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. And for those waiting for Brooke and Lucas to come face to face, it will be soon.
CAN'T LOVE, CAN'T HURT
Chapter Three
There was something about Oliver that looked different, Brooke studied her son from the top of his shaggy dark blonde hair to the bottom of his ever growing feet, "are you sure you don't mind me heading off early?" she asked for the hundredth time that morning. Ollie sat at the kitchen table going over his homework and he looked up when his mother asked her question and rolled his brown eyes "Mom, chill, I'm fine"
"I hate that you're growing up" she pouted.
"Well I'm a big boy now"
"Don't remind me. So are you really sure you're alright?"
"Yes, it's like thirty minutes mom, not even, I'll remember to lock up and then ride to school with Aden like I always do"
Brooke relaxed and told herself everything would be fine, looking at the time Brooke realised if she didn't leave now she would be late "okay, I'm going but I'll be home by the time you get back from school" she walked over to Ollie and kissed the top of his head "have a good day"
Ollie paused what he was doing and gave his mother a one armed hug "you too, ma" and then watched her go.
It was a warm day, Brooke smiled up at the sun as she stepped out of her house, there was a skip in her step as she walked to her car confident that her son was going to be okay and she had to start trusting him more now he was getting older. At her car she looked up drawn to the house across the road, reminded about what Sharon said glanced at it longer than normal but saw no one, shrugging her shoulders and laughing at herself Brooke hopped in her car and started her day.
There was something familiar yet different in the way Nathan Scott woke up, he slowly opened his eyes and stretched out. Then remembering the night before hand shot up and looked around, disappointment hit him as the empty room greeted him, "Haley?" he called out.
He'd woken up in this bed more times than he could count over the years, when he first bought the house for his small family after he signed with the Bobcats and was bombarded with sponsors he'd woken up most mornings in this bed with Haley in his arms, but in the last five years the times had been fewer and further between. Before today it had been nearly two years since Nathan had spent the night with Haley and since their last break up she'd dramatically changed their room.
It was more feminine, Nathan grimaced at the shades of pink that were everywhere, a sharp contrast to the browns and creams that use to fill the room, "nice décor" he mumbled getting up and pulling a sheet around his hips. He smiled when he saw the framed photo Haley had up of their wedding from thirteen years ago, a wedding which by law didn't even count once they got it annulled barely a year later and that thought made the smile slip and Nathan quickly searched for his pants and headed down stairs.
He found Haley sitting on the back deck sipping from a cup of coffee, "good morning" Nathan snuck up behind her and kissed her cheek. Haley had to force herself to stay calm and not jump up, she gave him a small smile and remained seated as he sat down next to her, "morning" she said back and took another sip.
"Last night was great"
"Jamie really enjoyed it" Haley nodded in agreement, remembering the way her son had soaked in an afternoon with both his parents and then a family dinner together.
Nathan was remembering it too but he was thinking about the tension that had hovered between Haley and him from the moment the kiss in the kitchen ended all through the rest of the day as they waited for Jamie to go to bed both knowing what would happen next. He smirked, "I wasn't talking about that"
A blush crept up Haley's cheeks, "Nathan, about that-"
"Hales, before you talk yourself out of us getting back together there's something I want you to know" he took both her hands and raised them to him lips "I-" he kissed the top of them "-love-" he turned them palm over and kissed the inside of them "-you" and he kissed her wrist, before pulling her into his lap, looking into her eyes he said without doubt "that's all that matters" and kissed her on the lips.
Running down the street Lucas slowed his paced as he grew closer to his new home, when he reached the yard he bent down and sucked in deep breaths until his heart started to slow down. With a loud huff Lucas stood back up and made his way at a leisurely pace over to the hose, his mouth watered at the idea of soaking himself under the cool spray. Slipping his shirt off Lucas shoved it in his back pocket and turned the hose on but before he ducked his head under something distracted him.
The sound of laughter caught his attention. Squinting Lucas looked over the hedge and saw two boys walking their bikes across the road over towards the pathway outside his property. They didn't notice Lucas, too busy talking to each other they were oblivious to everything else and as they came closer Lucas couldn't help but smile. His fingers itched, he debated stepping out and confronting the water balloon bandits but his fingers were itchy and Lucas looked down where he was still holding the hose and the itch grew stronger. Before he even knew what he was doing Lucas was lifting the hose and watching the boys jump as the spray of the water rained down on them.
