I put Brooke and LUcas's reunion they way i did because i'm so bored of reading fics, saying that when they saw each other, it was like love all over again and that they just looked into each other's eyes, and all their anger and resentment went away. I'm so tired of reading stuff like that, it's not relevant or realistic. The stuff that i write, it's what i imagine in my head happening, like you could actually picure it happening on the show or something.. And if you're gonna write a fic, at least make it believable lol.
I'm glad you guys liked how Brooke reacted. Once again, i could totally picture Brooke standing up to Lucas like that, plus it's funny so i'm going with it lol. Lucas, of course, has to be all curious and go to Haley's house, and he's right, Brooke's there. So yeaa he's pissed for tons of different reasons, so scroll down to find out lol.
In this chapter, of course it's Lucas's turn to vent or whatever. Peyton and LUcas finally talk after like a week of not talking to each other. Kidn of a warning, Lucas is such an ass, and in his thoughts he's gonna act like one also, so don't get mad if he's a little too childish lol. There's some humor to this chapter, i didn't wanna make it too serious and emotional because that's not how i'm writing it. Yeaa, there's gonna be some emotional parts ,but it's al just teasing and fighting going on. Brooke's strong persona and Lucas's big ego, of course heads and gonna butt.
ENJOY AND REVIEW !!!
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For someone who basically controlled the town, Lucas Scott had things way out of his hands at the moment. He had more power than the mayor, it was ridiculois. The only reason he did have more power was becuse Lucas had learned that Mayor Floyd had been having a 5 year affair with his maid. NOt only that, but Floyd's wife was a complete psychopath, so of course when it came to Tree Hill, Lucas had the world at his fingertips. But just when he thought he could compose himself around Brooke, she had to go and be all calm and collected, something that he hoped she wouldn't be.
After he had seen Brooke's license plate, for a second he was flattered, like it meant that he was somewhat still part of her. But, like always, his ego kicked in and he felt this determination to see if she felt any regret at all. He didn't exactly plan to go to Haley and Nathan's house, he just expected to run into her sometime, and interrogate her then. But somehow he ended up in front of their perfect house. Of course he figured Brooke would be there, which brought him back to the car. The nicest, sleekest car he'd ever seen. Immediately he was angry again, just because Brooke hadn't had the audacity to even come see him, tell him that she was sorry. If anything, Lucas Scott deserved an apology, in fact he wanted one from her. He didn't know if it would help him or what, but he just wanted an apology from Brooke, no matter what he had to do to get it.
Easier said than done though. Of course, Haley had answered the door, since it was her house. He automatically asked to see Brooke, actually he more demanded to see Brooke. But Haley woudln't budge, just said that she didn't want to see him, which didn't make sense. Lucas had a hard time wrapping his head around the fact that Brooke didn't want to see him. It would make perfect sense if she did. INstead he had to practically beg a pregnant woman to see his ex girlfriend. He half expected Haley to cry or something, he was kidna mean about it. But she kept her stance, something he wasn't expecting. Surely Haley had changed alot since the last time. He knew they weren't realyl close anymore, but no matter what, Haley always caved once in awhile. But she continued to remain persistent. IN his head, there was no other way to see her than get louder. Brooke would come to Haley's rescue as soon as she felt she had to.
It didn't take long after he started yelling, for Brooke to come around. He heard the clicking of heels with the certain walk, or strut if you wanna call it that. He never thoght he would be that taken aback the next time he saw her, but he could barely compose himself. She was still the sexy Brooke Davis, but more classier and sophisticated. She had grown a couple of inches, and she was still fit. It was kinda hard to hate her from the way she looked. Her smiled was still radiant and her eyes held that exotic touch. Lucas almost wanted to hug her, if it had not been for that smirk on her lips. Shock turned to anger, then embarassment, and then he was back to being pissed off. There were no words to say to her, so he settled for her name as some sort of greeting in disguise.
Even though she was smiling, she still managed to piss him off. It was unbelievable. He threw every insult that he thought would crack her, but noting worked. SHe was still as cool about it, and it was getting annoying. From his time with Brooke, he kind of picked up a few things about how she was. When someone was threatening her, she dind't let it to go her head, instead she came back with an even mro emenacing insult, and still managed to stay calm about it. She knew it would make him mad, that's why she did it in the first place.
