A/n: Hey guys! Sorry for the long wait for this chapter but honestly I lost where I was going with this story. Call it writer's block I suppose. Anyways thank you for the amazing reviews last chapter. They really made my day that much better.

A special shout-out goes to xHush-Hushx for being the 100th reviewer! Seriously guys 100 + 2 reviews? You are all too awesome for words so again thank you for the support!

Oh and tvaddict1992 here's the Clay/Brooke moment you wanted to see. I definitely agree that brother/sister moments are just so cute to read.

Chapter Eight

Complicated Matters

"Hey mom." Clay greeted his mother with a kiss on the cheek. "What are you doing?" he asked when he saw she was sitting on the kitchen table with papers scattered all over it.

Tiredly Victoria took off her glasses, rubbing the bridge of her nose. "Trying to see what we need to cut back on to make next month's rent." she answered making Clay groan in frustration. He hated this, the life they had. Living on each paycheck trying to make ends meet. His part-time job wasn't enough; his mom's store wasn't enough. He didn't know what else he had to do to make sure his mom didn't have to go through this every month.

"Next year I'll be graduating and I swear mom I'm going to give you everything you deserve." he said grabbing her hand.

"Oh sweetie." she said caressing his scruffy cheek. "As long as you and your sister are happy, money doesn't matter to me."

"I know mom but I'm going to give you everything either way." he promised with determination in his eyes. Victoria smiled fondly at her son, he reminded her so much of her deceased husband.

"Well I'm over this for right now." Victoria said motioning to the papers scattered on the table. "I need to go to the store anyways and check on Bevin and Millie." she announced, getting up from her chair. "Brooke's not feeling well so she's staying home today. Do you mind checking up on her? She's been cooped up in her room ever since Saturday night."

"Sure mom." Clay responded with a faint smile. Victoria soon left and Clay wanting to help his mom gathered the papers on the table and put them away before heading towards his sister's room upstairs.

"Hey Brooke?" he called out, knocking on her door lightly. "Hey sis, are you okay?" he asked knocking the door once again but got no answer. "Mom told me to check up on you. How are you? I heard you weren't feeling too well." he said once again knocking lightly on the door but again he received no answer. "Brooke!" he knocked louder, beginning to get worry that she wasn't answering. "I'm coming in Brooke." he stated, pushing the door open and fearing the worst.

He stopped in his track when he saw that she was just sitting down on her bed with one of her many sketchbooks at hand, the rest were spread out on her bed. "Damn it Brooke when someone is calling your name answer for fuck's sake!" Clay yelled angrily.

Brooke looked up momentarily not seeming faze with his outburst before going back to her sketchbook. "What do you want Clay?" she asked sternly, not looking up from her sketchbook. Clay furrowed his brow wondering what had his sister in such a weird mood. His mom said that she had been in her room since Saturday night but he hadn't noticed with everything else going on in his life.

He saw that she was sketching intently on her notebook. "What are you doing?" he asked curiously when he saw how focus she was on making her drawing of whatever it was perfect. He sat down on the edge of the bed picking up some of her other sketchbooks when she didn't answer. "Wow Brooke, these look great!" he exclaimed with surprise.

"Thanks." she simply said.

Clay sighed. "Mom says you haven't been feeling well and that you've been holed up in your room since Saturday night." He told her as he continued to look at her sketchbooks with surprise. He knew his sister was good but he didn't think she was this good.

"Yeah so?" she answered as she continued to sketch.

"I'm your brother; you know you can tell me anything right?" Brooke remained quiet not wanting to talk about her problems with Clay. She had so much going on right now that she just wanted to forget about everything for a while. "Brooke…what happened on that charity event you went to with Julian?" he asked. "Did his mom or someone else do something to you?"

"I don't want to talk about it." Brooke mumbled as images of her fight with Julian and in especially that kiss she shared with Lucas flashed through her mind. A part of her felt this immense guilt that she let that kiss happened but another part felt like it was the most normal thing ever. The way his lips felt against hers, it made her skin tingle…it felt so right.

She knew she was in deep trouble.

"Brooke you know you can tell me anything right?" She nodded her head slowly knowing she could tell Clay anything yet not really wanting to. "Did you get in a fight with Julian?"

She finally put her sketchbook down and looked at her older brother with tears threatening to come out. "Yeah…but that's not the worse part. I did something Clay and I don't know what to do about it." she confessed with her tears finally falling down her face. "I messed up, I shouldn't have let that happen and now I think I ruined my friendship with Lucas."

"Wait Lucas? What does he have to do with anything?"

"It doesn't matter." Brooke said trying to compose herself as she tried wiping her tears.

"Brooke…" Clay said, starting to get really worried about his sister.

"Just hold me Clay." she sniffed a bit. "Like you use to when we were kids." Clay scooted closer and enveloped her in his arms, holding her tightly.

"Brooke just talk to me please." he begged just wanting her to open up to him like she use to when they were young. They used to be real close but then they grew up, problems began and everything changed. They weren't that close anymore and that was something he regretted so much but he didn't know how to fix it.

