Chapter Eight

Woman of the House

Brooke let herself into the Scott house and smiled as she spotted Lucas sitting alone in the living room."Hey, Luke. What's up?"

Lucas sat up quickly, startled by Brooke. He thought he was alone in the house."Jesus, Brooke. You scared the crap out of me."he said catching his breath.

Brooke laughed as she watched him."Sorry."

"What are you doing here? Did we make plans to work this afternoon?"

Brooke shook her head."No, I'm actually here to see Nathan."

"You do know he's grounded, right?"

Brooke rolled her eyes."Yes I do, but I happen to know that both his parents are at work at this time so I came to surprise him. Although if for some reason one or more of his parents were home I was going to use you as an excuse for why I was here."

"Way to use your head, I guess."

"You know it. I didn't see Nathan's car out front. Is he even here?"

Lucas shook his head."I forgot, he's not here. As part of his punishment Dan has him working at the dealership for a few hours a day."

"I bet Nathan hates that. He can't stand spending hours at a time with Dan. My poor baby. I hope he's okay."

"He's a big boy. I'm sure he's fine."

Brooke nodded."Okay, well I guess I should go then. I'll see you at school Luke. Please tell Nathan I stopped by."

"Hey, wait."called out Lucas as she made her way to the door.

"Yeah?"said Brooke as she reentered the living room.

"You could stay for a while. Nathan should be back soon."Brooke eyed him suspiciously, which caused Lucas to laugh."I just figured we could maybe get a little work done until he got here."

"Okay, I guess we could do that."she said as she plopped herself down on the couch near him.

"So where should we start?"he asked.

"Umm..."Brooke pretended to think for a second."How about nowhere? Wouldn't you rather watch some TV?"

Lucas shook his head."We are going to get some work done eventually, right?"he laughed.

"Yes, eventually, just not tonight. My brain isn't set to think right now."

"Well, that's good to know."he handed her the remote."You pick."

Brooke smiled at him and grabbed the remote."Are you sure you and Nathan are related?"

"Why?"he asked confused.

"Because Nathan never lets me have the remote. It's always what he wants to watch."

"Well it's a good thing I'm not Nathan then."

Brooke nodded and flipped the channel to Lifetime, where and old rerun of Golden Girls was playing. She set the remote down and left the channel on.

Lucas looked at her. Was she actually gonna leave it on this channel?"On second thought, I now understand why Nathan might hog the remote. Seriously Brooke, Golden Girls?"

Brooke turned to face him an incredulous look on her face."Don't you dare diss my girls. I love this show. It's like Sex and the City for elderly people. It's great."

"Brooke they're like 100."

Brooke threw a couch pillow at him."They are not 100. It's a really good show if you give it a chance."

Lucas shook his head."Sorry, I'm not into watching shows where the cast are all old enough to be my grandma."

Brooke rolled her eyes and flipped the channel to rerun of Friends.

Lucas smiled."Now this I can get in to. Jennifer Aniston and Courtney Cox are hot."

"You're such a guy."

"You say it like it's a bad thing. I like being a guy."

"Whatever."she said turning her attention to the TV.

After a few minutes in true guy form Lucas got bored."So you want to make out?"he joked.

Brooke turned to him."What?"

Lucas smiled."Just kidding, just wanted to see your reaction."he laughed.

"Don't do that again."

"Okay, sorry."he turned back to the screen."How long have you and Nathan been together?"he asked seriously. He was curious.

"Like you care."

"Hey, I wouldn't have asked if I didn't care."

Brooke looked him over, trying to see if he was serious."Almost four years, our whole high school lives."

Lucas nodded."That's impressive."

Brooke agreed."I know. I mean we have our fights and our faux break ups, but most of the time it's good."

Lucas turned his body toward her."Okay, I might be over stepping, but I gotta ask. Do you always cheat on Nathan?"he watched her face turn angry. He held up his hands."He, I'm not judging or anything. I'm just curious as to what led up to us that night at the bar."

