A/N: this is created just for fun and I hold no claim to the characters used or the show One Tree Hill.
I have some bad news, just after I last updated my computer decided to like completely fail, and I've lost everything on it, it's currently still away being fixed. When I get it back I can finally start really working on this story again and rewriting what I lost, luckily I have my sister's computer for the week, so I was able to bang this out. Hope it is enough to satisfy you until I am able to update again. Thank you for your patience.
CAN'T LOVE, CAN'T HURT
Chapter Four
At first Owen wasn't sure he'd seen Brooke, the brunette through the window was the right height and colouring, and then as he slowed the car he saw her turn and the smile was unmistakable. Quickly parking his car the large bartender hopped out and ran across the road, he reached the door of the café just as Brooke was stepping out.
Their bodies collided, "sorry" Brooke automatically said before she had a chance to see who she'd walked into, she slowly looked up and her smile fell from her face "you" her lip curled up in disgust, she looked him up and down "I tell you to stay and you disappear, I tell you to get lost and you stalk me, apparently you have everything backwards" and she went to walk around him.
Owen grabbed her wrist, "Wait, Brooke, can we talk?"
She ripped her hand from his grip and smiled politely, "sure, how you been? There we talked, now if you don't mind I have to get back to work" and her mask slipped, Brooke turned to walk off again.
This time Owen followed her "I just want a chance to explain myself"
"I can't wait to hear this"
"Look, I had a horrible childhood, and I got addicted to heroin early on, and now I avoid anything more responsible than mixing drinks. The thought of me being a father, was too much, I didn't know how to act around Oliver-"
A gasp escaped from Brooke, she span around, her eyes sparkling in anger "I never asked you to be his father, I never expected you to, and you have no right to blame me for what happened. News flash Owen, you're the one who chose to break up with me and then get my best friend pregnant, and nobody should have to expect you to be Matthew's father because you are" she shook her head in disappointment.
"I'm not father material, hell, I can barely take care of myself"
She stared up at him, her move slightly ajar, "Did you ever think that all you went through is exactly what will make you a good father?" she quirked her brow up, Owen said nothing, Brooke continued, "you keep using your past as an excuse, you did it with me and now you're doing it to your own child-" for the first time Brooke was trying to talk to Owen, she placed the anger below the surface and kept her eyes connected with his "-worse of all you used me as an excuse to walk away, none of that makes what you did okay, in the end it was still you who walked away all on your own, over and over again" she emphasised the over's, her eyes pounding into him with each time she said it, "you can't keep doing that"
Staring down at her Owen grabbed Brooke's hands and held them to his chest, "I'm here now. I'm going to stay this time Brooke. I want to stay. I miss you like hell" a pleading tone entered his voice, soft and beguiling.
Her face remained down, Brooke watched where their hands were joined, she searched for some sort of feeling, the beginnings of emotions she use to feel for this man and her heart came up empty. Owen was never going to be the man she wanted or needed, and she would never be able to get over how he'd abandoned his son and Rachel, it hit to close to home for the single mother. "Don't stay for me" Brooke whispered and carefully untangled their hands.
"You're never going to forgive me, are you?" he asked comprehension widening his eyes as he searched her face.
Brooke smiled, "it doesn't really matter anymore. Please stop calling me, Owen" with that the brunette turned to leave. Owen watched Brooke turn her back on him and then he saw her body stiffen, his gaze travelled up and then locked on the redhead standing by the park, Rachel's eyes were locked on Owen and then she suddenly looked down and Owen saw her lips move and his eyes followed Rachel's arm down to where a little boy held tightly onto her hand. He took a step forward only to stop when Rachel scooped the boy up and quickly span around.
Over Rachel's shoulder Matty's chubby face looked out at Brooke and Owen, he lifted the hand from the arm wrapped around his mothers neck and gave a quick wave. Before he could stop himself Owen had lifted his own hand to wave back and quickly returned it to his side in a fist when he saw Brooke do the same and realised his son wasn't waving at him because he wouldn't even recognise Owen. Without a word Brooke quickly chased after the retreating figures and matched her steps with Rachel's, "you okay?"
"Never been better" Rachel shot back, they walked back to Brooke's office in silence and just before they parted Rachel added on "I just don't get how he could not love him".