"I love you Cookie." Clay whispered, not knowing what else to say.

"Love you too Care-Bear." she responded, smiling slightly despite her situation.

"Ahh Brooke, way to ruin the moment." he said in a mock tone pushing her away from him. He remembered the day when she had given him that ridiculous nickname that she thought suited him perfectly. He wasn't too happy about it but she was five, he was ten and there wasn't much he could do about it.

"You love it admit it."

"Sure I do." he replied sarcastically as he pulled her back in his arms.

The two remained silent for a moment just enjoying each other's company. Clay sat there, Brooke still in his arms looking at how much she had changed over the years. She was now a more independent woman who no longer needed her older brother to protect her. Her life was pretty much set with her impending wedding to Julian and yet there was a part of him that dreaded that day. He wasn't going to be the only man she could depend on anymore, the one she could count on for anything. And that thought alone scared him.

"Whatcha thinking about C-Bear?" Brooke asked when she realized he was lost in his thoughts.

"Nothing." Clay said, rolling his eyes at the nickname. If it wasn't Care-Bear it was C-Bear, his sister was definitely the queen of nicknames.

"Thinking about Sara?" she teased knowing full well of her brother's crazy infatuation with the blonde girl. She didn't understand why Clay kept on trying since every time he asked Sara out she turned him down but her brother was just as stubborn as her.

"I'm not always thinking about her you know."

"Ah-huh and pigs fly right?"

"Shut up Brooklyn." he said, bumping his shoulder with hers. They shared a laugh, both trying to remember when the last time they had a moment like this was.

It had been way too long.

"So with all laughter set aside, how are you doing with Sara?" she asked curiously.

"Not so well Brooke, no so well. She doesn't see me as anything else but a friend." he responded a bit dejected.

"Well Clay you know what they say, there's plenty of fish in the sea."

"But I want this fish." Clay said, pouting a bit which made Brooke laugh. "Not funny Brooke. I'm serious I want her and only her."

"Why?"

Clay smiled. "Sara is smart, beautiful and funny. Every time I see her my heart skips a beat and she is just perfect for me."

"What about Quinn?"

"What about her?" Clay asked her not knowing why she would ask him about his best friend.

"You guys would make a cute couple."

"Quinn is just my best friend Brooke. And besides we don't see each other like that. We're like brother and sister." he answered crinkling his nose at the idea of him and Quinn. Sure she was pretty and she understood him the most but he would never go there with her.

"Have you ever thought about it?"

"No." he lied terribly. Of course he had thought about it but when he did he ended convincing himself that it was wrong. If things didn't work out between them then he would lose her and that was something he wasn't willing to do. Quinn was his best friend, the one person he trusted outside his family and he wasn't going to just compromise that because of his curiosity.

"Don't lie to me Clay."

"Brooke-" he started to say when he was thankfully interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Tigger?" Haley's soft voice was heard.

"You can come in Hales." Brooke called out giving Clay a this-is-not-over look.

"Hey Brooke, hey Clay." Haley greeted them smiling faintly. "Umm…can I talk to you?" she asked hesitantly looking at her best friend.

"I'll just leave you two girls alone. I got some things I need to take care of." he said giving his sister a hug and a kiss on her forehead. I'll see you later Cookie." He got off the bed and smiled at Haley. "Thank you Haley." Clay happily said and gave her a friendly peck on her cheek before leaving.

"Well that was weird." Haley said once Clay left.

"No that was Clay." Brooke replied smiling slightly. She took a look at her friend and saw how fidgety she was. "You okay Hales?" she asked getting a concern look on her face.

"I'm fine…I've been trying to call you but you never answered."

"Sorry Haley but I haven't been feeling well." she answered with a small shrug.

"Yeah your mom called and told me you were under the weather. That's what convinced me to come looking for you in the first place."

"Well what's up?" she asked patting the side of her bed.

"Actually do you mind if we go out?" Haley said, motioning to the door behind her. It wasn't that she didn't feel comfortable in Brooke's room but she needed fresh air for the conversation she wanted to have with her best friend.

"Yeah sure let me just quickly change and I'll meet you downstairs okay?"

"Sounds good." she answered turning to leave to give her friend some privacy.

"Hey Hales?" Brooke called out and Haley turned to face her. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"Not really but we'll talk later." Brooke gave her a nod and Haley soon headed out her room.

Something was wrong with her and Brooke couldn't help but to worry for her best friend. There were bags under her eyes, her hair was a bit in disarray and the spark in her eyes was gone. This was not the Haley James she had come to know.

A few minutes later Brooke came downstairs and then soon enough both girls headed out the door.

The elevator door opened and Clay got out making his way to his destination. Turning a quick left he soon saw the office he had been looking for. After talking to his sister he decided to pay Julian a visit to find out exactly what happened at that charity event.

