The weather was freezing, he had no idea why in mid September it was freezing but it was. Back home even in December it stayed warm until at least night time. However this small North Carolina town had an annoying constant breeze that made him shiver throughout the day. Then the added fact he was working back and forth on a beach made it just that much worse.
His clocked blink showing it was almost three and he thanked the heaven above he got off early. Of course though that was because of the rain that had so nicely started to pour and that just added to the hate he had for this town.
Hitting the blinker on his rental car Lucas turned into the small shopping center desperate for the hot liquid he was about to order. Grabbing his wallet from the cup holder, slipping his cell phone in his pocket he jogged across the wet pavement and inside, the little bell above the door announcing his arrival.
"Hello," a perky blonde behind the counter smiles. "What can I get for you?" she peers at him underneath her black hat that held back her hair.
"Umm…" Lucas looked up at the black board hanging above. "Just a regular coffee with cream and sugar please," he went simple, grabbing his wallet from his back pocket.
"Ok," she stayed chipper, a little to chipper for his liking. "Can I get you a morning bun or fruit cup?" she typed into the register, smile never dropping.
"No," he grabbed some cash, dropping it on the counter.
"Ok," she spun around to start making it and his eyes scan around the small warm building.
The place wasn't that crowded, there were a few couples sitting on the couches talking, a man sitting at a table in a nice suit working on his computer and then a few young teenage girls talking and giggling.
"Here you go sir," he turned back around to take his coffee and found himself a seat, pulling out his book from his back pocket and flipped to the last page he had read.
"No, no I understand," he lifted his gaze to the girl at the table in front of him, an annoyed expression all over her face. "I said I understood which normally means I get it and you don't have to say twice or you know six times," she groaned, resting her chin in the palm of her hand. "Oh my god," she threw her head back, dropping the phone by her side and he chuckled. "I hate you, I hate you, I hate you," she repeated over and over before pulling her phone back to her ear. "Nope, nope I gotcha and I will get on it. Bye," she slammed her phone on the table. "Jackass," she mumbled, blowing a dark strand from her face, lifting her gaze and locking onto his.
"Bad call?" he quirked a brow and a blush swept over her face.
"Yeah," she wiggled around in her chair, feeling embarrassed someone heard her conversation. "Work," she tapped her finger on her phone.
"I know the feeling," he agreed knowing all too well there had been times he had wanted to cuss out his boss or everyone else around him.
"Yeah," she bit down on her bottom lip and looked back down at her coffee, his eyes lingering on her a little longer before going back to reading his book. "I'm Brooke," she randomly stated, him looking back up at her. "My name is Brooke."
"Lucas," he told her. "But most people call me Luke."
"Lucas," she smiled, making him grin a little.
"Yeah," he gave a small nod not remembering the last person to really refer to him as Lucas. It was probably his mom or maybe Haley, his close childhood friend, but everyone else around him stuck with Luke.
"You can umm…join me if you want," she waved her hand at the empty chair in front of her. "I mean if you're not waiting for someone of course," she said quickly, noticing how he hesitated.
"No, I'm not," he slowly rose, grabbing his book and coffee and sliding down in front of her; for the first time taking her in his eyes over her face taking her in.
She was pretty, real pretty. Her hair was a chocolate brown and ran over down her shoulders like silk, her eyes were like honey and she had a smile he had never seen before and he had seen a lot of smiles. She was beautiful, almost breathtaking in a way that was so different then the girls he had been around.
"Take nothing on looks, take everything on evidence. There is no better rule," she stated and his eyes widen, quickly realizing he was checking her out.
"Uh, excuse me?" he cleared his throat slightly embarrassed.
"Great Expectations," she nodded her head towards the book next to his hand. "It's a good book."
"Yeah," he let out a sigh, thanking she wasn't paying attention to him and his possible creepy staring.
"You read a lot?" she wondered, tugging on her shirt and adjusting herself in her chair.
Lucas was cute, he was really cute. He had sandy blonde hair that might have been an inch all over, he looked like he had shaven that morning but it was clear he could grow himself a pretty great beard if he chose, something her brother would be jealous off, his eyes were almost a stormy gray. She noticed his hands were rough, his fingers long and surprisingly for a guy his nails were polished and clean.
He was young, older then her she could tell but still young. Which made her surprised that he had creases at the corners of his eyes, like he had spent a lot of time in front of a computer or reading, but it didn't change how he looked, didn't change he was gorgeous. Just improved it she thought.
"I like to but I don't get too often. I will try to carry a book around for when I have some free time," he explained bringing his cup to his lips.
"Do I know you?" Brooke questioned, creasing her brow looking at him. "You look really familiar."
"Uh," Lucas wiped his palms on his pants figuring that was going to happen sooner or later. Most people knew him; it was hard not to know him. However since he had been in this small town it was slightly refreshing that it had become rare that people in passing would make comments. Yes of course he had the occasional 'Aren't you Luke Scott?' but most the people seemed respectful enough not to make a comment, treated him like a human.
"Did you go to Tree Hill High?" Brooke let it click, almost positive that was where she knew him from.
"Oh," a smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "No, no I didn't. I'm actually not from here; I'm just here because of work."
"Well," she grabbed a sugar packet. "Guess I'll never know who that guy in my Lit class was," she shrugged and he chuckled.
