Thank you Nathan, that means a lot to me."
He beamed at her, thankful that he somehow managed to stumble through and say the right thing. "So are we good?"
"Yeah." She said into his chest as he hugged her. "We're good Nate."
The stayed like that for a while before Nathan pulled back. "Right, enough stalling Brooke, Haley will have my head if I don't get this done so start pulling your weight."
Brooke snorted as he moved back over to the pieces of wood and picked up where he'd left off. Guys! She threw a screw at his head but missed.
He flashed her a grin and pointed the tip of the screwdriver at her. "You better get over there and find that or you'll be the one telling Hales why this can't be put up."
Brooke pouted at him but he just shook his head and continued what he was doing. With a sigh she got up and went over to where she'd seen the thing last. It didn't take much to find the brass screw considering the carpet was white.
She turned to him, watching him work for a while, and considered if she was about to make a huge mistake.
She didn't think so, but still, there was that little voice inside telling her to be careful.
"Nathan?" She said softly, taking a deep breath a hoping she was right about him.
"Hmm, couldn't find it?" He asked absently as he continued fixing the piece he held into place.
"No, I found it… I just, have something else to tell you."
This time, the caution in her voice caused him to turn and face her, giving her every ounce of his attention.
She sent him a weak smile knowing the strength of their friendship was about to be tested.
And she wouldn't even be telling him the whole truth.
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Sighing, Peyton watched Karen and Debbie at the other side of the counter going through the presents they had brought for her. They'd gone to the house only to find no one at home, but after a quick call to Lucas, Deb had told them that Karen had gone in to oversee things at the café while Lucas worked an early shift, and so that's where they'd headed next.
Guess she was getting bored on her own.
Peyton looked down at her cell phone as she held it, restlessly shifting it from hand to hand. She had been seated beside Haley at the counter but Haley had just disappeared after getting a call from Nathan.
It wasn't that she was worried Nathan had been a jerk, or that Brooke hadn't managed to get through the conversation with him. She'd just expected to have been called by now, and the suspense was killing her.
Finally! She thought flipping her phone to her ear the second it vibrated in her hand.
"Dude, what took you so long?" Was how she answered the caller, but she'd known who it was without the need to check caller I.D.
"Well, hello to you to Sawyer, and how was your morning? Mine you ask? Well lets see first-"
"Okay, sorry, but Nate called Haley, like five minutes ago, and you know I can't deal with waiting!" Peyton said cutting her off.
Brooke found herself smiling knowing the blonde had probably been miserable all morning waiting for her to call. "Sorry Peyton I had to go hunt my phone down when he 'went to the toilet'." She finished with a giggle. It had been very obvious to her at the time he'd been lying, and Peyton had just confirmed it.
Peyton laughed at the image of Nathan hiding out in the bathroom trying to talk to Haley. But that just reminded her of why Nathan would be calling his wife.
In a more serious tone she asked, "How did it go?" Brooke's attitude so far indicated that everything had gone okay with telling Nathan, but she couldn't see Brooke's face right now and didn't know if she'd been upset by it, or by Nate's reaction.
Brooke sighed loudly over the phone. "My God, Peyton, I swear, if he doesn't stop looking at me with that goofy grin on his face I'm going to smack him. Hard."
Peyton had to hold in a laugh figuring that Brooke had just made one of Nathan's wildest fantasies one step closer to reality. Not that she planned on mentioning that to her friend, for the moment anyway. "So he took it well than?"
Brooke frowned a little at the amusement in her friends voice. "Yeah," She replied, "Actually, he didn't have a problem with it at all. He said it didn't matter to him, just as long as I was happy."
"Good for him!" Peyton said, silently cheering Nathan for acting like the type of guy she knew he was.
"Yeah, he gave me a big hug and told me if I ever needed someone to cruise chicks with he was my guy." She repeated Nathan's offer to Peyton with a shake of her head.
This time Peyton did laugh. "Typical guy, right? And I'm sure Haley will be happy to sit at home with his young son while you two do that!" She continued sarcastically, not liking the thought of Brooke doing such a thing.
Brooke smiled and was silent as she imaged just how not okay Haley would be with that little scenario. It also reminded her that she was single, and that wasn't something she wanted to spend time thinking about. There was only one girl she wanted, and she didn't have to go looking anywhere for her, she always knew where Peyton was.