The doorbell chimed, checking her hair one last time Haley rushed towards the door, excitement growing with each step she took, she grabbed the doorhandle and began to turn it, a greeting already rolling off her tongue in fake annoyance "your late, I tho-"
"Hi, babe"
Haley froze, a chill ran down her spine causing her to shiver, "Kyle, I – wow – I – uh…"
Not much taller than Haley he cut in by closing the gap between them and wrapping his arms around her, Kyle still clutched his guitar case in one hand and awkwardly stepped back to place it down. His brown eyes looked her up and down, "Hales, babe, aren't you gonna let me in?" and he stepped forward again and this time lifted Haley's chin to touch her lips with his.
She didn't respond, her lips remained tightly shut and she cringed when Kyle tried to deepen it, he suddenly stilled and moved his face away, a frown creased his brow "is everything okay?"
Haley was stuck; she didn't know what to say, hugging herself she answered with a nervous laugh "what are you doing here?"
"I have a better question. Who the fuck are you?" Nathan's voice roared from the driveway as he strolled to the front door, both Haley and Kyle twisted around when they heard the angry voice. Kyle protectively stood in front of Haley and he glared at the stranger "who do-"
"Nathan" Haley interrupted and stepped around Kyle, realisation hit Kyle and he looked at Nathan differently, smiling he started towards Nathan "hi, Nathan Scott, I've heard so much about you, it's so great to finally meet you" he stretched out his hand still smiling.
Ignoring the other man's hand Nathan instead grimaced and kept his cool eyes on Kyle, then he looked behind Kyle to Haley "who is this guy?"
Every inch of Nathan's body was taut with rage, he was fuming and it took everything inside him not to show the blonde in front of him his left hook. Nathan couldn't wipe the image of another man kissing his Haley, "who is he?" Nathan roared uncaring that Haley was clearly looking upset because he could see the guilt that shadowed her eyes.
Kyle's hand finally dropped, he turned to look at Haley and then back at Nathan, "what's going on?"
The question forced Nathan to acknowledge the person he didn't want to, ripping his eyes off Haley he turned his attention to Kyle "I'm an idiot, that's what's going on" and shaking his head Nathan span around on the spot and started walking back to his car. Shooting into action Haley raced after him, "Nathan, Nathan! Let me explain"
"Explain what" Nathan snapped, he span around as Haley touched his back and he pulled away from her so they weren't touching "how you made a complete fool out of me?"
"It's not what you think"
"Tell me then that that guy isn't your boyfriend" Nathan straightened up and waited for her to answer him, Haley's silence was exactly what he expected "I thought so. Unbelievable" and he turned back around. As Haley stood there Nathan sped out of the driveway, his tires leaving behind the smell of burnt rubber, slowly she turned back to Kyle and unable to say anything else Haley simply stated "I'm sorry"
"Its okay" Kyle shrugged and picked his guitar case back up, he started to walk towards Haley "but something tells me I'm not the one who you need tell that-" and he winked as he walked by her "- and if it doesn't work out, well babe, you know where to find me"
After a nervous chuckle Haley went back inside and looked at herself in the mirror, her makeup was still perfectly applied and she looked ready to go out, glancing back at the door Haley clenched her jaw then she grabbed her keys and ran for it.
"...Run with it, you don't get stories like this every day" Mouth was talking to one of the interns as they made their way through the station towards his small office, "thanks" Drew smiled and Mouth thumped the guy gently on the back and replied "you're welcome, I remember what it was like when I started here, just be glad you don't' have to deal with Alice" and Mouth whistled.
Confusion blurred the younger mans eyes, "Alice?"
"Trust me, you do not want to know" Mouth said as he went to open his door, Drew laughed and walked off, alone Mouth shook his head of the memories as he walked through the door.
Sitting in his chair with her long legs spread up on his desk Rachel's face lifted as Mouth walked in, "hi!"
"Hiiiiiiiiiiii!" Matty squealed as he flung himself at Mouth and wrapped his arms around the skinny mans legs, "we did surprise you, Uncle"
Bending down to pick up Matty, Mouth grunted and then nodded "you sure did" and his tone was happy then he returned his gaze to Rachel and he searched his friends face, "hey, what's wrong?"
"Nothing" and she gave a pointed look at Matty, Mouth understood instantly and bounced the boy a little before leaning close to him "hey, little man, do you wanna watch some basketball?"
