Chapter 10
The music was blasting across the beach as the crowd of seniors danced and partied their last before the final year of school started. After changing Peyton's brooding emo tunes to something everyone could dance to, Brooke had stuck next to Ryan all night. He had many of the same qualities that had attracted her to Lucas. It also helped that he had muscles to spare. The boy just seemed to ooze sex appeal. He was quieter than Lucas, but that didn't bother Brooke. She had quickly learned that Ryan just wasn't one to waste words. If he said something it was always well thought out.
The two had spent every extra moment together since Ryan had arrived in Tree Hill, and Brooke now understood why no other guy ever held her attention and why she didn't fight Peyton harder to keep Lucas. Ryan made her feel things that she had never imagined. For the first time, Brooke didn't feel the need to act out in order to keep her guy. Oh she still loved a good party and she was still playful, but her life seemed more settled – less frantic.
Ryan put his arm around the gorgeous brunette standing next to him and listened to her talk to her friends. He couldn't help comparing her to Marissa, who had called him until he had changed his phone number. Unlike Marissa, who always tried to make him talk and mingle, Brooke was content to just let him quietly observe. She accepted that he was uncomfortable in the new setting and didn't attempt to force him to relax. That alone helped Ryan cope with the changed environment he found himself in.
Tree Hill was a far cry from both Chino and Newport. It seemed to be much more moderate. He hadn't seen the violence and poverty of Chino, but he also wasn't seeing the artificial perfection of Newport either. It was actually refreshing and he could understand why Summer liked it so much. Ryan glanced over at his friend and her boyfriend. Lucas was also a reason why the Newport native was happy to be transplanted from her native town. Ryan was glad that Summer had such a great guy. Lucas and Ryan had also quickly formed a strong friendship very different from the one that he had with Seth.
Ryan didn't feel like he was only there at Lucas' whim. He didn't sit for hours and listen to Lucas wax on and on about Summer and how he was going to win her heart. He didn't have anyone waking him up in the wee hours of the morning talking incessantly about nothing. Between the easy camaraderie with Lucas and his drama-free sexy girlfriend, Ryan was pretty happy with life.
Lucas grinned and draped his arm around Summer's shoulders. Everyone had been very surprised to see him with someone who wasn't Peyton or Brooke. He had also noticed a few envious looks when the other guys noticed that the hot new girl was already taken. Lucas hadn't realized it before, but because he and Summer had been spending every waking moment with each other, his classmates hadn't met the new girl in town.
"Hey Lucas!" a familiar voice greeted.
Lucas turned to see one of his best friends approach them. "Mouth! How are you?" He asked, using his free hand to bump fists with the Ravens commentator.
"I'm good even though I haven't seen much of you this summer." Mouth gently scolded.
"Sorry about that." Lucas apologized. He smiled lovingly down at the brunette next to him. "I've been spending all my time with my new girlfriend. Mouth, I'd like you to meet Summer. Summer, this is Mouth – a very good friend of mine."
Mouth chuckled and offered his hand. "I can't say that I blame Lucas. It's nice to meet you. Are you new to Tree Hill?"
Summer grinned. "Yes, I'm from Newport Beach, California. I moved here this summer." She replied shaking the other teen's hand.
"Wow, that's pretty far away. How do you like Tree Hill?" Mouth asked.
"I like it much better than Newport." Summer answered. She turned her head and grinned up at her boyfriend. "Of course Skywalker here is definitely the highlight."
Lucas chuckled and gently squeezed her shoulder. "Tree Hill is most assuredly better with you in it My Lady." He declared before pressing his lips against her temple.
Mouth's smile widened. "Skywalker?"
Summer shrugged. "Blond hair, blue eyes, father went to the dark side…Skywalker."
Mouth laughed heartily. "That's awesome! Not to mention he's a basketball player with a wicked jump shot."
Summer's eyes widened. "You're right! That's awesome!"
Lucas rolled his eyes and fought the blush he knew was creeping up. Summer winked at him saucily and then turned her attention back to Mouth.
"So, do you play basketball as well?" Summer asked.
Mouth snorted. "Hardly! Actually, I commentate for the Ravens."
"Ah! Another man with a talent for words." Summer chuckled as she hugged Lucas' waist.
"Mouth does a great job." Lucas complimented.
The young man blushed. "Thanks Lucas, that means a lot."
"I'm only speaking the truth." Lucas shrugged.
"Mouth! How was your summer?"
The teens all turned to see Brooke coming towards them with Ryan right beside her. She turned loose of his hand just long enough to give her friend a hug.
Mouth chuckled and pulled back. "It was great. I was just telling Lucas and Summer that I missed seeing them."
"That's probably because they only have eyes for each other." Brooke laughed. She squeezed Ryan's hand. "Mouth I'd like you to meet Ryan Atwood. He's from California and he'll be going to Tree Hill with us this year."
Mouth reached out to shake the muscular teen's hand. "Nice to meet you. Welcome to North Carolina."
