A/N: Wow is all I can say lol. So sorry for the longass hiatus i've been on. I was kind of getting sidetracked with this story, and ive also been working on my other fics, finished one and started a sequel. so this one has kind of been in the backburner, even though i think this is the most liked one at that. but i'll try to update more on this fic and see what happens. i wasn't really feeling brucas for awhile, but then i started watching seasons two and three and i fell in love with them all over lol. so yess, expect more updates. Enjoy and Review!!
OTHOTHOTHOTHOTHOTHOTHOTHOTHOTHOTHOTHOTHOTHOTHOTH
Chapter 15: Second Chance With A Side ofRegret
"I'm not going," Lucas said simply as he sat at the counter watching Peyton wrap a present for the baby shower. It was a toy that played different forms of music whenever you pushed a different button.
Peyton glanced up at him, "Like hell you're not. If I have to go to Haley's baby shower, you have to go to Nate's macho men hang out thingy at the beach house."
"But there's a completely big difference. You actually want to go," Lucas explained. "And you're talking like it's an obligation. You don't have to go to the baby shower either, although I can't figure out why you wouldn't want to. You were glad Brooke invited you."
"I am glad Brooke invited me, and yes, I want to go. It's just that I think it'll kind of be weird that I'm there all of a sudden. But regardless, I said I was going, so I'm going. And you know you want to go to the beach house," Peyton pointed out.
Lucas nodded, "Yeah, you're right, I do kind of want to go and hang out with all the guys. But that's something I haven't done in five years. Plus, I'm an ass, they wouldn't want to hang out with me, which is exactly why Nate talked to them before this thing."
She snorted, "You got Nathan to talk to all the guys and try to convince them you're not a pathetic asshole loser like your father?"
He glared at her, "Well if you want to put it that way. Geez Peyt, I thought you were supposed to be on my side. We're both the ones trying to get people to see us in a different light."
"I know that Luke, but first off you need to stop hiding and just do the damn thing. You can't expect them to take one look at you and know you're a changed man. You have to start proving it to them."
Lucas looked at her, "Is that what you're doing? You're proving to everyone that you're not a conniving bitch who sleeps with their best friends' boyfriend?"
Peyton gave him a dirty look, "Actually, that's exactly what I'm doing. I made mistakes, and it's about time I try to fix them with everybody."
"Wow, with that kind of attitude you'll have Brooke forgive you in no time," Lucas said easily.
Peyton chuckled, "I think you forgot who we're talking about. This is Brooke Davis, class A bitch, and I'm not saying that like it's a horrible thing. She's Brooke, and we all love her no matter what she does or says because at the end of the day we know she's going to come through. But when you hurt her, that's it, you're done. Doesn't matter how sorry you are or what you do, once you piss her off you better fight like hell to be forgiven."
"Great, you're just full of encouragement today," Lucas groaned. "But at least you were honest about it. You're right, it takes a lot to be forgiven by Brooke Davis."
Peyton slipped the present under her arm, "Yup, and we of all people should understand how that works. So you're going to the beach house and you're going to like it, just like I'm hoping I'll enjoy the baby shower."
Lucas turned to her retreating form, "Alright fine, I'll go. But I swear Peyton if I come home with a black eye I'm blaming this all on you."
"Lucas please, you're hanging out with the Rivercourt boys. No matter what you've done and how you are now, they're not going to punch you out the minute they see you. Worst thing they could do is look at you in disappointment," she shrugged.
"That's just as bad," Lucas mumbled as he fished his cell phone out of his pocket. If he was going to this thing he had to make sure that Nathan had talked to all the guys before hand like he said. There couldn't be any surprises.
"Yeah, Luke?"
"I'm surprised my number's still in your phone," Lucas mused.
"Yeah well I guess in a way I was hoping you'd come around. So what's up?"
He scratched the back of his head, "Oh nothing, I was just wondering who was all going to the beach house this evening?"
"Just the Rivercourt gang. Like Skills, Junk, Fergie, Mouth, me, and I don't know, maybe Jake, too."
He gulped, "Oh cool. You remembered to let them know that I was going, right?"
"Uhh yeah, man. I got that all covered. Is that what you called for?"
Lucas sighed, "Basically, yeah. Did they say anything when you told them?"
"They're not going to start anything if that's what you're wondering. Just don't worry about it."
"Alright thanks. I'll see you there," Lucas said before hanging up. He breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe he could settle things and make amends with all the guys tonight. It would've been a lot better if he had Brooke to tell him that everything would be alright. If that were the case, he would already be dressed and waiting for the right time to go. But no, he couldn't call her, he didn't even really have a right to call her, despite his confession. Plus, she was probably busy getting the baby shower ready.
