(PLEASE READ FIRST!) It's very important to read the first story, Game of Love, because it explains everyone's relationships and history. But this story takes place 7 months after the epilogue of the first story and the characters are about 26 years old. Nathan plays for the Charlotte Bobcats, after being drafted into the team 4 years ago. Brooke is running Clothes Over Bros, but having the baby has caused her to work from home more often. For the other characters, all their current situations will be explained in the story. And you just might recognize another character.
Anyway, enjoy the story!
Chapter One: Calm Before the Storm
The heat was almost unbearable this summer as Brooke Scott stepped out onto the driveway towards the mailbox. Bills, bills, bills, ooh! birthday card from Nathan's grandparents, bank offers, ugh…more bills. She stacked the thick envelopes in her hand as she made her way back into the house to the mess waiting for her in the kitchen.
"Hey, sweetie pie," she checked her daughter as she sat in her playpen, "Mommy's almost done, k?" She returned to the kitchen and took out the cherry cobbler from the oven. She took a sniff to admire its aroma and placed it down to let it cool as the phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Brooke!"
Brooke's face lit up at the voice, "Hey, Peyton. Please don't tell me you're not coming."
Peyton chuckled over the phone, "No, honey, I was just calling to see if you needed any help before the party started.
Brooke scanned the house with her eyes and let out an 'oh!' gasp, "I need help with decorating the backyard a little bit. I haven't had the chance to get out there and put up any balloons since I've been stuck in the kitchen practically all morning."
"Sure, no problem. Jake's got the kids at his parents' so I'll tell him to meet me there. See you in a few minutes?"
"All right, see ya." Brooke hung up the phone and returned to her next task: chicken fingers. Sighing, she opened the refrigerator in search of the chicken she stashed in there after grocery shopping when the front door flew open.
"Brooke!" Nathan Scott's voice boomed from the entrance and Brooke called out from the kitchen. Walking over to his daughter, he picked her up as he gave her a kiss on the forehead, squealing at her father's presence, "Hey, baby girl."
"Ugh, Nathan, your sweat is all over her. Now I'm gonna have to give her a bath right after I make the chicken fingers so I can make the sandwiches before all the guests get here. Oh! And I still have to get ready!"
"Hey," Nathan grabbed Brooke's arm lightly to calm her down, "I'll give her the bath, I'll finish with the decorating, and I'll set up the food so you can get ready, okay?"
Brooke gave a little pout as her husband kissed her, "Fine, but Peyton's already coming over to help with the decorations so maybe you two can knock it out in 5 minutes."
"Deal."
Brooke sighed as she patiently tried to prepare the ingredients for the sandwiches as she stuck the chicken fingers in the oven. Nathan was busy making Eskimo kisses with his daughter, but turned half his attention to his obviously tired wife, "Speaking of Peyton, how's she been lately?"
"Oh," Brooke waved an arm, "You know, she's in the process of working with this new artist named Amy something or other. Sounds pretty good, if I say so myself, if you like the brooding type of music. Other than that," she licked a finger covered in mayonnaise, "she's doing the same old with Jake and the kids."
Nathan nodded as he put Sophie down back in her playpen, "By the way, Lucas is gonna make it after all."
"Well, that's nice of him considering he hasn't been bothering to keep in touch."
"He's busy…"
"Busy sulking." She paused to refrain from any further insult to her brother-in-law, "Sorry. How's he been holding up?"
"He's trying to get through it, I guess. You know how much we Scotts love basketball. Winning that championship meant everything to him so you'll have to excuse him if he's retreated under a rock."
Brooke chuckled at the joke, "Well, as long as he's not gonna be sulking today, that's fine. He is Sophie's godfather so he better slap a smile on his face on her birthday."
Standing next to her, Nathan held her hand that was furiously spreading mayonnaise on slices of bread, and turned her to face him, "And how about you? Where's that smile on your face?"
