Cooper Lee had been driving around for hours. It seemed in a day's time, he had managed to cover every square mile of Tree Hill and its surrounding cities. Driving was his hobby and somehow it always seemed to help clear his head…whether he was going 200 miles per hour on a race track or 25 around the block. But all he could do was sigh and wrestle with the many thoughts in his head. How had he managed to let things get so screwed up in just a short amount of time?

First of all, there was Rachel Getina. Sure she was pretty and seductive and cocky with all the moves of a woman twice her age but that was the problem. Rachel wasn't a woman. Far from it. Maybe physically, but not mentally or emotionally. She was just a kid. A kid who thought she was so much mature than she actually was. A kid who had become infatuated with a good looking older man. In a matter of moments, a brief sexual encounter that never should have happened in the first place, had been mistaken in the eyes of a puppy love stricken teenage girl as something more. The shit had hit the fan and splattered everywhere. No amount of apologizing or explaining could ever fix it.

Then there was the other person in the equation and her name was Brooke Davis. Just at the mention, the very thought of her name, all Cooper could do was bite his lip and close his eyes. It was a complicated "relationship" at best. But he had developed feelings for her, feelings that were very real and very sincere. But in addition to both their apprehensions because of past heartbreaks and their vulnerable emotional states, there was something else.

When it came down to it, what was the real difference? With Rachel, it had been a physical connection and with Brooke, an emotional one. But weren't they both taboo? When it came down to it, whether 17 or 18, graduating or not, both girls were still in high school. It was risky territory to tread on in the beginning and Cooper had managed to cross a dangerous line.

Going the only place he knew, he drove back to the home of his older sister. For a time, it had been his home as well. For the first time in a long time, Cooper was actually beginning to fit in again, belong. Then it had all ended and there was nothing else left for him to do except go back and face the music. Deb had always said that there were consequences for every action. The time had come for Cooper to accept his.

He parked the SUV and stepped out, walking slowly over to the door as if he already knew imminent doom waited for him on the other side. He turned his key in the lock and opened the door. He was greeted with an eerie, heavy silence but one that would not last for very long.

"Dan…Deb", he let out a little gasp, shocked but not really. "Um, hey guys."

The anger was evident on the blonde woman's face.

"Don't you dare 'hey guys' us!"

Dan smirked as he leaned back in the chair.

"Well, well, if isn't my little brother in law, the resident Tree Hill child molester. Go easy on him, eh, Deb. He screwed up big time but what could you really expect?"

There was an evilly mischievous twinkle in his eye that let Cooper know Dan was enjoying every minute of it. Of course he was. And he had predicted a massive blow up from the beginning. Cooper, of course, had promised that he would be a good boy. He had sworn to Deb and at the time he really meant it. Then he had messed up far worse than anyone ever could have imagined. Dan had been right and he was loving it.

"Cooper, we have to talk! Now!"

He knew that tone all too well.

"Yeah. Um, yeah, I guess we do. Look, sis, I won't even try to explain…"

"Good! Good because you can't! There is nothing you could possibly say to us or even yourself to justify or explain your cavalier, immature, reckless, irresponsible actions!"

"I know. Deb…"

"How could you? How could you do this, Cooper? My God, what were you thinking?"

"I guess I wasn't", he sighed.

"Got that right", Dan couldn't help but chuckle.

"Oh put a sock in it, Dan!" she reprimanded her giddy husband before turning her attentions back to her brother. "What is it with you and women? Huh? I swear, ever since you were a little boy, it's always been some female to get you in trouble. It's like you lose your mind, like you can't help yourself. The problem this time is, it wasn't a woman, it was a girl! A high school girl!"

"I know. Look, it never should have happened and I feel really ashamed about it."

"You should! It was an awful, foolish thing to do."

"I'm sorry."

"How many?"

Cooper looked up.

"What?"

"I said, how many. Was it anyone else?"

"Deb, what do you mean?"

"Everyone knows about Rachel but there was a time when you and Brooke Davis were spending a lot of time together. I told you that was inappropriate…"

"We never slept together. Brooke and I were just friends."

"Friends?" Deb scoffed.

"Yeah, friends. I…"

"You just don't get it, do you? I mean, are you even listening to the words that are coming out of your mouth? Just friends? That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. Cooper you are 29 years old! You're a grown man. Nathan and Brooke and Rachel and Lucas…they are kids. They're still in high school, just 17 and 18. The point is, you are at different places in your life. You're not on the same level. You should stop worrying so damned much about being their friend and concentrate on being a decent role model and setting the proper example!"

"Deb, Dan, I messed up. I messed up big time. I know I really disappointed you guys and I get that. You have no idea how sorry I am."

"You're always messing up, Cooper. That's the problem. Now you're my flesh and blood and I love you with all my heart. I've always tried to defend you even when I knew you were wrong but maybe I was just adding fuel to the fire the whole time."

"Deb…"

"Where does it end?"

"What do you want me to say?"

She shook her head. What could he possibly say?

"Dan and I took you into our home and you disrespected it. You showed very little regard for us or our rules."

"I didn't mean to."

"What about Nathan?"

"What about him?"

"He loves you. You're his uncle. Whether you know it or not, you are and always have been a huge influence on that boy. He thinks the world of you, he looks up to you. And what do you do time after time?"

Cooper hung his head.

"I'll talk to him."

Deb put her hands on her hips and took a deep breath before turning away.

"This isn't a good arrangement."

Cooper's eyes narrowed.

"Excuse me?"

"Here is where I come in", Dan excitedly rubbed his hands together. "What she means is, this isn't working out. You screwed up…yet again just like I predicted you would. And that only means one thing and I have been dying to say this for months. Hit the bricks, kid. The free ride is over."

Cooper nodded. He wasn't surprised and it wasn't like he didn't deserve it anyway.

"Okay, um, if…if that's what you guys want."

"It is", Dan reiterated.

"Can I, can I just say one thing?"

"Make it snappy, will you? I'm late for the gold course as it is."

Cooper took a deep breath.

"I mess up…a lot. I'm not a bad guy and I don't have bad intentions but sometimes things just happen and before I know it, everything is out of control and all screwed up. When I came here, it wasn't to start trouble, I swear to you. I just wanted to be with my family. I wanted to clear my head. I wanted to start over. In a million years I never dreamed any of this would happen. I certainly didn't mean for it to. I can't take back the past, guys. I wish I could. I would if I could. But I can't. All I can do is learn from my mistakes and move forward. You both gave me a chance and trusted me to do the right thing. I guess I failed pretty miserably. I know you're both pretty disappointed in me but not nearly as disappointed as I am in myself. You may not believe it but I am sorry. I'm very sorry for everything that happened."

"Just leave the keys to the loaner on the table. Wouldn't want you to rob Dan Scott Motors like you robbed the cradle", Dan winked.

"Shut up", Deb shot him a warning look.

"It's okay. I'm gonna get my things together and I'll be out of here by tomorrow."

"That would be best for everyone", Deb answered quietly through pursed lips.

He started to walk away but stopped just short of the exit before turning back around.

"Sis? Just one more thing…"

"What, Cooper?"

"Can I…I just want to say good bye to Nathan before I leave, if that's alright."

"That's fine."

"I'm gonna get it together. I promise you. And one day soon you'll see that, Deb. You'll be proud."

"I hope so. But don't get your life together for me. Do it for yourself, Cooper."