"YEAH"
Mouth settled Matty onto one of the chairs and scooted it closer to his computer. He made sure the headphones were on low and securely on the boys ear before turning on some sports footage, like many other Tree Hill residents Matty loved basketball. Taking the only spare chair left Mouth wheeled himself in front of Rachel and then pulled her chair closer, "what is it?"
Rachel tried to look away but Mouth swivelled her chair back around and touched her cheek, "come on, you didn't come here just to made sad faces, you're far too beautiful for that"
Rachel scoffed and then smiled making Mouth smile, "come on"
Lowering her eyes Rachel played with her fingers, "Owen's moved back in town and he's working at Tric..."
"Oh" Mouth said, "but you knew that"
"That was before I saw him, he looked straight at us Mouth, he looked straight at Matty and there was nothing. I spent my whole childhood being ignored by my parents I never wanted that for my kids..."
"Hey, hey, hey" Mouth interrupted and pulled Rachel in for a hug, he rarely saw his redheaded friend so emotional, like Brooke she always tried to hide how things truly affected her, "Matty has you, you are one amazing parent and that's all he needs, you love him enough, okay, and it's Owen who is missing out, not you or Matty"
Rachel grinned into Mouth's shoulder and with her hand still resting on the other she pulled back, "you're right except for one thing"
"What's that?"
Rachel smirked and shit her son a quick look before meeting Mouth's hazel eyes again, "he's got you too" and settling her chair next to his Rachel leans her head against Mouth's shoulder and watched Matty again, they both smiled as with each move the players made Matty's expressions changed. Together they were content, and Rachel realised her son had everything he could possibly need.
There was a frantic knocking on his door, Mouth wiped his eyes as he made his way in the dark towards his front door, he swore as he stumbled over a skateboard Oliver must have left there and then sighed when he finally reached the door.
"Do you know the ti- Rachel?"
The usually cool Rachel was a mess, her face was tear stained and she looked like she'd had one too many drinks, "I fucked up this time" she mumbled walking by him, bringing the bottle back to her lips even as more tears fell from her eyes. Following his friend inside his apartment Mouth started to frown, "Rachel, what did you do?"
She span around "I told you, I fucked up, or to be pre-precise, I fucked Owen" the bottle in her hand splashed over, there wasn't much left in it. Mouth still in shock walked slowly towards her, he was about to take the bottle when Rachel abruptly stepped backwards, "aren't you gonna say something, like what the hell were you thinking slut?" and she tripped over her own legs and fell to the ground, she started laughing insanely and took another mouthful choking as teh liquid went down the wrong way.
Mouth held his tongue and sat next to Rachel on the ground, he wiped a strand of hair from her face and she stopped laughing as quickly as she started, "what am I going to tell Brooke?"
"You'll tell her the truth because that is who you two are and she'll forgive you, you'll tell her it was a mistake, it was wasn't it?"
Rachel gave a hiccup and covered her mouth, "isn't it always, they're all mistakes Mighty Mouth, all just fuck'n drunk mistakes" she moaned and her face crinkled up, "she's going to hate me; she's going to slap my skanky face-"
"No, she won't" Mouth told her honestly.
Rachel rolled her head to the side and moved the bottle subconsciously closer, "you know they got back together and now I'll have to tell her and screw it all up, fuck it Mouth, fuck it all"
He narrowed his eyes and stared down at his friend sprawled next to him, he hesitated and then Mouth spoke with more certainty, "maybe... maybe you just shouldn't tell her"
Rachel's head rolled back to look at Mouth, she lifted a hand and patted his cheek affectionately and smiled, "I'm pregnant" and her hand fell and her smile turned self mocking, she lifted the bottle again and took a sip this time. She closed her eyes and leaned her head back, "so what am I supposed to do now, huh?"
Stretching his arm out Mouth took hold of the bottle in Rachel's grip and replied sadly "you have to stop drinking for starters"
"You should have told me that a month ago" Rachel dryly responded with her eyes still shut and her fingers not loosening their hold on the bottle.
"I'm telling you now, you have to clean yourself up Rachel, if not for me and Brooke or even yourself then for your baby, you're a mother now Rachel, time to face the consequences" and with that Rachel let go, Mouth took the bottle and stood up, he emptied it into the sink and then returned to Rachel and helped her up, he pulled her to his room and into his bathroom, turning the shower on Mouth undressed her and then pushed a protesting Rachel under the shower spray and when she started crying he joined her, still fully clothed Mouth wrapped his arms around his friend.