"What the!" the boy whipped his head around at the same time he finally managed to step away from the water, angry dark eyes blazed at Lucas, their brown depths flashing green as he spotted the writer. Laughing inside Lucas smiled in apology "sorry, didn't see you there"
"What you were just watering the road?" he hurriedly pushed away his damp hair that was sticking to his face, the boy huffed as it kept slipping back down and the other boy began to laugh.
Turning the nozzle to stop the flow from the hose Lucas stepped around the hedge and looked down at the boy "it'll dry, I know from experience" and he sent the two boys a look to let them know he knew they were behind his own watery accident the day beforehand.
The two boys shared a look and then the blonde looked back to Lucas through the corner of his narrow eyes, he shook his head before running his hands through its dampness, a trickle of water ran down his forehead until it fell from the tip of his nose, "whatever"
"Look-" Lucas began but was cut off when the other boy, short with a face full of freckles and bright red hair, nudged his friend in the side and said "Ollie, we gotta go or we'll be late"
"Great and give Mom another reason to freak" Ollie rolled his eyes at the same time he launched one leg up and over the bike then slid fluidly onto the seat, already straightened and ready to go, he pushed his other leg off the ground and rode in a circle back to his friends side "come on" he called out as he went to bypass the other boy.
With a mocking smirk the redhead shrugged his shoulders at Lucas, "well played, mister" and then followed Ollie.
As the boys rode away Lucas began to chuckle, memories of his youth flashing before him and then he sent a silent pray hoping he wouldn't have anymore unfortunate meetings with water balloons. The thought was erased when the phone in his pocket started vibrating against his thigh and Lucas pulled it out and quickly answered it "hello"
"Hey best friend" Haley's voice came over the line, overly joyful and the image of her face automatically popped into his mind. Lucas saw her bright smile and big eyes, and he also pictured the stress that she was holding back.
"What's wrong?"
"Oh nothing, what can't a girl call her best friend and say hi" Haley kept smiling as her eyes darted to Nathan who was talking with Jamie at the kitchen table, he looked up briefly and smiled at her and her knees went weak, "oh god" Haley mumbled and gripped the phone tighter.
She smiled back and the second Nathan's attention went back to their son Haley slipped inside the pantry and shut the door, she pressed her back against the door "Lucas, I think I just made a big mistake"
"Would this have anything to do with the fact Nathan didn't come back here last night?" and the smirk came over loud and clear, Haley groaned and covered her face with her other hand.
"It's not funny"
"No it's great, Hales, you and Nathan you're it, I'm happy for you both"
"It's more complicated than that, Luke, the thing is I've sort of, just kind of, well been…" she sighed loudly unable to finish.
"Spit it out, it can't be that bad" Lucas chuckled.
"Been seeing somebody else" Haley rushed out and then closed her eyes and chewed her bottom lip as she waited for Lucas to say something in response. The silence was only broken by his heavy breathing and Haley's nerves kept growing.
Eventually Lucas spoke, "say that again"
"I'm seeing someone"
"What about Nathan?" Lucas shot back, worry was thick in his tone, Haley let go of her bottom lip and slid down to the ground.
"I know" she says.
Lucas said instantly "you just spent the night with him"
"I know that, Lucas"
"He doesn't know?"
"Well of course not you idiot, it didn't exactly come up last night between… well, it wasn't the right time"
Haley groaned when Lucas started laughing and she waited patiently for him to stop, turning around she cracked the door open and looked out.
It was too perfect to see Nathan and Jamie sitting at the same table mucking around and preparing for the rest of the day, Haley could barely take her eyes away. Lucas' laughter slowly disappeared, "and this other guy, where does he stand?"
With her eyes still glued on her ex husband Haley gave a loud sigh and answered in an honest whisper, "he's not Nathan"
"Hales" was all her friend replied, he wasn't judging her and making fun of her anymore, and she finally looked away from Nathan.
"What do I do?"
"What does your heart tell you?"
