Episode 13 Ch. 2- He Likes Me

Lucas was sitting on the bed he shared with his lovely wife. He was having a hard time with his family lately. His youngest son hated the woman he loved, and his oldest son had a heart condition that could be fatal. Nothing in his life seemed to be right anymore.

He continued to wallow in self-pity when he felt the simple touch of his beautiful wife's hand on his back. "Hi," she whispered.

She kissed his cheek gently, "I'm sorry I lost my cool back there."

"It's okay honey," Peyton told him as she rubbed his back.

"No it's not. I have no idea what to do with my family. My son's are falling apart, and I can't do anything to stop it," he said defeated.

"Yes you can Luke. It's going to take sometime, but we've got each other, and we can get through this," Peyton reassured her husband.

He sighed, "I probably should go get ready for tonight," he got up from the bed.

"I love you Lucas," she said hoping he would respond.

"I love you too," he said as he walked into their bathroom. Her husband was pushing her away, and she didn't know how to handle it.

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Elizabeth rushed into the café to find Ashton. Ashton waved her hand from one of the booths in the corner, "Hey what's so important?"

"I'm sorry," Elizabeth apologized. "You were right Noah does like me."

"How did you come to this conclusion?" Ashton asked as they sat down in the booth.

"He asked me out in a round about way, but I convinced him that all three of us should go together," Elizabeth told her.

"Elizabeth what are you going to do?"

"I love Tyler, Ashton, but I would be lying if I said I didn't have feelings for Noah too." Elizabeth sighed as she thought about what she should do.

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Daniel was in his room applying aftershave. Noah walks in and laughs. "Dude you don't shave," he laughed again and plopped on the bed.

"Shut up man, I want to smell good."

Daniel looked over at his brother, and he could tell that something was on his mind. "What's up?"

"What are you talking about?"

"You have that look that you get when something is going on so what's got you all broody?"

"There's this girl," Noah admitted.

"Oh wow you got a girlfriend," Daniel was surprised. Noah didn't usually date anyone.

"No, we're not dating, but I like her. I don't know if she feels the same way."

"Ask her out," Daniel made it seem simple.

"I did, but she thought I wanted to go as a friend."

"Well make her see that you want so much more than a friendship," Daniel said again.

Noah chuckled, "You make it sound so simple, but it's not that easy."

"Girls are easy Noah trust me I know. Take me and Lily for example, she didn't think she wanted a relationship, but I'm going to show her that I am exactly what she wants."

Noah just shook his head. Daniel seemed to think girls were easy, but Noah knew that things with Elizabeth were going to be complicated.

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Michelle was finishing up things at the house. She wanted to be ready by the time Andy came to pick her up. She was usually late, and she was trying to show him that she could be on time. She heard the door open and realized that Andy was really early. "Andy I'm in here, but I'm not ready yet."

"Okay but it's not Andy," Spencer said as he entered the room. "Hi."

"Hey," she was happy to see him. "I wasn't expecting you. Is something wrong?"

"Oh no nothing is wrong. I just wanted to let you know that I got a job."

Her face lit up from ear to ear, "Oh Spencer that is great."

"Yeah, I'm gonna be working at the local grocery store, but at least it is a job," Spencer told her.

"You are right at least it is a job," she told him. He was still distant with her. She wasn't sure where they stood, but at least he was talking to her. "I knew you were going to get your life back together. You should come with us to TRIC tonight and celebrate."

"I don't know," he shook his head. He knew Lily would be there.

"It'll be good for you besides Becky is singing, and I know she would love to have you there," Michelle tried to convince him to tag along.

"Alright sounds good," he finally agreed. He didn't really want to go, but he did want to see Lily. Seeing her always made him feel good even if he knew they would never be together.

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Lucas was still moping around the house. Peyton had left with Charlie and Savannah early. She was taking them to Nathan's house to play with Millie. Deb was going to watch them for the night. Lucas was surprised that Peyton had actually gone to Nathan's house knowing that Brooke might be there, but Peyton had told him that Brooke was at work that is why she wanted to go early.

Lily walked in the house to see her brother wallowing. "You know this look doesn't look good on you," she said laughing.

He squinted at her with his brooding look, "I'm not in the mood for your mouth Lily," he said somewhat harshly.

"I can tell. You haven't been in a good mood in a very long time, and this brooding your doing is getting old," she informed him as she sat down beside him.

"Lily," he looked up at her. "Please don't start with me. I'm not having a very good week."

"You know what Lucas everybody goes through hard times, but that is no reason to sulk. We all have to move on. Peyton is going through the same thing you are going through, but you don't see her sitting around here moping," she pointed out to him.

"This is different," Lucas said.

"It's not different," she disagreed. "You and Peyton are married and that means you are supposed to confide and be there for each other no matter what."

"That's funny I didn't know you were an expert on marriage," Lucas told her sarcastically.

She laughed, "Well at least you still have jokes. Luke really I love you, but things aren't going to get better until you try to make them better." She stood up and walked back to her room, "I'm here and so is Peyton if you need anything just ask, but stop moping around like a five year old," she walked to her room.

He sat there for a moment trying to take in what she said. She was right he needed to stop moping and be a man.

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Peyton walked into her old office to see Mia in full panic mode. "I remember those days when I would freak out like you are doing right now."

"I'm so glad you are here. I have bad news," Mia informed her.

"What kind of bad news?" she asked worriedly.

"One of the judges I had hired couldn't make it. I'm gonna need you to step in."

"Oh no Mia I can't. We've already talked about this. I can't because Jamie is my nephew," Peyton told her.

"I know, but this is your record label Peyton, and if anyone is going to be signed you should be the one that picks them."

"But Jamie is my nephew."

"I've seen you Peyton you can judge without being partial," Mia told her. "Please I need you Peyton," she begged.

Peyton thought about the idea and finally answered, "Okay but if Jamie deserves to win I'm gonna vote for him."

"I wouldn't expect you to do anything else."

Peyton was worried that if she liked Jamie and he won people would say the competition was rigged, but if he didn't win she knew that Jamie would think it was because she didn't want to vote for him. Either way she knew her being a judge was a bad idea.

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Jamie and Becky decided to meet at the park before the competition. They were both very nervous but being together helped them get over their nerves.

Becky arrived first and waited for him. When Jamie got there they didn't even speak. They let their lips do the talking. Jamie kissed her like he was never going to kiss her again, and in a way that worried her more than anything.

Okay so I know I just updated, but I wanted to update again. Tell me what you thought about the Luke and Lily scene...I had to put that one in there.

Thanks for the reviews for the last chapter like always you guys are awesome!