A/N - Hey, everyone! Here's the next chapter, enjoy!
Thanks: evergloweyes, CheerandBrood323, chophia-brucaslove, BDavis427, Brucas2006, brookenlucas4eva03, NYGIRL09, Brooke D., onetreefan, oth234234, brucas333, onetreehillgirl066, othfan326, bella, MissUnderstood92, toddntan, Brook-Lucas-Fan-23, and TutorWife.
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What's True
Chapter 9 -
The sun was just beginning to rise, and the way it reflected against the river looked beautiful.
Though she, Lucas, and Rylie had just been to Tree Hill a few weeks ago, they hadn't visited this place. And Brooke found that quite odd considering this was a place where Lucas spent most of his time.
The rivercourt.
He was sitting on the benches, his eyes focused on the ground, while his hands stayed gripped on a basketball.
Stepping out of the car, she started to debate everything.
She started to wonder if she should really be here. If she should have ever driven the lengthy four-hour drive in the middle of the night, just to make sure he was safe. Because now, it all seemed like she did all those things because she cared about him, and was in love with him.
And she didn't want to give him the wrong impression. She and Lucas were over with. Done with...since quite a few years. And it was going to stay like that.
"Hey." She decided to say, as she held her breath.
"Br-Brooke." He looked up from the cement, letting the ball drop and bounce a few feet away. "How did you know where to find me?"
She sighed, advancing towards him, taking a seat next to him. "Come on, Luke. You chose the one place Lindsey could never find you."
"Was it that obvious?"
"Apparently not to anyone but me." She gave him a small smile. "Are you okay?"
"Well, let's see. I ran out on my fiancé at the altar, drove all the way down here, sitting in five-hour rush hour traffic, and I've been sitting here, in this exact spot for hours."
"You could have just said no."
"Fine. No. I'm not okay. I'm horrible." He rolled his hands into fists, groaning in frustration. "Dammit, I screwed up."
"Lucas..."
"I am such an ass." He continued on. "These past few years I have been lying to myself and everyone around me. And we can all see where that's gotten me. I broke Lindsey's heart, I've been a complete ass to both you and Rylie...I just, ugh, god, I'm sorry."
"I don't think your apology should be directed to me." She shook her head. It was supposed to be directed to Lindsey, and she was sure Lucas knew that, too.
"Lindsey probably doesn't even want to talk to me. I humiliated her in front of her friends and family, and I hurt her."
"I'm not gonna lie, Luke. You did hurt her. But that doesn't mean that she's mad at you."
"I left her at the altar, Brooke." He stated, thinking that explained everything. Of course she would be mad.
"Yeah. I know. I was there. It's just, if you realized it wasn't meant to be, then she probably did, too."
"And how would you know that?"
"Because I spoke to her."
"Why would you do that?"
"That's not the point. The point is, she's actually not as bad a person as I thought she was. And she understands, Lucas. She realized all this a while ago. And yes, while you, and even her, too, should have stopped this much earlier, now you know what you really want. Right?"
"I...I don't even know anymore..."
"So, what? You're just gonna sit here for the rest of your life feeling sorry for yourself?"
"Maybe." He muttered, shrugging a bit. He knew going back to Chapel Hill was going to be hard.. He screwed up too much. But he would need to. His life was there now. Rylie was there.
"No." She shook her head, getting up from the seat. He looked at her weirdly, watching as she walked over to the basketball. She bent over and picked it up. "Look. If I make this shot, you have to come back to Chapel Hill with me."
"Brooke." He shook his head slightly, laughing a little. "You know you suck at basketball."
"True. So how about this...If I don't make the shot, you come back with me."
"What's this all about?"
Instead of answering, she took the shot, her heels coming only an inch off the ground. As expected, it bounced off the rim. She missed it. "Oops. Looks like you're coming back." She walked back over to him, grabbing his hand. "Come on. Lets go."
"But, Brooke—."
"It's better that you deal with everything now. We'll get back, and then I want you to talk to Lindsey. Understand?"
"Yes, mom."
"Speaking of your mother, she was worried sick. Everyone was. Don't ever do that again."