Haley rolled her eyes, trust Lucas! And she groaned in frustration, "it tells me the same thing it always has, I love him, Luke, so much but that was never the problem. It never works and my head tells me that was for a reason"
"Do you really want to know what I think?" Lucas asked her and Haley thought about it, "give it to me" she instructed and Lucas continued, "don't listen to your head, it is the fastest way to end up in a situation you don't really want because you have convinced yourself it is right, love shouldn't make sense Haley, it shouldn't be a list of pros and cons, it just is-" she made a sound of protest and Lucas quickly cut in more passionately "-look, I don't know what it's like for you, I've never been in love, but I made a mistake a long time ago because I convinced myself I was meant to be with someone I didn't even know, so my advice, if you know what your heart truly wants then that's what you should go after"
"And if my heart gets broken in the process?"
"At least you were honest. You love Nathan, you said it yourself, so if you push him away for a guy you don't love that's two hearts broken already, and sooner or later this new relationship is going to end too because your hearts not in it and then this other guy is going to get even more hurt"
Haley smiled even though she wasn't happy for she hadn't heard her friend talk like this in a long time since matters of the heart were not Lucas' forte and it surprised her to hear such words from him again.
"So in other words I should deal with what I feel for Nathan"
"Yeah, and maybe hold off on doing anything else with him until you sort it out" Lucas warned and Haley managed to smile and gave him a snarky "yes dad-" but she stopped abruptly when the pantry door opened behind her and she fell back.
Looking up Haley met Nathan's amused stare, he kinked his brow "you okay?"
"Luke, I've got to go" Haley ended the call and grinned at Nathan, "hi"
Every inch of Nathan was immaculate, from his perfectly toned muscles to his boyish face and that rakish smirk he was giving her, Haley felt herself melting and she stumbled over answering his question, "I'm good"
"You look flustered" and Nathan held out a hand to help her up, his blue eyes never leaving her. Haley took his hand and carefully got up, Nathan watched her smooth the wrinkles out of her shirt and his smile grew "I was just going to take Jamie to school, you wanna come?"
"Sure" and she followed Nathan out of the pantry repeating in her head just follow your heart but she gulped when Nathan sent her another sizzling smirk and wondered if it was her heart she was following or something else.
There was a disarray to the Jaglieski house, clean clothes were stacked on top of the kitchen table, last nights dishes were still unclean waiting to be washed, the fridge was covered in post its going back two months and the counter had a cover of opened and unopened mail strewn across it – and that was just one room. The living room had every surface covered with either books, DVDs, records, cds or more paper, and at the moment thirteen year old Jenny Jaglieski was sitting on the couch with her knees to her chest as she crunched on her toast and surfed the channels, crumbs fell on and around her though the girl was uncaring.
Walking into the room Peyton snatched the remote from Jenny's hands and quickly turned the tv down, "you're going to wake your dad" she reprimanded the girl with a disapproving tone and then squinted to look through her sleep filled eyes at the near by clock, "what time is it?"
Jenny took her last bite of breakfast and licked her fingers before looking at the clock, "eight: ten"
"You're joking" Peyton immediately woke up, her mind clearing she pointed a finger at Jenny "go get dressed, I'll have a shower and then we're off. Why didn't you wake me?" Peyton's voice was louder with the last question as she flung it at her stepdaughter while walking away.
With the remote back in her hand Jenny turned the TV up a few notches and shot back "I tried" before adding in a mumble "you sleep like the dead"
Six quick minutes later Peyton ran into the kitchen, her hair still damp and her buttons half undone, she grabbed her jacket from over a chair and then a pen from her bag, she wrote a quick message and then stuck the post it on the fridge morning babe, have a good day – P and then securing the bag over one shoulder Peyton speed walked over to the coffee pot, "JJ, come on" she screamed behind her not looking at what she was doing, when Peyton's eyes returned to the coffee pot she groaned at the empty sight in front of her. The blonde grabbed another post it, quickly scrawled need coffee and then stuck it onto the coffee pot and mentally reminded herself to stop off at Karen's after dropping Jenny off.