"Thanks, it's nice to meet you too." Ryan greeted in his soft voice.
Mouth looked between Summer and Ryan. "So do you two already know each other?"
"They're good friends. Ryan is staying with Summer and her dad." Brooke explained. She glanced at Ryan, not knowing how much he wanted people to know.
Seeing Brooked dilemma, Summer decided to step in. "Ryan is like the brother I never wanted."
"Love you too Roberts." Ryan joked softly. He turned his attention back to the other teen. "Summer offered me a chance to get away from a lot of drama in Newport. We became friends when she started dating my foster brother and we remained friends even when they broke up and she moved out here with her dad."
"Wow! So you guys never hooked up?" Mouth asked, wondering if his friends were about to get hurt.
"Ewe! No way!" Summer wrinkled her nose. "That's just gross – no offense Chino."
"None taken. You don't exactly inspire any cold showers for me either." Ryan smirked. He put his arm around Brooke and looked down at her. "You, on the other hand…"
"Right back at ya handsome." Brooke grinned as she hugged Ryan's waist.
Mouth chuckled at the Californians' antics and felt relieved to know there wouldn't be any triangles or quadrangles in the near future. It was nice to see Lucas and Brooke so happy.
"Have you seen Nathan and Haley? I heard Haley was back." Mouth mentioned. He was startled at the sobering affect his words had.
"Nathan told Haley he would get back with her as long as she had nothing to do with me." Lucas muttered; the hurt evident in his tone.
Summer looked at her boyfriend sadly as she rubbed his back in support.
"Damn, I'm sorry Lucas. I had no idea." Mouth felt awful for bringing the group down.
Lucas shrugged. "It isn't like I'm not used to Nathan hating me."
"It's their loss, man." Mouth assured his friend.
"You've got that right." Summer growled.
The somber mood was interrupted when a guy came up behind Mouth and put his arm around the teen's shoulders. "Hey dawgs! Awsome party!"
Lucas and Brooke smiled at one of their favorite people.
"Skillz, how ya doin' man?" Lucas asked as the two friends gave each other a quick high five and shoulder bump that passed for a male hug.
"Not as good as you dawg." Skillz replied as he took notice of Lucas' date. "Damn, you don't waste any time do you?"
Lucas chuckled and put his arm around Summer's shoulder. "Actually, this is Summer Roberts. She's been my girlfriend for about two months now."
"Only because she hadn't met me yet." Skillz grinned. "It's just too bad that you had to settle." He teased her as he shook her hand.
Summer chuckled. "It does seem a shame, and yet" Her eyes turned up and captured Lucas' blue orbs. "I don't find myself disappointed in the least."
Lucas smiled tenderly down at his girlfriend and gently brushed a wisp of hair away from her face before turning back to face his friends. "What can I say? I'm the luckiest guy in the world."
"That you are Luke; that you are." Skillz grinned, happy for his friend. "What about you B. Davis?"
Brooke smiled and shook her head. "Sorry Skillz, I've already found my own hotness to cuddle up to." She announced as she made an example of snuggling into Ryan's side.
"Ryan Atwood, meet Antwon 'Skillz' Taylor." Lucas introduced. "Ryan comes from California too. He's staying with Summer and her dad."
"Welcome to Tree Hill." Skillz greeted. "Do you play basketball?"
"Soccer actually." Ryan informed him as he bumped fists.
"Damn, it would be nice to give Nate a little more competition. He's back to acting like an ass. I just ran into him a minute ago on my way over here. He was at River Court talkin' some trash about Lucas losing his touch and screwing up the team." Skillz informed them.
Summer glanced up and saw Lucas wince. "Don't listen to him Skywalker. He's just a little Vader dick." Summer grumbled.
Skillz and Mouth, who had been taking a sip of their drinks, both spewed. "Damn Luke, you got yourself a little spitfire!"
Lucas smiled down lovingly on his girlfriend as he hugged her to him. "I know, and I wouldn't have her any other way."
Ryan smiled over at Summer and Lucas. He was glad that they had each other. Summer had explained about Lucas' heart condition and the problems between him and the other guys in his family. Personally, Ryan thought that Nathan Scott was a spoiled little punk.
"I think that's enough conversation wasted on unimportant people like Dan Junior," Brooke declared. "What I want to know is when you two are going to get girls of your own."
Mouth and Skillz both grinned. "What's the point B. Davis? The two hottest girls in Tree Hill are already spoken for." Skillz replied.
"Well that's true, but there are a few less-hot girls." Brooke winked. Then she snagged the arm of the blonde walking by her. "For instance, have you met my good friend Bevin?"
Bevin glanced around in confusion and then locked eyes with the guy that Brooke was talking to. His dark eyes were lit with interest and she couldn't help the shiver that went up her spine while she stood under his gaze. His muscles were evident under the t-shirt he was wearing and they made her want to explore them further.
"Hi," She greeted softly with a flirty smile.
"Hello gorgeous. Where have you been all my life?" Skillz looked her up and down.