Lucas nodded solemnly.
"Where's your car?"
"A few blocks away."
"Oh. Well, let me drive you."
Lucas agreed and the two got in Brooke's car.
"How's Rylie?"
"She was scared." Brooke admitted, turning the radio on but keeping it on a low volume. "You know, she didn't know where her daddy was. But I think she's okay now."
"I'm sorry. I just needed to think...and be alone."
"Well I'm sorry I crashed your party."
"Actually, I'm glad you came. So, thanks, I guess."
"No problem."
Lucas stared out the window, watching cars and trees pass by. Living in Tree Hill was so complicated years ago. There was nothing but drama and more drama. But now, now it all seemed so simple. "Brooke, about the other day, when you came to talk to me before the wedding..."
"Just forget about it, okay? It was nothing." She quickly replied, placing her sunglasses on her head. It was a moment of weakness, nothing more. "There's your car." She pointed out, pulling up to the side of the road. "So I guess we'll split up now. Maybe meet back up at my house?"
"Sounds good." He nodded in agreement. "Thanks again...for everything."
"Mhmm." She nodded. "See ya."
She sighed, watching him leave her car and enter his. Things were about to get a lot more complicated.
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When they arrived back in Chapel Hill, it was already late afternoon. Haley and Nathan had been playing a board-game with Rylie when Brooke and Lucas walked through the door.
"Daddy!" Rylie quickly got up from her seat on the floor, and ran towards her father.
"Hey, baby. How are you?"
"Now that you're here, I'm fine. Where were you?"
"A special place daddy goes to do a lot of his thinking."
By now, Brooke had excused herself from the room, and Nathan and Haley had followed her into the kitchen.
"Where'd you find him?"
"At the rivercourt."
"Is he okay?"
"I think so. I mean, he still has to talk to Lindsey. But I think he'll be fine."
"Hey, guys." Lucas interrupted the three, coming in the room with Rylie in his arms. "I think I'm gonna go...see if I can talk to Lindsey."
Brooke nodded and took Rylie out of his arms, placing her on her feet and on the floor. "We'll talk to you later. And remember, it'll be fine."
"Thanks." Lucas waved, walking out of the house.
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He rang the doorbell again. He found it pathetic that he was ringing the bell to his own home. Finally, Lindsey appeared at the door. Her eyes widened in shock.
"Lucas...I, um..."
"Can I come in?"
"Uh, yeah."
"Lindsey. First off, I want to say I'm sorry. I'm sorry I did this to you, and I'm sorry I hurt you."
"No, Lucas. It's fine."
"It is?" He was confused. He figured she'd start yelling at him and then she'd kick him out of the house.
"Yeah. I think we both realized this a while ago, and just never said anything. I understand. I know you're still in love with Brooke."
"What? Lindsey..."
"Face it, Lucas. You're always gonna love her. So instead of being here with me, telling me what I already know, you should be with her."
"I was just over at her house, but..."
"Well did you tell her how you feel?"
"No, but—."
"Lucas, I've known you for almost five years. I see the way you look at her. I know it all, Luke. Just go, I'll be okay. I'm actually in the middle of packing if you hadn't noticed." She motioned around her to all the cardboard boxes.
"Where are you going?"
"Back to New York. I was able to put an apartment on hold already, and I have a job interview next week."
"Lindsey, I don't know what to say..."
"It's okay, Lucas. So, I guess this is goodbye."
He nodded, frowning a little. "Bye, Lindsey. Keep in touch, okay?"
She nodded, giving him a hug. "Go make things right with Brooke."
He left the house feeling actually good for once. Things were starting to fall back into place.
He did, though, find something weird. He started the week pretty sure he and Lindsey were going to be together for the rest of their lives. He was about to end it, hopefully, sure he and Brooke would be together now.
He was about to find out.
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A/N - I'm not crazy about this chapter, but whatever.
Also, I know many of you were probably hoping for some sort of brucas reunion in this chapter, but just give it time. Who knows what will happen next chapter...
(Oh, and if you haven't already: If you read "Finding My Way Back", please read and review the new chapter!)
Leave a review!
Thanks,
–Melissa