He thoguth that his last comment would shut her up, but he had so importantly forgotten, Brooke Davis always had the last word. And boy, did her last word leave a mark. Lucas knew that Brooke and Haley talked alot, he just never thought she would know so much about him and Peyton's marriage, well, it you wanted to call it a marriage. Not that many people in Tree Hill knew the whole story about him and Peyt, but everyone knew that something wasn't right, they were having problems, problems that no one could figure out. But really it was so simple, they just didn't love each other.
So LUcas had left Haley's house, pissed off and just plain mad. Most people would feel bad about what Brooke had done, and maybe wanna set things right or something, but you can't expect typical from Brooke. She's anything but that. Seeing Brooke so happy and nonaffected just got to him. HEre he was, in his mindless rant about her being back, and it didn't seem like she really cared about leaving him five years ago. NOt only did it make him feel stupid, but it bruised his ego by alot.
But he had to admit, Brooke looked good, like really good. Which only made him hate her, because she looked so beautiful, so perfect, and it was because she was happy. Happy without him.
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The last place LUcas wanted to go was home. But, from what had just happened, there was no place he desired to go. He just felt like wandering hopelessly around the town, but if anyone were to see him, that wouldve been weird. NO doubt news has already gotten around about Brooke's return to her hometown. Not only would it give her attention, but it would put him and Peyton in the spotlight also. Everyone knew about Lucas's fling with Peyton, not even a month after his breakup with Brooke. Nobody approved of it, Lucas didn't even like it, but they were married, and there was nothing to it.
When he pulled into the driveway, he was suprised to see Peyton's car parked as well. She was supposed to be hosting some art gallery, just like she had for the past week. Peyton's art was really taking off, and in some way Lucas was proud of her. He was glad that art was making her happy, something that she couldn't get in their house. He always wondered what went wrong with them, how they got to where they were not, hating each other. BUt they didn't even harbor romantic feelings at the time, so their friendship eventually went to hating the other's guts. It was sad, to see a friendship fall like that, but they were different. Lucas was still angry at Brooke and in love with her at the same time, while Peyton felt guilty about betraying her best friend, and missing her altogehter.
He found Peyton in the kitchen, sketching some things for the next art show probably. She didn't even realize he was there, or maybe she just didn't really care, hoping he would go away. He was just about to when he saw Peyton take a swig from her glass. The contents inside was a copper caramel color, Peyton had took some of Lucas's stashed scotch. NOrmally he would've been pissed, but he was just curious as to why she was drinking in the first place. SUre Peyton drank wine and stuff, but only when it was appropriate.
"Isn't it a lttle too early to be drinking?" Lucas asked as he leaned against the kitchen island.
Peyton seemed unfazed, "What's it to you? Why are you even home early, you're supposed to be at the dealership."
LUcas shrugged, "It's my double scotch single malt, i bought it. And i just couldn't get anything done, so i came home."
Once again, Peyton was unresponsive. Lucas wanted to be able to confide in her again, like they used to. BUt not because they were a couple, but becaues he was having a really hard time processing things, nothing made sense.
"Haley came by the office," Lucas mentioned.
"And Nathan let her come within ten feet of you?" PEyton chuckled.
"Nathan doesn't know."
"What's she want?"
"Just to tell me to stay away from Brooke. She said that Brooke was here for only her and Nate, and that i was no part of it," Lucas replied.
"Deng, Hales is getting tough," Peyton said.
"Yeaa, i saw Brooke today also," Lucas said lightly.
Peyton dropped her pencil and looked up at Lucas. Her eyes held confusions and yet excitement. It reminded him of the summer before senior year, when Brooke was coming back from California. Peyton was so excited, but felt like she had betrayed Brooke for harboring feelings for Lucas, even though his heart was with Brooke. Yea, Peyton looked exicted, but it didn't stay that way for long before she returned to her drawing.
"Not even 12 hours and you go against what Haley asked you to."
"It's not like i planned on it. I saw her car, and i had to know if it was her or not. I can't believe she has the nerve to actually come here."
"Yup and once again everything's about you isn't it. Brooke's not gonna bother you, so stop bothering her."
"Peyton all i want is to know why she left. What power in her made her pick up and leave me, when i needed her so much. And i deserve an apology from her, whether she knows it or not," Lucas explained.
"Well maybe you should've just asked her that instead of throwing insults. You haven't been the same Lucas in a long time, but i know the person you are now, who you've become. You probably didn't even mention anything about what you just told me. You went straight ahead and tried to take a cheap shot at her, make her feel bad. BUt you and i both know nothing gets past Brooke. She probably tore your ego down so bad, you can't stand it," Peyton smirked.