Sighing, she put down the sandwich knife and looked into her husband's eyes, "Tired. I'm up to here," she gestured a hand at the height of her chin, "with work and everything. I might have to come back to the boutique sooner than I expected."
"I thought you didn't plan on going back until next month?"
"I did, but Gina's quitting so I need someone to run the store. I just don't have the time to look for potential employees, interview them, background checks, yada...yada..." She trailed off and Nathan kissed her forehead, "All right, but I don't want you to overwork yourself. You take on too much already at home."
"I know, but I can't help it," Brooke leaned into his chest and wrapped her arms around his waist, ignoring the sweat from the aftermath of his daily run, "I've been spending so much time at home and it just doesn't feel like I've spent enough with you."
"Well, basketball season's over so you're gonna get sick of me sooner or later," he returned her embrace by placing his hands on the small of her back, and his chin softly resting on the top of her head, "Don't worry, I'm here. I always will be."
She pulled back from resting her head on his chest, "Yeah, I think I hit the jackpot on this one." She placed a soft, affectionate on his lips and he pulled her closer to savor in the taste of her cherry chapstick. They pulled back from the kiss, but Brooke leaned in to give a quick, bonus one before turning her attention back to her cooking, "I gotta get back to this if I want it to be done before everyone gets here." Nathan smiled and sat down on a bar stool opposite from Brooke, munching on the chips she'd prepared.
Here he was, with his beautiful wife and daughter. A beautiful wife that became a genius in the kitchen considering she didn't even know what a spatula was back in high school. But since graduating college, she'd become a genius at multi-tasking: running a million-dollar company, taking care of him and his daughter, and practically anything you ask her to do. Sometimes, he even wondered how they had enough time to be together, but since basketball season was over, he could make-up for the last several months of quick "Hellos" and late-night phone calls.
He'd been a star in his own right: he was the shooting guard for the Charlotte Bobcats. Going pro-ball was his dream and he was fulfilling it, as well as providing for his wife and daughter.
"Yo, Team Brathan!"
The two looked up and found Peyton walking towards them, her wavy blonde-hair bouncing with each step, "Hey, Nate! Great job this season," she patted him on the back, "Too bad you got knocked out of the playoffs so early."
"Thanks, Peyton," Nathan stood up as she made herself comfortable, "I think. So you gonna help me with the decorations out back or what?"
"Hmm," she contemplated, "I guess it wouldn't hurt." Following Nathan out to the backyard, she picked up a bag of balloons and planted herself next to the rented oxygen tank, "So how've you been?"
"Just the usual. Helping Brooke stay sane as much as I can."
"Nate," she ripped open the bag and began blowing up the balloons, "Have I ever told you how proud I am of you?"
Nathan cleared off a table to prepare it for the food, "I don't know, maybe you can tell me again?"
"I'm serious! I think it's great, Nathan. Everything you've done." She closed off the balloon and tied it to a chair, "I knew you were always this good guy with a great big heart. I'm just glad you came to your senses and finally married Brooke Davis."
"Brooke Scott," he corrected, "And...I think I remember this speech at our wedding about three years ago. But, hey, feel free to dish out the compliments when you can." He winked.
"Yeah, sure, just lemme know when you're feeling blue." Peyton laughed and shook her head. Nathan and Brooke Scott had the picture perfect relationship everyone dreamed of: they were wealthy, yes, but modesty and humbleness stayed with them. Ironic, considering they both grew as the snotty, rich kids of Tree Hill. Regardless, being back in each other's lives that one fateful summer changed them for good. And they were blessed with a daughter, and everyone was ready to celebrate as she turned one.
The party was finally under tow and the guests clamored over how precious Sophie was in her pink dress (made especially for her by her mother), how beautifully decorated the house was with balloons and princess-themed decors, and the food that Brooke and Nathan placed in the formal dining room, practically covering the table with the amount of food she'd made. Most of the guests had gathered outside to enjoy the summertime weather as well as watch their children swim in the pool.