Peyton came back down the stairs with her purse, "Alright, I think I'm going to head over there now."
Lucas looked at his watch, "You're leaving now? You still have like, a whole hour before the baby shower starts, and in case you've forgotten, we live in Tree Hill."
She rolled her eyes, "I know that smartass. I'm just calculating the time it takes me to get there, and then the time it takes me to get out of my car and to their door, and then how long I'm going to stand outside their door before actually ringing the doorbell."
He smirked, "So I take it you're kind of nervous about this?" It was comforting to know that Peyton was just as nervous about befriending everybody again just as much as he himself was. Although Lucas had a lot more to prove to everyone, Peyton automatically was made out as a bad person just because of him.
"Ehh kind of. I mean, I know Brooke won't be mean to be in front of everybody, especially Haley. But I don't know, I haven't really talked to anybody else since college, some since graduation. Plus it's not like I have no idea what the town talks about."
"I don't think you have anything to worry about," Lucas said, putting his empty scotch glass in the sink.
She raised her eyebrows, "I don't?"
He shook his head, "No, you don't. People knew you Peyton, they knew what kind of person you were. Just because you made a mistake doesn't mean they can just overlook that. They'll forgive you and before you know it you'll be having lunch dates and spa days, or whatever girlfriends do."
"Well you were a better person than I was in high school, but people around here still look at you like you're the scum of the earth."
"Yeah, because I've given them a reason to, and I don't have any excuses for that. People looked with hatred to you because we're married, and maybe the fact that we kind of slept around behind Brooke's back," Lucas added.
Peyton shook her head, "Oh whatever, what's done is done. I have to get going, and you have to start getting ready."
He crinkled his eyebrows, "Get ready for what? I'm just driving down to the beach, and it's not like I'll have that much of a problem ringing the doorbell," he grinned.
She snorted, "Oh you'd be surprised. You might want to stop by the store too and buy a six pack of beer or something. Think of it as a peace offering."
Lucas got up from his stool, "Hmm, I just might do that. Thanks. Oh, and have fun at the baby shower. Tell Haley I said congratulations."
Peyton nodded, "Will do." Lucas sighed as he heard the front door shut. Maybe this was going to be a lot harder than he originally thought. He glanced at his watch before jogging up the stairs. He still had to get dressed and then buy a pack of beer, and maybe spend a few minutes outside the beach house before getting out of his car, then spending a few minutes outside the door before actually ringing the doorbell.
-
It was times like these that she loved being Brooke Davis. Any other regular day and she would've gladly switched places with a normal person. But getting free stuff was definitely a perk of being famous and visiting your hometown, especially if it was a small town at that. She had already been to three different baby stores and had gotten complimentary stuff and free balloons. Not to mention that the local catering company was more than ecstatic when Brooke called letting them know that she was interested in hiring them for her best friend's baby shower. They were all over the healthy foods and the cake in the shape of a binkie.
She surveyed the Scotts' backyard, watching all the arrangments taking place before her very eyes. There were a dozen men outside putting together the big white tent where the whole shin dig would take place. People were coming in and out, coming in with trays of food and leaving in a rush, ready to bring more stuff into the tent. Brooke watched them in some sort of pity, and she knew she would have to tip them generously.
Without even looking Brooke fished out her ringing cell phone. "Hello?" she asked distractedly.
"So you're alive?"
She chuckled, "Yes, I am alive and well. Sorry I haven't called in awhile, I've been so busy getting ready for Haley's baby shower today. So far I've got the tent pitched up and now I'm making sure everyone gets all the stuff inside."
"Well aren't you just a busy girl? Anyways, I was just calling to let you know that I'm planning on flying down there some time next week."
"Oh really? Brian, that's great," Brooke smiled. "Gosh I can't wait to show you around and meet all the people I grew up with." Lucas came to mind, but Brooke found it key to not mention that to Brian.
"I'm excited too. I'm not too sure what day next week, but either way, it's going to happen."
"Yay! Now I'm all excited," Brooke laughed, seeing Nathan enter the backyard with a horrified look on his face. "Brian I have to go, Nate just got here and he's looking a bit lost. But I'll try to call you tonight after the shower."
"Alright talk to you later, I love you."
"I love you too," Brooke chirped before ending the call. She skipped over to Nathan and looped her arm through his. "Now before you say anything, I'm letting you know that you do not have to pay for anything..."
"It's so much," Nathan mumbled, almost running into a guy who was loading up all the different presents Brooke had gotten.
