A/N: this is created just for fun and I hold no claim to the characters used or the show One Tree Hill. And thank you to those who reviewed or alerted this story, it means a lot.
CAN'T LOVE, CAN'T HURT
Chapter One
One Month Later
The sound of children's laughter came from the backyard and Nathan paused at the door, the present itching in one of his hands, sucking in a deep breath he prepared himself and then knocked.
A soft chuckle reached him as the door swung open, he saw her before she turned to face him, her hair was darker than normal and she'd cut it in a shorter style, the waves tickled her neck yet didn't reach her shoulders. The blue dress clung to Haley's generous breast then flowed down to her knees, swishing as she finished talking to an unseen guest and finally twisted around to face Nathan.
His breath hitched, "hi"
Haley's smile dropped, "you made it"
"I told you I would" his voice hardened, not replying Haley simply stepped back to allow him inside.
All too conscious of his ex wife following him Nathan walked that much faster to the waiting crowd, as she stepped outside he immediately called out "Where's my birthday boy!"
On the lawn a short eight year Jamie looked up, his pale blue eyes like his fathers suddenly lit up, "DAD!" dropping the football Jamie ran across the lawn and up the stairs to the back deck, Jamie practically jumped up into Nathan's arms and the basketball star picked his son up under the arms and swung him around. For a moment they hugged, Jamie grinning into his fathers neck as Nathan closed his eyes and clung to the boy.
Eventually Nathan lowered Jamie to the ground and instead got down to the boy's level and placed a hand on top of Jamie's spiky dark blonde hair, "what does eight feel like?"
"Much better than seven. Where's my present?" and the small boys blue eyes lit up, he held his hands up expectedly.
Haley's mouth dropped "Jamie!" she exclaimed in disapproval and Nathan chuckled.
"Hey, isn't my time worth something"
"But Dad it's my birthday!" the infectious whine caused a few nearby parents to laugh and Nathan leaned in closer, he whispered to his son "it's pretty big - I had to leave it by the car"
Before Nathan could say anything else Jamie was running through the house, smirking Nathan straightened up and followed, Haley stepped up to him "Nathan, I hope you didn't spoil him"
"Relax Hales, trust me for once" and he winked before quickly following Jamie. Pretending she didn't want to grab Nathan by the collar and drag him into a secluded area so she could have a few words about 'trusting' him, Haley plastid on a fake smile and reluctantly followed her ex and son while a few curious others followed her.
When Haley stepped out front she froze, "you didn't" and she sent a dark cold glare at Nathan who grinned over his shoulder at her as he jogged over to Jamie, "I did" he shot back and quickened his steps even more.
Jamie was on his knees as a small golden retriever puppy continued to try to lick every inch of his face, the boy had his eyes screwed shut and he couldn't stop laughing "this is so cool"
"Tell me you did not get our son a dog without asking me" Haley stormed over to Nathan and hit him over the back of his head, "ow, Hales, it's just a little dog" Nathan defended.
"That I will be stuck looking after"
"Then make him take responsibility for it" Nathan rolled his eyes and stepped away before he got another wack, Haley scoffed and followed him.
She placed a hand on her generous hips "that's easy for you to say, you're never here, you get to be the fun dad and I am left being the mean mom with all the rules"
"Which is complete bull" Nathan forced himself to keep his voice low, he eyed Jamie warily and then focused on Haley, "Jamie adores you and I'm not just the fun dad so can we not get into another fight on our son's birthday because he is looking at us"
The anger swiftly left Haley and her whole body relaxed, with a shimmer of guilt in her eyes she turned in Jamie's direction and sent him a smile, ignoring Nathan she turned her shoulder to him – not without one last glare – and started to close the gap between her and their son.
"Look what Dad got me, Mom" Jamie exclaimed excited, his eight year old hands trying to restrain the bundle of puppy energy. Haley grinned and it managed to reach her eyes, "he's gorgeous, what are you going to call him?"