"Why the hell do you think you know me? You haven't known me in a long time, nobody has. I just don't understand how she can't feel bad about this, like what she did caused no trouble and no pain for me!" Lucas yelled angrily.
"Lucas, stop bullshitting yourself. You and i both know that this is the way Brooke works. She probably expected you to come in whining and being a dickhead, so she put up her defenses and drove you to the ground. But i bet, if you were to come to her in a nice way, then you might've gotten than apology you've been demanding, but you're too stupid to figure that out, so here we are," Peyton said.
When Lucas really thoght about it, Peyton was right, in every way. Not only was Brooke a good liar, but she was good at hiding her feelings. She could feel awful about something, but once you showed your anger towards her, you ended up being on the receiving end, no matter how bad Brooke felt. To anyone else that would've been just absurd, but that was BRooke, and she wouldn't change. Sometimes her defenses are more stronger than her guilt, and it just takes over her. Lucas knew that, but for some reason he thought that maybe she would break down in front of him, begging him to forgive her, but he realized that Brooke didn't work that way then, and she sure as hell didn't now.
"I just, it was like she didn't even feel the least bit bad for what she did. I mean, i needed her so much when she left. I know pushing her out wasn't exactly the rihgt hting to do, but she could've just talked to me, instead of leaving. And now, she acts like leaving didn't effect me at all," Lucas said quietly.
Peyton put her pencil down, not just because she had to, but because she was surprised. She couldn't believe Lucas was actually being decent at that moment, voicing his feelings, something he hasn't done in awhile. As much as she wanted to believe it, she couldn't because LUcas could very easily be playing her. It was such a typical Dan move, PEyton wasn't sure if she should fall for it. But it seemed like the guy needed guidance or something, and from what she's seen, this was when wifes are supposed to talk to their husbands, as disfunctional as she and Lucas were.
"Lucas even though me and Brooke aren't friends, we haven't been for awhile. But even though we haven't talked in yearss, i know that Brooke will never change. She'll still be the same spunky girl that we all know and love. I could easily say that Brooke does feel bad about what she's done. She probably blames your whole transformation on her. But you can't just go insulting her right off the bat, because you know how she'll react. I haven't spoken to her in years, but i know that behind the sarcasm and the brick wall, she just wants to apologize for how much she's hurt you. She can't do that if you wanna take a swing at her all the time," Peyton explained.
"But don't i have a right to? I lost the love of my life just like that. I was on top of the world. I had a killer college basketball career, and someone that i wanted to spend the rest of my life with, and it all taken from me in just one night. I know me and you happened pretty quickly, but just seeing her like that makes me question everything she ever told me. Like how she loved me, and how she couldn't live without me. It makes me wonder if it was all a lie," LUcas said quietly.
"Something tells me that what Brooke felt for you wasn't a lie at all," Peyton answered, "You just have to know how to get through to her, if an apology is what you want."
LUcas shook his head, "I can't talk to her, i can't have a normal conversation with her. What she did was pretty messed up, i'm not gonna act like nothing ever happened, even though she is."
Peyton threw her hands up in frustration, "Then what the hell was the purpose of this conversation?!? You say that you want Brooke to act like she cares, you want to hear an apology from her. Not just because you think you need one, but because you still love her, more than you hate her more likely. You want to hear her say sorry for leaving you. But that can only happen if you talk to her, but you're too egotistical to put aside your anger and just talk to her LUke! Yelling and whining isn't gonna make you feel better, and it's not gonna make Brooke feel guilty either."
Peyton hadn't called him Luke in a long time. Normally he would only let his close friends call him that, just like Peyton used to. But that shortname had been gone from her mouth from sometime.
"I can't just talk to her Peyt. If i talk to her, then she'll apologize, and then we'll be 'friends.' We'll talk, and get closer, and then she'll leave. I'm not gonna just have her apologize and have everythign be peachy, it doesn't work like that. I don't work like that," Lucas stated.
"So let me get this straight. The reason you're fighting with Brooke is because you want to keep her close. Like if you were to tlak and she apologize, you would end and that would be that. But that's not what you want so you're purposefully starting fights with her to keep her angry and think about you and how much she hates you," Peyton stated.
"When you put it that way, then yeaa," Lucas mumbled.
All of a sudden Peyton started laughing, hysterically. Lucas didn't think he'd seen Peyton laugh in years, like actually laugh. For a moment it made him happy, seeing her actually show some happiness around him for once. But he couldn't figure out why she was laughing, nothing about his situation was funny.
