Okay so I'm just getting back into the swing of things. Hope you like this chapter, let me know what you think!

Thanks everyone for the reviews by the way! It's what keeps me writing ;)

Best Friends... Forever?

Chapter 4

Jealousy

She didn't go to Nathan's. As much as she liked to threaten it, she wouldn't do that to him. Even if he was being a jerk.

She wouldn't go to Haley's either. She knew Lucas would want someone to talk to and without her, Haley would be his next choice. "Even when he's being an ass, I'm still a good friend. Call me fucking selfish." She hissed bitterly under her breath. Storming down the streets of the quiet suburbs, anger evident from her stance and demeanour.

No, instead Brooke Davis had called a barely-awake Rachel Gattina to come pick her up from down the road. The brunette sighed in relief when she spotted her friends black range-rover pull up. She wanted to get as far away from Lucas Scott as possible right now.

"Hey Skank, what's got you so pissy, you had to drag me away from second round with the hottie I brought home last night?" Hazel eyes glowered at the red head as she took her place in the passenger side seat, slamming the door. "Okay, okay. I won't ask. But where are we going? Want me to drop you home or you want to come to mine?" Brooke shrugged, not saying a word. "Alright, my place it is. I have double chocolate chip ice cream and Jersey Shore DVD's, that's gotta break you out of this funk."

"I had a fight with Brooke." Dark brown eyes blinked twice before the honey-blonde broke into a fit of laughter. Lucas watched on in shock. "Haley I'm not joking."

"Yeah, right Luke, you call me all the way over here, sounding dead serious on the phone because you had a fight with Brooke?" She walked past him into his bedroom "I bet you guys made up before I even got into the car."

"No Hales, were really fighting." Haley rolled her eyes, she had known the two since elementary school and not once in that entire time had the two had a fight that lasted longer than an hour. Of course they bickered like crazy, but nothing was ever serious enough to drive them apart.

"Yeah, nice one, what is this, april fools? Brooke, you can come out from wherever your hiding." She slumped into his desk chair as Lucas threw himself onto his bed with a groan.

"Haley I said some awful things to her and then-" he stopped, letting out another groan " I called her a bitch" The tutor sat up.

"Wait really?"

"Yes." Lucas admitted hesitantly.

"So you and Brooke are actually fighting?"

"That's what I have been TRYING to tell you."

"Wow."

"Yeah, I know. It sucks."

"What was it over?"

"Nathan."

"What?"

"She wants to date Nathan."

"As in Scott?"

"Yes."

"I remember her saying, something about him being hot or her wanting to go home with him or something last night." Another jolt of jealousy ran through Lucas, his head shot to Haley.

"You knew about this?"

"No. I knew that she thought he was hot last night when she was drinking, I didn't know she actually might want to date him."

"Well, she does." The blonde shot back gruffly.

"So what?"

"Excuse me?"

"Who cares if she wants to date him?"

"I do."

"Why?"

"Because she's my best friend and he's my brother."

"Okay, I get that it might be a little weird. But was it worth the fight?" Lucas hated that Haley always had to be the voice of reason but he loved her for it also.

"Probably not."

"Then why are you fighting with the girl you have never gone a day without talking to?"

"Because the idea of them together, it bothers me." There, he admitted it. He didn't like thinking of Brooke and Nathan together. He couldn't explain it but it was true. The thought of them dating made him want too punch something, hard.

"Wait are you jealous of him?"

"WHAT? NO!"

"I mean not in the way of him getting to date her, I've known you both long enough to never suggest that. But are you jealous that there might be another Scott who could be there for her in a way you have for all these years?" That's it, he told himself. That was the reason he had been having all these strange feelings for his best friend lately. It wasn't that he was jealous of Nathan getting to be with Brooke, he was jealous of another Scott trying to replace him. It was the only explanation for the weirdness and mixed feelings of the past two days. Right?

"Maybe."

"Luke, you have nothing to worry about. Brooke loves you, she would never replace you."

"I know."

"Then go make-up with her."

"Not now Hales."

"Why?"

"I don't think she wants to talk to me right now, I think we both need a day to cool off. She's around at Nathan's anyway."

"No she's not, she's at Rachel's."

"How do you know?"

"Rachel text and said they were watching crappie TV and eating ice cream and that I better hurry up to get there and cheer up Brooke, now it makes sense." As much as he hated to hear Brooke wasn't happy he couldn't help but smile. She didn't go to Nathans he thought with a laugh.

"UGH! The Situation is such a jackass, I seriously want to kill him." Spoon flung from perfectly manicured hand, just missing the TV, instead splattering melted chocolate chunks all over the white wall.

"HEY! Careful there Miss Murder, just cause we have a house keeper doesn't mean you can ruin the goods."

"C'mon Rae, as if you don't hate him as well."

"Sansei thinks some of this hatred is being misguided from Lucas."

"And Brooke thinks Rachel should not refer to herself as Sensei if she wishes to stay alive."

