Chapter Nine: Look After You
Lucas went back into Peyton's room. He cringed a bit when he saw her smiling face, knowing that it was waiting for Jake.
"So, is Jake coming?" Peyton asked.
"He, uh, went out of town, your father is contacting him now," Lucas said.
"Oh, alright," Peyton said, as her smile faded just a little bit.
"Peyt, you know, know matter what I'll always be there for you right?" Lucas asked.
"Yeah, of course," Peyton said.
"Good," Lucas said, as he sat on edge of her bed, and gave her a hug.
"You know what?" Peyton asked.
"What?" Lucas asked.
"Your one of my best friend's," Peyton said, meaning it whole heartedly.
"Good, your one of my best friend's too," Lucas said, as tear fell from the corner of his eye.
"Luke, are you crying?" Peyton asked.
"Um, nah, I just had something in my eye," Lucas said, as he swiped at his eye, and cursed himself.
"No, I think you were crying," Peyton said.
"Alright, I admit it, we all were. We were just afraid we were going to lose you," Lucas said, as he hung his head low.
He just wanted to grab her and kiss her. He just wanted to really tell her he loved her.
"I'm not going anywhere Luke," Peyton said.
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Brooke walked into Peyton's room a few minutes later.
"Luke, Larry needs to talk to you," Brooke said, walking in slowly.
"Alright," he said, getting up and walking out the door.
"Hey P.Sawyer," Brooke said, sitting where Lucas had just been sitting.
"Hey B.Davis," Peyton said, as they hugged each other tightly.
"We where all so scared," Brooke said, with tears in her eyes.
"You ain't gonna lose me that easily," Peyton said.
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"Lucas, I just called that Jake kid. He said he won't come," Larry said, shaking his head.
"What do you mean he won't come?" Lucas asked.
"He said, he has a family and he can't just up and leave whenever Peyton needs him," Larry said.
"Give me that damn phone," Lucas said.
Lucas hit the speed dial button, and waited for an answer.
"Hello," Jake answered.
"Jake?" Lucas asked.
"Yeah," Jake said.
"It's Lucas, and I gotta ask, why the hell your being such a shit," Lucas asked.
"Luke man, I'd like to come really. Man, I got family now, and Peyton just isn't a part of that. She wanted you not me, and I don't know what's going on, but I can't just drop everything to be at her every whim," Jake said
"What do you mean you got family, you got Jenny that's it," Lucas said, his anger rising.
"Nah man, after Peyton left I decided I deserved more than waiting around for a girl that didn't want me. So I started spending more time with Nicki, and we decided to get married," Jake said.
"Damn," Lucas said as he hung up the phone.
"Luke," Nathan said.
"He's married," Lucas said, his head hanging low.
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Lucas stalked back to Peyton's room, he had come up with a good plan.
"Brooke, can I have a minute," Lucas said, opening the door fully.
"Yeah of course," Brooke said, vacating the room.
"Is it about Jake," Peyton asked.
"Yeah," Lucas said, looking at his feet.
"Luke, is he okay?" Peyton asked.
"Apparently he told you the day of your accident that he was leaving you. That is what we think caused your accident Peyton," Lucas said, not able to meet her eyes.
"Oh, he's fine, he just doesn't want me," Peyton said, shakily.
"Peyt," Lucas said.
"No, I'm...I'm fine," Peyton said, as tears started to stream down her face.
"Come here," Lucas said, as he wedged himself on the bed.
Peyton threw her arms around Lucas's neck and nestled her head in the crook of his neck.
"I told you I was here for you. I'm not leaving you Peyton," Lucas said.