"Excuse me?" he asked a petite blond woman who he assumed was his secretary. "I'm looking for Julian Baker."

The woman who was on the phone looked up and then gave him a look before going back to her call.

Clay rolled his eyes. He didn't think it was going to be this hard. "I said I was looking for Julian Baker." Clay said more loudly.

She let out an annoyed sighed. "Mr. Baker is a busy man and doesn't have time to waste with someone like you." she told him as she went back to the phone.

"Hey!" he slammed his hand on her desk making her jump in surprise. "Tell him Clay Davis his fiancée's brother is here and that it's important. I just need a few minutes of his time to talk about my sister."

She rolled her eyes but complied with his request. She got up from her seat and went into Julian's office. A few minutes later she came back out. She went to her desk got out a paper and pen and handed it to Clay.

"Like I said Mr. Baker is a very busy man. He told me to tell you to write down your name and number with your concern and that as soon as he can he will try and communicate with you." Then just like that she went back to what she was doing.

Clay was mad. He couldn't believe Julian would be acting like a complete asshole. He wanted to just barge in to his office but he knew this would get back to his sister so he just left it at that. He still had to go to another place and maybe there he would find the answers he had been looking for.

He quickly wrote his name on the paper that was handed to him and writing a huge 'FUCK YOU' on it, he folded it.

He read what her nametag said and gave her the note. "Have a nice day Megan." Clay said giving her a fake smile. "And make sure to give this note to your boss."

His head was spinning, hurting even. Work as usual was stressful. Currently he was in his office with Mouth looking over some contracts and signing papers. Work was the only thing that was keeping him from thinking about Brooke and that kiss they shared. She as expected was completely ignoring him and he understood to a certain point but that didn't mean it didn't hurt any less. She needed her space and he was going to give it to her but not for long. After all he said he was going to fight for her and he meant it.

Lucas kept looking at paper after paper not once stopping to take a break. Mouth noticed that something was wrong with him. Usually they would at least be talking about anything that came to mind but not today. Today there was an eerily silence that he didn't like one bit.

"You okay Luke?" he asked hesitantly after seeing his tense state.

"I'm fine Mouth." Lucas responded. It wasn't that he didn't want to tell his friend what was wrong but he didn't know how to even begin this kind of conversation. It was a complicated matter and he was sure his friend wouldn't approve of what he did.

"Sure Luke?"

"I said I was fine!" he snapped. He felt bad the second he saw his friend's face fall and started to apologize but Mouth cut him off saying it was no big deal.

They remained in silence the next couple of minutes neither making a move to talk.

"These papers are ready for your signature Lucas." Mouth stated firmly breaking the silence that had been going on between the two.

"Listen man I'm really sorry about snapping at you earlier." he apologized rubbing his face up and down as he leaned back on his chair. "I have a lot on my mind and I have just been stressed out lately."

"Lucas I know something has been bothering. What's going on with you?"

"I kissed Brooke." Lucas blurted out without thinking. Mouth's expression was filled with surprised.

"Wait you did what!" Mouth shouted in disbelief.

"Calm down Mouth." Lucas spoke in a hush tone. Although they were in his office, he was worried that unwanted ears could be hearing their conversation.

"Calm down? Lucas you kissed another man's girl. Not only that but in case you forgot she also happens to be his fiancée."

"Don't you think I know that?' Lucas questioned, slamming his hand on his desk. "I think about the fact that she's getting married with Julian and my blood boils with anger." he said, his eyes darkening. "I don't want her to marry Julian. She doesn't belong with him."

"Then who does she belong with Luke?" he asked tiredly.

"Me." Lucas answered truthfully.

"Lucas-"

"Call me selfish but she belongs with me and only me." Lucas interrupted.

"Lucas you met Brooke what…a little over a month ago?"

"Two months." Lucas corrected.

"Whatever, the point is how do you know she belongs with you?"

"I just do." he simply said.

"Lucas that's not an acceptable answer."

"When I first met Brooke there was this undeniable spark between us. When I'm with her I'm the most happiest I can be and I know it's the same for her. We are complete opposites in every single way and sometimes she drives me completely crazy but we just click." he explained with a huge smile on his face. "When I'm around her I don't have to pretend to be this big shot businessman. With her I can just be Lucas…her Broody."

"Luke…"

"Brooke is warm, kind, caring and is one of the most selfless persons I know. Did you know she sacrifice herself so that her older brother could finish his career?" Mouth shook his head no. "Well she did and she did it because that's just the kind of girl she is." he told him with a proud smile. The more he talked about Brooke the more he started to realize what she really meant to him.

She wasn't just some girl he liked, she was the girl. She was the girl that with a simple look took his breath away. She was the girl that with a smile could make his day that much better. He more than liked her, he loved her.

"Lucas that's great and I'm glad you found someone as great as Brooke but the fact of the matter still remains. She's getting married in a year."

"Well that just gives me a year to convince her that I'm the guy for her and not Julian."