"Sorry I couldn't help," he shook his head, finding her completely adorable.
"It's ok he smelled his fingers all the time in class; it was strange," she joked and started to die laugh when Lucas almost spit his coffee out. "I'm sorry," she laughed, grabbing a napkin and handing it over to him.
"I'm glad I remind you of a guy who smells his fingers in class," he shook his head, wiping his mouth.
"Well he was cute if that makes you feel better, weird but cute," she shrugged and again for the first time in a real long time he laughed.
"Oh god," Brooke laughed, brushing her hair from her face. "I don't know if I believe that," she shook her head.
"I swear," Lucas promised. "It really happened and my parents were pissed," he told her, finding talking to Brooke so easily. He was surprised at how fast time had passed with them sitting there, coffee had been refilled a couple times and he was still laughing. He was almost positive she had no clue who he was because when he made a comment about his last name it didn't even seem like a small click went through her. She just smiled said cool my last name is Davis.
"I bet," she flipped her hair over her shoulder, grabbing her phone. "Shoes," she frowned looking at the time. "I have to go," she slowly picked her purse from the ground.
"Oh ok," he leaned back, a little disappointed the first real person he has met in years he was done talking too.
"Yeah I promised my brother I would go out with him and some friends for New Years," she explained, knowing she had to get home, shower, get ready and head to pick them up.
"Right, I forgot it was New Years tonight."
"Seriously?" she slipped her stuff into her bag. "Don't you have anything planned?"
"No, being on business I've only been here a few weeks. All my friends are back home and the people I work with aren't really the hang out type," he explained and she nodded.
"Well," she sucked on her bottom lip. A habit she has when she is nervous or thinking about something. "Would you want to come out with us?" she slowly asked.
"Yeah?" he perked up at bit.
"Yeah I mean if you want. I would feel bad thinking that you are at home watching that ball drop all by yourself while I'm out having a great time," she joked and he once again laughed.
"Well I mean if your friends don't mind," he rose from his chair when she slowly stood.
"Of course they don't," she waved her hand at the thought. "Here," she wrote down her number real quick. "Call me around eight or so and I will tell you what's going on and you can come meet us."
"Sounds good," he slowly took the napkin.
"Bye Lucas," she waved, a wide smile plastered on her face.
"Bye Brooke," he gave a gentle smile as she walked out, but not before tossing another glance over her shoulder at him. "Shit," he cursed the loud ring of his cell phone cutting through silence of the small shop, drawing attention from a few people. "Hello?"
"Luke where are you at?" the caller barked at him.
"I don't know, somewhere," he grabbed his keys and dropped his cup in the trash.
"Well the weather has cleared up and we wanted to get a scene in before we lose anymore daylight. Chop- chop, get your ass back here."
"Alright," he groaned, hanging up before they said anything back and walked out of the small shop.
"Weston!" Brooke called as she walked into her brother's apartment. "Hey!" she squealed when two arms circle around her waist and jerk her off the ground. "No, no, no," she giggled, her body spinning in circles.
"Sissy, I've missed you!" the familiar voice floated into her ears and her smile grows.
"Channing?" she placed back on the ground spinning around to see the curly brunette. "Channing!" her arms flew around his neck giving him a hug. "What are you doing home?" she questioned, knowing he had been studying abroad the last year.
"Well I have taken the semester off before returning back to the states and after visiting the fam' for Christmas I decided to bring my sexy self back here to see my second family," he grinned, his brown eyes sparkling.
"I've missed you," she hugged him again, the last year completely sucking.
Brooke has known Channing since she was born. Their dad's had been best friends and when Weston was born Channing followed less than a week later. They were best friends and four years later when Brooke was born she became not just Weston's little sister but Channing's too and she had missed him so much.
"I missed you too," he pushed a strand of hair from her face that got knocked around when he spun her.
"Where is Weston?" she checked her phone seeing it was a little after seven.
"He is at work still. There is a slight change of plans," he told her carefully knowing how Brooke got with them when they changed plans on her. They did it all the time and at first it was fine but it slowly began to get on the younger Davis's nervous. "We were thinking about just meeting you later."
"Of course because actually keeping plans is just crazy," she slapped her hands to her side. "What is it that ya'll are doing?"
"I think it would be appropriate for Weston to tell you or you know not tell you."
"God," she yanked her purse over her shoulder. "Fine but I'm meeting someone at the bar."
"Who? Is she hot? Oh please tell me it's that hot little blonde who I met last year," he wiggled his brow making her laugh.
"Morgan? No definitely not Morgan, but no one you know. He is really cool though," she told him, searching for her phone in her purse.
"He?" Channing became serious. "Since when do you hang out with hes?"
"Did you just say hes?" she raised a brow and his eyes narrow knowing that isn't the point. "He is just someone I know and he is really cool. And side note I'm not twelve anymore Channing, I'm twenty two and I hang out with boys, I know this is shocking but I've even kissed a few," she teased, his face switching into one of disgust.
"I prefer not to discuss what you do with boys," he said the word like it held some disease to it.
"Whatever," she rolled her eyes. "But be careful, don't do anything illegal," she warned pointing at him and Channing's hands flying up in defense.
"We would never."
"I don't believe you," Brooke joked, leaning up and kissing his cheek. "But I have missed you Channing, I'm glad your home."