Brooke softened a bit. Maybe he wasn't being a jerk by asking. She let out a sigh."Nathan and I have a complicated relationship. We love each other, we always have and we always will, no matter what, but we still have our moments. We fight like all normal couples do. I have a temper and as you can see Nathan has one as well. Neither of us like to be the one to back down from an argument and that's not always a good thing because sometimes it leads to even bigger arguments. Sometimes we say things when we're angry that we don't mean, like maybe we should break up. We break up like every other day. Sometimes our break ups last a day, sometimes a few days and sometimes even a few weeks. When you and I hooked up that night, me and Nathan had broken up. We had a fight about you of all things and we said some things and he ended up saying we needed a break. I was fine with it because I was leaving for a couple of weeks anyways and I had expected it."

"You expected it?"asked Lucas.

"Yeah, he does that all the time when I leave town for a vacation."

"Why?''

Brooke let out a sigh. She knew this was going to sound horrible and it was, but it was the way things were."So that if while I'm gone he happens to mess around I can't get upset because we weren't together."

"What?"he couldn't believe what he was hearing and it looked as if she was okay with it all.

"I know it sounds bad, but that's just how it is. It doesn't mean that we don't love each other because we do, we're just dysfunctional like that."

"You can't seriously be okay with this Brooke."

"He doesn't always mess around when I'm gone. I mean I'm not exactly Ms. Innocent either. I mess around too, but at the end of the day I still love Nathan and want to be with him."

"This is crazy."said Lucas shaking his head.

"Well you're the one that asked."

"Are you happy about your little arrangement with Nathan?"

She shook her head."No, not all the time, but that's how things are. Do I want them to change? Yeah, sometimes, but other times I'm fine with it. I mean if Nathan wouldn't have called me that night you and I met, we would have slept together and I would have enjoyed it with out feeling guilty because he was most likely gonna do the same thing while I was gone, which he did according to you."

"Me?"

"Yeah, Peyton said you said you saw him with some blonde while I was away."Lucas nodded."So you see, we were even. The only thing that screwed things up was that you turned out to be his brother so that made what I did ten times worse."

Lucas nodded."I'm not sure I understand, but okay. It's your life."he turned back to watch the show going over everything she had just said. There was no way she was happy about how things were. She deserved better than what she was getting.

Brooke too turned back to the show wondering if she had said too much. Maybe she should have kept her dysfunctional relationship to herself, but in her defense he did ask. She continued to stare at the TV in uncomfortable silence for a while before it became to much for her. She turned to him."So what's your story anyways?"

"My story?"he questioned.

"Yeah, your story. Why are you really here? What are you expecting out of it all?"

Lucas looked at her debating on if he should tell her anything. He didn't really know her all that well, but for some reason he felt as if he could trust her and she had just told him some very private things so he should do the same."Why am I here? I'm here because I have to be. I was forced to come here."

"But why? Why not stay with your mom? Why after all these years did Dan force you to come live with him?"

"It's not like that. Dan isn't the one forcing me to do anything. It's the courts. I had to go somewhere and Dan was gracious enough to turn his life upside down and take me in."

"I don't get it. Why was the courts involved?"

"Because my mom was arrested. She was driving one night after partying and she got pulled over for drunk driving. They searched her car and found drugs. She says they weren't hers and she didn't know how they got in her car, but they were. I know they were. She tried to keep it from me, but I always knew she did drugs. It was obvious when it was rent time and she didn't have the money. I swear we almost go evicted at least a dozen times a year."

Brooke placed her hand over his and gave it a reassuring squeeze. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. It must have been so hard for Lucas growing up. No kid should have to go through that.

Lucas looked up at her and saw the sadness in her eyes. He didn't want her pity. He didn't need it. He wasn't living that way anymore. He was here in this big mansion, driving a different car every week, and he had credit cards. He was living the good life now."So yeah, that's why I'm here. Yes they forced me to be here, but I'm not really complaining and it's not gonna be for long. Only a couple of months long. Once I turn 18 I'm out of here. Dan set up an account for when I leave. I told him no, but he said it was something he had to do. It was all the back child support he was supposed to have paid my mother, but didn't, which I'm glad for because if he had it would have all gone to alcohol and drugs. I wouldn't have seen a cent."