"You're talking crazy Luke." Mouth said shaking his head. Lucas chucked slightly at his friend's comment. He must be really crazy if he wanted to steal another man's girl. But he loved her and as selfish as it sounded that was all that mattered to him right now.

"If it's crazy to want to be with the woman I love then I must be one crazy bastard." he stated confessing his feelings out loud for the first time. It felt good to say those words out loud but now he just needed to say them to the person they were meant for.

"You…you love her?" he asked surprised evident in his voice.

"Scares the shit out of me but I do." he answered truthfully. Mouth at loss for words didn't know what to say to his friend. Thankfully though a buzzing noise was heard.

"Mr. Scott?" Lucas's secretary, Gigi interrupted through the intercom. "A Mr. Clay Davis is here to see you. He says it's really important that he talks to you now. Should I let him in?"

"Send him right in Gigi." Lucas told her.

"Right away sir."

Not a minute passed when Clay came through the door looking a bit surprise but also serious. Lucas wondered what that was about but refrain himself from asking.

"Hey Clay." Lucas greeted him.

"Lucas." Clay replied back.

"This is my friend Mouth, Mouth this is Clay, Brooke's older brother." Lucas said introducing both men. They shook hands awkwardly.

"Nice to meet you." Mouth remarked.

"Mouth?" Clay questioned getting a weird look on his face making both men laugh.

"It's a childhood nickname that stuck, right Rocket Roe?"

"Ha-ha, very funny Marvin." Lucas laughed sarcastically.

"I know I'm real something huh?"

"Yeah you're a real pain in the ass, that's what you are."

"And that's my cue to leave. Nice meeting you Clay." he said shaking his hand once more. "We'll finish these papers later Luke."

"Sure thing boss." Lucas joked which made Mouth roll his eyes. Once he left Lucas turned his attention to Clay and motion for him to sit. Clay shook his head, what he wanted to tell him he needed to do it standing up.

"So what brings you here Clay?" Lucas asked after he refused to sit.

Immediately Clay's expression changed back into that serious one he was wearing earlier. His jaw was tense and his eyes were locked on Lucas in a stern way.

"I want to know what you did to my sister."

Both girls were walking down the streets of New York with no destination in mind. Brooke was silently fuming as her friend finished telling her what happened on Saturday with the jerk of a brother Owen had. She couldn't believe the nerve some guys who acted like complete assholes when they didn't get their way.

"Ugh he reminds me of that jackass I met on Saturday." Brooke commented with annoyance.

"What jackass?"

"Someone not worth talking about. But Bunny, how are you feeling after that whole ordeal?" she asked with concerned.

"I'm confused Brooke. Although Nathan annoyed me with his lewd comments and his forwardness, there was always something about him that intrigued me. "

"Like what?"

"Doesn't matter anymore. After what happened with him on Saturday I don't want anything to do with him ever again." she said getting this weird look on her face.

"Because of the kiss?"

"No the kiss was great." Haley responded absentmindedly.

"Haley James!" Brooke playfully scolded though she knew what she meant. Even though that kiss with Lucas was wrong, she remembered how amazing it felt at the moment.

"I'm not going to lie to you Brooke. I felt something when he kissed me but then that look he gave me before he left…God I never felt so scared in my life." she confessed, shuddering at the memory.

Broke felt bad for her friend but she didn't know what to say to her. Haley's situation was a bizarre one. Brooke knew her friend felt something for that Nathan guy but that she would never try something with him because of Owen.

"You want to know what I thought when you first told me about him?" Brooke asked her friend as they somehow found their way into Central Park.

"What?" Haley said in a weak tone.

"I thought that you guys were going to fall in love. He was going to change for you and then you both were going to have this fairy tale ending…always and forever you know?" she gushed a bit.

Haley smiled a bit shaking her head. "Oh Brooke you without a doubt will always be a hopeless romantic."

Brooke's demeanor soon changed into something more serious. "I rather be a hopeless romantic than to not believe in love...though sometimes I find myself wishing I didn't because love just complicates things so much." she said as she got a thoughtful expression on her face.

"Brooke do you want to talk about it?" she asked, feeling like she had a problem that needed to be talked about. "I know I've been rambling about myself ever since we got out of your house but if you want to talk about something just tell me."

"For once I don't want to talk about my problems Haley. I feel like I burden you with them so much and I just don't want you to have to worry about me all the time."

"Tigger you're my best friend so I'll always worry about. And as for you burdening me with your problems? Well you don't so don't you ever think that okay?"

She sat down on a nearby bench and patted the spot next to her. "Now come on and tell Haley B. what's wrong."

"You know this is my favorite bench in the whole park." she mentioned casually as she sat down next to Haley. "This also happens to be the place where I first met Lucas."

Haley gave her a look she knew what her friend was up to. "Brooke you can tell me anything you know." She grabbed her hand trying to give her some sort of comfort. Brooke nodded her head knowing her friend was right. She knew it was time to tell her what happened and maybe she would be able to offer some advice.