"Mom!" A blonde-haired nine-year-old rushed up to Peyton, soaked in her bathing suit, "Uncle Nathan said to do this!" The little girl twisted her body from side to side, causing droplets of water from her long hair and her bathing suit to splash on Peyton. She reached out to stop her from shaking, "Hey! Hey!" The little girl giggled at her mother's surprise, "Jenny, whatever Uncle Nathan says, don't listen to him, okay honey?" She nodded and walked away, jumping into the shallow end of the swimming pool.
Peyton's eyes caught Nathan's, who was laughing uncontrollably standing next to Jake, "Very mature, Scott!" She yelled out, shaking her head. "God, Brooke, I didn't know you had two kids."
Brooke laughed, bouncing Sophie on her lap, "Yeah, sometimes I forget that I'm actually married to a man." She glanced over at Nathan who was now chatting up Jake with Coronas in their hands, "So how've you been, P. Sawyer?" Peyton smiled at the memory of the way they called each other since they were kids, regardless of their new last names. She still referred to her as B. Davis, as well. Their new last names just didn't quite fit with the traditional; P. Jagielski didn't have the same ring to it anyway.
"Well, aside from un-teaching all the bratty things your husband has been influencing on our daughter, it's good. Still unsuccesful on potty-training Dylan, though. I think I've come to a point where he'll be wearing diapers up until he's 10."
Brooke laughed at the image of Dylan in her head as well as the failed attempts of her best friend to potty train him, "First of all, that should be some form of child abuse. Second, maybe you can have Jake train him instead."
"I would," Peyton glanced at her two-year-old son, who was a few feet away from him surrounded by the River Court boys. Skills, Junk, & Fergie were teaching him words like 'crunk', 'wattup', and 'Uncle Skills is the best basketball player in the world'. "But, by looking at the men in our lives, their methods of teaching is the exact opposite of what I'm trying to do."
Nathan was making his way towards them with two guests and Brooke stood up, shifting Sophie in her arms, and a big smile crawling on her face, "Hey, look who's here!"
"How you doing, Brooke?" He leaned over to her, careful not to position Sophie directly between them, and gave her a hug. He turned his attention to the little girl in her arms, "Happy birthday, sweetie pie." Playing with her arm for a moment, he turned to the woman beside him, "This is my fiancee, Rae."
A brunette woman greeted her with a smile and extended her hand, "Nice to meet you, Brooke. I'm a fan of your clothing line. I've heard so many things about you."
"I hope great things," Brooke teased as she shook Rae's hand, "And fiancee?!" Turning back to the man, she slapped him playfully on the arm, "Someone finally got Dean Winchester to settle down! What'd you do, put a gun to his head?"
They shared a laugh as 'Congratulations' were given, even from Peyton who stood up to greet the couple as well. Rae handed Dean a big box covered in an Elmo giftwrapper and he handed it over to Nathan, "Here you go, man. It's a basketball hoop for kids."
"Uh," Nathan held it in his hands in confusion, "Thanks, but you do remember we have a daughter, right?"
"Dude," Dean held his hands up as if the answer was already obvious, "She's a Scott." Nathan enjoyed the stroking of his ego--and family name--and offered the two some food in the kitchen.
"I'm glad you can make it, man. It's good seeing you again."
"Of course, I'd make it. Besides, I'm gonna be around more often." Dean replied, hinting at Nathan. His friend furrowed his brows in curiosity, "Oh, yeah? Why's that?"
"Just got transferred here."
Nathan let out an excited sigh and exchanged high-fives with Dean, "That's great! Now I can school you on the court regularly just like I did back in college."
"You're funny," Dean replied dryly. Turning to his fiancee, who was standing next to him, politely staying out of the conversation, he placed an arm around her shoulder, "She got me to come back here."
"Well, I did spend time here during the a few summers visiting my grandparents and it just made sense to have a family out here. So we just got a place near the river. Besides, L.A. was getting too," she placed a protective hand over Dean's chest, "dangerous for my liking."
Nathan smiled, raising an impressed brow, "Look at you, bringing him back to his roots. I'm liking this girl even more."
