Lucas excused himself to go and get some fresh air. His head was spinning due to a combination of factors and he needed to get himself together. He was drunk, Peyton was flirting with some creep and he had just admitted to Haley that his heart wasn't in his relationship with Lindsay. Could things possibly get any worse? Where did he go from here?

He had focussed all his energy these last few weeks into living a lie. He had already hurt Peyton more than he could stand and now he knew he would have to do the same to Lindsay. No way would Haley forget what he had said and carry on letting him live in ignorance. Not that he wanted to anymore.

He decided that things would be much clearer in the morning so he texted Haley to let her know he had left and began to walk home.

Peyton had a wonderful time that night and was surprised when the lights at Tric came on. How could it be 3am already? She felt like she had only been talking to Chris for ten minutes, it had been hours. They said goodnight and she and Brooke decided to head home. They were both slightly wobbly but in good spirits.

They decided to make coffee once they got back to the beach house, an attempt to sober up and see off any hangover. They sat in the kitchen, each lost in thought for a while.

'So B. Davis, what's happening with you and Owen? He doesn't seem to be resisting anymore.'

'I know, how cool is that? I think he actually likes me. Who knew all I needed to do was be myself.'

'I did. You underestimate yourself Brooke.'

'Whatever, we're going out tomorrow,' she squealed excitedly.

'Where to?'

'It's supposed to be a surprise but I don't think he's decided yet.'

'Well, I'm sure it will be great. He's not really like any of your exes, that could be a good thing!'

'He's just so buff, I don't know how I'm supposed to maintain a conversation with him when I'm fantasising about ripping the shirt off his chest.' Brooke got a faraway look in her eyes until Peyton deliberately coughed.

'Well, make sure you do maintain conversation. He looked past the front you put on and saw the real Brooke; you should do the same for him. You might find he has more going for him than a smokin' hot body,' Peyton chuckled.

'So, what about you and Chris?'

'What about me and Chris?'

Brooke gave Peyton a little smirk. 'Oh please, you were lost in each other all night. You're so obviously in to each other.'

'I'm getting to know the band Brooke, I was working.'



'Oh bull, you didn't spend long with the other three members of the band. Just admit that you have a crush on him and I'll leave you alone.'

'I do not have a crush. Even if I did I would never do anything about it, that would be so unprofessional. I'm not Lindsay, little miss "sleep with my first client and make him feel like he has to marry me".'

Peyton looked surprised at her own outburst.

'Too bitchy?' she asked Brooke.

'Nope, just thinking that it's been way too long since you've been laid!'

'Brooke!'

'Peyton, the level of sexual tension you are giving off is toxic. If you're not willing to sleep with Jake no. 2 then at least let me set you up. You might not be ready for a relationship but that doesn't mean you shouldn't have any fun. I know lot's of really hot guys. They're cute, fun and completely disposable. There's no chance of you falling for them but they'll make you forget your own name for half an hour.' Brooke smirked.

Peyton looked thoughtful for a couple of minutes. She really could do with having some "fun" but she'd never been the type of person to have one night stands.

'I'll think about it, but don't you spill this conversation to anyone,' she warned.

'Cross my heart,' Brooke gestured.

Lucas woke up with a mild hangover the next morning and decided to try and run it off. He had made it all the way to the river court when his phone beeped with a message from Haley. She invited him over for breakfast. Deciding the best thing right then might be pancakes and orange juice he turned and started to run in the direction of her house.

He knew he would get a 'talking to' today, Haley would never let it rest but that's why she was his friend. A lot of people would be annoyed by Haley's constantly trying to take charge of a situation but he needed it. He was one of those guys who could spend months trying to make decisions about trivial things. It seemed that he only acted when backed into a corner, that's where Haley came in. He could always count on her to tell him what to do or what an idiot he was being.

He smiled as he entered the kitchen and saw the couple sitting reading the newspaper in their PJ's, breakfast on the table in front of them.

'Morning, where's my nephew?' he asked. He took a seat at the table and started to help himself. This was his family; he didn't need to be polite.

'He's out with Deb, the fair is in town and he wants to be there for it opening. He's desperate to win a goldfish. He's even named it already,' laughed Haley.

'What has he called it?'



'He wouldn't say, he wants it to be a surprise,' said Nathan.

'Do you want some coffee Luke, you must be a little hung-over today,' Haley asked with a small smile on her face.