"I think he said it more to show he really didn't have a problem with my being gay than anything else." She said, trying to keep her tone normal.
"Ha, well if he isn't up for bar hopping with you, you know you'll always have me around, right?" Peyton offered.
And I'm sure your boyfriend will like that idea just as much as Haley would have Peyton. Was Brooke's thought on the proposal.
"Always Pey."
"Good, cause just because Nathan can make crude jokes and burp the alphabet doesn't give you the right to ditch me as your best friend, you got that B?" Peyton said.
Brooke smiled. "Got it; no ditching the useless fake blonde chick."
"Hey!" Peyton barked at her, insulted.
"I'm kidding Blondie." Brooke said hoping to pacify her best friend. "You know I love you." She added.
"Yeah, well count yourself lucky, I so too can burp the alphabet. I just prefer not to make a fool of myself in public unlike some." Peyton replied, before adding, "And I love you too."
That caused Brooke to close her eyes as she fought to remain unaffected by those words. I do count myself lucky Peyton. I have you.
"So when can I see you?" Peyton asked, wanting nothing more than to see Brooke in person right now.
It took Brooke another few seconds to be able to reply properly.
"Nate and I were planning on heading over to the apartment soon, so I'll see you there then?" Brooke said, having already discussed it with Nathan.
"That'll work, everything's about finished over here so we can leave too."
"Listen Peyton I think Nathan's on his way back… remember that I don't have a problem with you talking to Haley about this, but no one else right now okay?" Brooke asked hearing movement in her direction.
"No problem, bye."
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Peyton put the last of the groceries away just as Haley returned from a visit to the bathroom and took a seat at the breakfast counter.
"I can't believe we beat them here." Peyton said to Haley as she sat down opposite her.
"Well Nathan did mention going to the store for some drinks." Haley replied.
Peyton frowned thinking that no one had ever brought up the idea of having alcohol here for this, and she'd said that to everyone yesterday. Okay so she'd basically threatened everyone not to bring booze, but it was the same thing.
Just then Nathan storms into the apartment and has Haley in his arms twirling her around and kissing her while laughing.
It takes two arms wrapping around her waist for her to realise Brooke had also entered.
She shot the grinning brunette a puzzled look as she pointed to the scene in front of them. "Now, I know the idea of you and another girl together would put a smile on the guys face for a week, you're good but you just aren't that good Brooke."
And for that comment Peyton earned herself a slap on the butt.
"Violent much?" Peyton protested faintly hoping not to be slapped at again.
"Well I'll have you know I am that good, you just haven't succumbed to my charms yet." Brooke said without thinking, before quickly explaining Nathan's action. "Nate just got a call from Skills, turns out Whitey's took the coaching job at NCU and is giving him a spot on the team!" She finished as she jumped up and down in her excitement.
Peyton soon joins in hugging Brooke and squealing, happy at their friends good luck.
Nathan finally lets Haley back down on to her own two feet having heard what Brooke just said.
"I don't have a spot on the team, just the chance to play." He reminded her as he kept an arm around his wife.
"Whatever," Brooke waves him off. "We all know it's the same thing. So congrats!"
"Hell yeah you're going to make the team Scott, no need to start getting all modest on us now Hot Shot!" Peyton says just as sure as Brooke was that he'd be a starter for any team. "They'll be damn lucky to have you!" She continued going over and giving him a big hug.
"Thanks." Nathan says as he releases her.
Brooke wraps an arm around Peyton's waist as she returns to her side and they both watch as Nathan starts to explain what had happened to Haley.
"Looks like our boy's finally all growed up." Brooke says to the blonde, squeezing her a little. "Married, baby on the way, off to college… that's not the right order… but still, he's made me proud." She continued with a fake sniffle.
Peyton laughed and looked down at her like she was a little crazy.
"What? I can't be happy for them?" Brooke asks.
"Never said a thing." Peyton replied with raised hands.
Brooke just narrowed her eyes at her friend. "But you thought it." She countered.
"Would you two stop fighting for two seconds?" Nathan asks them.
"We're not fighting." They both say as they turn to him.
"Right." He says, unconvinced.