The girl appeared in the doorway, her brown hair twisted in a side pony and wearing skinny jeans matched with one of her father's old shirts over another concert shirt, all too use to her stepdaughter raiding their closet Peyton only smiled "you ready?"
"Yep" Jenny grinned and followed Peyton outside, the door closed behind them and automatically locked. Patting her pockets Peyton groaned and started searching her bag without hope, while Jenny continued to grin "forget something?"
"I guess I'll just have to wake your Dad" knowing her husband had a late shift the night before Peyton wasn't looking forward to waking him up , she was sighing as she lifted her phone to her ear and then stilled when the jingling sound caught her attention. Peyton turned to Jenny and her sigh turned to one of relief, "you are a life saver"
"They were on the floor" Jenny handed them over and was engulfed in a big hug, "aw, Mommm"
Moving back from the hug Peyton slung an arm around Jenny's shoulder and walked her over to the car, "you know you love it"
"No I love you, there is a difference"
"Whatever kiddo" and Peyton snuck a kiss to Jenny's cheek, the girl wiped it off as Peyton laughed and let go to walk to her side of the car, when they slid onto their seats Jenny sent Peyton a disgusted look "you are such a dag"
"But you love me" Peyton stuck her tongue out and started the car, off they went.
Lost in the land of dreams Rachel snuggled deeper into her pillow, every moment of sleep was a moment to be grateful for to the single mother who juggled shift work and a very energetic son who at this very moment, unaware to the sleeping mother, was creeping quietly to her bed.
Matty tiptoed closer, every three steps he would look back at the door and give a quiet giggle before continuing on his way. When he was by his mother's side Matty crawled up onto the bed and put his face as close to hers as he could, "Mommy, you awake?" and she didn't even twitch. Matty wrinkled his nose up and then shook Rachel's shoulder, "you awake?" he asked again and with no response his shaking grew rougher, "Mommy are you awake?" he said louder right near her ear.
I am now, the woman thought as she was abruptly awoken, unable at the moment to even contemplate opening her eyes Rachel buried her face deeper into her pillow and pretended to still be asleep. Matty gave a angry little growl and picked up a pillow, "Uncle she's up!" he shouted off into the apartment and then slammed his body over Rachel's and started bouncing up and down using his feet to kick himself off the mattress each time, "Mommy wake up" he sang with each new bounce.
"ARRRRRRRRRRRRRR!" Rachel screamed as she quickly flipped over, picked her son up and dragged him over to her side, kneeling above him now Rachel started tickling his thighs and high pitched squeals were adding to the noise of the morning, "who dares wake me up?" she growled in her best monster voice.
Still squealing Matty struggled to get out a childish "it's just me Mommy"
"Me who?"
"Matty!"
Mouth walked into the room and shook his head "didn't I tell you not to wake your mother up?"
At her friends voice Rachel stopped tickling her son and Matty crawled up her body and flung his arms around her, looking over her shoulder Matty grinned at Mouth "she was 'ready up"
"Really, so it was another little boy I heard singing Mommy wake up?" Mouth stepped further into the room and Matty held up his arms, Rachel only smiled when Mouth picked her son up and settled him on his hip. She knew how hard it was for her to carry Matty so the sight of the big toddler on Mouth, who had always been small and skinny, was rather comical yet somehow always looked so right.
"Uh-huh" Matty nodded sticking a finger in his mouth "was a bery dibberent boy"
"Well this little boy better go pack his toys away" Mouth instructed and placed Matty down on the ground, Matty pouted "oh man"
"Off you go and then Mommy will get ready to take you to the park" and Mouth's words caused Matty to quickly run out of the room, he turned back to Rachel and she scowled at him "thanks for that"
"I have to head off soon anyway" Mouth apologised and with perfect timing Rachel's alarm clock started buzzing, with a groan she switched it off and then flopped back down on the bed "my body still aches from last night". Rachel closed her eyes and then smiled when she felt Mouth sit down beside her and roll her over, he started working on her muscles, his surprisingly strong hands massaging the knots from her shoulders before working down her back "what would I do without you" she moaned and relaxed her whole body.
The hands slowly stopped moving; Mouth looked down at his friend's skin under his hands and came to a pause. He smiled but Mouth's eyes held a shadow of sadness, he gulped back the emotion and mumbled quickly "I better go to work" and lifted his hands off her to leave.