And so she did. She told Haley about seeing Lucas on that charity event which Haley then confessed she knew about his appearance there since he told Owen about it. Brooke of course though shock was a bit mad that Haley didn't warn her but when Haley told her she tried calling her and that it was her own fault for forgetting her phone in the first place, all was forgotten.

Then Brooke told her about Lucas and Julian knowing each other which left Haley's mouth hanging open in surprise. She also told her about her little fight with Julian and about Peyton and Lucas and how she didn't know how she felt about that.

"So they were on a date?"

"That's what Peyton said."

"And what did Lucas say?"

"I-I umm I…" she trailed off not knowing how to answer that. She wanted to tell Haley the whole truth but now that she thought about it, she wasn't sure how she was going to take the news

"I didn't get a chance to ask him." she opted to say.

"How come?"

"Things got complicated between us."

"What happened?"

"I really don't want to talk about it Haley." she pleaded with her eyes.

"Brooke…"

"Please Haley I just want to forget about it for now and figure things out later."

Brooke upon noticing that it was her phone that was ringing got it out and without checking who was calling answered it. "Hello? Oh…hey. Yeah I know we do. I have to tell you something…I'm at Central Park with Haley…fine I'll see you in a bit then…bye."

"That was Julian." Brooke answered Haley's unspoken question as she put her phone away. "He wants to talk to me."

"Do you want me to stay?"

"Thanks Hales but I need to face him alone. There's some things we need to talk about in private." she said getting a look that Haley couldn't quite pick up. "I'll tell you how it goes okay?"

"Alright…take care." Haley replied giving her a long hug. "Call me Brooke if anything."

"Likewise." Both girls said their goodbyes and then Haley left while Brooke sat in her favorite park bench waiting for Julian to come.

"Dude I had no idea. I thought that you guys were just really good friends." Clay stated after Lucas finished telling him what happened between him and his sister. When he first came here he was furious thinking that Lucas was the cause for his sister's mood and in a way he was but it wasn't how he originally thought.

"No we are but I've always felt something for her." he confessed in a sincere tone.

"I just don't understand Lucas. After knowing she had a boyfriend and that she was getting married, why would you put yourself through that?" he curiously asked. If he was in the same situation he knew he wouldn't be able to handle it like Lucas.

"Your sister can be very convincing when she wants to be." he told him, chuckling a bit.

"Like you wouldn't believe it." Clay said joining in the laughter. He took a look around his very spacious office and for the first time realized that Lucas came from a different world than his sister and him. He was very impressed with what he saw; this was basically his dream job. This was the exact place that he found himself wanting to work for after he graduated from school.

"You've really made something of yourself and at such a young age." he remarked with a hint of admiration in his voice.

"Not really." Lucas responded shrugging his shoulders a bit. "My uncle is the one that made all of this possible. I'm just the one trying to keep it all together."

"But you own this company?"

"The majority of the company's shares belong to me so in a way I guess I am." he answered in a casual manner. He really didn't like talking about the things that he had, of what he owned. His mother raised him to always be a humble guy. "But why the interest?"

"No reason just curiosity." he replied offhandedly. "But I actually have to get going." he stood up from his seat. "Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule…others wouldn't have done that." he stated the last part with distaste as he remembered that Julian didn't even have the decency to tell him face to face that he couldn't see him.

"You okay?" Lucas asked when he saw his changed in expression.

"Yeah I just…you know what never mind. I'll see you around." Clay said and then quickly left his office leaving Lucas wondering what that was about.

He was late. If it wasn't for the fact that they really needed to talk she would have left a long time ago. Letting out a frustrated sigh, Brooke began tapping her finger nails on the wooden bench one at a time in a rhythmic way.

She should have been used to it by now but she wasn't. She didn't know why she always gave Julian the benefit of the doubt when time after time she was proven wrong. She checked her phone and just as she was about to call him she heard his familiar voice calling her.

"Hey sorry I'm late." he apologized when he was within hearing range. "I was about to leave my office when they called me about a possible movie deal." he told her with a huge grin on his face. Over the years he had been doing small independent films but directing a movie was something he had been striving for years.

"That's great Julian." she said, trying to force a smile on her face.

"It's more than great Brooke. This is my big break, the one I have been waiting for years." He made a move to hug her but Brooke backed away with a severe expression on her face. She was happy that Julian was finally getting what he had always wanted but she didn't wait almost an hour for them to just talk about his work. After all it was because of his work (among other things) that they were here in the first place.

"You're still mad." he stated coolly.

She rolled her eyes. "Yes I am."

"Why?" he asked feeling truly confuse. He thought that by now she would have been over her little tantrum.

"Why? Are you actually being serious right now?" she asked is disbelief. "Julian we got into an argument where you childishly walked away so yes I'm still mad. We haven't fixed anything between us."

"You have to understand where I'm coming from Brooke. Finding out that my fiancée was friends with some guy that I didn't even know about gave me every right to act like I did."