"Me too B," he gave her hip a pat as she skipped towards the door.
"Text me when ya'll are on your way back," she called before shutting the door. Grabbing her phone from her pocket Brooke searched the contacts before landing on just the number she wanted.
"Shoot me in the face," the groan on the other line making Brooke laugh.
"Oh having a good night I take it?" Brooke teased walking out of the apartment complex and to her car.
"Not even a little, the night has gone from dead to crazy back to dead and I want to go home," she informed her, waving her hand at some guy waving over at her for another round. "I hate New Years."
"I'm sorry Rach, I'm just glad I have off," she clicked the button on her key to unlock her car and climb in. "What time do you get off anyway?"
"Freaking eleven. It's the worst time ever. I mean I get off with an hour before the year is over and I'm stuck in the middle of bum fuck nowhere. How the hell am I supposed to get anywhere or meet anyone in an hour?"
"Well me and the guys are going to Blue Sails," she informed her knowing that bringing it up was kinda pointless. She loved her best friend but knew she wouldn't come.
"Well I don't think I'm going to that."
"Rach ya'll are going to make up, ya'll always do so just call the jackass and let him say sorry," she suggested like that was the easiest thing ever.
"He isn't going to say sorry Brooke! You and I both know him and know that he isn't going to apologize for shit because he doesn't think he did anything wrong."
"Rach he was waiting for you to get off and she was hitting on him. You know how Weston is, he is a flirt but it's completely innocent."
"I don't want to talk about it," Rachel waved her hand, the discussion of her relationship not the topic she wanted to be on. She knew her and Weston were screwed up. Hell they had been dating on and off for about five years now and she figured they would make up but at the moment she just wanted to be mad at him. "When I get off if I can't find anything better to do then I might come but that's only a maybe."
"If you say so. I'm actually about to head over there now and I would really like my best friend to be there by midnight. I mean who am I going to give my midnight kiss too?" she teased and heard the red head laugh.
"Well I guess I could show for that. I know you have always secretly wanted me," she joked, banging her feet against the counter she was sitting on. "Ugh shit, Gary is coming. I'll call you later."
"Alright girl, talk to you later," Brooke said shutting her phone and tossing it into her cup holder.
Arriving at Blue Sails Brooke wasn't really surprised at the packed parking lot. Blue Sails was a small little bar that everyone seems to know about in the small Tree Hill town. Brooke personally loves the place, a lot more then Latham where she and Rachel work.
However Blue Sails is a little different then Latham, Latham is more of a sports bar that up until eight even child can come into with their families, as Blue Sails is just strict a bar where local drunks show up at eleven and won't leave until three when it closes.
"Brooke, what's up crazy girl?" she is greeted as soon as she walks in, glancing up to see her all time favorite bartender.
"Weston," she skipped over to her brother, leaning over the counter to plant a kiss to his cheek. "What are you doing here? Channing said ya'll were going to do something."
"Yeah we were until Annalise called in saying she was going to be late," he groaned slightly and Brooke makes a sound of disgust from the back of her throat. "Brooke…" he warned knowing his sister and what she was thinking. "Stop."
"I'm sorry but I hate the slut," Brooke flipped her hair back over her shoulder. "Why she insists on trying to get with you when she knows you are with Rachel is beyond me."
"She doesn't try to do anything, Rachel just takes everything and tries to dissect it into something it's not," he defended and receives a glare. "I'm not going to fight with you," he slung his white towel over his shoulder.
"Who's fighting?" she played innocent, lacing her fingers together and resting them on the bar. "Should I call Channing and offer to come pick him up?"
"No," Weston shook his head. "I'm hoping to get off in the next thirty minutes or so and going to go pick him up and change. I still plan on doing what we were going to do; it's just going to happen later."
"And what are y'all going to do?" Brooke kinked a brow, a smirk tugging on his thin lips.
"Don't worry about it Sissy," he winked one of his sparkling blue eyes, placing a red drink in front of her.
"What is this?" Brooke eyed it normally not one to drink such a frilly looking drink.
"A drink," Weston shrugged and Brooke's brow rose. "You know this whole talking with your eyebrows is annoying," he informed her and she laughed. "But you will like it, there is vodka, cranberry juice and some other stuff with a strawberry to make it look pretty for you," he teased pinching her cheek.
"So its vodka and cranberry," Brooke pointed out and he chuckled.
"No it's got some more stuff in it but that is the main part and plus you will like it, so drink up," he patted her head.
"Mmm…" she sucked on the straw, the cold liquid sending a small shiver over her. "I like that."
"Thought you might, but I need to start working, wave me over if you want another," he gave her a nod before walking off to finish his shift.
Returning back to his apartment, well not even his just the place that he was staying in until he finished work, but returning he changed, showered, thanking the shampoo and soap that rid him of the smell of Monica who wore way to much perfume and headed out to meet Brooke. He hadn't talked to her yet, mainly because by the time it rolled around to call he was annoyingly still working.
'Hey I'm sorry I'm running late, work went longer than I thought it would. Do you still want to meet?' he sent off real quick before turning his attention back to the road, heading back into the city of the small town.
'Hey! Who's this?' his phone buzzed and he frowned a little. How many people does she normally give her number too in the day and suggest meeting up with?
