"What is it?" Lucas pulled Peyton closer.
She was going to tell him. She had every intention of telling him. But then she looked into his deep blue eyes, seeing the love there all for her and she couldn't do it. Just one more day, she told herself. Just give me one more day.
"I have to tell you that I would love to have your baby," Peyton said forcing a laugh. "But I am not sure you will love me when I am fat."
"There will just be more of you to love," Lucas said laughing. He reached under the covers and began to tickle her side.
Peyton jumped and joined him in the laughter. The seriousness of her situation, and the darkness faded at least for the moment. But then thing about darkness was it was always there, the shadows slowly creeping in, enveloping the light until it consumed it completely.
Peyton was preparing for work when her phone rang. Lucas was in the shower and she could hear him humming a tone. She smiled. This was her life, this is the way she wanted it, the way she wanted it to stay.
"Hello," Peyton said answering the phone.
"Hey, Peyton, it's Mia."
"Hey, Mia," Peyton said smiling. "What's up rock star?"
"I am in Chicago," Mia began. "There are some things going on with the tour. I hate to ask, but can you meet me up her before tonight's concert?"
Peyton turned back to where Lucas was in the shower. Her life was on the brink of shambles, secrets and lies surrounded her and now her work was calling for her attention as well.
"Uh, sure," Peyton said reluctantly. "I'll catch a flight this afternoon."
Peyton hung up the phone and sat on the bed. Just then Lucas emerged bare chest, hair damp from the shower and a towel slung around his hips.
"What's up?" Lucas asked as he went to his closet.
"That was Mia," Peyton said holding up her cell phone. "She needs me to meet her in Chicago tonight. Something about the tour."
"Oh, when do you have to leave?" Lucas chose a pair of worn jeans and a navy blue shirt. He turned back to face Peyton.
"I will catch a flight this afternoon," Peyton told him. She got up from the bed and walked beside Lucas. "I'm sorry. I know you got a lot of stuff going on."
"It's okay," Lucas said kissing her on the forehead. "Go, I can sort this out."
Peyton grew worried. "What does that mean?"
"I don't know," Lucas dropped the towel and slid into his jeans. "I guess I will meet with Julian again today and just hear more of what he has to say."
"Lucas," Peyton took his arm. "Be careful with this guy." Peyton's words were pleading.
"It sounds like you know him," Lucas said.
It was her opening. Just say it Peyton. Yes, I knew him in LA. We were together, we have a past. But she didn't. It wasn't the right time. "I just want you to be careful and not rush into anything."
"I won't, Peyton." Lucas kissed Peyton on the lips. "I promise. Now, you better get going so you can meet Mia. No telling what she has gotten herself into."
"Okay," Peyton kissed Lucas again and then went to the door picking up her briefcase on her way out. "I will call you when I get there."
"You better," Lucas scolded. And then he winked at her as she walked out the door.
Lucas was just finishing an email to his agent when there was knock on the door. He hit the send button and went to answer it. He wasn't really surprised to open the door and find Julian standing there.
"Hope I'm not interrupting," Julian said as he looked inside.
"No," Lucas said. "I was just finishing up an email. Come in."
Lucas opened the door wider and Julian walked in. "Is Peyton here," Julian asked. "Didn't get to meet her last night."
"No, Peyton had to fly to Chicago today," Lucas told him. He led Julian into the living room and the two men sat down.
"Isn't that convenient," Julian said under his breath.
"What was that," Lucas asked.
"Oh, nothing." Julian reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out an envelope. "Well, Lucas, I have the contract right here. What you say we sign this thing and start working together."
"I don't know," Lucas said crossing his legs. "I still have to talk to Peyton."
"Oh, it is that kind of relationship." Julian clicked his tongue. "I see."
"See what?" Lucas was getting a bit annoyed.
"She wears the pants," Julian shook his head. "I get it."
"Comments like that are not going to win me over," Lucas said leaning forward. "I don't tolerate anyone disrespecting Peyton or my relationship with her."
"Sorry, dude," Julian held up his hands. "No disrespect intended. It's just I am the kind of guy that sees something and goes after it. After reading your book, I thought you were too."
"Give me the contract," Lucas held out his hand. Julian handed it to him.
Lucas looked over it, flipping each page. When he got to the end, he grabbed a pen off the coffee table. Without even looking at Julian, he signed the contract.
"How is that?" Lucas tossed the contract back at Julian.
"I say that is great." Julian folded it up and put it back in his jacket pocket. "Let's make a movie."
"Great," Lucas slapped his thigh.
"I do have a couple of suggestions," Julian interceded. "Just to make the movie more interesting."
"The story is pretty set," Lucas said defensively.
"Oh, we keep the same premise," Julian rose from his seat and began to pace. "But I was thinking of shaking a few things up. Like, the lead guy staying with the hot head cheerleader. Seems a bit unrealistic for him to drop her and go after the girl with all the issues."
"It's not realistic," Lucas got up and walked toward Julian. "It is real life. That girl is Peyton."
"Yeah, yeah," Julian waved his hand. "But who says art has to imitate life. The book is just guidelines." Julian slapped his hands together. "Yeah, I am feeling this."
"I'm not." Lucas was getting defensive. "We are talking about me, about my book, about my life. That isn't fiction."
"Well, when I was with Peyton in LA she used to say that most of the stuff in the book was fiction anyway." Julian had been waiting to drop this bomb on Lucas.
"Wait, you knew Peyton in LA," Lucas asked with a hint of confusion.
"Oh, yeah. I knew every inch of Peyton. You were crazy to let that go." Julian smiled triumphantly.