"We're just friends Julian and that's all we're ever going to be. Besides you know him, hell your whole family knows him so I don't see what you're problem is."

"The problem is that I don't trust him Brooke." Julian told her.

"Lucas is a great guy Julian. If you don't trust him then that's your problem."

Julian ignored her comment and continued with what he was going to say. "Did you know that Lucas is a good friend of my mom?" She shook her head no. Lucas never mentioned that but then again why would he if he didn't even know that the Julian she was dating was the same guy he knew.

"Don't you find it kind of strange that you just happen to meet a guy who also happens to be a very good friend of my mom? Then all of a sudden you guys become good friends and we start fighting. Oh and not to mention we all just happened to meet at that charity event on Saturday."

"What are you trying to say?" she asked carefully.

"You tell me." Julian said giving her a knowing look. Ever since he found out about Brooke's friendship with Lucas, he couldn't stop thinking about the possibility that he could be conspiring together with his mom to try and break him and Brooke up. It made sense that this was the way his mother would retaliate after his estrangement from her.

"If you're trying to imply what I think you are then you're wrong. I know Lucas and he would never do something like that." she said in a confident tone. Although Lucas wasn't the most talkative person, he had told her some things about himself. Not deep emotional things but more like about his family, friends and some bits about his childhood. She knew Lucas and she knew he would never do what Julian was suggesting.

"Really? Exactly just how much do you know him?" he asked with a hint of jealousy.

"I know enough." she growled. She couldn't believe Julian had the nerve of accusing Lucas when he didn't even know him that well to begin with. She knew who Lucas was and she wouldn't let Julian's accusations get the best of her.

"Brooke I'm not saying this out of malice but because I love you. I wouldn't be able to stand it if you got hurt." He got closer to her, this time Brooke didn't move away from him. She was deep in thought about what Julian told her. "I'm going to find out what's really going on and if by any chance Lucas is working for my mother I will make him pay." he swore as he leaned in closer to kiss her.

Brooke pulled away; things were still not fine between them. She still needed to tell him about that kiss with Lucas. And also about other things concerning their relationship. However she wasn't sure how to bring up the kiss now that Julian had it in him that Lucas was working with Sylvia to hurt her.

He gave her a questioning look wondering why she pulled away. She had never pulled away before, not even when they were arguing with each other. But then he noticed the look she was giving him, he knew she was still hurt or possibly mad for what happened between them on Saturday.

"Julian I need to tell-"

"I'm sorry for what happened on Saturday." Julian quickly interrupted when he thought he knew why she pulled away. "I shouldn't have yelled at you or acted like an idiot by walking away."

"Is not just that Julian." She stepped away from him crossing her arms across her chest. It was like if she was protecting herself and in a way she probably was. "Sometimes you make me feel like I'm not important, like I always come second to your work and I'm tired of that. If we're going to get married then I need you to be the man you used to be three years ago. I need to know that I can count on you always. That when I need you, you're going to be there for me and not an hour later like today."

"Brooke, I didn't know you felt that way." He took her hands into his. He was feeling like a complete idiot now more than ever. "I promise you that from now on I will do everything in my power to be the man you want me to be. I will try my best to always make you feel you are important to me because Brooke you are without a doubt the best thing that has happen to me."

"Julian please don't make promises you're not going to be able to keep." she told him sadly.

Without another word Julian leaned in and kissed her. Brooke wanted to pull away she really did but he was her fiancé, the only man that she should be kissing. A few seconds later he pulled away holding her close to him. "I'm going to try my best."

"Julian there's something else I need to tell you."

"Shhh…it doesn't matter." Julian told her, still holding on to her as her head was now resting on his chest. "Just as long as you and I are okay I don't care."

Brooke closed her eyes. How was she supposed to tell him now?

Victoria was busying herself in the kitchen. Both her kids were out so she was going to take advantage of that by starting dinner. She was thinking of making a simple marinated rosemary lemon chicken with rice so she began taking out the ingredients for her dish.

Just as she was about to start cooking, the doorbell rang. She went to answer it wondering who it could be. She knew it couldn't have been Clay or Brooke since they each had their own key. When she opened the door, she was pleasantly surprised to see who it was.

"Hey Mrs. Davis, sorry to bother you but is Brooke home?"

"Lucas I already told you call me Victoria. And no I'm sorry she isn't here but please come in." Victoria said stepping aside so that he could come in.

Lucas stepped inside the Davis household and immediately felt this sense of warmness inside the place. It reminded him so much of his mom's house in Tree Hill that it instantly brought a smile to his face.

"Please Lucas have a seat." Victoria motioned for him to sit on the couch with her.

"Your home is very nice Mrs. Davis." Lucas mentioned casually as he took a quick look around the place.

"Thank you Lucas but again it's Victoria." she reminded him with a fond smile. "Would you like anything to drink while you wait for Brooke?" she asked politely.

"No thank you ma'am." he answered with a smile of his own. "I notice that you were about to start dinner though." Lucas stated, eyeing the way the kitchen looked like.