"The death threats are really not helping the situation."

"He's just such an ass."

"I know but, don't hate me for saying it, have you looked at it from his side at all?" Brooke clamped her teeth as her head shot to Rachel.

"Your on his side?" She hissed, accusingly.

"No."

"Then what the are you saying?"

"I'm saying, what if I dated Lucas?" To say that Brooke looked shocked would be an understatement.

"You like Lucas?" She almost shrieked in disbelief.

"No." Rachel assured her, the brunette sighed. "But Hale's and I are the closest things to sisters you'll ever get, so imagine if one of us were to date Lucas, how would you feel?"

"I don't know, weird, I guess."

"Would you be angry?"

"No"

"Brooke-"

"Okay, fine I might be a little ticked off. I don't know why, I guess it'd just bother me."

"Exactly, so you can kinda see why Lucas might be mad. He had NO right to go off at you like that though."

"Alright, I get where your coming from. But I'm still pissed off."

"Your allowed to be, just hurry up and kiss and make-up. As much as I love the time with you, it's weird when you two aren't joined at the hip."

"Give us some time to cool off."

"Fine, but no more throwing spoons?" Brooke laughed.

"Deal." She considered for a second before plump lips formed into a pout "Ohhh" she groaned in disappointment.

"What now?"

"Nathan's so cute and I want him so much more now he's forbidden fruit." The red head let out a chuckle.

"Hey, I can take a ride on him for ya and let you know how it is if you want."

"Don't you dare." Rachel mirrored Brooke's pout.

"Awww, now he's so much cuter to me too. I hate the forbidden fruit concept."

"Me too."

"We need to find new boys to play with."

"OH! New toys! I like."

"I'll text Haley, the three of us are going out tonight."

"Well if Hales is coming we should find out where Jake Jagielski is going as well, maybe 'accidentally' bump into him." Brooke picked up her phone, texting Clay, Jakes best friend, to find out where he would be going out that night. If Clay was going, his quieter, more behaved yet equally troublesome partner in crime would surely tag along.

"Oh your wicked Davis." Rachel smiled devilishly at her friend before picking up her own phone to text Haley.

"I know, but I'm so good at it."

As much as she hated to admit it, even out and intoxicated, surrounded by boys, Brooke couldn't help but think of her fight with Lucas. She went home early, claiming to be tired from the night before, leaving Rachel in charge of getting Haley to talk to Jake.

Lucas was miserable all weekend as well. He went out on his date with Peyton but could barely concentrate on her or the music, constantly checking his phone. Somehow expecting one of her always funny and witty texts teasing him about the date.

Brooke opted to skip school on Monday, not in the mood to run into her apparent best friend. Lucas had spent the day worrying. "Hey man, have you seen Brooke?" He stared daggers at his brother when he had the nerve to ask this. Sure, Nathan didn't know about the fight but that didn't mean Lucas was any less pissed at him. "NO." He shot back bitterly before storming off down the hall.

She turned up on Tuesday, completely ignoring Lucas and avoiding Nathan. Yes, she missed her friend like crazy but after the way he blew up at her she wasn't going to make it easy for him. Hating the silent treatment and hating that he hadn't talked to her in three days, Lucas turned up at her house that day after school.

The red door flew open and in front of him stood the feisty brunette he knew so well, arms folded, eyes narrowed. It gave him hope that she had at least opened the door, he knew her and if she really didn't want to talk to him she would just hide and pretend she wasn't home.

"What do you want?" A raspy bark almost forced him to recoil yet he stood his place.

"I hate this." He said timidly.

"Not talking? Why would you want to talk to a a selfish bitch anyway?" Sarcasm coated her tongue, Lucas sighed.

"We both know your not a selfish bitch Brooke, I'm just a jerk."

"Yes. You are. Is that all?"

"C'mon Davis, I miss you. I can't stand not talking to you, I hate knowing that I was such an asshole to you and I said all that crappie stuff. You know that's not me, I'm sorry." Her face almost faltered into a smile but she stopped herself. She may not be selfish but she was stubborn and she was going to make him work for it.

"I need some time to think."

"Brooke, I love you. Your my best friend and I-"

"I don't think we should be friends anymore Lucas." His eyes went wide, he could have sworn his heart stopped.

"It was just one fight, I'm soo sorry, I can make it up to you-I Shouldn't have said those things-" Lucas spluttered before he noticed her face. She was smiling that ever so cocky I-was-just-fucking-with-you smile. He stopped. "Your joking?" She winked at him.

"There's not a single thing in this world you could say to stop me being your friend Lucas Scott, I thought you might know that by now."

"You nearly gave me a heart attack Brooke Davis."

