A/N: I know it has been way too long. I've given myself a hit on the arm for taking too long with this update. I just hadn't written anything on this story for a while. Thanks to all the readers and reviewers for sticking with this.

Between The Lines

Peyton's POV

I went back to see my father today and he was in good spirits. He was looking forward to seeing Brooke but I guess she'll visit another time. I told him that he was going to come and stay with me when he's released. He obviously protested, claiming he could look after himself. I wasn't having anything of it and practically ordered him otherwise.

We sat for a bit, talking and laughing. It was good to see this side of him again; it's been too long. I caught him up on our Euro trip, but left out certain parts of the trip. Thinking of that, Brooke and I should finish that trip one day; we didn't even get to see Amsterdam properly.

Haley had called me while I was visiting my father. She informed me that Lucas had been round after he left mine. I didn't know what to say to her. She understood. I can tell how hard it is for her and Nathan to be caught in the middle of all this. Maybe she has been holding back since my father has been ill. I guess I'll find out soon enough as I'm waiting for her to join me for lunch. I was surprised when she asked to meet me. As I'm sitting here nervously drinking my water, I anticipate her arrival. I gather from her earlier voice that I'm in for it and I'm kind of prepared to face it.

I'm playing with my napkin when Haley walks up to the table. I get up and tentatively greet her. She leans in to hug me and I have to admit that it kind of throws me.

"Sorry I'm late." We both pull away and sit down.

"It's ok. I haven't been here long." So that was a bit of a lie but I'll just keep it to myself. The waitress comes over and asks her if she wants a drink while she decides on what she wants to eat. She orders water and I also ask for another. When the waitress leaves, Haley speaks.

"So much has happened since the last time we were here. The triangle has taken a different turn now." I look up at her and her eyes are still on the menu. I don't know what to say. She manages to interrupt the air that is coming out of my mouth. "Brooke was just as surprised as us when you kissed her at the church so I guess my question is, how long did you have those feelings for her? Most importantly, why did you string Lucas along?"

So she cut to the chase. I was kind of hoping that she would forget all that but you can't always get what you want. I guess it was my turn to cut to the chase so I thought about it quickly and then explained. "Haley, you have to understand that I was confused. We grow up thinking we're going to get married to the guy of our dreams and that would be it, you know a house, children, a life to build on. You've found that with Nathan." The waitress gives us our water and I shake my head to let her know that we're not ready to order. "I thought that Lucas was that guy for so long, I mean he's always saving me. For a while there was always something else, that it never felt right or even enough. When he proposed there was a doubt in my mind, but I shook it off and said yes in the end. I love him but my feelings for Brooke overpowered anything I felt for him. Those feelings have been there for some time and I just wanted to put them away and never speak of them but the closer it got to the wedding, the more I couldn't hide them."

"You shouldn't have let it get this far with Lucas then, I mean leaving him at the altar." I could hear the disappointment in her voice and accept that I've handled everything the wrong way.

"I know I should have handled things differently and I wish I could turn the clock back but I can't."

"It's not going to easy for anybody." How true her words are. I guess I should find out what happened with Lucas.

"I know. On the phone you said that Lucas went to your place after he found us. How was he?" I'm sure I can guess what the answer is but I can't help but ask. She puts her elbow on the table and rests her head on her hand. I could tell she was trying to think of the choice of words to use. "Distraught, confused, probably more."

"I didn't know he was back. It's not the way that I wanted to handle the situation. Do you know where he is now?"

"No. I assume he's back at his."

"I'm gonna try and find him later to talk." The thought just makes me nervous but I know that I have to do it and the sooner the better.

"Are you going alone or is Brooke going with you?"

"I'm not sure. Maybe its best I see him alone. Anyway she's not around." It really isn't a good idea, especially how he saw us the last time. "Speaking of Brooke, she's been acting really strange lately. Has she said anything to you?" I know how close the two of them are and if she can't tell me what is going on, I hope that she had spoken to Haley.

