Thank you for the reviews, I was thinking on giving up because I wasn't too sure if I was any good at this but two people gave me a little encouragement so I am going to work on it some.
Chapter 3: I'm Here
Nathan's rage consumed him as he tried to control himself from killing the boy under him, the boy people called his brother. He would never view him that way, only as a mistake his father made in high school.
Feeling Brooke's hand on his shoulder he let the people pull them apart and just stared down at Lucas with hatred. He never knew how much you could hate someone you hardly knew, but that's the way her felt about Lucas.
A soft spoken voice and firmly planted hand on his chest pulled him from the nasty glare he was sending Lucas, looking back he noticed it was Brooke and just let out a sigh before pulling away.
Walking over to the bench he grabbed his bag and shoved his way through the crowd to get out of the gym. Memories of what happened two years ago still haunted him.
It was a typical Tree Hill party, at another one of the basketball players' houses. Nathan was swerving back and forth across the line of buzzed and drunk when he noticed he hadn't seen Brooke in the last hour.
It was Nathan's job to keep an eye on her, protect her if necessary. He knew how she could get some times, one too many drinks and she would give into whatever whim the other person asked her too.
Heading up the stairs, he peeked his head into each room. He'd caught a few people hooking up and could only chuckle but that was before he checked in on the last room to the right.
Turning the door knob, he cracked the door opened just enough for his head to slide in. His eyes landed on a couple making out on the bed, half clothed. Nathan turned to walk away when he realized it was Lucas on top of a girl who looked eerily similar to Brooke.
Telling himself 'No', he shook the idea from his head and shut the door back. Nathan only got the chance to take two or three steps before he head Brooke's voice moan out Lucas's name.
Stopping dead in his tracks, Nathan felt his entire body fill with rage. How could she? How could his bestfriend be fucking the one guy he hated more than anything. The one person he would give anything to make go away.
Nathan left the party heading straight home and avoiding Brooke for the next two weeks.
Nathan unlocked his Escalade and threw his gym back into the back seat. Opening the driver door he started to climb in before he heard her calling out his name.
"Nathan!" Brooke screamed at the top of her lungs as she ran over to his truck. Climbing in, Nathan shut the door before she got a chance to catch up. He knew if they talked now he would only have hurtful things to say.
"Nate, Stop!" she screamed before his tired squealed and pulled out of the school parking lot.
--xXx—
The cool air brushed against his bare skin. His chest was heaving as he stood on the black top, staring down the goal in front of him.
Years ago basketball was Nathan's release. It was the one thing that made him feel great about himself; he knew he was talented when he played this game.
Now that had changed, his father had taken a interest in making him the best. Getting him trained enough for him to make it into the pros. Dan drove him to practice so much, it made basketball more of a chore than a game.
Running his finger tips through his short dark hair, Nathan collected his things and headed in the direction of his house.
Parking in his driveway, he got out and noticed Brooke's baby blue beetle parked in front of his house. He didn't exactly want to talk to her at the moment.
Walking through the front door he threw his bag down by the door and jogged up the stairs, pushing the door opened and leaning against the door frame as he looked at her.
She looked like a perfect angel, sitting there on his bed waiting patiently for him. But they both knew she was far from perfect, as was he.
"Nathan.. I tried to give you your space and let you breathe but you know I can't stand it when you don't talk to me. I talk to you about everything and I don't want it to be a one way street." She spoke quickly and irrational.
"Brooke.." he said softly trying to get her to calm down and stop pacing.
Walking over he placed his hands on her arms and turned her to face him. Looking down at her and staring into her big brown eyes he tried not to give in.
He'd done that 2 years ago and now he wanted to at least appear strong.
It had been three weeks since Nathan had over heard the moans pouring from the back bedroom at the Tree Hill party. This wasn't the first time they'd had a fight but it was the first time Nathan was holding the grudge.
When he would pass her in the halls, he wouldn't look in her direction. In all the classes they shared he'd switched desk across the room. He didn't want anything to do with her.
It wasn't until he came home from practice one after noon and found her sitting on the front steps of his porch.
Sighing his head turned away and then he looked back at her. "What do you want Brooke?" he asked coldly.
"Nate" she said standing in tears with her voice shaking uncontrollably. "I know I really screwed up. And I know you don't every have to forgive me and I couldn't blame you. But you're my best friend.." Looking at him more tears streamed down her cheeks.
Looking down at his feet, Nathan fought the urge to comfort her. He had every right to be mad at her and he wasn't going to give her a free pass. "You fucked up Brooke.. we're done."
Brooke quickly let out a cry and grabbed onto Nathan's arm as he tried to pass by her. "Nathan please… You're all I have." Tugging on her arm, she forced his body to turn and face her. "I don't deserve you. I know that you hate him and I don't know what I was thinking.. I wasn't really." She took in a deep breathe and looked up at him again. "But if I knew it would cost me you I would have never… You mean everything to me.."
He stood there, staring down at her and wanted more than anything to be able to forgive her. She had done it for him so many times he couldn't keep count. Brooke had forgiven him every time.
"I just need you right now." Her eyes were pleading with him. "I need my best friend to tell me everythings going to be okay.. I need you Nate."
Not able to resist any more Nathan took her into his arms and held her tightly against his chest as she continued to cry. "I'm here." He whispered.
Looking at her now he new she was truly sorry for everything she had done back then but it still made him anger.
"Brooke I just needed a chance to cool off.. I just couldn't handle it and I didn't want to say something stupid in the moment of anger that could cost me you." He gave her a hopefully half smile.
Her head nodded as she took a step forward and wrapped her arms around his body, burring her head into his chest.
One of these days he was going to let her know just how important she was to him, that his anger didn't just come from anger towards Lucas but jealousy.
