Chapter 4

Between the Lines

Lucas and Peyton walked into Tric hand in hand and made their way over to the bar and Owen caught sight of them. He smiled and walked over to them. "Hey. Can I get you two anything?" he asked placing a napkin in front of both of them.

"Water is fine, man" Lucas told him.

"Coke and Vodka for me, Owen" Peyton replied with a smile. Lucas looked over at the dance floor as Peyton watched Owen make her drink. "So, where's Brooke tonight? I thought I'd find her here." she asked him.

Just hearing her name made him smile and Peyton caught notice of this. As he mixed her drink he sighed and then spoke. "She's in New York, unfortunately"

Peyton furrowed her eyebrows "What? Didn't she just get back? I saw her yesterday." she explained and Lucas turned back his attention to Peyton and Owen.

Owen placed Peyton's drink in front of her and then handed Lucas a bottle of water. "She left this morning. There was some kind of mix up with shipment I believe. I'm not exactly sure on the details." he shrugged his shoulders.

"That company of hers really takes up a lot of her time doesn't it" Lucas said aloud then taking a sip of his water.

"More than you know" he replied with a weak smile.

"I'm sorry, Owen" Peyton sympathized.

"Not your fault, Sawyer" he said to her and then looked over his shoulder "looks like I have more customers" he gave a slight smile and walked away from. Them.

"I can't believe she's in New York again so soon. I feel so bad, Owen never really gets to see her." Peyton looked over at Lucas.

"It's her job, Peyton. I'm sure she hates not being able to see him as much as she'd like to either."

"You're right but they should figure something out to see each other more, you know."

"They could try" he nodded "Brooke did choose to leave New York and move back here causing her to travel more..." he trailed off "I don't know, babe. I'm sure they'll figure it out. Could those to be anymore in love?" he smiled at her.

Peyton nodded "I'm glad neither of us have to travel for our jobs as much as she does. I hate being apart from you for too long."

This caused Lucas to smile, "I love you, Peyton" he told her and leaned in kissing her sweetly. Pulling away Peyton smiled at him. "Shall we dance?" he asked her.

"You really want to embarrass yourself in front of all these people" she scanned the room and looked at him waiting for him to answer.

"Hey! I'm a good dancer" he said in such a serious tone. After a few moments seeing seeing him not smile, Peyton burst out laughing. "Peyton!"

"I'm sorry, hunny, sorry." she said as she controlled her laughter "If you want to dance then lets go dance" she said sincerely hopping off the barstool. She took Lucas' hand and led him to the dance floor.

Owen looked on at Lucas and Peyton as they danced and he couldn't help but feel a bit jealous. He wanted Brooke to be home so badly and he wanted to be with her more and seeing how happy and in love Lucas and Peyton were mad him miss Brooke even more. He knew though that it had taken a lot for Lucas and Peyton to get to where they were now. They certainly had their fair share of bad times before they got back together. Owen pulled out his cell phone and sent a quick text message.

"This just in a famous male celebrity is pregnant. That's right Tori Spelling is expecting another child. Have a nice night everyone! Come on Chuy!" Brooke and Rachel laughed as they heard Chelsea Handler from E!'s television show Chelsea Lately tell her last joke of the night.

"Brooke, seriously you need to be a guest on her show. You are a famous designer after all. You could so be on it." Rachel happily suggested.

"I must admit that it would be borderline amazing" Brooke laughed as did Rachel. As Brooke was about to speak her phone vibrated letting her know she had a new text message. She saw it was from Owen causing her to smile and then clicked "view". Thinking of you is all it read but those three words made her smile grow.

"What did Owen say" Rachel asked curiously

"Brooke looked over at her "Why do you think it's from Owen?"

"No one else can make you smile like he does" Brooke rolled her eyes. Rachel knew her so well. Don't roll your yes at me Penelope. It's not my fault I know these things."

Brooke smiled "he said he's thinking of me"

"Isn't he sweet." Rachel said getting up from the couch. Brooke nodded as she smiled. "Well hun I think it's time I head home. Call me before you leave, okay"

Brooke rose from the couch and walked Rachel to the door. "I will." Brooke hugged Rachel "Love you and stay out of trouble."

Rachel chuckled as she pulled away "You know I won't. Love you too, Davis." she said and then left.

