THE RED DOOR 7
Disclaimer: I don't own anything, neither the characters, or the places...
A/N: Okay, so big changes are coming. I had first decided to do a normal chapter, and I had even begun writing it; and then I dreamed of something radically different, but just more interesting to explore. So here it goes, I'm gonna sum up quickly what happened in the chapter I was supposed to write and then will skip up a few years…
chocolatexpresso, Mrs.Scott323, LiZ457, kaitlin23, Angelic Prefect, and iamkagomeiloveinuyasha, thanks for the nice and encouraging reviews. I know I confused some with the thing with Lucas beeing a father, I hope this chapter will clear some things up.
Previously in the Red Door…
"As I was just saying, Jake and Jenny are not gone forever; they'll be back sooner than you think." Brooke said sure of herself, like she knew something about the subject and Peyton sat down on the bed, facing her bestfriend with a confused look.
"How would you know about something so unsure Brooke?"
"Jake called me the other day. It was supposed to be a surprise." As the brunette brought the bombshell, Peyton's eyes went wet…
"How could you not tell me about it, Brooke?" Peyton asked angrily as the brunette looked down at her feet, a little ashamed that she had to hide something that big. The thing was that she wanted to do something special, a surprise. "You're my bestfriend, how could even keep it quiet?" She asked again when she saw no reaction coming from her bestfriend. She tried to meet her eyes but this one kept glancing down at the how so appealing floor.
"It was supposed to be a surprise!" The brunette answered almost immediately after Peyton had asked her. But still, her gaze wouldn't dare meeting her friend's expectant one.
"But if I had known…" Peyton trailed off and Brooke nodded, understanding what she was going to say. She sat down on the bed and gently took her friend's hand. Peyton looked up at her, tears slowly dropping from her eyes.
"You wouldn't have gone for Nathan, right?" Brooke asked, knowing perfectly that it was a true statement. Peyton sighed loudly and sat down at the end of the bed, and ran a hand through her curls.
"I don't know anymore."
"They're taking the plane on Wednesday, so maybe you could just try to think about what you really want. That way, the day you see Jake, you are clear with your mind and your feelings." Brooke explained while sitting next to her on the bed. She crossed her legs and put one of her hands on the blonde's left knee.
"But…I don't want to lose Nathan either."
"Listen Peyton, you have to choose. You can't hesitate because in case you've forgotten, they've both responsibilities. Jake because he is a father and Nathan because he has a wife."
"I know that Brooke but I just can't. I know he feels something for me, he told me. I can't let him down just because an ex-lover comes back."
"So what are you going to tell Haley then? That you want her husband?"
"It's not like there is still love between them anyway." Peyton shrugged and she saw Brooke become suddenly redder, and she could tell it wasn't from embarrassment.
"How can you even say that? You don't know anything about what Haley is feeling right now! See how she was yesterday, the state she got into just because of a kiss!" Brooke replied, feeling her cheeks becoming hot, from anger. Yes, she was angry at her bestfriend for acting so carelessly about their other friend's feelings. She knew how hard it was to be cheated and betrayed, and she would do anything to prevent Haley from having that pain.
"It's just jealousy, you know. And besides I don't understand her reaction. After all, she went on tour with Chris Keller, and left him alone, not really caring about how he would feel about the whole thing."
"Oh c'mon, you know that's not true. And I can't even believe you said that about Haley! You perfectly know she's absolutely not carefree, or selfish." Brooke defended her other bestfriend and Peyton let out another sigh as if she knew she wouldn't have the end of it with Brooke. She had the feeling Brooke completely disapproved of the whole thing, especially since she had organized the Jake surprise and thought it would please Peyton. Well, one positive point about the whole thing is that she would have to make a decision, and quickly.
Meantime, Rivercourt
"Nathan, what about your marriage? Do you really want Haley to leave again?" Lucas had heard about Haley leaving on tour last year, it had nearly destroyed their wedding, and now that Nathan didn't want her anymore, it was almost certain that if she got a new proposition to go, she would leave right away.
"Things with Haley were finished since a long time already." Nathan replied with a monotonous tone, as if he didn't really care about his marriage to his high school sweetheart anymore. Like he was an old man that realized things happen in life and you can't do a thing about it. Lucas glanced at him confused and Nathan took that as an occasion to grab the ball and score. Lucas sighed when he saw he was losing the game, again, for the third time that night.
"But-"
"I love Peyton, Lucas." Nathan confessed and threw the ball to his new friend, who caught it easily and made a shot soon after. He turned to him and looked at him, seriously.
"Then, go tell her man, you only live once." Lucas shrugged and Nathan let out a small laugh.
"Just like you did with Brooke?" He teased him and the blonde boy smiled a little, defeated.
"Okay so Brooke is a very complicated girl and I'm not even sure she likes me."
"Oh believe me, she does."
"Really?"
"She's just scared. I don't know if she told you but her boyfriend of last year, Felix, cheated on her with a good friend of hers. She got really hurt because she really liked him."
"I didn't know man, how could a guy act like that with her, she's so…great!"
"I know, but the guy was a total jackass, even worse that Tim, you imagine?"
"Whoa, that bad!"
"Yeah."