"Oh Poor Baby, C'mere" She held out her arms and he gladly swooped down to wrap his own around her. Brooke was instantly comforted, there had never been anyone in the world that made her feel as safe and loved as Lucas did. When her parents abandoned her for one of their many 'business trips', he was there. When it felt like the whole world was against her, he was there. When she came up with a crazy scheme she just had to try, he was there. When she was in a bad mood and just wanted to be by herself, he was there, he refused to let her suffer alone and she always loved that he wouldn't leave her side until she felt better. "I missed you." She whispered in his ear and he smiled, holding her tighter.

"I missed you too. I'm so sorry for the way I spoke to you."

"Don't mention it." The two broke away, smiling at each other.

"Can I come in?"

"Since when do you ask? Get your ass in her Broody." She moved away from the door, walking towards her room as he followed her they both threw themselves onto her giant bed. She snuggled into his chest.

"I'm sorry too." She whispered.

"You don't have to be-"

"I am, it was wrong. I know how weird it would be for you to see me dating him, I would never want to drive a wedge between you two or make it weird between us."

"It wouldn't."

"But it wouldn't be worth the risk either. I won't go out with him Luke, I promise."

"I think you should." Lucas knew he would probably hate himself for these words later. Even saying it made his blood boil but he loved Brooke, she was his best friend, he wanted her to be happy.

"What?"

"You like him right?"

"Yes."

"Then who am I to stand in your way? You were right, Nathan's better than he used to be, he's not such an ass. I want you to be happy and if he makes you happy, if he's good to you. Date him."

"Really? Your not just saying that?" Blonde head shook as he wrapped his arms around the brunette.

"No. I mean it. Wait, doesn't Haley have a thing for Nathan though?" He vaguely recalled her saying something a while ago and kicked himself from bringing it up Brooke liking Nathan on Saturday.

"She used to but she got over it, she's into Jake now. Keep up Scott." Lucas sighed in relief, he should have known Brooke would never do anything with someone she knew her friend liked. "Please don't tell Hales I slept with Jake though, it was a one time thing and we were both drunk and it was before she even liked him-"

"Your secrets safe with me."

"Thankyou."

"Hey Davis?"

"Yes?"

"You know your more family to me than Nathan ever will be so if he breaks your heart, I will break his nose, and legs, and arms and-"

"Okay, okay, I get the point" She giggled

"Good."

"I love you for being the protective brother bear, you know that? And if Peyton ever does anything to hurt you, I won't tell you what I'll do but trust me, she will NEVER cheer again." Lucas let out a masculine laugh although he couldn't help but feel uneasy at the mention of 'brother bear'. He had never cared about being refereed to as her brother before, he took pride in it. Yet after some of the thoughts he had been having lately, it just didn't sound right to him.

"I love you too Brooke Davis, lets never fight again. Three days without talking is long enough."

"Deal." Then he realised, in that moment, holding Brooke, it was the most content he had ever felt in his life. He never wanted to let go.

The two had talked about Lucas's date with Peyton, Brooke's plan to get Jaley together and everything else they had missed about each others lives in the last three days. They didn't bother questioning how they had become so co-dependent but knew they never wanted to go three days without talking again. Eventually, after hours of gossip and movie watching, Lucas had fallen asleep and Brooke had skillully reached for her iPhone 4. Turning the black smartphone over a few times in her hand, she knew she couldn't resist texting him.

Change of plans. Lucas is on board. He just needed some time to adjust. - B

She waited for a moment, butterfly's in her stomach. It had been a while since a boy had made her this nervous. She was crushing on him. Hard. It was weird because just over a year ago, she had hated Nathan Scott for being the asshole to her best friend. For being the kid who made fun of him because he got the daddy and Lucas didn't. But something had changed, somewhere along the line Nathan had matured, seeking out a relationship with his brother. It took a while but eventually they had managed to become friends. They weren't as close as most brothers but they were on there way, Brooke just hoped she didn't screw it up for them.

Awesome. So does this mean I can take you out?

She giggled before writing back.

If you play your cards right.

How about dinner and drinks tomorrow?

A school night?

Okay, she didn't really care it was a school night but it would be way more fun on the weekend.

I don't want to wait till Friday. Too long.

That was kind of sweet, she thought. Knowing she didn't want to wait to go out with him either.

Tomorrow it is then. Although you have to understand, Lucas is my best friend and always will be, if we date you can't get all jealous when I go hang out with him.

Brooke figured she should let him know form the start that she would not stand for a guy telling her not to be friends with Lucas.

I understand. No jealousy as long as you hang out with me as well. I'm not trying to get between you two at all. I'm just trying to get to know you better.

Tomorrow it is then Scott. Pick me up at eight. Now, I'm off to bed. XXX

See you then Chuckles. Sleep well. X

She wasn't going to squeal, it would wake Lucas up, but a wide grin formed on her face as she lay back down in bed.

Don't hate me, there will be Brathan. I can't very well have Brucas confess their feelings right away can I? Where would be the fun in that? HAHA It might be a slow journey but there's plenty of Brucas friendship to tide you over until things get BETTER ;). Thanks for reading!