Brooke let out a breath as she walked back to her couch. She picked up the remote and turned off the TV and then grabbed her phone and started to text Owen back. I miss you, Owen. I love you. And I'll call you in the morning. Night xoxo

Brooke walked in the next morning into her office and noticed a coffee already on her desk. She furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. When she heard a soft knock she turned to see Scott standing by the doorway. He flashed her a smile. "Mocha double Latte" he said "extra foam." she titled her head and smiled. "Did I get it right?" he asked.

"Perfect. Thank you." She said as she placed her purse on her desk and grabbed the cup of coffee and took a sip. "Where's Adam?"

Scott slowly made his way into his office and walked closer to Brooke. "He called saying he was running late. He said he'd be here soon that's why I got you're coffee"

Brooke sighed. "Did he think I was playing around yesterday when I told him I'd fire him if he kept up this performance? And he doesn't even call me to tell me he'll be running late. I can't believe I'm going to have to let him go today" she said the last sentence in a whisper.

"It's probably for the best" Scott told her

"He's been here for so many years but I just can't have someone slacking off. This is a multi-million dollar company and I just can't have someone like Adam working here anymore." she said and at that moment Adam walked into her office

"Speak of the devil" Scott laughed to himself.

"Adam. We need to talk. Scott can you excuse us." Brooke said looking at Scott and he nodded and walked out of her office and closed her door.

Brooke clasp her hands together and took a deep breath. "Listen Adam you know I love having you here at the company. You've been here for years and you've done some great work. You really were the top employee but lately you seem to be very distracted and I told you yesterday if you didn't start shaping up I was going to have to let you go. And look at today, you showed up late yet again and I just can't have this happening here at my company. So, I'm sorry I have to do this I really am." she took another deep breath. "I'm going to have to let you go."

"Brooke-" Adam said in a begging tone.

"Adam, I'm sorry but I have to. Please pack up your things today." she said in a sad tone "It really does hurt me to do this but I don't have a choice. I gave you one more chance but you didn't take it seriously"

"Brooke, please. I need this job."

"I'm sorry, Adam." she said sincerely "You're excused now." Adam nodded and with his head looking down at the floor he walked out of the office and closed the door behind him.

"I take it you were fired" Scott said gloating.

"Back off, Scott" Adam said in a firm tone passing him.

Scott got a hold of Adam's shoulder to stop him "Didn't I tell you that you were going to get fired. I saw it coming. I don't what the hell you're going through but it's a good thing for me. She's going to promote me now. You do know that right" he said in a sharp whisper.

"Yeah, I know. But then she's going to realize what a jackass you are and fire you." he said as he pushed off Scott's hand off his shoulder. "I don't what goes on in that fucked up head of yours but you're not going to get what you want."

"That's where you're wrong. I wanted you're job position and now I have it. I want Brooke and I'm going to get her. I'm one of those people who always gets what they want."

"You're pathetic you know that right." Adam said with a smirk. Scott rolled his eyes at this. "All I have to say is Karma's a bitch" Adam told him and then walked away to pack up his things.

Scott stood there as he watched Adam walked away from him. He didn't give a care in the world what Adam told him. If he wanted something he always went after it and always got it. He knew Brooke would call him into her office any minute now to promote him to Adam's position. And as if she had read his mind Brooke had stepped out of her office and called out for him. "Scott, could you come in my office for a minute." He smirked before turning around.

"Yeah of course" he said turning around and walking into her office. "What can I do for you, Brooke"

"Why don't you sit down" she said as she leaned up against the desk by the chair Scott went to sit in. "I just fired Adam meaning his job position just opened and I know I could offer it to someone who's been here longer but I've seen the way you work these past few months and how dedicated you are so I'd like to offer you the position. What do you say?"

Scott grinned widely "I'd love to, Brooke. I really would. Thank you!" he said as if in shock.

"That means you'll get a raise but it also means you're going to work more now. We'll have many long nights cramming things in and you'll be attending all meetings now as well. You think you're up for it?"

"I am. I know I'm right for this job. I won't slack off. I promise" he said.

"Perfect. Then you have the job. After Adam leaves you can move into his office. I hope you don't let me down."

