A/n: Sorry guys I've been taking so long to update in between chapters. As you are all aware of my laptop broke down last year and unfortunately I don't have the money yet but I have started to save up. However the good news is that I started school last week so in my free time (which isn't a lot) I've been writing bits and bits of this chapter. Not one of my best I will admit but you guys be the judge of that. Thanks to all that keep reviewing and alerting this story.

Chapter Sixteen

Everything Has Changed

"Lucas who is she?" Brooke asked one more time getting impatient from his lack of an answer.

Lucas took a deep breath, not once taking his eyes from the girl in front of him. "Anna." Lucas whispered in disbelief, looking at the brunette he hadn't seen in a long time.

"Hey there Luke….miss me?" Anna asked with a wicked smile.

Anna? Who was Anna? And why was she hungrily eyeing her boyfriend and sending flirty smiles his way? Brooke didn't like this at all as this feeling of sudden possessiveness came over her. She was never like this when she was dating Julian. She never felt the urge to hurt someone for just looking at him the way Anna was looking at Lucas. Brooke knew she had to restrain herself from lunging at the brunette but with the way she was practically undressing Lucas with her eyes, she was making it very difficult at the moment.

"What are you doing here?" Lucas asked sharply as he stepped in front of Brooke trying to protect her from Anna. He knew her well and knew what kind of things she was capable of. He didn't want Brooke anywhere near her at all.

"I missed you Lucas and I thought we could talk…alone." Anna said, giving Brooke a look.

Brooke looked like she was about to protest but Lucas gripped her hand he was still holding in a comforting manner. "We don't have anything to talk about Anna."

"Really?" she asked skeptically. "We haven't seen each other in over two years Luke." Anna reminded him like if he wasn't aware of it himself. "I'm sure there's plenty to talk about."

"Then let me correct myself, I don't have anything to talk to you about."

"Please Lucas it's important. We left so many things unsaid between us."

"If there are things unsaid between us it's because of you." Lucas remarked as he saw Anna stepping further inside his office.

"Listen Lucas." she said in a sharp tone looking at him intensely. "If I have to talk to you in front of your friend then I will." Anna told him going over to his armchair to sit down. "I have no problem doing so."

Lucas took a deep breath trying to calm down. He knew her well enough to know that when she wanted something she wouldn't stop until she got it. He didn't want to give in to her demands but Brooke was here and he was scared that Anna would say something to upset her. He had just gotten Brooke and he wasn't going to risk losing her so soon.

Lucas grabbed Brooke's hand and pulled her into the farthest corner where they could talk with more privacy. "Brooke," Lucas said turning to face her. "I need to talk to her alone."

"Lucas…who is she?" Brooke instead asked ignoring what he said. She had to because if she didn't then she was more than sure she would go crazy trying to figure out why her boyfriend needed to talk to that woman alone.

Lucas sighed tiredly. How could he tell his current girlfriend that his ex-girlfriend was in the same room as them and wanted to talk to him alone? Things were about to get complicated for him and he hope that Brooke would be able to understand him.

Lucas took another deep breath closing his eyes briefly. "Anna she's uhh…she's my ex-girlfriend." he confessed, hoping she wouldn't get too mad at him.

If Brooke was surprised then she didn't show it as she kept her face completely blank. She stood there for a few seconds looking at him without saying a word.

"Brooke?"

"So let me get this straight Lucas Scott." Brooke said in an eerie calm yet deadly voice. "You're asking me, your girlfriend of what…barely ten minutes to leave so that you can talk to your ex-girlfriend alone?"

"I know it sounds bad but-"

"An ex-girlfriend who by the way you never told me about?" Brooke continued as if he didn't say anything.

Lucas remained quiet not knowing what to say to that. She was right of course but she needed to understand that he had to talk to Anna. He didn't want to but he had to.

"Brooke…" he trailed off with a guilty expression.

"Fine, I'll leave you alone with her." she said hissed, stepping away from him.

"Brooke wait." He gently grabbed her arm. "I promise to explain everything to you later but you have to trust me on this okay?"

"Luke…" she said with a frown. "How can you ask me that when you want to be alone with your ex-girlfriend?"

"Trust Pretty Girl trust." he stated cupping her face. "I know we just started dating but that's all I'm asking for." Lucas said giving her a light kiss on her lips before letting her go.

"Alright." Brooke relented but still feeling a bit upset at the moment. "But…" She grabbed his collar shirt pulling him close to her. "I'm not happy." Brooke told him, her lips suddenly pressing into his as her other hand gripped the back of his neck. She didn't care that Anna was there probably watching them. Hell that's exactly what she wanted her to be doing. As possessive as it sounded she was staking claim on him, letting Anna know that he was hers and hers only.

"I know you're not." Lucas mumbled against her lips as they continued to kiss forgetting everything around them. "Just remember that I love you and only you." he told her when he finally pulled away from her.

"I know but…" she trailed off not knowing how to say what she was feeling. Now that she had him she was scared of losing him. She wasn't stupid and knew that Anna didn't come looking for Lucas for just a friendly chat. She wanted him back and Brooke didn't like that she had to leave them alone.

"Pretty Girl." he stated firmly. "Do you actually think that I waited all this time just to mess it up with an ex-girlfriend who I don't even love anymore?"

She shook her head no. "I'll just see what she wants and then as soon as I'm done we can meet up later and then I'll explain everything okay?"

"Okay." she murmured, resting her body against his chest as she wrapped her arms around his body. "I trust you."

"Good." he answered, smiling down at her.