"What if I screw this kid up too?" her worse fear was spoken out loud.
Rocking her Mouth smiled, "well I'm going to be there to make sure you don't, to remind you every day what an amazing person you can be if you let yourself, and trust me Rachel, you are going to be one amazing mother, the coolest mom in town and all the other kids will be jealous"
"You think?" she sniffled and wiped her eyes and nose as she stepped slowly back, a crooked smile on her lips.
"I know"
Haley walked onto the court and wrapped her arms around herself, "I knew I would find you here"
For a moment Nathan ignored his ex wife, he did a quick fade away and then turned around and faced Haley, his spine stiffened, "what do you want now?"
"I'm sorry" Haley told him, her eyes were red, "I should have told you about Kyle but I don't understand why you are so angry, we weren't together, the last thing I ever expected was last night and I know I should have-"
"Not lied to me!" Nathan cut in screaming, he glared accusingly at her, "I told you I loved you and that meant something Hales and you ruined it, you looked straight at me and you lied"
"I didn't lie!"
"You just didn't say anything"
Haley stepped forward, her arms now reaching for him, "it doesn't have to be ruined, I want to be with you Nathan, it's over between Kyle and I, and I regret how it happened" she choked on the tears that were threatening to take her over "but I refuse to regret it happened because for the first time in a long time I didn't have to miss you" she tried to hug him but Nathan pulled away.
He shook his head, "you just don't get it. I can't get the picture out of my head, some other guy kissing you, touching you, being with you when I should have been"
"Well you weren't there Nathan" Haley shot at him, "you live miles away so excuse me for not waiting around for you to come walking back into my life, I'm sorry I'm not some saint who meekly looked after your son while I had to watch the parade of women that pass through your life in all the magazines, I'm sorry I even thought for one second I could ever feel anything for someone who wasn't you!" she hit his chest and her anger dried her tears.
Nathan grabbed her wrists and stopped her, his eyes blazing "do not blame me for that! You are so self righteous, Hales, you put everyone on these pedestals and the moment we don't live up to expectations you judge us, you were the one who gave up on us, you were the one who kept kicking me out" he let go of her hands as her eyes widened, and he stepped back "and it is your fault that I was never there, that it wasn't you on my arm, and I want you to understand that this time when you watch me leave it's still your fault" he grimaced and slightly turned his back on her and then shaking his head Nathan just walked away.
He kept picturing Haley, he saw her shyly looking at him as a teenager, he saw the way she use to blush when he smiled at her, the way she would stand up to him like no one else, he saw her beautiful smile, and all the times they laughed in bed, he could even still hear her voice saying their wedding vowels, then more memories flickered before him, the pain when she left him to go on tour, when he had to watch her spend time with Chris, and all the times she chose music over him. And then last night played again in his head, and regret filled him, he really wished Haley could have just been honest with him because as much as he hates it if she'd just been honest he would have understood, most of all if she'd once said 'I love you' he would have made himself understand.
The fake smile, a little too cheery and dimples in full display, which Brooke had perfected as a high school cheerleader years ago was on show as she shook the hands of the couples and other possible buyers, the second the last one left Brooke shut the door and leaned back against it, a long sigh escaped her and she finally relaxed her jaw. Kicking her heels off Brooke made her way over to the table she'd left out with the finger foods, her motto was to make the homes as homey as possible and she must be doing something right because she finalised the most sales in her region. She took a bite of cheese and then started packing away, her phone started to vibrate but she'd felt it going off at different times all the way through the showing and thought if it could wait this long a few more minutes wouldn't hurt. She knew it wasn't the school because they would have tried her separate work phone so Brooke was confident about ignoring the call until she was finished for the day, especially after all the unwanted Owen calls of earlier in the day.
It wasn't until she was back at the office that Brooke remembered the miss calls. One of the juniors informed her that a man had been trying to reach her, Brooke frowned, surely Owen hadn't tried to call her again? She shook the thought away and went to return the keys before checking her own phone.
There were four miscalls all from the same number, when Brooke saw who it was she bit her bottom lip, then Sharon stopped by her "hey, Brooke, your father has been trying to get hold of you all day"
"I know" and the brunette held up her phone before slipping it into her purse, "I better get home to Ollie, see you tomorrow, bye Sharon"
"Bye"
Outside Brooke got her phone out again and brought it to her ear as she made her way to her car, she automatically checked her voice messages and her father's deep voice quickly came over "Brooke, it's Richard, your father-" Brooke rolled her eyes at his greeting "- I will be in town this weekend and was wondering if you would like to spend some time together, it has been too long. I know things were said last time but I love you, and Oliver of course, I miss you both. I look forward to hearing back from you."