"I'll see you later"
"Bye" and Mouth left after giving Matty a quick kiss, the door shut behind him and Rachel sat up in bed and waited to hear his car drive off before she got up and joined her son.
They watched happily together as Jamie joined the other group of children and then walked inside the building, Haley shyly looked down at the floor when she was left alone with Nathan all too conscious of the fact the future now spread in front of them. By her side her hand itched, Haley clenched her fingers and then unclenched them, silent the whole time, then she felt Nathan's warmth closer to her and suddenly her hand was in his and this time when she clenched her fingers they slipped into the spaces between his as if it hadn't been years since they held hands. From below her lashes Haley stole a glance at their clasped hands and then she slowly roamed her eyes up his length until she met his eyes, Nathan began to smile and his eyes sparkled and unable to help her self Haley smiled back.
There was a small squeeze and then together they walked back to the car, their hands swinging between them in a slow, familiar rhythm.
Neither said anything on the journey home though the closer to the house they got the more nervous Haley became, she quickly looked out the window and had to sit on her hands to stop them from shaking. Too quickly they were parking in her driveway and Haley practically jumped out of the car in her attempt to get away and suck in some fresh air. She counted back from three, and then reminded herself of the conversation with Lucas. Just tell him, if he loves you he will understand- the thought abruptly ended when Nathan took Haley's hand and she looked up into his honest pale gaze and she was hit with how happy and content Nathan looked, more so than she could ever remember.
I will tell him later. She nodded to herself and then Haley squeezed his hand, Nathan started towards the front door "do you have any plans today?" he asked hopefully.
Checking her watch Haley answered, "I have a session with two sisters in an hour"
"How long will that take?"
"Two hours and then I'm free until three-thirty" she replied as he span her around at the door, Nathan pulled Haley in closer and lowered his head, stopping just as their lips were about to touch "I've got to head back to Luke's and change, how about I pick you up after I train and take you out for lunch?" and instead of waiting for her answer Nathan kissed Haley.
It felt like her whole body was turning to butter, Haley moaned deep into her throat and slowly kissed Nathan back and when she placed her hand on his chest and pushed herself back her lips clung to his unwilling to part, then reluctantly they were free and Haley touched her bottom lip "you have got to stop doing that"
"I thought you liked it" he smirked.
"I do, a little too much, this is all so fast and we need to talk" she stared up at him seriously, and Nathan could tell how serious she was but he continued to smirk as he stepped away back towards his car.
Over his shoulder he called out, "we will, at lunch"
Haley stood there and watched him return back to his car, at the last minute she screamed out "I never said yes"
"You never said no" Nathan replied and winked before sliding into the driver's seat and shutting the door not giving Haley a chance to say anything else. Alone Haley shook her head but her eyes and cheeks had a glow to them they hadn't had in a long time, she had to bite her lip to stop smiling but the smile didn't lose its intensity as she let herself in to the house. Her smile was still on her when she heard the whining of the puppy that was currently locked in the bathroom, Haley opened the door and knelt down, her hand automatically scratching Slam Dunk behind his ears "aw, did you miss us. Did you? Hey did you?" her tone became more indulgent as the puppy got more excited and began licking her hands, and then a wet patch started to grow under him, Haley stopped playing with Slam Dunk and sighed, "and look who has to clean it up" even then her smile never dropped.
The early morning rush was still keeping Karen's Café busy, people coming in and out on their way to work or racing because they were late. Peyton pushed her way inside casually, she flicked her blonde hair back into place and headed towards the counter by passing the small line to take one of the stools along the front and placed her purse in front of her. From her position serving the customers Karen Scott sent Peyton a quick smile of welcome and then went about her job, ten minutes later the place seemed to come to a complete stop and Karen walked over to Peyton, the young blonde looked up from the newspaper that she'd been reading "thankyou!" she gave a low groan as she accepted the cup of coffee Karen was handing her. The strong aroma filled her nose and instantly began to wake her up, her groan turned to a moan as she took a hesitant yet welcome sip.
"You look like you needed it" Karen commented and leant against the counter top, "how's work?"