"Slam Dunk" he replied, and then getting up Jamie grabbed the leash "come on, Slam Dunk, come on, boy" and led the dog away.
"Look how happy he is" Nathan grinned and Haley just sent him a glare, "next time just give me some warning" and with Jamie no longer in sight Haley felt free to start on her ex again, but before she could do more that look disappointed and angry Nathan did his boyish grin and said casually "I guess you don't want your present then seeing you're all angry at me"
For a second Haley just stood there shocked and then her face softened, "you got me a present?"
"Yeah but I didn't get a chance to wrap it and there wasn't a box big enough, can you forgive me?"
Her eyes narrowed in confusion and then a voice said from behind her, "he was going to put a bow on me"
Haley turned and her mouth dropped open, "Lucas" she whispered and then grinning she let out a louder more enthusiastic "oh my god Lucas!" and ran into the open arms of her oldest friend.
In the backyard still standing at the edge of the deck overlooking the grass underneath, Peyton smiled behind the glass that touched her lips as she watched the children play football or at least some version of the sport. Jenny, her stepdaughter, was a good five years older than most of the children at the party and was in her element bossing the younger kids around and telling them who to tackle, Peyton chuckled as Jenny swung a toddler around before stealing the ball and passing it to one of Jamie's classmates. Then warm arms wrapped themselves around Peyton's waist from behind, "having a good time?" Jake asked.
Peyton nodded and relaxed into her husband's arms, she rested her head against his shoulder and smiled "yes, better now though. Is Nate still alive?"
"For now, he got Jamie a puppy, see" and Jake shifted them so Peyton could see Jamie leading a golden retriever puppy to the other kids, "uh oh" Peyton whistled and Jake chuckled.
"But I think Haley's anger quickly died"
"Nathan got himself in the good books then?" Peyton quirked an eyebrow in doubt, though her history was more tied to Nathan the last few years had constantly thrown her and Haley together and now they were working together they often talked to each other so Peyton had a pretty good idea of how Haley felt about her ex husband, there was still love there but most of the time it was buried under years of disappointment and anger, lots of anger.
"He got her a big present" Jake grinned.
Peyton didn't get it, then she heard something drop and looked up to see Karen Roe standing behind a pile of fallen plastic cups with her mouth hanging open and tears beginning in her eyes, a second later the older woman gave a loud "LUCAS!"
Immediately Peyton's attention went to the doorway where Lucas Scott stepped out from behind his best friend and brother, "hey ma" he gave a sheepish smile which was quickly blocked from view as Karen flew into her sons arms.
"Lucas is back" Peyton whispered and slowly her eyes began to widen, she almost dropped the drink in her hand but managed to keep it by her side.
Over his mothers shoulder Lucas looked up and his eyes were drawn to the pale green eyes of Peyton Sawyer, he looked her over from the sneakers to the top of her dark blonde hair and saw the way Jake's arms were wrapped around her. Lucas smiled, he hadn't known how he would feel seeing Peyton again but the moment he saw her all he felt was a calm happiness like seeing an old friend, his heart didn't skip a beat and the teenage crush was finally gone. Then he noticed the hostile look she was trying to hide, for a split second Lucas frowned then when his mother pulled away and got his attention back Lucas simply smiled.
He was home.
"Hell must have frozen over" Peyton bitterly stated and turned away, Jake moved from behind her and slipped in between Peyton and the railing, leaning back against it he too hold of Peyton by her narrow hips and pulled her closer "come on, Peyt, whatever happened between you and Lucas was a lifetime ago, let's keep it that way"
"He almost ruined my friendship with Brooke; it's kinda hard to forget"
"And he had some help doing th-" he stopped when Peyton glared at him, "look it was thirteen years ago just because Lucas is here doesn't mean it has to effect you and Brooke now"
Peyton scoffed but she couldn't help but think about how much her and Brooke had changed, not just as people but their friendship had weakened over the years and Brooke had a tendency to cut anything to do with Lucas out of her life – her dislike of Haley, her broken friendship with Nathan, her avoidance of Karen and her establishments. Peyton didn't want to be another casualty, she'd made the choice between Brooke and Lucas years ago and though it might have been too late the blonde knew who she would pick if she ever had to again.