'Yeah bro, I hear it took about seven drinks for you to finally fess up and be a man,' Nathan smirked.

Lucas put his head in his hands and stared at the table.

'Guys, what the hell am I going to do?'

'You're going to be honest Luke; you're going to do the right thing for once in a long time. Yes, Lindsay is going to be hurt but this is what needs to happen for everyone involved to have a shot at happiness somewhere down the line,' Haley finished slightly out of breath.

'My wife is a very smart woman Luke, do what she says,' Nathan added.

'Thanks Honey,' Haley kissed him on the lips briefly.

Lucas watched the couple interact and knew Haley was right. He couldn't imagine having all this with Lindsay, it would feel weird and forced. Instead he imagined spending a morning like this with his blonde haired, green eyed wife and their two kids. There would be laughter, chaos and probably one hell of a mess but that's the only way he could imagine it.

'What if she doesn't take me back?' he whispered.

Haley and Nathan both looked at him in surprise, his voice was choked and the look in his eyes Haley recognised as genuine fear.

'She might not Luke, that's a possibility but you can't let that stop you ending things with Lindsay. It wouldn't b fair to her. It needs to be over with Lindsay before you even think about going after Peyton again.'

'I know, it's just I can't stop thinking that I'm way too late. I've treated her like crap and now she's moving on with some asshole bass player,' Lucas spat.

'She is not, there may be a connection there but she's not going to do anything. She told me herself. Besides that, you have no right being mad; you're engaged to someone else!'

'Not for long, Lindsay comes back later today. I'll end it then.'

Peyton got out of the very cold shower and wrapped a towel around herself. This drought really did have to come to an end. She hadn't slept properly in days; her dreams were showing her everything she wanted to do while awake. As a result she would wake up frustrated every morning.

She walked into the kitchen where Brooke was having breakfast.

'OK, set me up,' she said.

'Huh...'



'One of the "forget my own name" guys. Set me up. Tonight if possible.' She turned and walked out of the kitchen.

Brooke's face split into a wicked grin, her horny friend had finally caved.

Lucas was sitting patiently on his bed waiting for Lindsay to get back. He wasn't looking forward to what was coming next but he knew it was the right thing. He was already starting to feel relieved.

She walked through the door with her small suitcase and broke into a huge grin when she saw him waiting on her. She walked over towards him and planted a small kiss on his mouth. He didn't respond and she pulled away disappointed.

'Something wrong honey?' she asked in a concerned tone.

'Lindsay, can you sit down? We need to talk.' He could barely look at her.

She sat down across from him on his desk chair and waited. She knew what was coming. She had been expecting this day to arrive ever since Peyton had come back. When he had proposed she thought maybe she had nothing to worry about, now she knew she was wrong. He reached over to take her hand but she snatched it away quickly.

'Just say it Lucas, and save me the "it's not you, it's me" bullshit,' she shouted.

Lucas was surprised by this, she never raised her voice.

'I'm sorry Lindsay, I don't want to get married,' he said sombrely.

'I knew it wouldn't take long for her to get her claws back in...'

'It's not Peyton, Lindsay. She's not even speaking to me right now. It's me, I don't think I've ever given us 100 and I don't think I ever will. We wouldn't work, I'm just...'

'No need to explain, I've been so stupid. I have let you manipulate me for the last three years Lucas. I've looked into your eyes as you lied to me about how much you loved me, and I knew you were lying. I used to have more self respect than that!'

Lindsay got up and grabbed a larger suitcase from the closet and frantically started packing her clothes.

'Lindsay, I'm so sorry...'

'Don't Lucas; you'll just make it worse. Can you just leave me to pack? I'll call in a few days; I'm still your editor after all.'

'Lindsay, you don't have to leave right away.'

'Yes I do, at least let me have this.'

'OK, I'll be at Nathan and Haley's, you sure I can't help?'



'Positive.'

Lucas turned to walk out and Lindsay called him back. When he turned around she was holding the engagement ring towards him.

'I guess you'll be wanting this back? You know, when you first proposed I thought it was romantic. You'd bought me this ring and had been keeping it hidden until the perfect moment, only I'd found it. But that's not what happened is it? You were hiding this ring from me for other reasons. It was always hers wasn't it?' She was now sobbing.

'I'm sorry...'

'Just leave Lucas,' she threw the ring at him.

Lucas took the ring and walked out the door.

Thanks for all the fantastic reviews, please keep them coming.