"Sorry. We've not really spoken about anything other than your father. Why, what's going on?" Her answer disappoints me. I guess no one really knows what's going on with her.

"That's the question. She's been really secretive and she's hiding something but she won't say anything."

"Give her time and she'll open up." I really hope Haley's right as Brooke's behaviour is worrying me. We finally order and we spend the rest of lunch fully catching up on everything else.

It was a couple of hours before we said our goodbyes. I am currently sitting in my car, trying to pluck up the courage. I kind of wished I had a drink before coming here. My body is shaking and I can't get a grip. I count to ten and finally get brave enough to step out the car. I walk tentatively to the door and give it a knock, not feeling anymore confident than I was in the car. I'm not sure if I want it answered but if it isn't then I'll have to come here again and I can't go through this a second time. The door opens and his face instantly turns to a look of disgust when he sees me.

"What do you want?" He spits out.

"To explain everything." I can feel my voice trembling with nerves.

"There's nothing to explain. I saw it all; remember." I can see what he's feeling, it's written all over his face and it's starting to scare. "Is this payback?"

I'm slightly taken aback by his question. "What are you talking about?"

"Is this payback for what happened between the three of us in high school?"

Half of me is laughing inside that he could even think that. The other half is pissed off and that's the side I show him. "It's not about that."

"Did she tell you we kissed after I proposed to you in LA?"

I'm not sure what he's trying to achieve by saying this. If he's trying to hurt me then it's not working. "Very mature of you to bring that up. I know you were drunk and you kissed her, she told me."

"Whatever. Just leave Peyton and don't bother coming back."

He slams the door shut in my face. I've never seen such anger in his face. I jump into the car and head over to Clothes Over Bros, hoping that Brooke can help stop this day from sucking even more.

I walk in and acknowledge Millicent with a nod. I patiently wait for her to finish with what she is dealing with. Brooke has always praised Millicent, not just for her work and effort but also has a person and a friend. She finishes up and walks over to me.

"Hey, where's Brooke?" She looks at me like I've asked a stupid question. She smiles and then answers. "New York." Something registers with her, as I look confused. She thinks I knew that Brooke was in New York.

"Why is she there?" She looks like she's told me something that she wasn't meant too but she hasn't told me anything really. "Just for business."

"What aren't you telling me? What's going on?" I'm starting to sound desperate.

"It's just some business that she needs to take care of. She'll tell you when she gets back."

"When is that?" I ask desperately.

"This evening maybe tomorrow." I can't tell if she's lying or just doesn't know but I don't question it. I turn and walk off in a huff. Things aren't making any sense. If it were something simple then why would she be hiding things from me? I enter my car and press her speed dial number. It rings straight through to voicemail. I leave a message and start the car up. I just want to go home. Too much has happened today and its worn me down. I spend most of the evening trying to get hold of Brooke and listen to music that Ellie gave me. I also spoke to Haley to find out if she had heard from her but she hadn't. I'm not sure when I crashed and fell asleep, I guess everything has caught up with me. I didn't realise how tired I was.

I wake up the next morning but not the sound of my alarm but my phone ringing. I turn in my bed and I'm disappointed that Brooke isn't here. I instantly think it's her ringing and quickly pick it up without looking at the id.

"Brooke." I saw excitedly.

"No it's Haley." She sounds nervous about something. "I take it you haven't heard from her?"

"No, she hasn't called." I run my hand through my hair as I try to get my eyes to fully wake up.

"Nathan received a message from one of the guys. Have you been online today?"

"No, I just woke up. What's going on?" I fully sit up on my bed and I start to worry again.

"Check your email, I've sent you a link to something that you have to see. It might explain some things."

I quickly get out of bed and move to my computer. I open up my email and click the link and surprised is a word I would use lightly. I guess this does explain some things but I feel that there are more questions and answers to come.