"And they say guys don't gossip." They turned around and saw Dan Scott snickering at them. Lucas and Nathan shared a confused look and Nathan dropped the ball to his feet before taking a few steps towards his father, while Lucas remained a little behind. He didn't know why, but the man was making him feel weird.
"What do you want Dan?"
"Just thought it would be nice to see my son, and play some basketball. But you apparently found a new companion, so I guess I'll see you around." Dan said with a smirk and his son rolled his eyes at him. He couldn't believe he would leave that soon.
"You are kidding?"
"I heard about you cheating on you wife. Is that true?"
"You don't even deserve an answer." Nathan said harshly, really hurt by his father's words. He always had a way to get to him, whatever he was saying.
"C'mon, it's not like you should be ashamed of yourself. And I guess she isn't even mad since you two seem to be very open and free in your couple. First Chris Keller, then Peyton Sawyer… who's next, Lucas? Because it wouldn't be so healthy, wouldn't it?" Dan said though, only him understood what he suggested by his statement about Lucas.
"You go away now." Nathan said harshly and Dan snickered at him before turning on his feet and heading to his car. Lucas watched the man go away and approached Nathan who was still eyes set on his father retreating back. If looks could kill, well, let's say Dan would be very dead.
"Your father is a big jerk man. Brooke wasn't wrong about him."
"Oh believe me, it's only the nicest façade you saw tonight."
"Sometimes, I'm really happy not to have a dad when I see what kind of parents you all have here." Lucas kidded and Nathan nodded along…sometimes, he wished that he had no parents at all… Between his jerk of father, and his alcoholic mother…
Brooke had returned to Lucas' house, no longer after she had left it, eventually. She needed to clear things between Lucas and her. She didn't clearly knew what she was going to say, but knew things couldn't stay that way. The fact that she had kissed him a second time, just to leave him without a word after had to confuse him. The truth was that she was deeply scared to let another boy in, after the whole Felix cheating. So, they were both in his room, previously hers but that's not the point. She cleared her throat, awkwardly looking down at her hands and finally looked up when she felt his eyes on her.
"Lucas…I'm not ready for more than a friendship." Brooke admitted to her friend who nodded, apparently understanding her point. He wasn't really mad at her, they didn't know each other that well, and he was still wondering what he was doing in Tree Hill when he could be in L.A with his friends and family.
"That's cool, I understand. But Brooke, you need to know that I would never hurt you on purpose, like your ex did. I care about you, a lot." He paused and sat next to her on his bed, then took one of her hands in his. "And I think that if you need to feel like you can trust me, I have to be honest with you first… There is something I need to tell you …but that's not what you think." He said and paused again for a second before taking a deep breath. "I'm a dad Brooke, she's 4, and no, she's not biologically mine." Brooke's mouth opened, only to close a second after. She was really confused about the new information she was getting, and didn't really know what to say, or how to act. Was it even possible the guy she liked wasn't as free as she thought he was? When he realized she wasn't going to say something, he decided to keep on his story. "She is my ex girlfriend's daughter, but she died a year ago and I got custody of Kayla until her grandparents took her to their home. But I know her since she's born, and she's like a real daughter to me. And I miss her so bad that I'm thinking of going back to California." He finished and looked back at Brooke who seemed to have recovered from the surprising news. Brooke realized some things at this moment. All the times when she thought there was someone else in Lucas' life, when she thought she didn't get his whole attention… there was indeed someone in his mind: Kayla…
"She was the one you said 'I love you' on the phone. You told me she was a friend… You could have told me the truth back then."
"I'm sorry, you just caught me out of guard and I guess I kinda panicked. It's not everyday you tell someone that you're yourself a kid but have got a kid, too."
"I don't know what to say to you Lucas, but if you feel the need to go back to L.A, I understand and I'll support your decision."
"I've got mixed feelings about it Brooke. I know that my mom brought me here so I could meet my dad, but nothing seems to be progressing this way. I'm not even sure she knows who he is. I might be a night stand mistake, I wouldn't even know. And I miss Kayla so much. And one the other side, I'm starting to feel something for you…" He trailed off, with a desperate look on his face. Brooke knew she couldn't be the one to give him answers to his numerous life altering questions. She pulled her hand away from his warm one and leaned forward to kiss his cheek. She got up and their eyes met again. He looked puzzled by her reaction.
"I'll leave you alone some time so you can think about it. Call me if you need to talk more." She announced and reached the door in a few seconds. It was like she was suffocating here, she needed to get out, and as soon as possible.
"Brooke wait, I'm trying to say something here."
"Sorry…"
"You're afraid, uh? That I might say something you can't handle." He accused, his blue eyes piercing hers and she bit her bottom lip, now really apprehensive. Yes, she was afraid he might say that he wanted her or something of the same vein. She was scared he would reveal his feelings to her. She didn't know how she would handle them and she too, needed time.
"Yes, I am." She paused and looked over at him, a little anxious.
"Take your time Cheery, I'll be waiting."
"Thanks Broody, you're really a great friend." She stood up and hesitated at the door for a second, before leaving.
I know the end is abrupt, the text not really worked on, but I needed a sort of quick closure. Read next chapter, it's already up! It's a summary of what happened after this chapter.
Linkie.