Hoes over bros.
"No you don't understand… look I don't care, I told you I would pay for the shirt… psychologically damaged my ass… look lady if you wanna talk bullies look a little closer to home, it was your son who was picking on a kid half his side, like he has every lunch all term, and it was my son who stood up for himself, maybe little Johnny shouldn't give what he can't take back -" Brooke took the phone away from her ear and stared at it, "oh no you did not just hang up on me" flipping her phone shut Brooke slipped it back into her bag and stomped her way up the stairs leading to the apartment, grabbing her keys she quickly unlocked the door and pushed her way inside.
One step into the apartment and suddenly Brooke found herself under attack as a stream of water hit her square between the eyes and then another one aimed for her cleavage, "cease fire" she called out slightly irritated and held up her hands.
Mouth popped his head up from behind the couch "hey Brooke" and she glared his way before wiping her face dry, water gun coming up next to him Mouth grinned and turned his attention to the small adjoining kitchen as Ollie and his best friend Aden appeared from behind the counter, with a roar Ollie aimed his water gun at Mouth and pressed down on the trigger.
With a grimace Brooke stepped over the scattered toys and clothes while carefully trying to avoid being ambushed again, "MOM, DUCK!" Ollie screamed and Brooke managed to move just in time as a water balloon sailed by her, she saw Mouth duck for cover behind the couch and the balloon hit the ground behind him.
"Where did you get that?" Mouth asked and Ollie shrugged his shoulders and aimed his gun again, Mouth slid down his goggles "Oh game on Davis, game on"
Cringing Brooke quickly finished walking across the room and knocked gently on Rachel's bedroom door, "come in" Rachel answered and Brooke opened the door, walked in and shut it again behind her "hey slut, thanks for the great babysitting" she whispered sarcastically.
Rachel chuckled and rolled over on the bed where she had been patting Matty's back, "hey it's not your apartment so why are you complaining?"
"I'm not" Brooke replied and quickly bent down to take of her heels, she winced before setting her bare feet on the soft carpet and sighed in bliss, "that feels good"
"How did it go today?" Rachel whispered her question and Brooke carefully sat on the bed, she grinned "great, auctioned off for 1.5 million"
"Nice commission there" Rachel whistled and Brooke nodded, the two women looked at each other and then the small child next to them made a noise and rolled over grabbing both of their attention.
Matthew Gattina had Rachel's tanned complexion and golden brown eyes, at three he towered over other kids his age and had short silky black hair – the last two attributes inherited from his biological father Owen also known as sperm-donor-bartender. Matty rolled over again, this time fully onto his back and his chubby arm flung out across the pillow before a little snore came out.
"Aw, he's all tuckered out"
Rachel chuckled, "Ollie and Aden sucked all the energy out of him, he only ever has afternoon naps when they are here" but she didn't take her eyes off her son, love shone brightly in her eyes. Brooke could relate, Oliver was the most important thing in her life and every time she looked at him she had to force herself to look away from his perfect face.
"Are you sure you want me to take him tonight?"
Finally pulling her eyes away from Matty and looking once again at Brooke, Rachel tilted her head "no, Brooke, I'm gonna take him to work with me until four am… yeah right. With Mouth broadcasting tonight I have no other choice but he'll pick the little monster up first thing in the morning"
"Settled then, we'll just hang here until he wakes up, come on Whore, let's go join in the fun" and Brooke grabbed Rachel's hand and pulled her up off the bed, dragging her friend out of the room Brooke quickly snuck behind the couch with Mouth, "what's the plan?" she asked.
Mouth with his back plastered to the couch handed Brooke the spare water gun before he filled up his own again, "you go for Ollie and leave Aden to me, ready, one… two… three!"