Brooke nodded, "Yeah, maybe just a little, but Haley deserved this, and it'll be fun. I already made all the calls necessary and everyone withint a 30 mile radius that loves and is friends with Haley is coming within the next couple of hours."
Nathan ran a hand through his hair, "Wow, this is great. I'm sure Haley will love it. Her face will be priceless."
Brooke clapped her hands together, "Oh my gosh I know, which is why I'm going to have my camera ready whenever she comes walking through. You did find somebody to hang out with Haley until five o' clock right?"
"Oh yeah, I got Rachel," Nathan stated, still watching the different people entering the tent with different stuff.
Brooke choked, "Rachel? Since when is Haley friends with Rachel?" Of course, Brooke had her problems with Rachel in high school. But she had let it go, Rachel couldn't help that she was a whore. But it was different with Haley. Rachel had tried to jack Nathan right out from under her, not like it would've ever worked. Brooke was curious as to how that one happened, and why she didn't hear about it until now.
Nathan chuckled, "Yeah, it's kind of funny how that happened. I don't know, Rachel's different now. Sure, she's still a smartass and has this knack for saying inappropriate things all the time, but she's kind of grew of Hales. Plus Rachel offered."
"Wow, some things really do change," Brooke mused. "Is she still a whore?"
"Ehh, somewhat. She stopped with all the sexual come ons when Haley first got pregnant. But I think she's controlling herself a lot more than in high school."
Brooke sighed, "That's a relief, although I kind of miss her skanky ass. Hey by the way Brian's coming in from New York next week."
"Really? That's cool. He can stay at the house too," Nathan offered.
Brooke shook her head, "No I don't want him intruding. It's bad enough you have to live with me for a couple of more weeks."
"Brooke shut up, he wouldn't be intruding. We have plenty of room."
"Okay fine, but if like it's too much for you it's never too late to back out," Brooke said, rolling her eyes. "Are you all set for men's night?"
Nathan looked at her, "Men's night?" The term was suitable, although Nathan found it a bit weird that there was a title for when a group of friends hung out, played video games, and drank beer.
"Well, whatever you want to call it," Brooke said, waving her hand.
"Yeah, I think I got everything covered. The Xbox and games is in the backseat and I told everyone to bring more controllers and beer. So I think I'm good," Nathan smirked.
"Like that requires any real planning," Brooke rolled her eyes. "So Lucas is still going, right?"
Nathan nodded awkwardly, "Yeah, I talked to him this morning. Peyton still going, right?"
Brooke sighed and nodded, "As far as I know she is. And don't worry, I'm not goint to cause a scene or anything."
"I didn't expect you to," Nathan said. "Uhh, I think I'm going to head over to the beach house now and wait for everyone to get there."
Brooke looked at him, "Umm okay, are you sure? I mean, you still have some time." She didn't know if guys were just weird, but Nathan was acting weird all of a sudden, like a light bulb or something went off in his head and he just had to do something."
"I know, but I still have something to do before," Nathan said, heading for the back door. "Make sure to take a lot of pictures tonight."
"Umm, yeah, okay," Brooke said as the glass door shut. She shook her head, not even wanting to know what Nathan had to do so bad. It was Nathan, it could've been anything. She checked her cell phone before slipping it into her back pocket. She still had another hour before people started coming, and so far everything was in it's right place. Now all she had to do was surprise her best friend, and try not to pull Peyton's curls out one by one.
Okay, so maybe she was exaggerating a little. She didn't want to pull Peyton's curls out, she just wanted to avoid talking about the reason why they're not longer best friends. It was suppoed to be Haley's day, and Brooke didn't want to ruin it by opening old issues that she thought she had left behind the minute she got off the phone with Haley the night she found out about Lucas and Peyton. But she wasn't stupid, it was bound to come up during her stay, and she couldn't avoid that. What she could avoid was something happening this evening, and Brooke was willing to do whatever it took.
-
"Fuck, fuck, fuck," Nathan mumbled as he backed out of his driveway with his cell phone in one hand. He was trying to call Mouth, key word trying. Mouth wasn't picking up the phone, which lead to Nathan leaving a very desperate message, or more of a threatening one.
"Mouth I swear you better answer the phone or fucking call me back! This is an emergency," Nathan hissed before hanging up. He scrolled down his other contacts, trying to get ahold of all of the guys that were coming to the beach house, and so far none of them were answering.
Maybe it was a mistake telling Lucas that he was going to talk to the guys, because Nathan should've known the minute Lucas asked him that he was going to forget. Maybe it was another mistake in telling Lucas that he had everything under control, and that the guys were cool with it. Well, they might have been cool with it, if Nathan had asked before hand. Now he was going to have to run interference, for fear that Lucas might not walk out the beach house alive.