'Lucas'
'Hmm…Lucas…Lucas…Lucas….I don't think I know a Lucas ;)' he saw, slowly realizing she was just screwing with him.
'Yeah well my name is Lucas Scott, I have blonde hair and I'm taller than you. We also had coffee earlier and you had a crazy amount of sugar.'
'Still doesn't ring a bell' he laughed at her responds.
'I look like a kid who smells his fingers in class' he sent back, a smile tugging on his lips.
'Oh that Lucas! Finger smelling Lucas! Why didn't you say that before? I kinda remember you.'
"You Brooke Davis are adorable," he grinned, texting back real quick.
'Yeah I still want you around, I'm at Blue Sails. It's right off of Grant Street, about five minutes from the coffee shop.'
"Be there soon crazy girl," he shut his phone and dropping it back into his cup holder.
The drive there wasn't bad, he learned quickly unlike LA that Tree Hill traffic is pretty much none. There seemed to be more people walking around then driving which he found ridiculous being as he was sure it had to below freezing and it was raining earlier, but still people were walking.
"Blue…Sails…" he pulled up in the parking lot, the blue sign glowing at him. The 's' on Sails flickering on and back off. The bar was old looking, the brick building had three walls from where he could see with full windows and the music filtered out into the parking lot with every time someone pushed open the double doors.
Brooke was inside, he knew that, so climbing out of his rental car, he hit the lock button and quickened his pace to the door when again a mist started to fall. It had rained every day he had been here on and off and it was driving him completely insane.
Sliding his jacket off, he welcomes the warmth of the dim light building, his eyes quickly scanning for the small brunette.
"Where are you?" he wondered, walking over to the bar and sitting down, pulling out his phone to see no message from her.
"Hello," he lifted his head, a girl with jet black hair and blue tips stood in front of him. "Can I get you a drink?" She poured a beer into a glass and sat it on the counter, a younger girl awkwardly taking it while trying to balance two more. "Don't drop it again Millie," she warned before turning her gaze back to Lucas, a small smirk tugging on the corners of her lips.
"Just a beer is fine," he told her, his phone vibrating in his pocket.
"Be right back with that gorgeous," she spun on her feet over to the glasses.
Yanking out his phone a smile played his lips until realizing it was just a message from his brother.
'Hey Luke, how things going? Haley said she hadn't talked to you in a few days and you know how she worries. Send a text or something saying you're alive. Oh and Happy New Year.'
"Ugh," he groaned shutting his phone not in the mood to deal with anyone. Least a plus side to being away and in this small town is that it's almost like the rest of the world has stopped. Other than Jonas annoying the hell out of him he can just relax and enjoy it without all the noise of his life.
"Here you go," the blue tip girl sits his glass down, wiping off the bar where one had spilled over. "You're not from here are you?"
"Umm…no," Lucas brought his beer to his lips, eyes still scanning around for Brooke.
"Yeah," her lips smacked as the sound of gum popped around in her mouth. "I know mostly all the faces here and yours I don't and I wouldn't forget it either," she smirked leaning on the bar, pushing up her already completely exposed cleavage.
"Yeah," Lucas gave a slight nod of listening before glancing up to see the familiar girl coming from the back room. Her hair was completely down now, dropping in a small wave over her shoulders, unlike the completely straight and half pinned back of earlier, her lips are glossed, her eye liner light, she had on a pair of tight jeans that ran into a pair of black boots that hit a little below her knees and a gray off one shoulder top that reached down to below her waist with a tight strap of fabric that clung to her. Her phone was lit up in her hand before she frowned a bit and slid it into her back pocket.
"Hey!" Brooke beamed, Lucas slowly rising from his chair, her moving passed the bar and towards the entrance. Lucas slightly confused and slowly sunk back down into his seat, watching as she races into the arms of some guy. "I thought ya'll weren't going to be here for a little while longer," she placed a hand on her hip, the taller guy sliding his arm across her shoulder. Him laughing and mumbling something Lucas couldn't hear before disappearing towards a corner of the bar by the pool tables.
He should go see her, walk up and say 'hey I'm here' but he doesn't. Instead he just turns back around to the bar and finished off his beer.
"Brookie why are you frowning?" Channing wiggled a dark brow at her. "Make that frown into a cute smile," he tapped her lips and she jerked back.
"I'm not frowning," she mumbled, sipping on her drink.
"You're slightly frowning," Weston agreed wondering over and leaning on the pool stick. "And I don't get it. I mean I made you a pretty drink, you are hanging out with us and it's New Years!"
"I know and I'm happy," she slapped on a big plastic smile. "Happy, happy, happy."
"That's a little creepy B.B," Channing admitted making Weston laugh.
"Shut up and get me another drink," Brooke sucked that last bit of her red drink and handing the glass that Weston goes to take. "Not you," she pulled back and handed it to Channing.
"What? Why not me? I made the damn thing."
"Yes but I asked Rachel to come and if she shows up to find you talking to Annalise she will get even madder."
"I work with her!" he threw his hands up in the air. "God damn it I'm so tired of that argument, just give me the damn cup," he snatched it before Brooke could say a word and stalking off to the bar.
"They fighting again?" Channing dropped in his chair, running a hand through his shaggy dark hair.