"Umm Lucas?" Anna said, making Brooke and Lucas turn around to look at her. "Hate to break this intimate moment between you two but contrary to what you both might think, I don't have all day." Anna declared with annoyance in her tone as she started playing with a pen in Lucas' desk.

Lucas sighed rolling his eyes at her. "I'll be quick." he promised Brooke turning to look at her again.

"You better." she playfully warned him. "I'll see you later then…Boyfriend."

"See you later Pretty Girl." Lucas replied with a huge smile as he kissed her one more time before she finally left his office.

Taking a deep breath, Lucas turned around to face Anna. He started walking towards where she was sitting down in his armchair. She was looking quite smugly at him that he couldn't help but to let out a low growl.

"What? Are you mad I got your little girlfriend to leave?" she asked with a smirk.

"What do you want Anna?" Lucas asked harshly.

Anna got up from his armchair and slowly walked up to him until their bodies were a few inches away from each other. "You." she simply said, smiling at him in the process.

When Brooke stepped out of Lucas' office, she felt like she made the biggest mistake of her life. She shouldn't have left him alone with Anna. She trusted him but Anna was a complete different story. Brooke didn't know her but she had a feeling she couldn't be trusted in especially with the looks she was giving Lucas.

"Hello there Brooke." Lucas' secretary Gigi greeted her when she noticed she was just standing outside her boss' office door.

"Oh…hey Gigi." Brooke smiled slightly at the petite brunette. Brooke didn't know her that well and only talked to her briefly when she came to sometimes visit Lucas but she had to admit that Gigi was a very sweet girl that reminded her of her friend Millie. "How's it going?" she asked walking towards where she was sitting behind her desk.

"Great so far, it's just been a very tiring day." Gigi answered.

"Sorry to hear that."

"No biggie, I'll get through it like I always do."

"That's the spirit!" Brooke replied enthusiastically, both sharing a laugh. "But umm listen Gigi I have to go. When Lucas is done with his visitor, tell him I'll be at Owen's new place okay?"

"Sure thing Brooke…take care."

"You too Gigi, bye girl."

"Seriously Anna what the hell do you want?" Lucas asked harshly as he stepped away from her. She was too close to him for his comfort and he needed to set boundaries.

"I'm being serious Lucas." she said looking at him dead set in the eye. "Ever since we broke up I haven't been able to stop thinking about you. I've missed you Luke and I want you back."

Lucas scoffed at how ridiculous she was sounding. "So what, it took you over two years to realize that?"

She shook her head. "Actually it was the moment you walked out of my life." she corrected him with sincerity in her voice. "When you said it was over, I knew I made a mistake but I was just too ashamed to face you after what I did."

"Anna…" Lucas pinched the bridge of his nose, tired with the way this conversation was going.

"Just listen Lucas." she said as she got closer to him. "I made a mistake and I'm sorry. I wished I could have done things differently but I'm here now willing to try again."

She placed her hands firmly on his chest looking at him with hopeful eyes. "I still love you Luke."

Lucas removed her hands from his chest and stepped away from her. Maybe if things would have ended up different between them and he wouldn't have ever met Brooke, then he would have considered giving her a second chance. But the thing was that things between them had ended the way they did and he had met Brooke. Not only had he met Brooke, no he had fallen so deep in love with her that honestly Anna's confession did nothing for him but to make him feel sorry for her. He would always care for her in some way, after all she was his first love, but that was as far as it would ever go.

"The problem is that I don't want to try again with you Anna." Lucas stated with a sympathetic look. "I'm sorry but I have a girlfriend."

Immediately Anna's expression hardened at the mentioned of his girlfriend. She didn't think much of the girl she saw Lucas with but now it looked like she was the one standing in her way of getting him back.

"You mean that girl?" she scoffed, remembering the brunette from earlier and that intense kissed they shared before she left. "You can't be serious Lucas." she said giving him a look of distaste. "You're rejecting me for her?"

Lucas let out a dry laugh. She really had some nerve. "Honestly what did you expect Anna? Did you actually think that two years after our break up I was going to be here waiting for you?" he said raising his voice at her.

"Luc-"

"In case you've forgotten, you were the one who decided our relationship wasn't worth anything when you cheated on me." Lucas reminded her which made Anna instantly feel bad about what she did to him.

She made a mistake it was true but that's why she was here trying to make up for it. "I know I made a mistake but can't we just let the past be the past?" she asked him. "Lucas I love you and I know deep down you still feel the same way." She knew there was no way could he have easily forgotten her, not after being together for four years.

"Anna whatever I felt for you has been long gone." he declared with a shake of his head. "I love my girlfriend and there's nothing in the world that you could do to convince me to leave her." he made it extremely clear to her.

"Now if you'll excuse me I have to go. I'm pretty sure I pissed off my girlfriend by having this conversation with you that shouldn't have even happened in the first place."

"Then why did you huh?" Anna found herself asking desperately. "You could have easily left with your precious girlfriend but instead you stayed with me. So why Lucas? Why did you?"

"Closure." He shrugged his shoulders. "You needed it so I gave it to you." He turned to leave hoping that it was enough for Anna to finally let him go. He needed that because he sure as hell didn't want any more drama in his life now that he had Brooke by his side.

"Just answer me this Luke." Anna's voice stopped him just as he was about to turn the door knob. "Do you really love her?" she whispered the last part, almost afraid of his answer.

Turning around Lucas looked at her with a small smile on his face. "With all my heart." he answered her truthfully. He knew that was the cheesiest line ever to use but he didn't know a better way to say how much he loved Brooke. He looked at Anna one last time and then left without saying much more.

Anna stood there contemplating his words. What he admitted hurt her more than she thought it would. She really had lost him but she knew she had no one to blame but herself.