"Cheerleading," Bevin answered with a grin.
"Obviously. If you will excuse us, Bevin and I have some catching up to do." Skillz shot them a lecherous look as he snaked his arm around the blonde and led her away.
"Damn girl! That was some good work!" Summer admired her new friend.
Brooke gave her a satisfied look as she snuggled into Ryan's side. "Not as good as the little miracle you performed earlier this week." She replied as she shot an adoring look up at her guy.
Ryan smiled down at the brunette in his arms and nodded. "Yeah, Summer's a great friend to have."
Lucas placed a kiss on top of Summer's head and then turned his attention back to Mouth, who was watching the scene with amusement. "So what about you, Mouth? You going to let Summer and Brooke set you up too?"
"No that's okay, I prefer to do my own looking." Mouth declined. "Thanks for the offer though."
"Anytime Mouth," Brooke replied.
The group was distracted when a blonde girl walked up to them. She shot Summer a cool look and then smiled at Brooke.
"Hey B. Davis."
Brooke grinned and stepped forward to hug the other teen. "P. Sawyer!"
The two girls pulled apart and the blonde looked up at Lucas; "Hey Lucas."
Lucas smiled down at the teen. "How are you Peyton?" He asked before giving her a quick hug and immediately returning to Summer's side.
Summer stood next to Lucas observing the other girl. There was no denying that the blond curls and green eyes were very striking, but the image was destroyed by the lackluster wardrobe.
Lucas draped his arm around Summer's shoulders. "Peyton I'd like you to meet my girlfriend, Summer Roberts. Summer, this is Peyton Sawyer."
Summer smiled and offered her hand. "It's nice to meet you."
Peyton's smile was less genuine. "You too, so how long are you staying in Tree Hill?"
"We moved here this summer, so you guys are stuck with me." Summer grinned.
"And this is Ryan Atwood." Brooke cut in as she hugged Ryan around the waist.
Ryan nodded his greeting. There was something about this girl in front of him that rang untrue. He wasn't getting the bad vibe he did with Oliver, but something was off.
"So you guys are dating?" Peyton asked as she looked between Ryan and Brooke.
"Yes." Ryan answered softly.
"You better believe it P. Sawyer!" Brooke declared, staring up at Ryan happily.
Peyton glanced around and then turned her attention to Brooke. "Can I talk to you for a minute?"
Brooke gave a quizzical look and then nodded. She gave Ryan a quick kiss and then followed her best friend away from the group.
Summer noticed Ryan's suspicious look. "What's up Chino?" She asked softly.
"I don't know. I just don't trust her." Ryan replied.
Ryan instantly had Summer's attention. "Don't trust her to tell the truth or don't trust her like psycho Oliver?"
"No, I don't think she's dangerous; just trouble." Ryan assured her.
Summer nodded and stared at the best friends.
Lucas, who had heard the short conversation shared a look with Mouth. "Um, Summer, Peyton is Brooke's best friend."
"Who snuck behind Brooke's back with you and managed to destroy your relationship." Summer pointed out. "Besides, Ryan's instincts are scary accurate. This is just another example." She finished when Brooke started back towards them looking upset. Peyton was right behind her with a slight smirk on her face.
Brooke walked right up to Summer. "Were you making out with Ryan at the mall the other day?" She demanded.
Summer's nose scrunched up. "Ewe! No, that's just ewe!" She glanced up at Ryan. "No offense Atwood."
"None taken Roberts," Ryan murmured as he stared down at the girl he was starting to fall for. "You want to tell us what this is about?" He asked softly.
"Peyton saw you two in the parking lot last week." Brooke insisted. "Just tell me the truth." She cried.
Summer glared at the smug blonde. "You want the truth? Fine! Ryan was upset about his foster mom and I gave him a hug. I have never kissed Ryan and the thought of it makes my skin crawl – no offense Chino. If Emo Barbie here thinks that a hug equals making out then I pity any guy she hooks up with!" She turned her attention to Peyton. "For your information I have never cheated on anyone in my life, although I hear you have no problem with it!"
"Peyton, what the hell?" Lucas asked softly. "They were just hugging?"
"It looked like a lot more than that to me." Peyton protested. "How do you know that she's telling the truth?"
"Because I love her and I trust her." Lucas replied softly.
"Are you calling me a liar?" Peyton demanded.
Brooke's eyes narrowed on her best friend. "It wouldn't be the first time Peyton." She growled. "What is with you? You just can't stand for me to be happy?"
"I'm just trying to look out for you Brooke!" Peyton defended herself.
"Well don't!" Brooke exclaimed. She grabbed Ryan's hand and pulled him behind her as they disappeared into the crowd.
Summer looked up at Lucas, who had been watching the scene with a sad expression. "Come on Skywalker, let's go."
Lucas nodded before he gave Peyton one last disappointed look and followed his girlfriend.
Mouth, who had been a silent observer through the entire scene, just shook his head and walked away, leaving the blonde standing alone with a wounded expression on her face.
TBC…