"It's like their favorite thing to do," Brooke rolled her eyes, lifting them to watch Weston and smiling slightly at the blonde sitting at the bar. She thought he just stood her up, that he wasn't going to come at all because he never came up to her or even let her know he was there but there he sat. However that did make her wonder why he hadn't come to her yet or even texting asking if she was there yet.
"What are you smiling at?" Channing leaned in his chair, trying to follow her eyes but only seeing Weston nodding at something Annalise was saying, her hand resting on his arm and knowing Brooke wouldn't be smiling about that.
"My friend is here," she nodded her head to Lucas.
"Isn't that…" Channing studied the guy for a second him looking extremely familiar but shaking his head at the crazy thought. There was no way that was the guy his ex use to watch movies of, they looked similar but he couldn't remember the guy's name and he also knew there would be no way he would be in Tree Hill.
"Isn't that who?"
"No one, I thought I knew him but no," he leaned back in his chair, taking another sip of his beer. "Are you going to go talk to him?"
"I don't know," Brooke bit her bottom lip. "I mean I told him to meet me here and he is here but he hasn't even acknowledged me being here."
"Maybe he doesn't know you are here," Channing suggested.
"Well he hasn't made an effort to text me and ask either. He knew I was going to be here and he knew I would have been here by now. He didn't even text me saying he was here," her angered flared slightly at the thought.
"Well," Channing pondered a thought. "Maybe he did but saw you sitting with two guys and got confused. I mean for all he knows one of us is your boyfriend and he doesn't want to approach that."
"Why would I invite him out if I was bringing a boyfriend?" Brooke asked with a dead tone making Channing chuckle.
"We are guys, we don't think like that. We think pretty girl, laughing with two guys and talking must mean she is with one."
"Well ya'll are stupid," she flipped her hair over her shoulder and leaned back in her chair.
"Well are you going to go talk to him now?"
"No," she crossed her arms. "I'll just watch him and see if he wants to talk to me."
"And you call us stupid," Channing rolled his eyes.
"I don't care," she shrugged, Weston returning and sitting Brooke's drink down.
"So…" Weston set up a new game of pool. "Rach really coming?" he tried to play off not caring but knowing Brooke knew better, of course he cared; he was in love with the girl.
"I don't know maybe. You going to say sorry?"
"Nope," he shook his head, his stubborn side coming through. "I did nothing wrong."
"Ya'll are hopeless," she sucked on the straw, spinning the black plastic in her cup to mix it up a little more, tossing a glance over her shoulder to see Lucas still sitting there, pulling out his phone and it looked to be texting someone and sliding it back in his pocket. She watched her phone, waiting for it to go off and when it didn't she frowned and sunk a little in her chair.
"Ok, I need a refill," Channing stood, not at all missing his little Brookie's frown. "West you want anything?"
"No, I'm still working on mine," Weston said, running white powder on his stick. "But hurry you're up in a sec."
"Yeah, yeah," Channing rolled his eyes, moving towards the bar. "Anna can I have another beer my darling?"
"Just a second baby and I will get you that," she winked, slipping down the bar to drop off a few drinks.
"What's up?" Channing nodded his head at the guy Brooke had pointed out before. He knew that the guy knew Brooke was there, he saw all the times he would turn to look at her, all the times he hit a button on his phone that was now sitting next to him on the bar and all the confused looks he would get when Brooke would be talking to him or Weston. He wasn't stupid, he wasn't a genius but he wasn't stupid.
"Nothing," Lucas barely muttered not really wanting to be friend the guy. He had waited for Brooke to text him, waited for her to come over to him and even tried to catch her eye a few times which he was sure she saw but nothing happened. He wasn't even sure why she asked him to come just to sit away and laugh with some guys but he could have had a beer and boring night in his apartment, least there he didn't have to pay for every beer he drank.
"She's our little sister," Channing rested his arms on the bar, keeping his view straight. "Brooke, she is our little sister."
"I uhh…I don't know what or who you're talking about," Lucas shook his head, taking a sip of his drink and now even more confused.
"I'm talking about you are the person she told me about and she is the person who you keep checking out," he told him, out of the corner of his eye seeing Lucas open his mouth just to close it again. "Now you two can both be stubborn and wait for one of you to inform the other that you are here or you can get up from this bar, walk over and say hello because if I see her look at the phone one more time I'm throwing it at your head and get your attention. You pick," Channing shrugged. "Thanks, put it on West's tab," he winked when he took his beer and headed back over to his table.
Five minutes, ten minutes, thirty minutes passed and Lucas continued to sip his beer. He wondered if the dark headed guy was the real type to throw something at him to get his attention. He hoped not, that would definitely suck. Plus he could only imagine the attention he would receive from that, he could see the headline now.
'Luke Scott attacked while taking time away from shooting.'
Then the article would go on to say how some drunken large man was belligerent, loud mouth and when Scott stepped in and asked him to calm down for he was drawing attention and making the crowd uncomfortable the man turned on him. The man enraged took a swing at Scott leaving a nasty mark that had to be played into the new movie.
It was ridiculous how reports would turn something so small and make it into a huge story that never happened. It wouldn't be the first time that happened and it really wouldn't be that big of a shock. It had been awhile since Lucas had seen his name in a tabloid and he knew his publicist wanted a good story that would rebuild the man he used to be, too bad he wasn't so sure who that was anymore.