"You know what this calls for?" Brooke asks.
"No!" Peyton replied, not liking the look in her friends eyes.
"What?" Nathan asked.
"Brooke." Peyton said sternly hoping to stop whatever idea had popped into the other girls head.
"A party!" Brooke said as she clapped her hands together enthusiastically.
Peyton groaned and shook her head knowing she'd never be able to stop the brunette now. But she silently agreed that Nathan's news was reason to celebrate.
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People had been arriving since three and were a little surprised that there was already some alcohol around.
Peyton had rolled her eyes when she'd received nervous looks when her friends poured themselves drinks.
But after a while things had settled down, no one had said or done anything to upset Brooke and that was really all the blonde cared about. As for Brooke, she'd taken everything in her stride, accepting a few hugs and words of sympathy, and insisted everyone celebrate Nathan's good news.
But Peyton had known Brooke just hadn't wanted to be the centre of attention the whole time and was glad Nathan had provided something else to focus on.
"You okay?" Brooke asked as she watched Haley shift uncomfortably beside her.
Haley sighed. "Not really. Sorry Brooke but I think I'm going to have to call it a night." She said unhappily.
"Hey, don't worry about it. Come on lets find that husband of yours." She said helping the other girl up.
Haley pouted. "I feel bad making him leave, he should be able to celebrate while he can." She said rubbing at her stomach.
Brooke thought for a second as they worked their way through the crowd.
"Do you really not mind if he stays?" She asked Haley.
"No, after everything he's been through… I just want him to have fun for a while, you know? Take a break from all the serious stuff for a bit." She replies.
"Yeah." Brooke says understanding the sentiment.
"Tell you what," Brooke says having spotted Peyton in a corner with Bevin and Skills. "You go find Nate and I'll deal with getting him back here, okay?"
Haley smiled at her. "Thanks."
"No problem." Brooke said giving her a wink and heading towards Peyton to fill her in.
Haley carried on into the kitchen and snuggled up to Nathan who was talking to Lucas.
"Hey." Nathan said giving her a kiss.
She pouted up to him. "Junior wants to go home." She said miserably.
His eyes twinkled at her as he took her into his arms. "Well then guess it's time to leave if that's what the boss wants."
Haley pouted some more. "It's not fair, when will I get to be the boss again?" She asked just as Peyton and Brooke joined them.
"When he understands the word no, until then the baby rules the roost." Brooke informs her as the others share a laugh.
"Hey listen, Brooke says you guys are heading home, any chance I can follow and pick up a couple of things I left at your place?" She asks.
"Sure." Nathan says as he begins to usher Haley towards the door. "Sorry to leave…"
"Hey, everything's fine here and we'll see you guys tomorrow." Brooke cuts him off.
"We will." Haley agrees pulling away from Nathan to give her a hug and a kiss.
"Bye." Brooke says waving out the door as the three of them head out.
Smiling as she closed the door, she turned to everyone left and grinned. "Now let's get this party started properly!" She shouted and they cheered.
Lucas felt just a little worried as he watched her call Theresa and Bevin over and they bent their heads over their cell phones in a quiet discussion. When Brooke raised her head to lock gazes with him a moment later he couldn't help but chuckle nervously.
"Lucas Scott. Just the man we need." She said walking over to him as the others watched on. She held out her hand. "Wallet."
With a puzzled look he reached into his back pocket and held it out to her.
Brooke quickly found what she was looking for and then linked her arm through Luke's and headed for the door.
"We'll be back, make those calls."
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Haley let Nathan walk her to their bedroom while Peyton took off to look around the guest bedroom she and Brooke had been using.
"Urgh." She says as she lays against the headboard. Glad to have her day cut short because her feet were starting to really bother her. As much as she wanted to be there for Brooke, she just wasn't in a position to go against her bodies demands.
The last thing she wanted was to be forced into resting, or worse, cause herself to go into early labour.
"Hey, are you sure you're okay Hales?" Nathan asks as he helps remove her shoes and gives her feet a gentle rubdown.
Haley closed her eyes in pleasure at what Nathan was doing. "I'm fine, just tired Nate." She breathed out.
Luckily for him Haley couldn't see the grin that took over Nathan's face as he continued to watch her react to his touch.