When Lucas stepped outside his office he was relieved. This whole thing with Anna was finally over for good. He knew it the minute he saw her face fall when he answered her question.

"Gigi, Ms. Tagarro is in my office. Make sure that when she leaves everything will be intact." Lucas informed his secretary as soon as he was by her desk.

"Yes Mr. Scott…anything else."

"Yeah cancel everything I have planned for today."

"Of course." Gigi answered. "Umm Mr. Scott, Brooke told me to tell you she was going to be at Owen's new place."

"Thanks Gigi." Lucas answered with a wide smile. "I'll see you tomorrow. Oh and Gigi, you can have the rest of the day off by the way." he said winking at her before finally leaving.

They were all here hanging out in Owen's unfinished bar; Brooke, Haley, Owen and Nathan. It had been almost a year since Owen had convinced someone to invest in his bar and it had been a tough year for him. From getting contractors and finding a decent place to set up his bar to planning the interior décor. It was all hard work yet the bar was almost complete with just a few minor details that needed to be fixed. Owen was happy and Haley was very proud of him.

"Looking at the door is not going to bring him back sooner." Haley commented with an amused expression on her face. She was busy writing down notes on her music sheet while Brooke kept nervously looking at the front door.

"He's with his ex Haley." Brooke said in a matter-of-fact tone. "What if he decides it's been her all along?" she asked worriedly, her insecurities getting the best of her.

Haley let out a deep sighed and finally looked at her best friend. "Did he or did he not texted you saying he was on his way?"

"Yes." she grumbled averting her gaze from Haley.

"Then there's nothing to worry about." Haley told her. "Lucas loves you and only you. And now that you guys are finally together I don't think he's going to mess that up for an old flame of his."

Haley had to admit that when Brooke told her that she and Lucas were together, she was very surprise. She was sure that Brooke was forever going to be in denial about her feelings towards Lucas. Thankfully though, it seem like she was finally giving her heart a break.

"That's what Lucas said."

"Well you know what they say? Great minds think alike." Haley gave her a playful grin. "Now as much as I love talking to you about your love life, I see a hottie at 12 o'clock." she said as she set her eyes on Nathan talking to Owen. She was glad that those two were getting along again.

"Eww Haley! I mean I know Owen is okay looking but a hottie?" Brooke teased giving her a mischievous look.

"Ha, ha very funny Brooke. You know I'm talking about Nathan." Haley said rolling her eyes at her as she began walking towards the Scott brothers and ignoring Brooke's laugh along the way.

"Well hello there boys."

"Yo Hales." Owen nodded his head at her.

"Hi Haley." Nathan responded with a warm smile.

"Hey Nathan."

Owen grinned shaking his head. "Is there something you guys would like to tell me?" Owen said giving them both a knowing look. He wasn't stupid; he knew there was something going on between those two.

"O-Of course not!" Haley answered nervously giving Nathan a warning look. She knew that he wanted to just tell Owen about them and she did too but she was scared of his reaction. She didn't want to lose Owen in case he wasn't onboard with her and Nathan dating.

Owen rolled his eyes. It was so obvious that there was something going on with his brother and Haley. The secret looks and smiles they had been giving each other over the past year were prove enough to him. He confirmed his suspicions two months after he returned from his trip from Florida but decided to keep quiet until one of them decided to tell him the truth. He had to admit though that at first it upset him that they were together behind his back but as time passed he realized that they were good for each other. Haley was able to keep Nathan level-headed and Nathan made sure there was always a smile on Haley's face.

"Yeah what she said." Nathan grumbled as he let out a deep breath. "I'm going to go talk to Brooke." he said and then quickly left before saying something that would upset Haley.

"So Brooke looks happy." Owen noted when he saw the brunette in question laughing at something that Nathan said. He didn't get a chance to talk to her when she came rushing to the bar because immediately her and Haley started talking. "Think there's something going on between those two?" he asked casually as he pointed at where Brooke and Nathan were.

"What? No!" Haley exclaimed with a horrified expression. At that Owen raised his eyebrows at her in a questioning manner. "I-I mean no of course not. Besides Brooke and Lucas are finally together." she calmly said.

"So they finally gave into temptation." Owen stated with a smirk.

"Yeah surprised the hell out of me but yeah."

"So where's lover boy then?"

"I'm sure that's something Brooke would love to know." Haley remarked her eyes scanning around the bar before settling back on Owen.

Owen grinned. "Well I'm sure he probably thought things through and realized what he was getting himself into and ran far, far away." Owen joked with a cheeky smile.

"So not funny Owen." Haley gave him a look of discontent. "And besides…wait who's that?" Haley wondered when she saw a redhead girl making her way inside the bar.

"Who?" Owen asked staring at the direction Haley was looking at. When he did he got the surprise of a lifetime. There standing looking around his bar was none other than Rachel Gatina; the girl he met about a year ago in that bar in Orlando.

They had hit it off that night and the weeks that followed, he had spent almost every single day with her. Of course he kept in mind that Rachel was married but that didn't stop him from forming a friendship with her. After he left the city, they promised that they would keep in contact and they did.

"Wondered if she's lost or something?" Haley reasoned, figuring that she must have been lost if she was walking inside a bar that wasn't even opened yet. "Owen what do you…" But she didn't get to finish her sentence because at that moment that mysterious redhead shouted his name and ran straight into his arms.

"Red? What are you doing here?" Owen asked hugging her tightly as her arms came around him.

"Thought I could drop by and see this famous bar you've been talking nonstop about." she answered with a huge smile on her face.