"I was about to but it can wait."

"No you shouldn't have to just because I came here."

"Then what do you suggest I do? I don't want to be rude and leave you waiting by yourself. And besides we have some things to talk about." she said giving him a semi stern look.

"I know." Lucas answered standing up from his seat. "So while we talk how about I help you with dinner? That way I won't be taking any of your time."

"Lucas no, I couldn't." Victoria protested.

"No I insist, besides I happen to be a great cook." Victoria quirked her eyebrow at his statement. "Back home I use to help my ma out with the cooking." Lucas explained as he began rolling up the sleeves of his collar shirt. "But it wasn't just at home but at her café where the food is really great by the way, and I'm not just saying that because she owns the place. She's a pretty amazing cook and she just so happens to have taught me everything she knows." He loosen his tie a bit as he made his way towards the kitchen and washed his hands. Victoria not knowing what to say followed after him.

"I'll start with the chicken while you do the rice." Victoria said as she started preparing the chicken. Lucas nodded his head in agreement and began getting the pan ready for the rice. "So Lucas Scott what exactly brought you here?" she asked after a while.

Lucas who was cutting some vegetables he was planning to put on the rice stopped his actions. He had two choices here, he could either lie to the woman who had done nothing but shown him kindness or he could man up and tell her the truth.

Turning around Lucas found Victoria already facing him. He wiped his hands on his dress pants not at all caring if he got them dirty. "Saturday night I ran into Brooke and Julian at this charity event. Something must have happened between them so I took her home." Victoria nodded indicating for him to continue. "Well before she came inside I…kissed her." he confessed. "I know I shouldn't have," he rushed to say, not wanting for her to think too badly of him. "but you have to know that I've liked your daughter since the day I met her."

"Lucas, sweetie it's okay. I understand you can't help who you like."

"But it's not okay…"

"Luke what do you mean?"

"The thing is that I more than like your daughter. Mrs. Davis I love Brooke, more than I ever realized I did. And to be perfectly honest I don't want her to get married with Julian because whether she admits it or not I know she at least feels something for me too. You have every right to kick me out of your house for saying that but that's just how I feel."

"Why don't you check on the rice, I think it's almost ready." Victoria ordered as she turned around to make sure her chicken was cooking perfectly. Lucas did as he was told.

"Now I'm going to be the one who is honest with you Lucas." she started to say after a few seconds of silence. "You may not be aware of this but I don't agree with my daughter marrying Julian."

"You don't?" he asked in a surprised tone. He assumed Victoria was happy that Brooke was marrying a guy like Julian.

"No I don't. Julian is nice guy but he's not the guy for my daughter. I feel like Brooke is just settling for him because of how comfortable she feels in their relationship. Of course she loves him but it's a different kind of love."

"Do you…do you think I have a chance with her?" he asked nervously. He knew how he felt about Brooke and he knew she felt something towards him but he wasn't sure if she would be willing to try something with him.

"All I'm going to say is that I've never seen my daughter as happy as she has been when she's with you."

"Thanks Mrs. Davis…"

"And we're definitely going to be working on that." she said in a teasing tone making him laugh.

"Yeah sorry but is just that you remind me so much of my mom that I don't know if I'll be able to call you by your name." he said giving her a sheepish grin.

"I hope I remind you in a good way."

"The best."

Victoria gave him a quick smile as she went back to her chicken. She liked him. He was one of those guys that you couldn't help but to get along with. Lucas Scott was a pretty special guy and her daughter would be a fool if she hadn't realized that before. It was obvious how much he cared for Brooke. The way he looked at her was so much different how her current boyfriend saw her.

Brooke walked inside her house, hearing laughter and her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. As far as she knew Clay was having dinner with Quinn and Haley so then who was inside with her mom? It was a man she was sure and it sounded familiar to her but she couldn't quite place it.

"Mom I'm home!" she called out as she made her way into the living room. "Mom who are you-" she stopped in her tracks when she saw who her mother was with.

"What are you doing here?" she asked in a flat tone. Her conversation with Julian came back full force. She didn't want to believe it but just seeing Lucas made her remember all those things Julian had said.

"I-I uhh…I came to see you." he said as he scratched the back of his neck nervously. "We needed to talk after what happened on Saturday."

"You're right we do need to talk." she agreed.

"Why don't you guys go outside and have your talk while I set up the table for dinner. Lucas you're staying right?" Victoria asked looking at Lucas for an answer.

"I don't think so." he hesitantly answered. He was sensing that something was going on with Brooke but he wasn't sure what. She was acting weird towards him, kind of distant. She wasn't her normal cheery self and that worried him.

"Nonsense Luke. You helped with dinner so it's only fair you get to enjoy." She gave him a smile, something that Lucas had gotten so used of seeing.

"Umm we'll see but thank you for the offer."

Without saying a word Brooke quickly walked outside leaving the door open for Lucas to follow.