Brooke jumped up ready to shoot but no one was in sight, a second later Ollie popped up and two streams of water flew across the room, Brooke's hit Ollie straight n the face but he didn't blink and the moment Brooke was hit in the chest she ducked.
Laughing Brooke turned, "Rach, want a shot?" but her friend wasn't next to her, Brooke looked around, "where's Rachel?"
Mouth shrugged and jumped up with a scream, he rolled over the couch and landed on the ground and fired at Aden who crouched half behind the kitchen counter, the boy swore "LANGUAGE" Brooke cut in and then Aden pulled out his gun and continued to soak Mouth's shirt. Army rolling behind the wall to the right of the kitchen Mouth got out of the line of fire.
"Brooke" he screamed.
Quickly refilling her water gun from the bucket behind the couch Brooke cautiously poked her head up again and saw a grinning Ollie standing in the kitchen, she lifted her weapon up ready to fire and Ollie lifted his hands, her mouth fell open just as the two water balloons were thrown in her direction. Brooke ducked but that didn't stop the water balloon smashing on top of her head and the other one landing in the bucket and splashing the rest of her, "shit!"
"Oi, language" Ollie shouted back and Brooke narrowed her eyes.
On the other side of the room Ollie ducked down and high-fived the waiting hand of Rachel, "thanks for the extra ammo, Aunt Rachel"
"You're welcome, cutie"
They were laughing together when Brooke snuck up to the other side of the counter and quietly stood up with the half full bucket in her hands, smirking she slowly tipped it over.
Haley had spent the last five minutes just staring at Lucas, he wasn't even sure she'd blinked once "uh, Hales, you okay?" still she didn't move, Lucas waved his hands in front of her face and her eyes snapped to attention, she gave a little shake of the head "sorry, did you say something?"
"Yeah, you okay? You keep staring at me"
"You're here, I mean you're really here?" and Haley leaned forward to pinch him, Lucas jumped back at the pain and glared at her, she gave a small sheepish shrug "sorry, just checking"
"I will leave if you keep pinching me"
"Sorry, it's just… you're here in Tree Hill, I haven't seen you here since… since forever"
Karen with a tray of fresh coffees sat down and placed the tray on the table between them, she crossed her legs and stared at her son in the same suspicious way Haley had been, "not that it isn't great to see you but it makes me wonder what brings you back" she questioned Lucas.
"It was meant to be a surprise but I'm moving back" and his comment caused a strange silence, Haley almost fell off her chair, finally she managed a high pitched disbelieving "to Tree Hill?"
A chuckled escaped Lucas, "yes to Tree Hill"
"Why?"
"Wow, Haley I was expecting some sort of welcome"
"Yeah, yeah, welcome home, we're completely thrilled but why?" and Haley leaned in closer.
With a smile Karen joked, "He missed his mother"
"That too" Lucas grinned but his love for his mother was clear in his eyes, he settled back in his chair "they're making 'Ravens' into a television show and they want me to be part of it so here I am" he raised his hands and then placed them back to his side.
"They're making it actually in Tree Hill?" Karen asked, Lucas nodded and Karen added on "as long as it brings you home that's great"
Little Jamie Scott came running over to the group and he tugged at his mothers sleeve "Mom, when do we get the cake?"
"Oh, the cake, why don't you get your dad and Uncle Lucas to round everyone up and I'll go get it now" Haley jumped up and quickly walked off, he eyed his uncle warily "Uncle Lucas?"
"Yeah, J-Luke?"
"Wanna help Dad and me?"
"Sure thing buddy" and Lucas stood up and kissed his mother on the cheek before following Jamie, a few minutes later everyone was standing around the living room, Jamie sat by the coffee table with a grin as the others started singing happy birthday.
Haley walked in with the cake, it was in the shape of a basketball and decorated with bright orange sprinkles, the base had Jamie's name written on it and a large eight candle, Haley placed it down carefully in front of her son and then stood back, "make a wish" she told him.