"Ahh if only I was that naïve to believe that…seriously what are you doing here?"

"Fine." she conceded rolling her eyes. "I was offered a few modeling jobs here in New York and I'm thinking about taking them." she replied briskly. "But that doesn't mean I didn't want to see you or your bar any less."

"Really? And if you take these modeling jobs, is your incarcerator going to actually let you do that?" Owen asked with a hint of bitterness in his voice. Owen was well aware that Rachel's husband tended to be a bit too overprotective of her. Personally he never met the man but he knew that if he ever did, he wouldn't be able to contain himself and probably would tell him off or something worse.

Rachel rolled her eyes hitting him hard on his chest.

"Ouch." Owen exclaimed rubbing the spot she hit him on.

"If by incarcerator you mean my husband then I don't know." she said shrugging her shoulders some. "I haven't exactly told him about the offer."

"Does he even know you're here?" he asked pointedly.

"Of course…" she trailed off with a sheepish smile. "…not."

"Rachel…" Owen groaned rubbing his forehead in that cute way she loved. "You know I hate that guy for being so controlling over you but I don't want you to get in trouble with him. I don't want him to hurt you in case he doesn't agree with your decision."

"And I love you for worrying so much about me O, but Robert is a great guy and he would never do anything to hurt me." Rachel assured him, giving his arm a comforting squeezed.

"I guess…" he finally said after a couple of seconds of silence. He still had some reservations about that guy but Rachel was the one married to the guy so she knew him better than anyone else. "So what do you think about this place?" he asked, referring to his bar at work. "Still needs a few adjustments but I'm hoping that by New Years, this bar will be making its grand opening."

"Looks good Scott. Though things could be better." she teased, making him sent a glare at her. "Kidding! I actually love it and I'm happy for you Owen."

"Thanks Rach." He then put his arm around her shoulders as they continued talking more about his bar and her new job.

"So who do you think she is?" Haley asked both Brooke and Nathan after a while of just watching Owen and his friend interact with each other. All three were now sitting down at this table near the back.

"Beats me." Brooke answered as she sneakily looked at the front door, then the bar's clock and finally her cell phone. It had been over thirty minutes since her and Lucas agreed to meet up at Owen's bar. Surely it couldn't be taking him that long to get here right?

"You know who it could be?" Nathan said breaking Brooke from her thoughts. He casually put his arm behind Haley's chair.

"Who?" Both girls asked.

"That Rachel chick he's been going on and on about."

"Rachel?" Haley questioned.

"Yeah the girl he met about a year ago in Orlando…wait he didn't tell you?"

"Umm no he didn't." Haley murmured sadly feeling a bit hurt that Owen didn't tell her about Rachel.

"Oh well I'm sure he just forgot Hales." Nathan tried to reassure her even though he could see it in her eyes how hurt she was by that.

"Yeah I'm sure." she glumly replied, not bothering to hide her saddening face.

"Hey guys! Sorry I got a bit distracted but I haven't seen this crazy girl in a while." Owen greeted them as soon as he and Rachel were standing in front of them. "But anyways guys this little firecracker here is Rachel. Rach these two lovely girls are Haley and Brooke." he introduced, pointing at both Haley and Brooke. "And this idiot over here is my brother Nathan."

"Ooh cute." Rachel remarked, eyeing Nathan up and down. Although she was married, she was still a woman and she did noticed when guys were good looking.

Nathan squirmed feeling a bit uncomfortable at her looks. Not too long ago he would have responded back with a flirty comment of his but now he was a changed man. He was in love simple as that. His other half however tensed at her comment. Already Haley didn't like the redhead with the way she was openly gawking at her boyfriend. Not to mention she was still feeling a bit hurt that Owen didn't tell her about his friend.

"Watch it Red. Dudes here got himself a girlfriend already." Owen warned her without thinking.

"Relax O, I'm married remember?" she reminded him.

"Wait, what?" Nathan exclaimed in shock, his eyes matching Haley's widen look. There was no possible way Owen knew about him and Haley. "How did you…I mean I don't know what you're talking about. I-I don't have a girlfriend Owen."

"Come on Nate, no one can sport that stupid head over heels in love look that you've been sporting for a while now."'

"I-I umm I…I'm just gonna go get a drink." Nathan mumbled to himself as he began walking towards the bar.

"Bars not opened yet dickhead!" Owen yelled after him.

"Don't care!"

"I'll be right back. Why don't you girls get to know each other?" he suggested and then quickly went after his brother.

"Umm so I'm Brooke by the way." Brooke told Rachel, trying to relieve the awkward tension that was in the air.

Rachel who had been looking at Haley curiously with a smirk, redirected her look to the brunette. "Well Brooke nice to meet you I suppose. I've heard so much about you both in especially Haley here."

"Too bad we can't say the same thing." Haley muttered under her breath.

"What's that sweetie? You need to speak up if you're talking to me?" Rachel said in a patronizing tone making Haley growl at her. She knew she was being a bitch to Haley but she was aware of the looks the honey blond had been giving her since she arrived, in especially after she mentioned that "cute" comment about Owen's brother.

Haley rolled her eyes in annoyance, already feeling like she hated the redhead. "I said, too bad we can't say the same thing about you sweetie." she repeated herself with confidence.

"Much better." Rachel replied with a satisfied grin. "And I'm not surprised at all. Owen is such a reserved guy. It took me weeks to get something meaningful out of him."

"It's funny that you think you know Owen." Haley said standing up and giving Rachel a deadly glare.

"No, what's funny is that you think it's funny that I know Owen. Because FYI sweetie, I probably know him better than you." Rachel hissed, matching Haley's stance.