He still had yet to talk to Brooke which he thought was ridiculous being as he had been their over an hour but he didn't know what to say to her. Her friend hadn't made an approach again to him and now he just felt stupid sitting there. Almost as too much time had passed to approach her. Some red head girl arrived not long ago and she kept sending glares over at the bar but he had yet to figure out if it was at him or someone else, either way it just made him feel even more stupid.
"Alright," he took the last sip of his beer, sitting the glass down and nodding for a refill. Turning over his shoulder he watched as Brooke stood from her spot and walked towards the backroom which he earlier learned hid the bathrooms, this time not at all missing the look she shot him. "Thanks," he nodded at the blue tipped girl and stood up; dropping a pile of cash not even paying attention to if it was enough. Walking away from his seat and in the back hall that the brunette had previously disappeared to, turning the corner to find her standing, a frown slightly on her lips as she stood there leaning against the wall.
"You're kind of a dick," Brooke inspected one of her chipped nails. "I mean if you don't want to hang out with me all you have to do is say no, it's not that hard of a word," she shrugged finally looking up at him.
"I didn't say no," Lucas shuffled his feet down the hall, leaning up against the wall in front of her.
"Yes but you also have been sitting alone at a bar staring at me but not doing anything about it," she pointed out, crossing her arms over her chest.
"So you've been watching me?" he kinked a brow, shoving his hands into his pockets.
"No," she looked away, nodding at some girl that walked out of the bathroom, her sliding between the small space between Brooke and Lucas and giving Lucas a smile.
"You know," Lucas took a step forward, resting his arm at the right of Brooke's head. "I think we should start this night over," he suggested, scratching his eyebrow with his thumb.
"Well I don't know if I want too," she shrugged, her voice almost like a small child. "I mean I'm now enjoying my time with my friends and my best friend Rachel just got here and maybe I just want to hang out with her."
"Well then maybe I should just cancel that order on another drink and leave," he suggested, her head snapping back to look at him, his mouth just barely hovering over hers. He didn't mean to get that close to her, he really didn't know why he was or why he was standing so damn close but he was and she really wasn't shoving him away.
"Well I mean if you already ordered one I would hate to see it go to waste," she chewed on the inside of her cheek.
"Then why not us start over," he took a step back. "My name is Lucas Scott and I would very much enjoy you having a drink with me," he offered his hand.
"Brooke Davis," she giggled, slipping her small hand into his larger one. "And I think I would like that. Come on," she moved passed him, not removing her hand from his as they walked back into the dim light bar. "Thanks Mill," Brooke grabbed a beer off the tray the awkward girl Lucas noticed before was walking by. "But it on West tab," she winked.
"Ok," Millie, slid up her glasses and spun back around to grab a new drink.
"Can you just take people's drinks like that?" Lucas questioned as he followed Brooke.
"Yeah, my brother works here so they don't mind so much," she giggled, handing him the drink. "Here you go," she spun back around, again pulling him towards the back corner she and he friends had been sitting at. "Hey guys, this is Lucas, Lucas this is everyone."
"Well hello," Channing leaned on his pool stick. "I'm Channing, nice to meet you," he extended his hand, Lucas awkwardly taking it.
"Yeah you too."
"I'm Rachel," the red head he noticed earlier jumping up. "It's really nice to meet you," she smiled in a way Lucas thought was more of a smirk, before tossing a glance over at some dark haired guy standing at the end of the pool table, a glare clearly on Lucas.
"Rachel," Brooke growled slightly at her friend, knowing the little thing she was doing.
"You are no fun," she rolled her eyes, dropping back into her chair.
"And Lucas this is my brother, Weston," she introduced, Weston offering a small noise of acknowledgment before going back to his game. "Ignore him," she rolled her eyes, dropping down into the chair she had been sitting earlier. "Him and Rachel are dating, well right now maybe off but they will make up soon enough."
"Gotcha," Lucas nodded, slowly sitting down in the chair beside Brooke.
The night was going alright. Rachel was obviously trying to piss off Weston which was clearly working. Channing seemed like a cool, laid back guy and Lucas found talking to him pretty easy. He actually had learned that Channing just got home from London where he had been studying and Lucas had actually been there a few times so they talked about that for awhile. And other then Weston having yet to speak to him other than a few grunts or mumbled uh huh's he was having fun.
"So Lucas tell me about yourself," Channing lifted his drink for a sip. "You from here?"
"No, I'm actually from here, well not exactly here. I grew up in Charleston but moved when I turned eighteen to California with my brother and sister in law," he explained not really wanting to give away too much of his life. He liked being unknown.
"What are you doing in Tree Hill?" Weston walked over, making sure to stand right behind Rachel's chair. It was the first time he had even addressed Lucas and it really took him a second to realize he was even talking to him.
"Uh…work," he told him, taking a sip of his drink.
"What do you do?"
"Will you stop," Brooke ordered her brother. "God maybe he doesn't want to play twenty questions."
"I asked two Brooke," he pointed out, his eyes slightly glazed over.
"Yes and then the next question will be why did you pick that job? How many siblings do you have? Have you ever killed anyone or been convicted of a crime? Why not just get a pen and paper and I'll give you a list of things I want to know," she narrowed her eyes on him right after he did it to her.