"God, I'm sorry Luke."

Lucas shook his head."Don't be. Everything worked out okay in the end. I'm not damaged."he laughed wanting to lighten the mood.

Brooke smiled."I can see that."

"Now for your second question. What do I expect out of all this? Not much. I would love to get to know my father better and to actually have a relationship with him. I wouldn't mind getting to know you better and Deb is cool."

"You didn't mention Nathan at all."she smiled.

"You caught that, huh?"she nodded."I wouldn't mind us becoming friends. I don't see us ever becoming like brothers, but friends would be cool. I don't think it will happen though. We just don't get along. He resents me for being here and I don't blame him. I probably would be acting the same if the roles were reversed, but still he's a real jerk."

"I'd have to agree with you. Sometimes he is a jerk, but he's my jerk and I love him."

Lucas nodded. He loved talking to Brooke. They didn't do it all the time, but when they did he found himself having a good time. She was easy to talk to. If only he had met her under different circumstances at a different time and if she wasn't in love with his brother."So what should we talk about next."he asked as the front door opened and in walked Nathan.

Brooke turned around and smiled when she saw him."Hey, there you are. I was waiting for you."she said as she got up and went over to kiss him.

"Really?"asked Nathan once he broke the kiss"Because to me it looked like you were spending time with Lucas."he said annoyed.

Brooke rolled her eyes."We talked while I waited. I just got here and he said you should be back soon so I waited."

Nathan nodded."Well I'm glad you're here. I missed you. Lets go up to my room. My parents won't be home for a couple of hours."he said with a smirk.

Lucas felt sick as he watched Brooke give his brother a sexy smile before being dragged up the stairs to do god knows what with him.

He knew it was wrong to feel what he felt for her. She was after all his brothers girlfriend and they didn't have just a casual relationship. They'd been together for almost four years. It was way past serious. Even though he knew it was wrong he couldn't help it. She was something special. Maybe it was the fact that he and Nathan hadn't grown up together that made him feel less guilty. They were brothers, but they weren't really brothers. There was more to family then biology. He shook his head vigorously, wanting to rid himself of thoughts of his brother and his girlfriend.

He took the stairs two at a time and headed toward his room. He stopped momentarily outside his door when he heard light laughter coming from Nathan's closed door. It was Brooke and she sounded happy. He was glad for that, he just wished it were him that made her happy.

He let himself into his room shutting the door behind him. He walked over to the stereo and turned it on. He turned the volume way up. There was no way he wanted to hear any other sounds Brooke made behind the closed door with Nathan.

Brooke closed the door behind her once she and Nathan were in his room.

Nathan threw himself down onto his bed.

Brooke smiled at him. He seemed tired."Oh poor baby, you look beat. Did your daddy work you too hard?"

Nathan rolled his eyes."God you don't even know how torturous it is. I don't even know how to fix cars, but he has me in the back with the mechanics. I can't stand being around Dan. He is seriously going overboard with this punishment."

Brooke gave him a tight smile."I'm sorry babe."she watched him close his eyes and sigh. She felt bad for him and wanted to lighten his mood."So do you by any chance have to wear that mechanics jumper?"

Nathan looked up at her."What?"

"Yeah, that jumper they all have to wear, do you have to wear it too? Because if so you should bring it home with you. I bet you look hot in it."she smirked.

"Brooke, you can't be serious."

"Of course I am. Just think about all the role playing we could do with it. I'm the stranded motorist in desperate need of a jump and you're the talented mechanic that has just the right tools that I need. Oh, but wait you want the money up front and I look in my purse and seem to have left my wallet at home. I really need that jump so I ask if there is any other way I could pay you for your services, and well you get my drift."Nathan looked at her visibly aroused, but doubtful as well."Oh come on Nate, you know I've always had a thing for sweaty, greasy men."

"Oh, yeah?"asked Nathan as he pulled himself up from the bed. He looked down at his hands."It just so happens that I still have grease on my fingers. Care to be turned on?"he smiled as he lunged for her.