Brooke just watched the two with an amused expression. She had never seen Haley so agitated by someone like Rachel and it was actually kind of amusing. She also had to admit that this Rachel girl was very entertaining as well. But still that didn't mean that if Rachel crossed the line with Haley, that she wasn't going to say anything to her. After all Haley was her best friend and if Rachel did something to upset Haley, well bitchy Brooke would unfortunately make an appearance on her.

"Oh that's rich seeing as I've known him longer than you."

"Honey haven't you heard, quality is what matters not quantity?"

Haley's eyes soon hardened. That was a low blow she had to admit. "You are such a little-"

"Ladies!" Brooke finally decided to intervene. "As entertaining your little spat is to me, you're making a scene." Brooke stated, referring to Owen and Nathan who were looking worriedly at them. It looked like Nathan wanted to come over and sweep Haley in his arms but with Owen here, Brooke knew it was impossible.

"Now why don't you calm your pretty little asses down and sit down so you can talk in a more civilized way?"

"But Brooke she's being such a bi-"

"A bitch I know." Brooke agreed, making Rachel quirked an eyebrow at her. "But you also have to remember Haley that when we want to, us girls can be straight up bitches. You're a bitch, I'm a bitch, Rachel here I can see is a real bitch but you know what, who cares? We're girls and that's how we are."

Haley sat down a bit stunned at hearing Brooke's words. Rachel followed afterwards as she looked at Brooke with much more respect than before. From what she heard from Owen, she immediately supposed Brooke was a pathetic, whiny girl with way too much drama in her life. She really didn't care for her but now she was looking at Brooke in a whole different way.

"I have to admit Brooke I am very impressed right now." Rachel admitted crossing one leg over the other.

"Oh and why is that?" Brooke asked, kinking her eyebrow at her.

"Because in all honesty I really thought you were a pathetic, whiny girl who was a complete bore."

If her words affected Brooke, she didn't let it showed as she kept looking at the redhead. "And you got all that with your talks with Owen?" Brooke asked impressed with how honest Rachel was being.

"Pretty much."

"Well," Brooke leaned back on her chair. "looks like I have some talking to do with Owen then."

"Are we seriously going to ignore the fact that she was being a complete bitch to me for no reason?" Haley asked, crossing her arms over her chest as she looked at Brooke for an answer.

"Actually you started this sweetie. You're the one who got all protective over Owen. Surprised the hell out of me because I was so sure you had something to do with the younger Scott."

"H-How did you know?" Haley stuttered with nervousness.

"I'm a very observant person Haley. Besides that boy has been looking at you the whole time we've been talking." Rachel noted as she discreetly turned to look at where Nathan and Owen were before looking back at Haley.

"And how do you know he's not looking at Brooke or hell even you?" Haley said as calmly as she could.

"Honey if that boy was looking at me I would know. Of course he wouldn't have a chance since I'm happily married. And well Brooke over here is obviously already spoken for."

"And how would you know that?" Brooke asked curiously.

"Well you keep looking at the door and glancing at your phone every once in a while as if you're waiting for someone to come. Your foot hasn't stopped tapping since I got here and you got that I-got-a-man-who-loves-me look written all over your face."

"We just got together today." Brooke made sure to point out.

"Makes no difference. You still got that stupid look." Rachel said, shrugging her shoulders in a careless manner.

"Well you sure are one observant bitch."

"Please, that nickname should only be reserved to you Brookie."

Brooke rolled her eyes with a shake of her head. Rachel was annoying but there was something about her that Brooke couldn't help but to like. Haley was sure going to hate her for this if the looks she kept sending Rachel were any indication.

"Well looks like your wait is over Brooke, your Prince Charming has just arrived." Rachel pointed out, making both Brooke and Haley turned their attention to the door. Brooke smiled widely because there he was tall, blond and handsome as he nervously ran a hand through his blond hair.

"Wow he's hot." Rachel spoke without thinking.

"Watch it Slut, that's my man you're talking about." Brooke said semi sternly as she started walking quickly towards Lucas.

"Boyfriend!" Brooke grinned from ear to ear as she launched herself into his arms.

"Well hello there Pretty Girl…missed me or something?" Lucas teased, his arms coming around her petite waist.

"Not even a little." She smiled coyly, biting her bottom lip in a flirtatious manner.

"Liar…" Lucas growled leaning down and capturing his lips with hers.

Brooke tried not to smile while they kissed, she really did but she couldn't help it. Every time Lucas kissed her, every time he was near her it just felt like she was finally complete. She let herself enjoy the way his lips felt against hers for a few more seconds before pulling away slightly.

"Big, big liar." Brooke agreed wrapping her arms tighter around him.

"Extreme liar." Lucas continued, lightly grazing his nose with hers.

"Hmmm…an eskimo kiss, my favorite." she teased with a huge smile on her face. "Can I ask you a question?" she asked, her hands now resting on his shoulders in an intimate way.

"You know you can." Lucas replied looking down at her in a way that made her heart fluttered with happiness.

"How come we're so comfortable with each other? I mean when I…" Brooke took a deep breath. "When I first started dating Julian, it took me months to feel completely comfortable with him like I am with you right now." she explained hoping it made sense what she just said.

"Honestly? I don't know Brooke." he told her frankly. "Maybe it's because we first started off as friends and there was way more trust between us then when you first got with Julian." He shrugged his shoulders not sure if she got what he meant by that. "But…you're okay talking about him?" he asked pushing her hair off her face and behind her ears in a caring way.

