Chapter Nine

It's been three months since we moved into our new house and everything is just the way we want it. Lucas is working on having his novel published and I'm busy with my projects with thud and running Tric. We turned the house into an awesome "haunted mansion" for our halloween party, and Thanksgiving and Christmas are right around the corner. "Babe, I'm gonna head down to Tric. I have to do some inventory and make up an order. If I don't do it tonight we're gonna be running out of booze by early this week." I tell Lucas. He pauses his video game. "You're going now?" he asks while glancing quickly at the clock. It's 9:30pm. "Yeah I'm not gonna be long. Owen's gonna be there with me so it'll be okay." I tell him. Owen is the bartender and Brooke's new flame. Lucas still doesn't seem convinced. "Listen, I'll call you when I get there okay?" "Okay. Be careful." he tells me. He gives me a kiss before I get in the car and head to the club.

As soon as I get inside, I say hi to Owen and then call Lucas.

"See, I got here safe and sound." I tell him.

"Listen, I know I seem like I'm worrying too much, but I can't help it. I just want you to be safe." he says.

"I know, and I love you for it. I'll be home in a little bit."

"Love you."

"Love you too. Bye."

I hop up on one of the barstools and Owen leans against the bar. "Man troubles?" he laughs.

"God bless my husband for worrying about me, but sometimes he just drives me crazy." I say.

"He wouldn't worry if he didn't love you." he points out.

"Okay, lets get this over with."

We get started taking inventory and ordering all the different types of booze that we're running out of as well as more glasses, napkins, ect. and I also work on booking bands for the next two weeks. When we get done, we sit and have a drink and talk for a while.

"So, how are you and Ms. Brooke doing?" I ask

"We're good. She's incredible. I don't think I've ever met anyone quite like her, which I still don't know if that's a good thing or not." he says

I laugh. "I don't think there's ANYONE in this world quite like Brooke. But she's an amazing person. She's been there for me through some of the darkest times in my life." I tell him

Just then I hear the door open.

"Lucas-" I start to say

"Peyton, it's almost one in the morning!" he says

I gasp. "Luke, I didn't realize how late it was, I'm sorry."

"I think I'm gonna go...do something." Owen says as he walks off.

"Dammit Peyton, you should have called. I was sitting at home wondering if something might have happened to you!" Lucas yells.

I throw my rocks glass agains the bar.

"Lucas, I'm not a child! Godammit! I have responsibilities. You knew exactly where I was and that there was someone here with me. You can't keep me under lock and key and watch me and protect me from everything that might hurt me!"

"Peyt-"

I grab my purse and get in my car and go home.

Owen walks back to the bar area and sees Lucas sitting there looking miserable. He pours Lucas a shot.

"You might need this for when you get home." he tells him.

"I'm not trying to keep her from living her life, I just want to protect her. I promised myself that after what happened and what she went through that I would never let anything happen to her again." Luke says.

"You can't protect her from everything though. I think she's finally let go of what happened. Maybe you should too." Owen says.

Lucas takes his shot.

"I think I better find another place to stay tonight. When she gets going, her temper gets the better of her." he says.

He calls Nathan.

"Hey, me and Peyton kind of got into it, and I think it would be in my best interest not to go home tonight. I don't want anything thrown at my head." he tells Nate.

"Yeah, come on by. I'm still up." Nathan says.

When Lucas gets over to Nathan's place, there's a beer waiting for him.

"So what'd you do this time?"

"Peyton went to Tric to do inventory and lost track of time. I got paranoid when she didn't call and went to the club and kind of flipped out on her. But she one upped me and broke a rocks glass and yelled louder." Lucas tells him.

"Peyton's a big girl man. You're her husband, not her keeper."

" I know...I just can't shake that feeling I get every time she goes out and it's late. I just keep remembering what happened and what she went through. I'm just trying to protect her from that happening again."

Nathan slaps Lucas on the back.

"Pillows and blankets are on the sofa. I recommend getting flowers before you go home tomorrow."

Lucas chuckles. "Thanks little brother."