"Peyton what's so funny?" Lucas asked, confused.
It took Peyton a minute to finally breathe. Her face was red and she was wiping tears from her eyes.
"Do you realize how childish you just sounded? Damn Luke, you're 23 years old, from all the crap we've been through in his town, i would expect you would be a little more mature about this. You're forcing yourself to stay mad at Brooke and piss her off, just so you can see her and talk to her, even thoug hyou'll be yelling. You're not helping yourself, and you're not helping Brooke. This is gonna backfire on you, and Brooke won't even bother fighting with you anymore, she'll just look the other way the next time," Peyton said seriously.
"Well what do you suggest?" Lucas asked sarcastically.
"Just admit that you love her already!" Peyton exclaimed.
"Because i don't," LUCas mumbled.
"Alright i said it once and i'm gonna say it again. Stop bullshitting me," PEyton said.
"I'm not!"
"Dude you totally are. YOu just told me not five mintues ago that you wanted to keep Brooke close. Of course you still love her."
"Well, you misunderstood wht i was saying. I meant that i didn't wanna her to get away with it by just apologizing," LUcas explained.
"Yeaa you may be an asshole now, but i still know you."
"It doesn't matter what i feel. Just forget about it," LUcas dismissed.
"Well well well. When i can finally have a fulfilling conversation with you, you back out again," Peyton said as she continued in her drawing.
Lucas just stared at Peyton, wondering if he should ask her what he's been dying to know for the past five years. It didn't make sense to him, it never did whenever hs thought about it, and he knew only Peyton could answer it for it. Whenever he thought about it, the facts just didn't add up to him, and Lucas was getting curious.
"If i infuriate you so much, and we obviously don't love each other, why are you still married to me Peyton? YOu could've easily gotten a divorce and live comfortably for hte rest of your life, why'd you stay?" Lucas asked.
PEyton put her pencil down again and stared past him, trying to look for the words to the answer.
"I guess i thought that you would change. I told you before, that i was hoping that you would come around and be that guy we all knew and loved. I was almost counting on it, but you never did. If anything you got worse, and i just didn't know what to do anymore. You shut out Haley and Nathna, and then i was kinda left with you, and i didnt know what to say to bring you out of that darkness. You were so far off, just hopeless. But i guess i still hoped you would change," Peyton explained.
"Are you still hoping i will?" Lucas asked quietly.
"I think you already are," Peyton smiled.
"You know, despite everything that's happened, i stil cared about you. I just wasn't--"
"In love with oyu. I know what you mean Lucas. Our hearts are still with two people, not with each other. And i can live with that. I care about you too Lucas, and that's why i'm still in this shitty marriage," Peyton joked.
Lucas laughed, "Do you think we'll ever get a divorce?"
She nodded, "YEaa i think we will. Once you get your head out of your ass and tell Brooke how ya feel."
"You know, even if i did tell Brooke, it;s not like she would come bac kto me. She's got that boyfriend now."
"So, who says she doesn't still love you? You need to stop assuming things Lucas, look where it's gotten you," Peyton said as she stood up to exit the kitchen.
"This doesn't change anything you know. I still hate you," Lucas called out.
Peyton stopped mid step and turned around adn smirked, "YEaa, i hate your guts too LUcas."
Lucas laughed. Yeaa, him and Peyton would never see eye to eye, He wasn't even sure he would ever be as close with her as he had been. But she was there to tell him when to pull his head out of his ass, and that time was right about now. Hi mand Peytron would always have that connection, that certain tendency to be able to tell each other everything, and be able to take the judgment. But, no romantic feelings could ever creep up on him, it was impossible.
Peyton was still in love with Jake, even though she didn't tell him, he knew. And Lucas, well, he tried to tell himself and Peyton that he wasn't, things would be alot easier if he didn't. But hewas holding onto Brooke in a bad way, but for a right reason it seemed. If only she knew how much he missed her, how often he thoght about her.
Lucas smirked. Obviously she thought about him too, hence the license plate. And to think that she hated him, or didn't care. It would just be a coincidence. Pretty Girl was a cute name, any lady would want that as their license plate name. But the 182, that wasn't something out of the ordinary. You couldn't just pick that number just because. Brooke picked it for specific reasons, the main one being him. BUt never the less, it just made him think that maybe Brooke didn't forget him at all. Sure, she'd been sarcastic and cool to him, but no matter what she said or how calm she acted, she wouldn't be able to explain that license plate.
Boyy was he gonna have fun holding this over her head.