That's kinda the same look she gets when I…
"Perfect." Haley said as he hit just the spot that had been really painful before, but her eyes drifted open as she heard Nathan chuckle suddenly.
"What?" She asked.
He smiled at her and gave her feet a final pat. "Nothing. Let me just check in on Peyton and I'll be right back, okay?"
"No." Haley said just as he stood up. She watched his puzzled looked. "Peyton isn't here to get anything they left behind; she's here to take you back to the party." She revealed.
"Huh?" He asked sitting back down at her hip.
It was Haley's turn to chuckle this time. She sat up a little straighter and reached over to take his hand into both of hers. "I'm really happy for you Nathan, so I want you to go back and have some fun." She said.
When he started to protest she silenced him with a kiss.
"You deserve to enjoy this Nathan, and I want you to." She continued.
"Plus," She added with a laugh. "Once this one arrives, trust me, you won't be going out anywhere for a very long time. Not on your own, so go back to the apartment and just have a blast celebrating with Skills and Lucas, this is what you wanted, and you've got it."
Nathan grinned at her, wanting to accept but didn't want Haley to feel like he was abandoning her. "You sure? I don't mind staying."
"I know, but get lost and give me and the baby some peace tonight." She replied jokingly.
He leaned in and spent a leisurely time kissing her. "I love you." He said as he pulled back an inch.
Haley blew out a breath after that kiss and dropped her head back onto a pillow.
"Ha, like you'll remember that in the labour room!" She teased him. "Now get out of here before I change my mind."
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"What the…" Peyton said to herself as she and Nathan got out of her car. The first thing she noticed was the loud music blasting into the air, coming from her apartment, and the second was that there were a bunch of people huddled outside the open door.
"I know him right?" Nathan asked as they made their way up the stairs. He was referring to the older guy that stood next to a grinning Mouth.
Peyton frowned. "Yeah that's David. He's worked the doors over at Tric a few times." She explained where Nathan could have seen him before.
Nate nodded as they came to stand beside Mouth.
"Hey!" Mouth greeted them loudly, already well on his way to being drunk despite the full plastic drinks cup he held in his hand. "I know them, they can come in." He said giving the heavily muscled guy beside him a nod.
"They used to date," He continued talking to David. "But now he's married and about to be a dad… not to her though, to Haley his wife." He explained, although he frowned, not sure he had said that the right way.
Peyton just smiled at him. "Hey, Dave." She said passing through the doorway.
"Hey Peyton." He replied but she'd already turned her attention onto the utter mayhem going on inside her apartment.
Nathan stopped and looked around, there had to be close to twenty people here now, all split into groups. Some they had passed outside on the landing while others where surrounding the TV playing some kind of drinking game, the rest, including Brooke, were in the kitchen.
Where there were now a keg and bottles of alcohol, and people wanting their share.
Well Haley did say to have fun. He thought to himself as he went to get himself a drink and then planned to find Skills and see what game the team were playing that involved watching the Simpson's.
Peyton had gone straight over to Brooke, who had been handing some girl a cup of beer, as soon as she spotted her and pulled her away down the hall.
"Nice to see you too, Sawyer." Brooke said once the manhandling was over.
Peyton just glared at her. "What the hell is going on here Brooke? Are you drinking? And when did this turn into a frat party?" She demanded, still in shock about what was going on around her.
Her eyes drifted over to a loud cheer near the TV just in time to watch everyone there, including Bevin, Skills, Nathan and Chase all down a shot of something or other. She shook her head not wanting to know what they were up to.
But it was obvious most people if not all were enjoying themselves, and the alcohol.
"Would you relax, everything's been taken care of. And no I haven't been drinking, though I think I'm the only one." Brooke said hoping her friend would actually allow herself to have some fun. "I had Bevin call a few more people over, and I asked Dave for a favour then just add some booze – voila, not a drop of tension or awkwardness in the room." She finished with a pleased look, a hand going to her hip.
Peyton wanted to be angry, she really did. But as she looked around she knew Brooke was right. There wasn't anyone acting weird now, not like they had before she, Nathan and Haley had left less than an hour ago. And bouncer Dave seemed to be ensuring, with the help of the overeager Mouth, that no one else gate crashed.
Got to hand it to Brooke, she knows what she's doing.