"Don't you dare."she laughed loudly."You keep those greasy hands away from me. I just bought this top."Nathan continued to try to put his hands on her and she tried to keep them away all the while laughing."Nathan, come on. Stop."she whined.

Nathan had her pinned against his bedroom door. He dropped his hands and lowered his face to hers and kissed her softly before whispering."Thank you."

Brooke smiled in understanding before standing on her tip toes and kissing him once again. He moved her hands to wrap around his neck, bringing him in for a deeper kiss.

Despite her attempts to keep his hands away from her when he settled his hands on her hips she didn't push him away. Without noticing she began to lead him to his bed where she pushed him down before straddling his hips. She ground herself against him as she pulled his shirt over his head and kissed him.

Nathan let out a moan as she slipped her tongue into his mouth and trailed her fingers down his chest. He broke the kiss and removed her shirt, throwing it to the floor and in fellow swoop he flipped them over, lying her down. He kissed her neck as he allowed his hands to cup her breast over her bra. The material became too much and with one hand he undid her front clasp. Peeling it away he kneaded them before gently taking one into his mouth and sucking on the nipples. His actions became firmer as she let out a pleasurable moan and ran her fingers through his hair.

He lowered his mouth and kissed his way down her tight tanned body. She was gorgeous. He stopped at the top of her jeans and quickly undid the button and zipper. He wasted no time in pulling them and her red silk panties down her soft, beautiful, smooth legs. He looked up at her face and saw her looking down at him in anticipation. He knew what she wanted and he was going to give it to her.

Nathan placed his lips along her leg and kissed his way to her thigh. He removed himself from her and looked down between her open legs. He dipped his head down and softly blew on her heated center. He watched her clench and shake before him and he hadn't even done anything yet. He repeated his actions and she let out a moan.

"Nathan."she pleaded.

He looked up at her. She had her eyes closed. He turned back to between her legs and used his fingers to part her folds. He lowered his head and took one long lick. He needed to taste her.

Brooke clenched the covers between her fingers and bucked her hips at the contact. She didn't want him to stop. Within seconds his mouth was on her again and she had to bite down on her bottom lip as to not let out the roarous moan that was dying to come out. This felt amazing.

Nathan continued to stroke her moist flesh with his tongue. Up and down he went. He darted his tongue in and out of her opening which caused her to buck her hips into his mouth. He continued inserting his tongue into her as she moved against his mouth. He loved hearing her like this. He loved that it was him making her feel this way. He placed his hands under her thighs and pulled her to him fully. He pulled her red swollen bud into his mouth and he sucked on it. That was all it took for her to moan out the most beautiful sound and wither under him. He stayed with her as she rode out her orgasm.

Brooke lied there eyes closed trying to catch her breath. That had felt so amazing. He was always so good at that. Once she felt herself somewhat under control she opened her eyes and motioned him forward. She needed him inside her, she needed to feel his weight on her.

Nathan stood as he removed his pants and boxers. He was as hard as a rock and he couldn't wait to bury himself in her. He knelt on the bed and took his position between her parted legs. He looked down at her and she smiled at him. He leaned in and captured her lips with his own before lowering himself and entering her.

Brooke squeezed down on Nathan's shoulders as he entered her. He kissed her once more parting her lips with his tongue as began to thrust into her slowly at first, but then picking up the pace. In and out he moved grinding against her forcing moan after moan to escape her mouth. She felt her release nearing once again as a warmth pooled in her lower belly. She placed her hands on Nathan's lower back and pushed him into her forcefully and that was all it took for her to shutter and slowly breathe in as her second orgasm coursed through her.

Nathan ground against her as she orgasmed wanting to prolong it for her as much as possible and as she clenched her inner muscles around his hardness he too found himself releasing inside her. He thrust into her one last time before collapsing over her out of breath and tired.

Brooke wrapped her arms around him enjoying the feel of his body over hers.

Nathan took a few moments to catch his breath before pulling out of his girlfriend and rolling onto his bed. He wrapped a protective arm around her as he lied on his side facing her.