For the rest of the drive home Brooke thought of her father and those thoughts only strengthened when the moment she parked her car in the driveway and saw Ollie waiting on the sidewalk with Jenny and Aden. Her son had her eyes, the colour anyway, which meant he had her fathers. Ollie lifted his hand in a wave and Brooke waved back after getting out of the car, she smiled over at the kids and waited for them to run over to her, "hey Aunt Brooke" Jenny smiled and Brooke winked at the girl "hey JJ, don't you get more gorgeous every time I see you" and the girl blushed and awkwardly played with the hem of her shirt, "so what are you doing?" Brooke changed the subject.
Ollie punched the inside of his baseball mitt as he replied, "just playing some ball, you wanna join?" he leaned in closer "to be honest Aden could use some help"
"HEY" Aden pushed Ollie and the two started mucking around wrestling, Brooke couldn't help but grin as the boys laughed, meanwhile Jenny rolled her eyes and muttered a quiet "boys"
As Ollie let go of Aden he looked back at his Mom, "so what you say?"
"How about a rain check?"
"I'll keep you to that" Ollie pointed his mitt at her and started walking backwards, "come on guys"
Brooke called out before going inside "be careful on the road" and then shut the door behind her. She stopped by the phone and picked up the photo frame there, and in it a six year old Ollie was sitting on his grandfather's knee, their similar eyes shining up at the camera. She gave a sad smile and then carefully returned the frame to its place.
Outside Ollie picked up the bat and swung it around a few times, "give me your best Jaglieski" he shot out and the slightly older Jenny smirked before getting ready to pitch. Aden moved to the spot Ollie usually hit the ball to and got his mitt ready, Jenny held her arm up and lifted her leg and then quickly sent Ollie a curveball, without batting an eyelash Ollie swung the bat and smiled as it connected with the ball, it sped pass Aden and the other boy had to run to get it as the ball bounced down the street, while Jenny followed Ollie around the makeshift bases and waited for Aden to throw her the ball.
Running as fast as he could Ollie slid back into home base, the grass in front of his house just before Jenny caught ball and tapped him on the shoulder, she sighed loudly "damn"
Ollie jumped back up and pumped his fist, "SAFE, my shot again"
"Well batter up" Jenny dryly said to him over her shoulder as she went back to the assigned pitching area, huffing and puffing Aden returned back to his spot, "I little closer"
"That tree?" Ollie pointed to one of the trees bordering the road and Aden grinned as Jenny once again rolled her aim, "yeah whatever"
"Don't think I can do it?"
"You can't aim it, it's just a coincidence and... luck" she begrudgingly added.
Ollie lifted the bat, "I'll show you aim"
And the cycle was repeated, Aden lifted his mitt in preparation, Jenny cocked her leg, Ollie squinted his eyes and then the ball was zooming towards Ollie, his lips parted and he swung with all his might.
The ball flew through the air, in the complete opposite direction of the tree instead it cut a perfect path across the road and through a glass window. All three kids stopped and stared as the smash sounded loud and clear, Aden and Ollie sent each other worried looks "I swear I didn't plan that" he held up his hands and Jenny glared at him, Aden smiled unsure.
From inside the house a loud curse was heard, "um... this is when you run" Jenny said just before taking off, grabbing two of the bases before heading towards the Davis' backyard, Aden and Ollie shared another look but didn't move and then Ollie heard footsteps, "good idea" he told his friend and Aden was off, Ollie glanced at the bat and quickly grabbed it, then first base which was his hat and then he grabbed his abandoned mitt before ducking for cover.
Jade: When that shot went through did you feel it change?
Ash: Feel what change?
Jade: Everything. How many moments in life can you point to and say 'that's when it all changed'? You just had one.
[Their faces turn to each other and eyes lock]
Fade Out.
Lucas pressed down on the full stop and then went over his work, "and that is episode three, scene one, done!" he rolled his chair back and clapped his hands, the words were flying out of him and with them memories, he'd forgotten how happy he'd been at some points in the past. The excitement, the fun and the friendships, the things he did miss from that time in his life.