"He's protective," Rachel whispered over to Lucas, who looked a little uncomfortable. "It's not just you, he does it a lot."
"Oh ok," he scratched his brow, slightly a nervous habit. He wasn't going to lie, Weston was a big guy, now Lucas was anything but tiny but Weston way bigger than him and if he wanted to Lucas was sure he could break him in half. However he somewhat understood he had a sister who had just turned eighteen so he knew the whole protective role. The last time he went home to visit he found out she had a boyfriend and lost it for about ten seconds. Was pretty sure he asked him every question from his family to has he ever had a speeding ticket, it's what brothers do.
"I need a smoke," Weston shoved his pool stick on the table, the white dust dropping onto the green fabric.
"You don't smoke," Rachel spoke up and Weston just sent her a slight glare before stalking off, Channing following behind. "Ugh, jackass," she grabbed her purse and stormed off to follow him.
"Can we start over again?" Brooke turned back around to Lucas. "You know just rewind this whole thing and instead of inviting you to hang out here I offer to I don't know hang out somewhere nowhere close to here?" she asked slightly embarrassed.
"No," Lucas chuckled, patting his hand on her thigh. "It's fine."
"My life isn't normally this drama filled and Weston isn't normally like that. He is just a little drunk and when he and Rachel aren't in good terms he goes into his grumpy stage of life. Plus Rachel was slightly using you to make him mad."
"Well my night has turned into a fun event," he chuckled. "I've gotten a free drink from the bartender, threatened to get pegged with a phone and now been used? What a New Years," he laughed, taking a sip of his drink.
"I'm sorry," she frowned, leaning back against the wall next to her chair and resting her feet on the small bar on Lucas's chair. "You probably think this is all insane."
"No it's actually kinda fun, I mean minus your brother hating me before I even speak. That part does kinda suck," he told her, resting his arm across her knees. Weston hating him really put a damper on everything being as he couldn't really hang out with Brooke if her brother hated him, especially not if she was around him.
"He doesn't hate you he's just drunk," Brooke told him, knowing a sober Weston wouldn't be such a jerk.
"Do you want to dance with me?" Lucas randomly asked.
"People don't normally dance here," Brooke informed him, him jumping up from his chair.
"So…I don't care what other people normally do. I'm sitting here with a very gorgeous girl and I want to dance," he outstretched his hand. "So dance with me."
"Ok," Brooke grinned, slowly sliding her hand into his and moving around the chairs. "You're kinda crazy you know that?" she kinked a brow at him, as he circled his arm around her waist and drew her close.
"Not normally, must just be something random you pull out of me," he held her right hand in his and held it against his chest, them slowly moving to the music.
Pretty Girl is suffering
while he confesses everything
pretty soon she'll figure out
you can never get him outta your head
"The music isn't this slow," she rested her head on his chest as they moved. "But I like this dance," she curled her body more into his, his arm around her tightening.
"Me too," he breathed in deep, the scent of strawberries engulfing his senses.
"Lucas!" she squealed when he dipped her without warning.
"Don't worry Pretty Girl," he grinned, pulling her back up. "I'm not going to let ya fall."
"I don't believe you," she curled back into him. "So tell me Lucas Scott," she pulled her head back to look at him. "How are you enjoying your New Years?"
"I would have to say that this is the first New Years I've enjoyed in a long time," he tucked a wavy strand behind her ear, glancing up to see the time on the TV above them, a blonde women talking about the ball that was about to be dropped in thirty seconds.
"Really?" she kinked a brow. "How come I find that very hard to believe?"
"For ones in a long time I'm doing what I want to be doing," his hand slid up to her neck, stroking back and forth over her throat and feeling her swallow hard.
"And what is it you want to be doing?" her eyes peered up at him, a small smile playing on her lips.
"Well," he glanced back at the clock, hearing the slow countdown. Four, three two, "one," he grinned, "Happy New Years," he smiled, lifting her chin and pulling her lips against his.
Cracking open his eyes the sunlight from the window burned a little, slamming them back shut, he felt as his rough hand rubbed along something smooth making his eyes pop back open, before relaxing again. She looked so peaceful there, her lips barely partied, parts of her hair draped over her face and her breath even as her body curled in the sheets. She really was gorgeous, almost flawless in a way but he knew that was wrong; no one was flawless.
Stirring some, he felt when her legs stretched out tangling with his, her arms stretching above her head and with an adorable yawn she rolled over in her bed looking at him.
"Hey," a hint of a smile graced her face as she laid looking up at him.
"Hey," he gentle brushed her hair from her face.
"What time is it?" she arched her back to look at her clock, noticing her alarm hadn't gone off yet.
"It's early," his voice staying almost a low whisper as if someone might hear them.
"Oh," Brooke ran a hand through her tangled hair looking at him. He might actually look better this morning then he did before, he seemed more relaxed and at ease and there seemed to be a sparkle in his eyes that had been missing last night. "Good morning," she sucked her bottom lip between her two teeth, blushing slightly at the way he was looking down at her.
"Good morning," he smiled as he gazed down at her. "How is it possible you are better looking in the morning then last night?"
"Lucas…" she knew she was blushing then as she turned her head away.