Brooke turned to look at him and smiled at how worn out he looked lying there with his eyes closed. He looked so cute.

"What are you looking at?"he asked with his eyes still closed.

"How did you know I was looking at you?"she questioned innocently.

"I felt you turn to me."he answered now fully alert.

Brooke snuggled against him and heard him let out a sigh. She was worried about him."Is everything okay Nate?"

Nathan shrugged."Yeah, why do you ask?"

"I don't know, you just seem really stressed out and tired."

Nathan shook his head."No, I'm fine."

"Are you sure? Because I know you're going through a lot ever since Lucas moved in and then you have the thing with basketball. I just want to make sure you're okay."

Nathan gave her a gentle squeeze. It was times like this that made him realize what he and Brooke had was special."I'm fine babe. Being with you makes everything bearable."

"Good."said Brooke as she went in for a quick kiss before settling against Nathan once again.

"So do you and the girls have a new routine for the game tomorrow?"

Brooke looked at him funny."Where did that come from? You never ask about my squad."

He shrugged."I'm just trying to show you that I care. You could say I'm returning the favor. Just because I don't always ask doesn't mean I don't know it's important to you."

Brooke rolled her eyes. He was being too cute right now."Well if you must know, yes we have a new routine. Peyt and I came up with it."

"Then I bet it's gonna kick ass."he smiled.

"You know it. What about you? You ready for tomorrow? I mean since Whitey is finally letting Lucas play in the game. You think you'll be okay?"

"I really wish you wouldn't have brought him up, but since you did, yeah it's gonna be fine. He's no threat to me."

"I'm glad you see it that way now. Everything is good."she smiled.

"Yeah and I want it to stay that way. Now as much as I love lying here with you, my dad is going to be home soon and if he catches you here he'll blow a fuse. The last thing I need is for him to be yelling at me at our "family" dinner."

Brooke nodded in understanding."I get it, you're kicking me out."she teased."You got what you wanted from me and now I'm in your way."

Nathan rolled his eyes."You know that's not it. If it were up to me you'd stay in my bed all night."

"Ooh, sounds like heaven."she said as she leaned in to kiss him before getting out of bed to find her clothes.

"Yeah, I'm gonna jump in the shower. I'll call you later babe."

Brooke nodded and blew him a kiss before he shut the restroom door. She finished dressing and ran a comb through her hair before exiting Nathan's room. She closed the door behind her and heard the loud music coming from Lucas' room. She went over to his door and knocked. He of course didn't answer so she let herself in. She watched him in the middle of the room doing push ups.

It took him a few moments before he noticed her in his room. He quickly jumped up and went to lower the stereo.

Brooke arched an eyebrow."Nice."she said to the fact that he was shirtless.

Lucas rolled his eyes and went to grab his shirt."What's up Brooke?"

She shook her head."Nothing I just heard you jamming in here and thought I'd stop in and say bye."she smiled.

He loved her smile."You're leaving already?"

She nodded."Yeah, Dan should be back soon and he'll be pissed if I'm here."

"Oh, well then I guess I'll see ya."

"Yeah, bye Luke."she gave him small wave before turning and walking away.

Nathan took a seat at the table. Everyone was already seated.

"You're late."said Dan to his youngest son.

"Don't start Dan."said Deb coming to her sons aid."He's here."

Dan nodded and began eating."So you two ready for the big game tomorrow?"he asked.

Nathan rolled his eyes."I'd hardly call it a big game. We're playing Pickerington and we all know they suck."

"I was referring to the fact that it is your first game together."

"Whatever."

"I hope that isn't your attitude about the game. I am going to be there and I better see you two working together. That's an order. Do you both understand?"

"Yes sir."said Lucas not wanting things to get any more out of hand.

Dan turned to Nathan."I asked you a question Nathan."

"And I nodded."

"You will give me a verbal response when I question you. Do you understand?"

"Yes Dan. I understand."said Nathan not bothering to look at him.

"Do not call me Dan. I am your father, boy. Treat me with respect."