"Let's just say I might be asking for my old job back soon"
"So, good?" Karen smiled knowing Peyton was exaggerating things and the blonde smiled back and gave a happy nod, "Kyle's tour is completely booked out, Mia's second album is still in the top five and hopefully, fingers crossed, Haley's return will be a success"
"I always knew you'd make it, from the moment that skinny underage girl helped me create Tric into what it has become so remember that the next time you doubt what you're doing because honey your old job is as good as gone"
They shared a smile and then Peyton quickly finished her coffee, "well I better be off, later Karen"
"Bye Peyton" Karen called out after her.
Outside Peyton took a step and without looking bumped into someone trying to walk inside the store, she looked up ready to apologise and instead smiled "hey"
"Hi Peyton" Mouth gave a quick grin, stepped out of the way to let her by and then continue inside, the brief run into was almost forgotten as Peyton glanced at her watch and remembered she had a meeting in less than twenty minutes to prepare for.
The vibration in her bag was ignored by Brooke as she firmly walked in the direction of her work, she tried not to think about how her phone had been ringing unanswered all morning and how every time she checked it the same number came up and after the first time she'd picked up Brooke wasn't going to make the same mistake again. It was with a fair amount of impatience that Brooke made her way to her desk, ignoring everyone and slapping her bag onto her desk before she sat down and clenched her jaw.
Sharon stopped in front of her and almost cringed when Brooke looked at her, the younger brunette kinked her brow after Sharon continued to stand there, "there was a call for-" she began but was interrupted when Brooke gave a loud frustrated scream, "ok, I take that as you don't want the message" and Sharon backed away.
Grabbing her phone Brooke stared at is as it began ringing again, this time she answered "STOP CALLING ME YOU PATHETIC IDIOT, DO YOU NOT GET I DO NOT WANT TO TALK TO YOU!" and she hung up and threw the phone against the wall in anger, barely registering the move, it fell to pieces onto the floor and suddenly Brooke froze noticing that everyone in the room was staring at her, she smiled and shrugged her shoulders innocently.
"You go girlfriend" Sharon joked and Brooke gave a little curtsy, after she straightened everyone went back to work but Sharon returned to her, "you okay?"
"Owen" was all Brooke said and sent Sharon a knowing look, the other woman gave a small 'oh' and Brooke added on a roll of the eyes, "he's back again after last time?" Sharon asked.
"And he still hasn't bothered to go see Matty, it's like he completely blocks out the fact he has a son and still expects me to come running after he screwed me and my best friend over… I'm just so over it all. What ever happened to the good guys?" Brooke rubbed her forehead and leant her elbows on her desk as she sighed.
"You know one day you're gonna meet the guy, your guy, and you can say he's the one and he'll make it all worth it, all the jerks and losers and men who have let you down. Trust me, he's out there"
Brooke chuckled, "Mr Right, sure, at the moment I don't have time for that dream, just Mr Right Now will do"
"Did I just hear right?" another voice intruded, Rachel perched herself against Brooke's desk and wiggled her eyebrows at her friend "Brooke Davis ready for a little fun, about time" and grabbed the bowl of gummy bears on Brooke's desk.
"I have fun" Brooke pouted and took the bowl back but not before Rachel stole two red ones and popped them in her mouth.
The redhead just looked at Brooke in disbelieve and then said in a similar tone "come on, B, when was the last time you let your hair loose and let some of that old Brooke Davis out"
From beside the desk Matty scrunched his nose up as he looked at Brooke, "Aunt Brooke's not old"
Pulling her godson onto her lap Brooke kissed his cheek and handed him the gummy bears "Thank you"
"Boring then" Rachel rolled her eyes, "please Brooke if you don't get back out there soon your going to grow back your cherry" she tried to say it as delicately as possible with her son near by though the boy was completely distracted with the mouse of Brooke's computer and the gummy bears.
Pointing a finger at her friend Brooke replied sternly "this is my workplace, Rachel"
Rachel rolled her eyes and turned around looking out over Brooke's colleagues, she pointed at Brooke and raised her voice "she's not getting any, did anyone miss that with the grumpy mood?"
"Nope" Sharon answered and Brooke glared her way.