"I'm serious," he gentle took her chin, turning her to look at him. "You're beautiful," his thumb stroked below her bottom lip. "It seriously makes me hate having to leave this morning," he frowned, seeing the smile drop from her face. "I was supposed to be at work ten minutes ago," he admitted, not really to upset he was late but knew he would get bitched about it later, he still had to head home and shower and get his stuff before heading to work.
"Oh," her voice sounding rough as she fidgeted a little uncomfortable under the sheet.
"But I'll call you later," he told her and she slowly nodded. Lucas looking at her a little longer, almost wanting to capture the image in his head before rolling out of her warm bed, pulling on his clothes from the night before.
"Lucas…" Brooke sat up in the bed, holding the sheet close around her.
"Yeah?" he turned around, slinging on his shirt and adjusting the collar.
"Last night…" she trailed off looking down at her messed up bed. "I don't…I don't normally do that," she told him, slowly lifting her gaze up at him. "I don't really ever do that," she admitted, knowing she normally doesn't make it a habit of going to bed with a guy she met just the day before.
"Brooke…" he slipped back onto the bed, threading his hand through her hair and leaning in for a gentle kiss. "I'm going to call you later," he promised, giving her a small smile. "And I definitely plan on taking you out tonight so be prepared."
"Ok," she let out a small laugh, leaning back up and pushing her lips against his, slowly being him back down onto her bed. Her tongue stroking over his bottom lip, sucking it between her lips before slipping her tongue passed his. "Mmm…" she moaned against his lips, his hand slipping under the sheet and rolling over bring her body on top of him. "Are you sure you have to leave?"
"I really wished I didn't," his hand tangled in her hair, his body getting trapped again in the sheets that were around her. "God I wish I didn't," he flipped her back over.
"I understand," she gasped a little when his body started to rub against hers, his knee pushing her knees apart and sliding it back and forth, her cursing the sheet and his pants that where separating them. "Lucas…" his knee moved faster and her body ached for him. "Luke…" she moaned throwing her head back into her pillow as his mouth latched onto her neck. "Oh god Lucas," her hands slide through his unbuttoned shirt and her nails dug into his back, his knee pushing hard and rubbing faster against her.
"Uhh…" she moaned deep within her throat, her hips buckling and body arching into him. "Oh god," she panted, turning her head and kissing along his neck before reaching his lips. "That's never happened to me before," her body tingling still from the feeling. "Not with just someone's knee."
"I'm good like that," he smirked pulling back to look at her and even with him being completely cocky her body and mind almost didn't seem to care at all, or care enough to make up some comeback. "Ok I'll call you later," he gave her one last kiss, sitting up in the bed and putting on his shoes.
Brooke knew she was being stupid, giggling over some guy. She hadn't giggled over a guy since she was in high school but with the glances he kept tossing her as he tied his shoes and put on his belt she couldn't help it, she giggled.
"You know what I think you should do," Lucas said, buttoning up the rest of his shirt.
"No," Brooke shook her head.
"I think you shouldn't get dressed, stay in bed all day and when I get off work I come back over, maybe I'll bring some take out."
"You think that's a good plan huh?" she kinked a brown and he nodded.
"Extremely, a gift to me. Almost saying 'Lucas you have been working so hard, Merry Christmas'," he joked making Brooke laugh.
"Christmas has already passed."
"True but you forgot to get me something so this is your making up for it," he shrugged and again she laughed.
"I'll work on that."
"Good," he leaned back on the bed, giving her a final kiss goodbye. "Bye Pretty Girl."
"Bye Lucas," she grinned, him climbing off the bed and sending her a wink before disappearing out of the room, the sound of her front door shutting and she couldn't even control it anymore, she squealed.
Walking into his apartment, Lucas dropped his keys in the bowl alongside the front door. He had a good night, a great night. Brooke sparked something in him he thought he lost a long time ago and he really couldn't wait to see her again. Even this morning had been great that he didn't even care about the ten missed calls yelling at him and wondering where he was at. It really seemed like nothing was going to ruin his happy mood that day.
Walking into his kitchen, he started a pot of coffee and dug through his cabinets for something to eat real quick before heading to work. He figured he was already late what was another thirty minutes. Glancing down to see his answering machine blinking red for a new message, he dropped a few chips into his mouth and wiped his greased fingers on his wrinkled jeans. Lucas clicked the play button on the little black machine letting the message fill throughout his empty apartment.
'Hey babe, I hope you are having a great time! New Years wasn't the same this year without you, I didn't get a midnight kiss. I miss you like crazy and I talked to daddy about everything, I'm so excited. Can't wait to see you, love you Luke!'
Staring down at the little machine he waited for the feeling of guilt to wash over him, waited for the nagging voice in his head to tell him how wrong he was for what he did. He waited and waited and when it didn't come he reached over to push the little button before walking out of the room, the distant robotic sound playing in the background.
'Message Deleted.'
So clearly this is a new story of mine! If y'all like it I will update if no well then I guess me not updating would occur but then the whole story will never get told…and I do kinda have it all planned out…but no one review would mean no one liking and what is the point of writing something no one likes…Now my sister may not be happy and trust me nothing is worse than a moody Loo…well darn I am in a pickle now…thinking…thinking…thinking…Ok so I decided it may just be easier for y'all to review so I don't have to deal with a moody sister yeah? Ok good! Glad it was decided as a group!
Review!