"Come on." Brooke said, slinging her arm around the blonde's shoulders and guided her back into the kitchen. "Let's get you drunk too and see if I can get you to smile!"
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A few hours later Peyton found herself in the kitchen getting another drink when she spotted Chase take Brooke's hand and lead her out of the front door.
She couldn't help but feel hurt by the sight. He'd spent the last few hours asking Brooke to dance with him every chance he got, and although she'd declined several times they had spent a lot of the party together.
Half way between angry and sad, she felt two arms reach around and hold her.
"Having a good time beautiful?" Lucas asked into her ear.
She downed the shot in her hand and picked up another two as she turned, breaking his hold on her, and handed him one of the drinks.
"Great, you?" She asked, swallowing her second drink.
He chuckled and followed her lead in drinking the alcohol down before pulling her close again. "It's getting better; I finally seem to have you alone." He explained drawing her into a light kiss.
She tried not to pull back but wasn't completely comfortable with the kiss either, and as soon as it was over she turned her head to find another drink so she wouldn't have to look at him.
Lucas frowned at her and tried to think if he'd done something wrong again. He sighed as she stepped away from him to pour out some beer. He took a look around and realised he couldn't spot Brooke anywhere.
"Where did Brooke go?" He asked slightly concerned.
Peyton took a large gulp of her drink before handing him the other one.
"She's out front with Chase." She informed him, managing to keep her tone neutral.
He nodded taking a sip of his beer, then smirked at her. "Guess things are going good for both of them then. I saw them dancing together earlier on, they looked pretty comfortable with each other again." He said with a laugh in this voice.
Peyton tried to ignore his words but she'd seen them dancing together herself, and she'd hated every second of it.
"Tell you what," He said placing hand possessively onto her hip. "Why don't we find somewhere quieter too?" He continued as he moved to kiss his girlfriend just below her ear.
Peyton inhaled at the touch, and blinked as she let her mind go blank. Lucas hadn't deserved the way she'd been treating him, and she'd loved him enough to risk her friendship with Brooke over.
She couldn't have just stopped loving him, could she?
There had to be some of that still there inside her, right?
She swallowed some more beer, not even tasting it. Maybe if she got drunk enough, she'd be able to forget Brooke's face as she smiled at Chase while they danced a few minutes ago.
"Okay." She replied, not sure exactly what she was agreeing to but if it meant she didn't have to think about Brooke and Chase, she was all for it.
She didn't even protest as Lucas gently steered her down the hall and into her bedroom, closing the door softly behind them.
And when he kissed her again, she kissed back, wanting nothing more than to forget.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Brooke looks around and spots Nathan sitting at the top of the steps and heads over to sit down beside him.
"Hey, Hot Shot." She says bumping him with her shoulder. "I saw you out here hovering… should Haley be worried?" She asked in a teasing voice. She knew how much he loved Haley and that he would never even think of betraying her, but it didn't hurt to wind him up about it every chance she got.
He laughed at her. "No, I came out to see how things were going with…" He said, trailing off as he jerked his chin over towards the corner of the building.
"I know, and thanks." She replied sincerely, but she hadn't thought she was going to have a problem telling Chase that they wouldn't be getting back together again.
She hadn't explained everything to him, but she had hinted that she was interested in someone other than him. But he'd been sweet and very apologetic, and more than a little drunk. She'd enjoyed spending time with him tonight, but it had felt like a goodbye, and she was okay with that this time.
"No worries, and it looks like he didn't take losing Brooke Davis hard at all." He said to Brooke with a laugh as she turned to watch Theresa pull her baseball hat from Chase's head just before she crashed their lips together in a heated kiss.
"Yeah, he took his pain like a real trooper." She commented with a hint of sarcasm. Fortunately for her she'd watched Theresa and Chase eye each other several times tonight and knew all they needed was one little push in the right direction, which she'd been more than happy to provide.
She would have enough to deal with on her own in the coming weeks as it is, and she hadn't enjoyed the prospect of Chase following her around in the vain hopes of getting back together with her.
Turning back to Nathan she gave him another friendly nudge. "And how are things with you Hot Shot? Having a good time?" She asked.
Nathan sighed happily, he was having a great time, but he was embarrassed to admit he wanted to head home and be with Haley.