Returning to his previous position Lucas was about to start typing again when a loud crash as heard down stairs, frowning Lucas got up and descended the stairs. In the living room the first thing he saw was the smashed window and the baseball sized hole, his lamp was knocked over and on the floor the ball had rolled to a stop by the foot of his couch, "SHIT!" Lucas carefully picked the lamp up and placed it back where it belonged, he was about to pick up some of the glass when he caught a glimpse of a familiar face through the broken window.
A quieter swear word escaped from him as Lucas hurried outside, he walked down his steps as the boy picked up his mitt, picking up his pace Lucas started to chase him, just before the boy went to run behind a bush Lucas reached forward and stopped him with a hand on his shoulder, "hey, kid, where do you think you're going?"
"It was an accident" the boy said before Lucas even turned him around, up close Lucas was taken aback by the narrow eyes that stared at him in alarm, their glossy orbs a beautiful swirl of green, amber and brown. Something about them stopped Lucas, his hand loosened though his grip didn't let go "Ollie right?"
Ollie's brow creased but he reluctantly nodded, Lucas sighed "you live around here?"
The boy shrugged his skinny yet broad shoulders, Lucas shook him a little, he was gentle but firm "which house?"
"Why'd you wanna know?" and those eyes narrowed further.
Lucas leaned down, "do you make a habit of ambushing all your new neighbours, or am I a special case?"
Pushing his own face forward Ollie replied with mock bravery "just the total losers, so yeah you"
"Okay, that is enough, where do you live?"
Begin to struggle Ollie tried to get away, Lucas' grip stayed strong as he held onto Ollie's shirt, after some wiggling Ollie manage to slip out and Lucas found himself holding a shirt and now boy as a now topless Ollie began to run away, "hey!" Lucas called out and went after him and this time when he caught him Lucas took hold of the boys arm, "you can tell me which house or I can start knocking until I get to the right one, either way I'm going to talk to your parents, so what will it be"
Though Ollie kept his lips shut tightly his eyes skittered to his front door, Lucas saw the move and smiled, "this one, huh? Come on then"
Once again Ollie started wiggling, the closer they got to the door the more anxious Ollie got, "please, sir, I can pay for it but please don't tell my ma, she's gonna kill me, I swear it was an accident"
"And the water balloons"
"Uh... well... karma?" Ollie tried and shrugged a shoulder when Lucas looked down at him; the older blonde chuckled but knocked on the door nonetheless.
Ollie's shoulders slumped, "man, I knew you weren't cool" and he stopped struggling, the door opened and Lucas opened his mouth to say something but when the woman fully appeared no words came to mind.
Her wide eyes grew larger, she looked to Lucas and then Ollie and then back at Lucas, her mouth parted open but nothing came from it.
Lucas let go of Ollie and the boy went straight to his mother, she placed an arm over is shoulder as Ollie looked up at her and recited his defence "it was an accident!"
Brooke looked up from Ollie and back to Lucas, she pulled her son inside "go wait in the kitchen" and Ollie ran inside, crossing her arms Brooke faced Lucas once again as his clear blue eyes looked her up and down, he began to smile "Brooke?"
"What do you want?"
Lucas' smile fell "Uh... I... live across the road" he pointed to his house and Brooke stepped out slightly to see, her face fell for a second and then her mask of indifference was back on, Lucas rubbed the back of his head as he continued "your son-"
"Oliver" she cut in.
"Oliver, he-"
"Brooke, Brooke! It was an accident" Aden and Jenny came running up the porch ready to defend their friend, "we were playing baseball" Jenny added.
"Total accident" Aden told Brooke, she moved back to let them inside, "go wait with Ollie, I will deal with the three of you in a second" Brooke instructed and then this time when she turned back to Lucas she had one hand on the door, tilting her head she met his eyes "whatever he did, I'm sure you deserved it" and then quickly stepping back Brooke slammed the door shut.
The sound echoed in Lucas' ears, he had to take a step back from the force, staring at then now closed door Lucas let out a breath "okay" he nodded and though he was still confused he debated for a long minute whether to stay or go, eventually he took those final steps down the porch steps and started in the direction of his own house, hands in his pocket he stopped at his door and looked back.
Once inside Lucas went back to the living room and picked up the baseball, he held it in his hands and traced the O.D. with his fingers "Oliver Davis" he whispered, his lips pouted in thought "nuh, he couldn't be, could he?" and his eyed went back to the window.