Rae shot him a smile, "Dean told me you two met at High Flyers sometime in high school. Said he was the one that would school you on the court."
Dean turned to her, a frown on his face, at her bluntness. Nathan laughed, "Oh yeah? Is that why I'm playing for the NBA and he's out chasing criminals?"
"I can see she'll get along fine with everyone here," Dean smiled, "And I like chasing criminals. But you know I'm better at ball than you."
"Yeah, whatever," Nathan handed Dean a Corona from the refrigerator, "How's your knee been?"
"It's good," he replied, shrugging as he popped the top off, "Never been able to land from a dunk without a little pressure on it, but at least I can still chase after the bad guys."
"Well, all you need's a little extra therapy. We'll play ball sometime."
Rae spoke up, "Okay, it's nice to know you guys are bonding again but I think I'm gonna go back outside. I'm gonna go talk to Brooke about her line." Excited about the idea of speaking to the owner of Clothes Over Bros, she made her way back outside, her white sundress flowing as the two men watched her exit.
"She's pretty cool, right?" Dean asked, who was now holding a plate of food in his hands. Nathan turned to him and nodded in agreement, still somewhat surprised that Dean was back in North Carolina. Seeing eachother at High Flyers (Dean coming from Bear Creek) wasn't exactly a friendly moment, but they grew to be like brothers. They both attended Duke University and played college basketball together, until Dean's knee got the best of him and he had to pull out. Thankfully, he had other interests.
"Honey!" Brooke's voice came from the doorway in the backyard, "Sorry to break up the love-fest but you've got a daughter here--with the help of Jenny--ready to blow out the birthday cake. Oh! And Lucas just got here." She shut the door and the two raced outside to meet the gathering crowd sing 'Happy Birthday' to Sophie Jane Scott.
"Wattup, coach!" Skills exclaimed as he greeted his best friend, "Nice of you to crawl out of your cave for the festivities!"
Lucas laughed as he greeted the rest of the River Court boys with manly hugs and 'hellos'. "Nice welcome, man."
Skills scoffed, "Man, I know you bummin' over that loss to Duke, but ain't no use crying over spilt milk that's already spoiled!"
Lucas's eyebrows met as he quickly tried to analyze his friend's metaphor, immediately realizing he meant that the Duke v. UNC game had occurred a month ago. Brushing it off, he continued to catch up with his friends when his attention turned to Nathan from across the yard, who was cleaning up the cake table. Excusing himself, he approached his little brother, "Can't believe she's already one."
"Hey, man," Nathan acknowledged him, but continued to clean up the mess, "Good to see you here."
"Yeah, so I've heard. I know I haven't been around much but I was just trying to get some things together."
"About that game, Luke?" Nathan scoffed, "I know that championship was your goal but it's done, man. Quit beating yourself up over it. Or else Brooke's gonna hunt you down and do it herself."
Lucas chuckled at the idea of Brooke appearing at his house, waving her arms in the air frantically, lecturing him on why he's being pathetic. "She's not still mad, right?"
"Not so much, she's understanding," Nathan gathered the rest of the mess and threw it into the black trash bag he had laying next to his feet, "You know her, she just doesn't wanna see you miserable when you have so many people that care about you."
"Yeah, well," Lucas leaned on the table and crossed his arms, "There's no need to worry anymore. I think I've used up all my energy feeling sorry from that game. Anything you guys need, I'll be there."
"Thanks," Nathan stopped what he was doing and let out a sigh of relief from finishing the clean-up, "so other than sulking, what have you been up to lately?"
Lucas's lips tightened as his gaze transferred from Nathan, to the swimming pool, and back to Nathan, "I need to talk to you about something, man."
"Yeah?" Nathan turned his full attention to Lucas, welcoming anything he wanted to discuss.
Lucas stared at his brother, contemplating on his next words. After a few seconds of silence, and Nathan making faces at him wondering what he had to say, his voice lowered and the tone became equally serious.
"Haley's back in town."