"I won't" he said getting up from his seat. "Thank you, Brooke"

"No problem, Scott" she said not leaning against the desk anymore.

"Hug?" he asked with a smile

"Sure, why not." she said with a genuine smile. He leaned forward and embraced her in a hug with a smirk. He felt as if everything was falling right into place. As they were hugging Brooke's phone began to ring so she broke from the hug and grabbed the phone and then held up her index finger to Scott "Give me a sec to answer this" And Scott nodded with smile.

"Hey baby," she said into the phone and then listened to what Owen was telling her. "I miss you too. Can I call you back soon. I just fired Adam and so I'm talking to Scott about it now." she said looking at Scott with a big grin "I'll probably get back tomorrow night. I love you and I'll call you back okay." She waited for Owen to say he loved her too and then hung up the phone.

"Boyfriend?" Scott asked curiously.

Brooke grinned "Yeah. That's Owen. I'm sure you'll meet him soon."

Scott gave her a tight smile and nodded. "I guess I should get back to work" he said as he began to walk towards the closed door. Before he could open it though it swung open and Scott was taken aback. "Whoa. You know you almost just about killed me with that door"

"Well, well, hello Mr. Delicious" Rachel said checking him out.

"Uh..hi..." he said confused "I'm sorry who are you?" he asked.

Brooke interjected "This is one of my best friends, Rachel." she said shaking her head with a smile. "Rachel, this is Scott"

Scott extended his hand and Rachel shook it. "Nice firm hand shake" Rachel said. "I like it" she smiled and then looked over at Brooke who was rolling her eyes.

"I'm so sorry, Scott." Brooke said as she softly placed her hand on his arm.

Scott's eyes made their way to where her hand was placed and then he looked at her "It's fine." he smiled at Brooke and then at Rachel who was noticing the way he looked at Brooke. "It was nice meeting you, Rachel. See you around I guess"

"I hope so" she said winking at him and he let out a soft laugh and then walked out of Brooke's office. Brooke walked over and sat down at her desk chair and Rachel sat across from her. "Brookie, how come you have not introduced me to him before. He is gorgeous. I can't believe you haven't jumped him yet"

"Rachel, I have a boyfriend in case you forgot." Brooke said.

"Oh yeah slipped my mind I guess. You do know Scott is totally into you right"

Brooke looked at her as if she were crazy "No he doesn't. You don't know what you're talking about."

"Well who wouldn't. You're hot, Brooke. Not hotter than me though" Rachel said and Brooke rolled her eyes.

"Rachel, Scott is not into me okay. He's just an employee that actually just got promoted. I fired Adam"

"What! You fired Adam?"

"Yes I did. He came in late again. That was the final straw so now Scott takes his place."

"I bet that's exactly what Scott wanted. I can read people. He's going to make a move on you soon he was just waiting to get promoted so he could spend more time with you. Don't say I didn't tell you."

"What ever, Red" Brooke said. She didn't believe Scott could have a thing for her. She certainly didn't see him in that way. She only saw him as an employee for her company. Maybe they could become friends but nothing more. Sure he was attractive and her past self would have probably slept with already but she was with Owen now and she was completely in love with him. That would never change.

"I'm just saying..." she said trailing off.

"What are you doing here anyway?" Brooke asked.

"I can't visit my bestest friend at work?"

Brooke broke into a smile "Of course you can." she said. "I going to go back to Tree Hill tomorrow night by the way. I'm going to leave Scott in charge here for now and see how things work out with just him with out me."

"Great." Rachel replied "You think I could come back to Tree Hill with you? I kind of want to get away for a few days. I miss Tree Hill."

Brooke's face beamed. "Of course Rachel. You can stay at our place."

"It's been awhile since I've gone. I miss everyone" she admitted.

"They'll be happy to see you." she told her. "I'll have Scott book us our tickets."

"Okay, great." she said getting up from her seat "We'll I'll let you get back to work, Penelope. Call me later, okay" Rachel said.

"I will" Brooke nodded with a smile and waved at her friend goodbye.

Sorry for the lack of Brooke and Owen but the next chapter will have them interacting again. Thanks for everyone who reviewed: becky89, angiel72206, fairystardust112, justawritier, Katie, pepe132, Ashes, sweetera, wtlozy, and Lena.

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