Brooke's heels dug into the soft ground beneath her as they walked across the lawn toward Lucas's car. She'd stumble every now and then only to find Lucas's arm saving her. Even if it was the tiniest slip, his arm was extended and connecting to her skin with an electric pulse. She couldn't help but notice it, even in her obliterated state. Each time his skin grazed hers, she felt a surge of electricity on the spot.
"This is me," Lucas said, breaking her from her thoughts. He clicked the small black key in his hand and a two-door red convertible flashed before them.
"Nice car," she said. Her words may have been slurred still, but she was impressed.
"My dad owns a car dealership. You know the deal… bribing me for my love," he said with a soft chuckle.
She couldn't tell if he was joking or not.
She watched him as he opened the door to the passenger side for her. As she walked over, he put his hand out to help her in.
Electricity again.
She eased into the leather seat and watched as Lucas smiled at her through the glass window and closed the door behind her. He joined her in the car moments later, his arm once again brushing against hers as he began the ignition.
"So," she said trying to make conversation. "How long have you and Blair been together?"
"We're on and off… but collectively, probably… a year?"
Brooke couldn't help but register the fact that he didn't know specifics.
"Why on and off? She seems very niiiiiice," Blair said drunkenly, smirking to herself. To be completely honest, Blair seemed like one of those girls who was sweet as candy until you really got to know her.
"She likes to pick fights," he shrugged. He kept his eyes focused on the road, but couldn't help wondering why he was telling a drunk girl that he had just met these things. He didn't even tell his best friends about his Blair problems.
Really, he cared about Blair. Maybe he even loved her. He wasn't sure sometimes. Everything would be going great for them and then… well, then she'd freak out about the slightest thing. Like him being late for a date. Or him not answering a call. And whenever he'd try to explain that his car wouldn't start, or he had left his cell phone at home all day, she wouldn't believe him.
'Trust issues' was an understatement, basically.
"So what about you?" he asked. "You must've been with some guy in there."
"Always," she said with a seductive smirk.
Lucas felt a knot form, but then quickly release in his stomach.
"It must've been a random guy, since you don't do the whole 'dating' thing, correct?" He gulped.
"Oh, but of courseeee. Don't be jealous, mister. You'll get your chance." He nervously turned to face her and she gave him a quick wink. So what? She was drunk. He was her knight in shining armor for the night. She was flirtatious. He was sexy. She was allowed to have a little fun.
He felt his brow start to sweat as he turned his eyes back to the road. Why was she doing this? To drive him crazy?
"This is me!" Brooke said cheerily as they pulled up to a large white house. Lucas looked out his window as they came to a halt and admired the large property. He smiled as he saw the bright red door. It stood out against the white house. It reminded him of Brooke. She stood out to him in a way that he couldn't quite put his finger on.
The two sat in the car for a few seconds in silence, both not sure what to say.
"So, Prince Charming, are you going to walk my drunken ass to the door?" Brooke said breaking the silence.
Lucas chuckled. "If I must," he teased.
Once again, Brooke found herself being half-carried to her door by Lucas.
"Aren't your parents gonna be mad?" he asked halfway to the porch.
"Ha! My parents haven't been home for more than fifteen minutes since I was born. My nannies had nannies. But my parents were never around."
"I'm sorry," Lucas said sympathetically.
"Don't be. If I had real parents I wouldn't be able stumble into the house with attractive boys like you."
Another knot formed and released in Lucas's stomach.
They reached the porch.
"Do you wanna come in?" she offered in her sexily raspy voice.
"Brooke."
His tone was serious.
They were standing on the porch facing one another. Not too close, but not too far, Brooke noticed.
He remained silent.
She stepped closer to him, the tension lingering in the air.
"What?" she repeated softer this time.
She knew they both wanted it, and he knew it just as well. But she wanted to hear him say it. She wanted to hear him say something. Tell her she was beautiful, that he wanted to spend the night, anything. She didn't understand the force that was compelling her to think this way, but there was no point in stopping it.
She stepped closer again.
"Brooke, don't," he said completely aware of where this was about to lead.
She froze for a moment at the words, and then took a few steps backward.
"I'm… I'm sorry… I… I wasn't thinking," she said.
She wasn't sure why she was apologizing, since nothing had really happened.
"Don't be sorry," he said staring into her eyes.
"Maybe you shouldn't come in," she laughed to ease the apprehension in the air.
"I'll call you," he said with a shy smile.
He turned and began walking down the stairs toward the path.
"Lucas!" she called after him.
He turned around to face her, not failing to notice the trace of her dimples that played on her face.
"Thank you for everything," she said, smiling and letting her dimples completely show.
He smiled back at her.
"I'll call you," he repeated.
And he would.