He sped down the backroads, figuring that he could be the first one to get there, then as the guys walked in he would let them know that Lucas was coming. Nathan ran a hand through his hair again, wondering the reactions of the guys. He didn't think they could be that pissed, could they? Although Skills had just got into town, he knew of Lucas' antics and didn't like them one bit. Last time Nate talked to Skills about Lucas, he said something about 'poppin' a cap in his ass,' or something like that. Junk and Fergie didn't really say much on the whole matter, probably because they were afraid Lucas was going to make sure they could never get a job. Mouth was definitely pissed at Lucas, and Jake, well, Nathan didn't know, but Jake was appalled when he found out what Lucas had been up to for the past five years.
This just showed Nathan to never get involved, never, never, never. No matter if Haley was involved or who it was, Nathan could never do this ever again, because in the end, he knew everyone would look to him, cracking their knuckles, and he would stand there looking like a dumbass because he didn't know what the fuck to do.
Nathan breathed a sigh of relief when he saw cars parked in front of the beach house. Skills, Mouth, Junk, and Fergie all stood leaning against their cars, waiting on Nathan. Okay, so maybe he could pull this off. He killed the engine and quickly got out of the car, not even bothering to grab the Xbox, controllers, and games. No, he went straight for the twelve pack of Smirnoff. Something told him that the guys would be needing it more than they needed NBA Live.
"You're late, Scott," Skills said, ignoring the fact that Nathan forgot the Xbox, and grabbed it from the trunk, following him to the front door.
"What the hell do you mean I'm late? I'm thirty minutes early," Nathan said, walking into the house and going straight for the kitchen.
"That might be the case, but you should know that we'd be here early to get out game on," Junk said, already collapsing on the couch in the living room. The beach house had definitely remained the same since high school. There had never really been much use for it except a santuary from Nathan's dad, and the setting of some killer and out of hand parties. But despite the fact that hardly anyone went there anymore, Nathan stilled paid for someone to refill it with food every now and then, especially on a night like this.
"Whatever. Did you guys even bring anything?" Nathan asked, looking at the guys for the first time. None of them had anything in their hands.
Skills waved his hand dismissively, "Naww dawg we don't need anythin' if we got that mighty powerful Xbox 360 out there."
Mouth nodded, "That's right. But if it's any consolation, we brought out appetites."
"Like that helps," Nathan said, setting down the beer, not really wanting to let the guys know that Lucas was coming over.
"So is this is, man? I thought Jake was going to stop by?" Junk asked, walking into the kitchen.
"He is, but he's just planning on coming a little bit later, he had to work," Mouth said.
Nathan nodded, putting the beers into the fridge, "Yeah that's fine. So it's just him and Lucas that's missing..."
"WHAT THE FUCK NATHAN?!?!" Skills exclaimed, all the guys' eyes on their host. Sure, he expected them to be a bit pissed, but shouting profanity? Nathan mentally kicked himself for about the thousandth time that day, this was going to be harder than he thought. Nathan's mind was turning and the guys' ears were fuming so much that they didn't even notice the front door open and shut.
"Uhmm, yeah, you know, Lucas Scott, our friend?" Nathan asked hesitantly.
"Since when is Lucas Scott considered a friend?" Jake said, walking in with a confused but angry expression on his face. It had definitely been awhile since Nathan had hung out with Jake, mostly being Jake was working in Savannah and raising Jenny. But as fate has it, he got a job offer right back in his hometown, and let's face it, Jagielski would've been an idiot to not except it. There's nothing better than waking up in the morning and getting your daily dose of town scams and drama.
"I don't know, Nate was just fixing to tell us," Mouth said, sitting on one of the bar stools.
Nathan sighed, "Alright, so basically Lucas is trying to change his ways. Me and Brooke kind of agreed it might be a good thing if he were to come and hang out with us. I don't know, so he could prove that he wants to change and is changing. So, I let him come."
"Despite the fact that you didn't bother to tell us a damn thing," Skills said, shaking his head.
"It's not like that guys. I mean, sure, of course I wanted to tell you guys, but I kept on holding it off because I didn't want you guys to turn it down and just not come tonight."
"But why do you want us to welcome him with open arms all of a sudden?" Jake asked. "I mean, it's not like we've crossed friendly paths. And in case you forgot Nathan, Lucas has been playing God with his town for the past five years, and now you want us all to come together and act like he didn't ruin people's lives?"