It took everything in Nathan not to laugh at his request. Respect, yeah, like that was gonna happen.

"That's enough Dan."said Deb upset at how dinner had already gotten.

"It's not nearly enough. That boy has no respect for me. And while we're at it."he turned to Nathan."You are grounded. That means no afternoon visits from Ms. Davis."Nathan turned to him at the mention of Brooke."Yes, I know she was here. I was told her car was parked outside for hours. Grounded is grounded and you just added another week for disobeying."

Nathan sat fuming. He couldn't stand his father.

"Actually, Brooke was here with me."said Lucas causing both Dan and Nathan to look at him.

"What?"questioned Dan.

"Uh, yeah. We were working on a project together for school. We're partners in English. She did stay for a few minutes after Nathan got here. She said hi to him, but he told her he was grounded and then she left."

"I don't want you lying for him Lucas."shouted Dan.

"Do you honestly think I would do that? We can't stand each other. I just don't want him to be punished for something that was my doing and I asked Brooke to study here."

Dan nodded sternly upset that he had been wrong."Well then I take that back, but I don't want that girl in this house until your grounding is over."

"Dan."said Deb.

Nathan stood up from the table."So what? Your banning her from this house? How stupid is that?"

Dan too stood up."You sit back down boy."

"No. Not until you stop acting like a jerk."

"Will you both stop it? I have had enough. I can not take all this fighting anymore. Dan you have crossed the line. Brooke is not banned from this house. She is always welcome in my home. She is Nathan's girlfriend and Lucas' friend. She's been coming here since she was little. That girl is practically family. You will not say a word against her."she turned to Nathan."And you, your father is right. You need to treat him with respect no matter how much of an ass he is. He is still your father."she turned to Lucas."Lucas, I'm sorry that you have to see all of this, but you are family now and I can not shield you from this."he nodded to her."Now I am tired of all the fighting. It needs to stop. I will not have another dinner ruined."with that she walked out of the dining room.

Nathan stood planted in his spot momentarily, debating if he should go after his mother. He decided it was a good idea. He hated that his mother was upset with him. He found her in the study sitting on a chair staring at the floor in tears. He knelt down in front of her and held both her hands."Mom, I'm sorry. I acted like a jerk back there and everything is my fault."

Deb looked at him and shook her head."It's not fully your fault Nate. Your father had a big part in it. You are your fathers son, you didn't back down. A part of me is proud of you for that. The other part of me wants to take you over my knee and give it to you good."she said with a smile wiping away her tears.

"I won't let things get like that again mom. I hate seeing you like this."

"Well I hate being like this."

"It's just that Dan gets to me sometimes. I get so angry."

Deb nodded."I know sweetie and I will always stand up to him when I feel he crosses the line like tonight. He had no right to say Brooke wasn't welcome here. She is family and she will always be allowed here. He may be the man of the house, but I'm the woman of this house and he does not pull reign."

"Thank you mom."he reached over and gave her a hug."Why don't you come back to dinner?"

Deb shook her head."I'm not hungry."

"Are you sure mom? I could bring your plate in here."

"That won't be necessary. You go up to your room and lay low for a while."

Nathan nodded and stood. He leaned down and gave his mom a kiss on the top of her head."I love you mom."

"I love you too."she smiled.

Nathan made his way up the stairs where he saw Lucas going into his own room."Lucas."he called out.

Lucas turned around."Yeah?"

"Look about what you said downstairs…"

Lucas shook his head."You're welcome. Don't even worry about it."

Nathan looked at him."No. I don't need your help. So next time stay out of it."he turned to his room and slammed the door behind him.

Lucas stared after him. He couldn't believe how big of a jerk Nathan was. That was the last thing he would do for him.

Sorry for the long delay in updating. I planned to have this up a couple of days ago, but at the last minute I scrapped what I had and started over. I felt I had skipped a lot of story that needed to be told in order to understand why Brooke feels a friendship with Lucas. He opens up to her and she does the same. Anyways thanks for all the reviews and please do it again. lol Read and review. Thanks.