"You think she's mad at me because of the kiss?"

"Something is wrong with her and I don't think it has to do with the kiss." Victoria mentioned worriedly. "I have never seen her so agitated like this before."

"I'll try and figure it out…Momma Davis." he said with a playful smile.

"Lucas…"

"I know I'm supposed to call you Victoria but-"

She shook her head. "Momma Davis sounds fine Lucas." she interrupted with a kind smile before heading towards the kitchen.

Taking a deep breath Lucas prepared himself to face Brooke. He hoped things would go fine between them but with the way she was acting he was sure they wouldn't. He started walking and then soon found himself in front of a very standoffish brunette who had her back to him.

"If you're mad at me because of what happened on Saturday then I'm sorry but I don't regret it."

Slowly Brooke turned around to face him. "How well do you now Sylvia Baker?"

"Sylvia Baker?" Brooke nodded her head. "What does she have to do with anything?"

"Just answer the question Lucas."

"Umm well I've known her for quite a while now. Her and my uncle Keith use to go way back, before he moved to Tree Hill. When I first came to New York she was the one that helped me the most, I owe her everything." Lucas carefully explained not knowing why she was asking about Sylvia to begin with.

She laughed dryly shaking her head. "You owe her so much that you would do anything to pay her back?"

"Well yeah I guess if it was within my power I would." he said, still unsure of where she was going with this.

She turned away from him feeling all these emotions running through her. She felt betrayed, disappointed and angry. Her body started to shake; she couldn't believe that Julian had been right about Lucas. She was so mad but most importantly she was beyond hurt.

"Brooke…" he reached out to grab her shoulder but she pulled away not wanting him to touch her.

"Hey what's wrong?"

"What's wrong?" she asked as she let out another dry laugh. She turned back around to face him, wiping away the few tears that had managed to come out. She wasn't going to cry for a guy like Lucas.

"Brooke…?"

"What's wrong is that I am the stupidest person ever!" she yelled at him.

"Brooke if this is about that kiss then-"

"This has nothing to do with that stupid kiss!" she harshly interrupted. She looked him dead in the eye. "That kiss shouldn't have happened in the first place. It was a horrible mistake that I regret so much." Those words hurt him but he wasn't about to show it.

"Brooke I…"

"How far were you and Sylvia going to take this?" she suddenly asked.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Lucas said feeling truly confused with what she was saying.

"Please stop lying already!" she yelled angrily. "I know all about your stupid plan with Sylvia to try and separate me and Julian."

"What?" he questioned with hurt evident on his voice.

"Julian told me all about your little plan. I didn't want to believe it at first but you pretty much confirmed it when you said you would do anything to pay her back." She ran a hand through her long brown locks. "I just can't believe how stupid I was for not seeing that sooner."

"Julian told you I was working with his mom to try and separate you guys?" he asked tentatively wanting to make sure he heard right.

"What does it even matter Lucas? I already figure you guys out."

"It matters when I am being wrongly accused of something I didn't do!" he roughly said. He couldn't believe she would think that of him. He also couldn't believe Julian was the one to feed her those lies. They weren't exactly close but still he expected more from him than this.

Brooke was momentarily taken back by his outburst seeing as it sounded so sincere but she wouldn't be tricked again, she just couldn't.

"Well I wouldn't know." she stubbornly said.

"You know me enough to know I would never do that."

"I thought I did but not anymore."

"Are you freaking shitting me right now?" he questioned, frowning a bit. "So what? Those two months of friendship meant nothing to you?" Lucas said letting out a hurt laugh as he stepped away from her.

"I could ask you the same thing!" she bit back though she felt bad the minute she saw how his face fell.

"Un-freaking believable." he ran a hand through his already messy blond hair. "I don't know if you remember this Brooke but you," he pointed a finger at her. "were the one that begged me to be friends with you! I didn't want to because I knew how hard this was going to be for me but I agreed."

"Luke..." Brooke trailed off not knowing what to say because he was right. She was the one that wanted to be friends with him in the first place. She begged and begged until he finally agreed.

"I agreed because you were right and being friends with you would be better than not having anything at all. And throughout these past two months your friendship meant the world to me." he told her, his eyes never leaving hers. "But maybe I should have thought things better, at least then I wouldn't be here trying to convince you of something I never did." he shook his head with disappointment before turning around to leave.

Realization hit her in the face the minute she heard him speak those words. She was an idiot. She shouldn't have assumed by how he said things but instead she should have asked him straightforward. She knew she made a complete mess of things but how could she fix it when he was walking away from her?

"Lucas wait!" she grabbed his arm, forcing him to look at her.

"What now Brooke? Did you remember something else to blame me for?"

"No I'm just…I-I just…I'm sorry." she apologized.

"Yeah well so am I." Lucas took one last look at her and then left leaving Brooke feeling like the shittiest person ever.

To Be Continued...

So this chapter… don't hurt me please! Everything will soon be fixed. I just love me some Brucas drama ;)

Please Review!