"I know, I know, it sounds crazy, and you can leave if you want, but everybody deserves a second chance," Nathan said. "Even Lucas, and I know you might find that hard to believe, I felt the same way, but he wants to change, I see it, and if you guys gave him a chance, you'd see it too. He's probably on his way, so if you guys want to leave then leave."
Silence engulfed the once Friday night party scene. Nathan felt he did all he could to convince the guys, it was all up to them from here. If they all decided to leave, Nathan had a fridge full of beer that he and Lucas would have to finish up. If they decided to stay, they would still finish it up. No matter what, the beer would disappear by the end of the night.
Mouth sighed, "I'll stay. If he really wants to change, I guess we'll see it tonight."
"I guess we can stay and see what happens," Junk added, Fergie nodding in agreement. Nathan saw them all battling with themselves, wondering if this was even worth the effort. It's one thing to lose a friend forever, it's another to lose who that person once was, and have to see them wasting their life away being an ass.
"Alright," Jake said finally, "If you think he's changed, then he must be a little bit different."
Nathan nodded, "You have no idea how different. I promise you guys." They all looked at Skills, who seemed to be staring down at the kitchen counter.
"Are you with us Skills?" Mouth asked. Skills looked at all of their faces before stopping at Nathan's.
"Okay, I'll give it a whack. But I swear dawg, if he pisses me off in the slightest I'm whippin' his ass," he threatened.
"I don't think you'll have to kick anyone's ass tonight except Mouth in NBA Live," Nathan said, causing all the guys to laugh.
"Hey give the guy a break," Jake said, still laughing. "It's not his fault he sucks."
Mouth glared at him, "Announcing it is more of my thing."
"Yeah and stick to it," Skills joked as the doorbell rang. They all stopped laughing and looked toward the front door.
Nathan started towards it,, "Alright, now Lucas thinks that I've already had this talk with you guys, so just go along with it. Oh, and no smartass remarks, keep it in at least until he leaves. Deal?"
"That depends," Jake began seriously. "How many cases of beer do you have?"
"Enough for the night," Nathan stated, his hand on the door knob.
"Then count us in!" Skills said. Nathan watched as they all made their way into the living room and began setting up the Xbox.
-
"I can't do this," Lucas stated as he sat in his car with the engine off. The heat was burning through his body, but he refused to go out and enter the air conditioned beach house.
He thought he could, he really did. He even went out and bought a pack of beer. Hell, he was even thinking about buying a pizza to go with it. But yet he found himself in the very same position, and Lucas did not, no, could not, go in there and face everyone.
Lucas had always thought it's easier to face the people that were never important than to face the people that meant just about everything. When he first saw Haley he thought he was going to faint with regret and guilt, and seeing Brooke for the first time just about gave him another heart attack, this time he would be left for dead. But it was a different story seeing the guys. Sure, they were no Brooke, but they were there since the very beginning.
Skills and Mouth had been his friend way before he ever befriended Haley, and what did he have to show for it? Just plain memories and the Rivercourt, but they would still never have the same connection to the worn out basketball court down by the river. Lucas mind flashed to a couple of weeks ago when he was in the super market and came across Mouth. He grimaced, remembering the not so welcoming conversation. Even worse, Lucas had no talked to or seen Skills in five years, maybe a little bit more. But it wasn't like Skills had came back to Tree Hill and thought that Lucas was the same good guy he once was.
Oh no, that couldn't have been the case.
But deep down, Lucas knew he had to. If he wanted to start making amends and improving himself, he had to face the people that he had left behind five years ago. He would've been lying if he said that he expected them to welcome him with open arms. More like crossed arms and a harsh welcome.
He thought back to what Brooke said.
"You said you wanted to make things right with everyone right?" Brooke asked.
"Yeah of course I want to get everyone to forgive me," Lucas said confused.
"Then maybe this is your chance. Start with the guys on Sunday, let them hear you out,"
Hesitantly, he opened his door and shut it behind him. As slowly as he could, he popped his trunk and sadly got out the measly six pack of Bud Lite. He had to watch his heart.
Slowly, he walked up the path leading to the front door. Lucas sighed one more time, asking himself for the thousandth time that past hour.
Are you really going to do this?
"Looks like it," he mumbled before ringing the doorbell.
Lucas stood there, bouncing on the balls of his feet, the pack of beer seemingly more heavy than what it origincally was.
The door swung open to reveal Nathan, grinning like the idiot that he was. "Now, how long did it take you to get out of the car?" He leaned against the doorway with his arms crossed.
He glared at him and stepped in, "About twenty minutes."