"More than okay Broody." She kissed him lightly. "If I really want to get pass his death then I need to be able to talk about him more." she told him, resting her head on his chest. "Is that okay with you?" she asked, slowly lifting her head to look at him.

"More than okay baby girl." he said repeating her words from earlier.

"So…" Brooke trailed off unsure how she wanted to approach the conversation she had been itching to talk about since he arrived.

"So what?" he chuckled at her not so innocent face. He knew what she wanted to say, he was just humoring her.

"Well Mr. Scott I believe there were some things left unsaid between us earlier." Brooke casually said as she started playing with the front of his collar shirt.

"You're not going to let that go huh?" Lucas said as he started swaying them to a nearby table. Brooke shook her head laughing at his attempt to prolong their conversation. "Well can I at least first go say hi to Haley and the guys?"

"Nope." Brooke responded, popping the 'p'. "If I let you go now I'm pretty sure you won't be coming back anytime soon mister. And plus you promised remember?"

Lucas sat down bringing Brooke down with him wrapping his arm around her shoulders. "Well alright a promise is a promise…what is it that you want to know about my past relationship with Anna?"

"Well for starters I want to know how it started? How long did it last? Where did you guys meet…everything basically."

"Well…" Lucas scratched the back of his head as he then began telling Brooke about his ex-girlfriend. He told her about where they met (Tree Hill), when they started dating (senior year) and how long they were together (four years). He told her about how Anna was the first girl he ever loved but that she was also the first to break his heart.

"How come you guys broke up?" Brooke hesitantly asked and felt the way he tensed at her words as he shifted around his seat uncomfortably.

"She umm she cheated on me." Lucas simply said as a dark look flashed over his handsome features.

"She cheated on you?!" Brooke exclaimed feeling shocked that Anna would hurt Lucas like that. Anna must have been crazy if she ever thought that cheating on Lucas was a good thing.

"Yeah…I caught her with her ex-boyfriend." he muttered sadly hanging his head down a bit. "I've never felt the way I did when I caught her with him." Lucas continued just wanting to be completely honest with her. "And I'll admit that after our break up, I went through a rough time. Took me a while to get over her but I did."

"Luke…" Brooke reached out and grabbed his hand.

"I can forgive anything Brooke but cheating is honestly something that I don't think I could ever forgive."

"I'm so sorry." she said turning his face to make him look at her.

"You don't have to apologize, you didn't do anything Brooke."

"If it's any comfort, it was her loss not yours Lucas."

"Oh yeah and why is that Miss Davis?" he smiled slightly at her.

"Well because you are without a doubt an incredible," Brooke slid herself on his lap sliding her arms around his neck. "very smart, funny" she kissed the side of his cheek. "sexy might I add," she said with a smirk making him chuckle a bit. "most caring and talented man I know." she finished as she leaned in to kiss him sweetly on the lips.

"And Lucas?"

"Yeah?"

"I didn't tell you this earlier but I...Lucas I love you." Brooke whispered, gently caressing his face with her hand. "I love you so much and I'm sorry it took me so long to figure it out."

Lucas smiled widely swearing nothing felt as good as hearing Brooke say she loved him. "I love you too." he replied with such a loving look. It felt so good to hear him repeat those words to him because she knew he was being sincere. She felt this intense feeling coursing inside of her that without warning, Brooke suddenly found herself encasing his lips in the sweetest and most loving kiss either of them had ever shared with each other. Though it was sweet and loving at first, it soon turned hard and passionate that lasted for a while until they were both running out of air.

"Wow…" Lucas breathed out in amazement resting his head against hers. "That was some kiss."

"Sure was Broody." Brooke giggled, not being able to stop her dimpled smile from appearing. She was so happy without a doubt.

"Yo Bitch, if you're done sucking face with your boyfriend we're over here!" Rachel's not so sweet and demanding voice interrupted the couple.

"Who's that?" Lucas scrunched up his face in confusion, not having to notice her earlier since his attention had been solely on Brooke.

Brooke rolled her eyes getting off of Lucas's lap straightening herself a bit. "Owen's very annoying and outspoken friend from Orlando." she said taking his hand in hers. "Come on let's just go before she blows a casket or something like that."

"Alright." Lucas said following her lead, not being able to get rid of that shitty ass grin that he was sporting.

While they were walking a thought soon came to Brooke and she smiled devilishly. Looking at her boyfriend she stopped him, putting her arms on his shoulders again. "Hey Luke?"

"What's on your mind Cheery?" Lucas wondered, smiling at the impish smile his girlfriend had on.

"So now that we're together…does that mean I finally get to know your middle name?" Brooke asked playfully, kinking an eyebrow at him.

"Nope." he responded shaking his head as he stepped away from her and began walking away from her.

"Aww but Lucas…" Brooke whined following after him. "Shouldn't I have like some sort of girlfriend privileges?"

"Not in this case Pretty Girl." Lucas yelled back winking at her as he looked over his shoulder only to see her pouting at him.

It was a little while later when all necessary introductions were made that Nathan found himself sitting by the bar with Haley. Owen had decided to take Rachel on a small tour around his bar though Nathan suspected it was just so that he could talk to her without prying eyes. And Brooke and Lucas…well they were in a secluded corner also wanting to be away from prying eyes. Nathan supposed it was because they just became a couple and were on their way to that 'honeymoon' stage everyone always talked about. He couldn't help but to scowl at that because that's what he wanted.

"Nathan…what's wrong?" Haley asked when she saw he was lost in his own thoughts with a frown on his face.

"I want what they have." Nathan blurted out without thinking to her as he watched Lucas and Brooke kissing and whispering sweet nothings to each other in a nearby table.