For a moment Jamie stared into the flame of the candle then he looked at his father before moving his eyes to his mother, with a satisfied smile Jamie looked back to the candle and closed his eyes, as he blew with all his might he sent one thought out I wish my mom and dad could be together again.
Peyton crept out of the room and walked out onto the deck, closing her eyes she sucked in a deep breath, "you look great" a voice said from behind her and Peyton jumped, placing a hand on her chest she turned around.
"You shouldn't sneak up on people"
"Sorry. It's good to see you Peyt" Lucas put his hands in his pockets and stepped closer, Peyton took a step backwards.
"What are you doing here Luke, you walked out of our lives thirteen years ago more than happy to so why are you back now?"
"Work" he shrugged, "why are you looking at me like that?"
Peyton looked away; she knew she'd been staring at him oddly, "like what?"
"Like you don't know me"
"I don't, not anymore and I'm not sure if I want to" Peyton squared her shoulders and deftly moved by him and just as she was about to walk back inside his voice stopped her.
Barely a whisper, "how is she?"
There was no question who he was asking about, Peyton didn't look at him again she just answered "stay away from her" and entered the house again.
Alone Lucas looked up at the sky and sighed, "Welcome home, Luke".
The small three bedroom house was not the home Brooke Davis envisioned herself in when she was younger, there wasn't a second story unless you counted the attic with its pull down stairs, there wasn't any staff to help pick up or someone to cook, the paint needed another layer both inside and out and the bathroom sink leaked. On the other hand the front porch wrapped around one side all the way to the back and Brooke loved sitting there on cold winter nights with a rug over her body and a hot chocolate in her hands. Though not even a third of the size of her childhood home it was the perfect size for just Brooke and Oliver, and the kitchen doorway had Oliver's height marked from the age three, the framed part of the bathroom wall was where Oliver had decided to draw instead of having a bath when he was four, and the lopsided and half built tree house in the backyard was one of the more recent additions to the house when Oliver was ten. It might have not been the home she'd envisioned but it was now the home she couldn't imagine not having.
Out of the car Brooke started walking toward the mailbox and from the corner of her eye she saw Matty run straight for the swing set while Ollie raced to the front door, "watch Matty" Brooke called out and distractedly flicked through the letters. She looked up and froze, the house across the street had a big SOLD written over the for sale sign, after a moment of curiosity Brooke put it out of her mind and turned back around "come on boys, lets get inside"
Oliver tagged Matty "race ya" and the two boys ran to the front door, Brooke laughed at Ollie who was giving a very lame imitation of running when he was really just walking, just as Matty reached the door Ollie sped up to tap it a second later. Brooke jogged up the three steps and quickly unlocked the door, "I call dibs" she screamed out, "second dibs" Matty screamed next and Ollie groaned, "whatever".
"Cheer up, Broody" Brooke threw at Ollie and led the way to the living room, Ollie grabbed the Wii control and guitar for guitar hero while Brooke switched the TV on.
Then there was a loud knock on the front door, Brooke looked to the front of the house and frowned "who could that be?"
"Why don't you go see" Ollie smirked and Brooke gave him a light slap on the shoulder as she walked by him, "fine then you go first" she told him and headed for the front door.
"I'm coming, I'm coming" Brooke repeated as she hurried to get the door, she swung it open and saw a frantic Peyton standing their, the blondes face relaxed when she saw her friend and Peyton placed her hands on her hips and tilted her head to one side, "that's what she said"
"Hey P Jaglieski"
Peyton's face turned serious, "I need to ask you something and I need you not to lie, okay?"
Brooke laughed "um okay, shoot"
Placing a hand on each of Brooke's shoulders Peyton stared her friend in the eyes and took a breath "Oliver. Is Lucas his father?"
"What the hell!" Brooke yelled, pushing Peyton back Brooke sent a nervous look behind her before shutting the door, she faced Peyton again "where did that come from?"