He shrugged. The fact that he was going to get his chance at playing ball at college level blew him away. He'd thought that would never happen for him now, not after the betting and point shaving scandal had caused all his scholarship offers to disappear. Instead of becoming angry and bitter at the situation he'd accepted it, as painful as that was, and turned his dreams away from the NBA to being the best husband and father that he could be, because he'd realised that nothing in the world meant more to him than his family.
But now he was getting a second chance, and he swore to himself he'd make Haley proud of him this time, no matter how hard he had to work for it.
"I've had a good time Brooke, but I'm sitting out here in the cold while my beautiful wife is at home in bed… waiting for me." He replied sending her a small pout.
Brooke burst out laughing. But was secretly more than a little jealous of her friends successful love life. And she couldn't help her thoughts drifting to a certain blonde she hoped would be sharing her bed relatively soon.
She slapped at his thigh and stood up. "Well then let's not keep her waiting. But before you leave your final duty for tonight is to get everyone the hell out of my apartment." She said as they both moved towards the apartment. Nathan opens the door and lets Brooke into the house first before moving towards the kitchen.
"So do you think we've got enough drinks left over for a graduation party?" He asks wryly, glancing over his shoulder to the brunette, lifting two empty spirits bottles that he then placed in the bin. More empty bottles and cans lay all over the counter.
Brooke placed her hand onto her head and took a look around. Currently everyone seemed to be having a great time. Singing and dancing was currently going on just across from her while most of their friends were arranged around the sitting area, not to mention those outside.
She made a quick decision. "If they run out they can always go home or something... not like they live here." She responds having had more than enough of the party herself. "Any chance you can put us up for another night?" She turned pleading eyes up at him.
Nathan took a look around as well, the place was jumping, maybe it was time for them to get out and just cross their fingers that the apartment would still be standing in the morning.
"Tell you what, you find Peyton in all of this," He said gesturing towards the living area where everyone seemed to have congregated. "And I'll let the more sober of the two of you drive me home. And I'm sure your room's still there."
"Oh, thanks Nate!" Brooke said throwing her arms around him to give him a hug.
As far as she could tell she was the only sober one in the place having abstained due to her medication, not that it really affected her night, but the last thing she wanted right now was to deal with all her drunken friends as the night progressed. She was sure the cops would turn up at some point and maybe it was best she and Peyton weren't around.
She'd already had more than enough excitement to last her all week, and what she really needed was just to get some sleep.
Now all she had to do was find Blondie.
She knew Peyton hadn't been anywhere out on the front deck, so that left the inside of the apartment. She frowned not spotting the telltale blonde curls anywhere in sight.
Looking down the hallway she thought it might be a good idea to check the bathroom in case her friend was hiding out in there.
"Hello?" She asked giving the door a tentative knock and received a reply from a male voice. Not in there then. Turning she spotted their bedroom door closed over, and headed to it knowing it had been left open earlier.
"Hey Sawyer are you in he-" She called out as she opened the door.
Stopping suddenly and shocked into silence Brooke can only stare at the scene in front of her.
There lying in her bed was Lucas Scott, the sheets that pooled at his waist giving away the fact that he was very much naked. Across from her Peyton had been standing looking out the window with a sheet held to her chest. But Brooke was left with more than enough information about her lack of clothes.
The fact that said items were currently scattered around the room made Brooke's heart break. She remained immobile as in what seemed like slow motion Peyton turned horrified eyes towards her.
Brooke couldn't hold her gaze for more than that first glance.
Suddenly time seemed to speed up again and all Brooke wanted was to get as far away as possible, as fast as possible. As she turned she thought she heard Peyton say her name, asking her to wait, but it didn't matter now.
Nothing mattered anymore.
Feeling her eyes sting she pushed past Nathan who had come to stand behind her at some point and ran towards the front door and her car.
She couldn't be here any longer.
What was the point; it was clear who Peyton wanted.
And it wasn't her.
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AN/
All together now…
Booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
My feelings exactly, but what can you do?
The deed is done :( so to speak.
Love and good wishes to everyone, and have a safe holidays, enjoy the crush out there in the sales over the next few days.
Just remember – good things come to those who wait…
And I'm making you wait.
:D