"Nathan…"

"I know Haley but damn it I just can't keep doing this!" he confessed with exasperation. "I want us to be like them." He pointed to the couple in the corner. "I don't want to have to worry about someone catching us. I want to be able to tell people that you're my girl and that there's nothing in the world I wouldn't do for you."

"Nathan I-"

"Haley, why can't we just tell Owen?" he asked in a desperate tone. "It's been a year and he's seen how much I've changed so why don't we just tell him about us already?"

"Because…" she trailed off cautiously. She didn't know why she was so scared of telling Owen about her and Nathan. All she knew was that every time she thought of telling Owen this feeling of complete uncertainty clouded her actions.

"You know what never mind." Nathan declared shaking his head at her in an almost disappointed way. "I'm just going to talk to Luke for a bit." He stepped away from her turning around.

"Wait Nate I…damn!" she curse herself for being such a coward.

"What's up with your ass?" Rachel suddenly appeared out of nowhere to her left.

"Nothing I just…I think I messed up." Haley said completely catching Rachel off guard. She was so sure that Haley was going blow her off or at least respond with a snide comment. They weren't exactly getting along that well after their small confrontation earlier.

"What's going on here?" Brooke asked looking at Haley's saddening look briefly before turning her attention to Rachel. "What did you do to her?"

"Nothing!" Rachel defended herself. "She was already like this when I came."

"Bunny what's wrong?" Brooke asked with concern. "Did she do something to you?" Brooke said giving Rachel a look. "Or does it have to do with why Nathan came looking so serious wanting to talk to Lucas?"

"Nathan wants to tell Owen about us?" She fidgeted with her hands, a nervous habit that she got from Brooke.

Brooke let out a sigh she had been holding. She knew this was going to happen eventually. It surprised her it took Nathan a year to finally tell Haley this. "Haley you know I love you and everything but Nathan is right. Owen has every right to know about what's going on with his brother and you."

"I know but I'm just scared that he's going to be so mad about it when I tell him." she confessed one of her many fears.

"I think that he's going to be more hurt you kept it away from him for a year then you and Nathan actually being together." Rachel intervened making Haley look up at her in surprise. "But that's just my opinion." she casually said turning her attention towards where Owen was now at talking to Nathan and Lucas. Well mostly talking because they were too busy looking at something Nathan had in his hands.

"Rachel is right you know." Brooke quickly agreed. "You should just tell him and get it over with."

Haley thought and thought about it. Brooke and Rachel were right. She needed to toughen up and face the difficulties ahead. After all she was the one that got her and Nathan in this place and she needed to be the one to get them out. "Alright but I think I should clear up some things with Nathan." Haley said with a slight smile. "Thanks Tigger…you too Rachel."

"No problem." Rachel answered, not bothering to look at Haley as she continued to stare at the guys. "Hey have you girls ever notice that Owen, Lucas and Nathan kinda look alike in some ways?"

Both Brooke and Haley looked at each other before looking at the three guys with curious stares. Now that they thought about it, Rachel was right. Physically from just a glance one wouldn't think they looked alike but if you looked closely at their features, there were some similarities between them.

"Well now that you mention it…"

"Yeah look they got that same stupid shitty ass grin." Rachel abruptly interrupted with a smirk.

"Right…plus all three of them have blue eyes." Haley pointed out something she had noticed from the beginning since she met Nathan and Lucas.

"As oppose to the other millions of people out there that don't right Haley?" Rachel sarcastically replied.

"Shut it Slut! Haley was just pointing something out." Brooke told her off, hitting her hard on her arm.

"Damn it Brooke that hurt!" Rachel rubbed the part in her arm where Brooke had hit her.

"Good, maybe next time you'll learn to keep your mouth shut." Brooke hissed, giving her a smug look.

"Whatever." she grumbled crossing her arms in annoyance.

"Don't get your panties in a twist Rachel." Haley stated coolly. "Now come on you were actually on to something."

"Fine…I supposed their eye color is something they have in common."

"Except they all have different shades of it." Haley mentioned, remembering the day she met Lucas and how she easily distinguished his eye color when compared to Nathan and Owen.

"Luke's last name is Scott!" Brooke pointed out in an excited tone. "Ooh wouldn't it be so cool if Lucas turned out to be the long lost brother or cousin of Owen and Nathan?"

"Brooke this isn't one of those lame soap operas that I know you probably watch. Stuff like this doesn't happen in the real world."

Before Brooke had a chance to retaliate Haley spoke up. "Sorry Tigger but Rachel is right. And besides I remember Owen once telling me about his family and he was pretty sure he didn't have any family members with the name Lucas."

"Hmm…well I still say they could be related." Brooke frowned as she kept looking at the guys in a pensive way. "I mean come on! Look at their noses, the shape of their eyes!"

Rachel gave Haley a look before both girls rolled their eyes at the bouncy excited brunette.

"I can see why you call her 'Tigger' Haley." she commented dryly.

"You should have seen her in high school." Haley replied with a fond smile. "Bouncing from class to class with that same damn cheery attitude all the time."

"Must have annoyed a couple of people."

"Like you wouldn't believe it."

"I'm right here you know." Brooke said with a scoff, glaring at them. "I think I liked it better when you two were bitching at each other."

"Well Brooklyn me too but apparently I have to play nice because she's Owen's girl."

"I am not Owen's girl!" Rachel growled though there was a noticeable blush on her face.

"Could have fooled me…are you sure you're married Gatina?" Haley teased, making Rachel stick her tongue at her.

"Are we seriously ignoring the fact that you just called me Brooklyn, Haley Bob?"

"Wait you're middle name is Bob?" Rachel asked in amusement.