"Workplace" Brooke told Rachel again.
"With no clients, so relax"
Smiling Brooke carefully got up, slipping her bag over one shoulder she held Matty to her on the opposite hip, walking around her desk she got closer to Rachel "your acting rather grumpy yourself Rachel, feeling the itch?" she kinked her brow in question
"Don't swear" Rachel shot back and took Matty.
Brooke farewelled Sharon and then followed Rachel outside, "I think you've forgotten I've had more than you since Matty was born"
Rachel stopped on the pathway and stared open mouthed at Brooke, "I can't believe you would rub that in, what your one time with that loser Cal"
"One time more than you"
"I have standards"
"Since when?" Brooke asked only half joking and the two started walking again, Rachel nudged her side and they grinned at each other before Rachel wrapped an arm around Brooke's waist, the brunette returned the favour.
Matty, from Rachel's hip, asked loudly "are we going to the park now Mommy?"
Ten minutes later Matty was busy on the slide while Rachel and Brooke sat down at their table overlooking the park, they often met at the lake and its small café for lunch and took their usual table like always and waited for their order to arrive.
"So…" Rachel began awkwardly not knowing how to start, Brooke looked at her and waited, after a huff Rachel just dived into it "I'm just gonna say it, please remember not to kill the messenger – Lucas is here"
Eyes automatically going down Brooke's hand froze on her mug, "I found out last night"
"And he's still alive?" Rachel yelled.
"It means nothing"
"Need I remind you how you freaked when Owen came back and I said it meant nothing, what happened to if-I-saw-him-I-would-kill-him?"
Brooke finally looked up, Rachel say straight through her friends tough look yet Brooke squared her shoulders "I don't plan on seeing him, ever" she mentally shrugged her shoulder besides he'll leave soon enough.
Rachel was thinking at the same time how can you be so calm now Lucas has moved back to town! "Brooke are you sure you're okay with this?"
"I'm not okay with it but I've coped for thirteen years…" and she simply shrugged the rest away, and continued with "so I'm going to pretend I'm okay with it, as long as I don't have to see his face I will be fine"
"Well if you change your mind you know I've got your back"
"You always have, I've never said thanks for everything you did back then but I am now" Brooke gave a weak smile and when Rachel reached over and covered her friends hand another time and place flashed inside her mind.
She sat on her bed, watching a tear stained Brooke pace back and forth while a yet to be crawling Ollie shuffled backwards on the floor, his fist in his mouth. "How could she hide this from me!" Brooke screamed and Rachel didn't know what to say and continued to listen as her friend continue her rant "I was so angry, every day it just grew and grew but there was no word, no letter or phone call or explanation he just left like I meant nothing, I thought I meant exactly nothing to him and this whole time she had his letter"
Rachel couldn't listen any more "Brooke you have to calm down, you're here now, you can deal with Peyton later"
"But what about Lucas?" Brooke shouted and stopped, she faced Rachel, her dark eyes wide.
"Who cares, he's gone Brooke and from what I hear he was a jackass to you when he was here"
"But he cared, Rachel, he must have or he wouldn't have written the letter to us, that's gotta mean something" she chewed he bottom lip and looked out at something unseen, "I made a mistake" Brooke added in a whisper and her eyes went down to Ollie.
A horrible thought crossed Rachel's mind, she stood up quickly and stared at Brooke with her mouth open "are you saying…" she couldn't finish it.
"It was never meant to go this far"
"Brooke, is he?"
Unable to speak Brooke simply nodded.
"What are you going to do?" the redhead asked.
Brooke sat down next to her, eyes still on Ollie, she answered quietly "I have to tell him, Lucas deserves to know I lied to him"
Rachel leaned over and covers Brooke's hand, "whatever you do I'm here for you, I've got your back Slut"
Letting go of Brooke's hand Rachel couldn't help but comment, "you were going to tell him at one point"
Brooke shook her head, "for a moment I thought I meant something, I thought he cared, then I learnt better. He didn't want to be part of it, not with me or Ollie, and my son deserves better than to have a father that never wanted him" there was bitterness in her voice but Rachel couldn't blame Brooke because she remembered what had happened next.