"Just answer the question Brooke"
"No!" Brooke said calmly not batting an eyelash, it was her turn top place a hand on Peyton's shoulder "I told you a million times, I got pregnant after I was with Lucas, you know who Ollie's dad is, I'm not exactly proud of it but that's that"
Peyton's shoulders sagged and she grinned "okay"
"Okay, great, now are you going to tell me what that was about?"
"It's just Lucas came to Jamie's birthday party and well… it's crazy, just crazy, but I thought there was a resemblance, but there's not so it's okay"
"Calm down, Peyton" Brooke smiled and Peyton relaxed again.
The blonde pointed towards her car, "I better get home. I'll see you later"
"Count on it" Brooke smiled and waved as her friend walked off, then she slid back inside and closed the door, leaning against it her smile dropped and Brooke thought back to that moment when Peyton asked the dreaded question, but her mind went further still.
Holding a screaming baby Brooke battled to pack together her suitcase, not caring about being neat she threw her clothes in and then the other few personal items she couldn't leave behind.
"Please Brooke, don't go" Peyton begged as tears rolled down her cheek, Brooke span around and pointed a finger at Peyton "you lied to me!" she screamed at her oldest friend.
Peyton tried grabbing for Brooke's bags but was pushed away, with Oliver screaming while Brooke carried him in one arm and the other one struggling to carry her suitcase and another bag Brooke made her way outside and over to her blue bug, she flung her bags into the waiting trunk and then stormed back inside, the whole time Peyton following.
"Brooke, what does it matter, its just some old letter, some stupid letter, what do you care about Lucas anymore, we've moved on, I've got Jake and you have Ollie-"
"It's not about what we have it's about you thinking its alright to lie to me over and over again, first you went behind my back with Lucas and now I find out you've been keeping his letter from me, that was addressed to the both of us! You had no right!" Brooke screamed as she started to pack up Oliver's baby things, "all this time I thought Lucas just left without even talking to me and I was so angry but you had the words the whole time, the whole time!"
She swung the bag over her shoulder, straightening up Brooke handed Ollie his purple monkey and gave him a quick jiggle "shh, baby, shh, Mommy's sorry she's yelling but we'll be out of here soon"
Peyton followed Brooke out of the room Brooke and Oliver shared at her house, as they reached the first landing Peyton tried again "I was going to tell you but you said you were pregnant, that Lucas didn't matter anymore-"
Turning around in one sift motion Brooke slapped Peyton across the face "don't you dare, don't you dare twist my words around to make you feel like you're not a backstabbing two faced bitch Peyton because you are and you know it"
The two friends stared at each other, Peyton's palm to her red cheek, Brooke bit her lip and then turned back around and walked out of the house as Peyton stood there crying. Brooke's own tears were fallings as she strapped Oliver into his car seat and soothed back his short white blonde hair, she placed his bags next to him and then jumped into the drivers seat.
As the engine started Peyton reappeared, "where are you going to go?"
"Rachel said I could stay with her until I find something else"
"Please Brooke, don't go, don't let Lucas get between us again"
Brooke sent Peyton a glare "it's not even about Lucas, it's about us" and then she drove forward.
"Mom, you coming?" Ollie looked over the back of the couch to where his mother stood at the door, Brooke smiled and wiped at the invisible tears that were threatening to fall, "on my way" she managed to say but as she stepped forward she continued to look at Oliver, he saw the strange way his mother was looking at him "what?" he asked with a frown.
Brooke shook her head "nothing you just look li- never mind, pass me the control Br…pass the control you hog" and she quickly walked forward with her hand out.
Grabbing the control Brooke eyed the two boys "Ready to get your ass kicked?"
Oliver scoffed and Matty imitated the older boy, lifting his leg up onto the couch Ollie leaned back into the cushions, he lifted a hand to his hair and quickly brushed it out of the way of his eyes "put your money where your mouth is" he retorted looking at the screen.
Forcing a smile to her face Brooke took her turn.