"For your information the name Bob holds a very important meaning in my family." Haley let the redhead know, annoyed that she was making fun of her middle name.

"I'm sure it does Haley Bob."

Haley rolled her eyes. "Well thanks a lot Penelope." she sarcastically told her best friend who had on an amusing expression.

"And you're Penelope? Oh that is rich!"

"Oh like you're one to talk, you probably have a stupider middle name than us."

"Nothing is stupider than Bob and Penelope." she shot back smugly.

"What's your middle name then?" Brooke asked.

"Like I'll ever tell you." she replied snippily.

At that moment Owen happened to have been passing by on his way to the bathroom and heard Brooke's question. "Virginia!" Owen answered immediately smiling mischievously at Rachel.

"Damn you Scott!" Rachel yelled annoyed, stomping her foot when she heard him laugh at her expense.

"Virginia huh?"

"Oh shut it!"

"Rachel's one feisty girl huh?" Lucas asked Owen once he returned from the bathroom, his attention never leaving the device Nathan had. "Shoot Nate, shoot!" he instructed the raven-haired man.

"Yeah very feisty..." Owen agreed, his eyes wondering a bit towards where Rachel was arguing with Brooke and Haley before turning back to the game Nathan was playing. "Good idea bringing this game little bro."

"Thanks...shit that was close!" Nathan said, his fingers quickly moving and hitting the buttons. It was a good thing he brought it because right now it was the only distraction he had to keep him away from thinking about his sort of fight with Haley.

"What do you think the girls were talking about?" Lucas asked curiously looking at the three girls in question. They were fighting now with each other but way before he noticed the looks they were giving him, Nathan and Owen.

"Probably stupid shit." Owen replied with a shrug looking over Nathan's shoulder.

"Think they're talking about us?" Nathan wondered as he continued to play his game.

"I'm pretty sure they have better things to talk about…dude come on you totally missed that shot!"

A little while later, the six friends were still lounging around the bar with nothing to do. Nathan was still not speaking to Haley which didn't go unnoticed by Owen, and Rachel was still being her annoying bitchy self which everyone that didn't know her was already getting used to. Lucas and Brooke were still in their honeymoon stage as Nathan had previously noticed and were practically content just being in each other's arms as they sat together in one of the many booths Owen had installed in his bar.

"I say we all go out and do something fun tonight." Brooke suggested looking at everyone in the room.

"Where do you want to go Pretty Girl?" Lucas asked from beside her.

"I don't know Broody just anywhere. Maybe we could go to a club or something?"

"Or something…" he smirked as he leaned over and whispered something in her ear that made her blush.

"Lucas!" Brooke playfully admonished him. "There is no way that my ever so serious boyfriend just suggested that to me."

"I'm just playing baby." Lucas assured her, bringing her closer to him and giving her a chaste kiss on her temple. She snuggled closer to him, letting out a content sigh.

"Ugh you guys are just too sickly sweet!" Rachel remarked in a semi disgusted tone from where she was sitting next to Owen. "I know you guys are like a new couple…or whatever but I hope you're not going to act like this the whole time I'm here."

"You're just jealous because your man isn't here." Brooke smirked, sticking her tongue at her.

"Whatever…" she grumbled as she looked down at her blinking cell phone that was telling her she had a few missed calls and some voicemails. She had been ignoring her phone the whole day for a reason.

"Who's that?" Owen asked Rachel when he saw her once again ignore her phone.

"No one…" Rachel said dismissively. She knew who it was she just didn't want to answer. "But umm I agree with Brooke and say we go out and do something fun."

"I guess…" Haley finally said something. She had been fairly quiet the whole time which had surprised Owen.

"So are we going or not?" Owen asked impatiently, ignoring Haley's weird mood. He would ask her later about it.

"I don't know…" Nathan said indecisively. He wasn't sure if he wanted to spend more time with Haley after what happened between them.

"Oh please come on guys!"

"Well it is Red's first night in New York and we've established how feisty and crazy she can be so what the heck. Let's go out like Brookie here suggested."

"Well you all know I'm in." Brooke was the first one to agree with what Owen said. "What about you Boyfriend? Care to go out and paint the town red with me?"

"You know I do." Lucas said looking at her in a loving way.

"Good…what about you Haley and Nathan?"

For a brief moment Haley and Nathan looked at each other awkwardly before nodding their heads slowly in agreement.

"Great! Let's go get ready then!" Brooke stood up pulling Lucas along with her. "The night is young and we can't waste it by just sitting here guys so let's go!"

"I swear if this is how she's going to be acting tonight I am so bailing on you guys." Rachel warned the remaining people with a glare. "It's like she's on happy pills or something…" she muttered to herself as she reluctantly followed the cheery brunette and Lucas towards the exit.

"I'll close up here first then. Why don't you two go ahead." Owen told them as he headed towards the back of the bar to make sure everything was intact.

"Nathan can we talk?" Haley prompted when she saw he was already on his way out.

"There's nothing to talk about Haley. You know where I stand and I know where you do. I'll see you later…or not whatever." Nathan said, not bothering to turn around to face her. If he did he knew he would crumble, she was his one weakness after all.

"Damn…" was all Haley said as she followed Nathan out of the bar dejectedly. She knew she had to fix things somehow because she couldn't stand Nathan not talking to her.

To Be Continued...

And there you go! I know you've all been waiting for Brooke to officially call Lucas 'Boyfriend' ;)

Coming up next: The gang goes out has fun, Haley talks with Owen, more BL fluff and…Tree Hill my readers! There also will be more BL centered chapters!

Please Review!