A/N: For S, Kate & Lexie-Cos you guys make me smile and laugh everyday! Hope you like it!
Chapter 2, A First Date, An Open Heart
She had a few hours to kill before she needed to be ready for the date, she did some sketching and left Haley an e-mail outlining some new ideas about what she had listened to so far of Mia's new tracks and what she thought needed a little tweaking. Since it was so balmy in the evenings, Peyton wore a simple off white summer dress; she slipped on some sandals and let her curls fall past her shoulders in an organised messy fashion. Whatever. It looked fine.
Justin was the perfect gentleman; well he held her hand and pulled out her chair for her when they got to the restaurant. He also tucked a stray curl of hers behind her ear when he leaned in close to whisper something a little naughty to her, she loved his playfulness, and he was a breath of fresh air in a room that had felt stifled and suffocated.
They ordered enchiladas and drank tequila washed down with a carafe of wine, they laughed and flirted and Peyton felt a little bit tense. She paid for the meal and left a generous tip, Justin stood up and offered her his arm, and she linked hers through it and leaned into his side. He placed a tender kiss on top of her curls and pulled her a little closer to him. The walk home to Peyton's went by in no time at all, she fiddled with her keys and turned to face him, he leant in and pressed his lips to hers. Peyton kissed him back and placed a hand against his cheek the other caressed the base of his neck, the kiss was slow and tender, she slowly pulled away and murmured something about a nightcap.
They stepped through the front door and before she could really even make it into the kitchen his arms were around her waist and they were being moved quickly in the direction of her bedroom. She would have protested but really, when a really sweet, sexy and just downright gorgeous man kisses you like that and you say no, you are the idiot not the other way around. He kissed her neck and slowly lifted up the hem of her dress, he traced circles on her thighs and heard her whimper in delight.
Not to be outdone, Peyton tugged at his T-shirt and pulled it up and over his head, she traced the contours of his toned and tanned body and smiled, she didn't know it yet but he was going to be everything and more in that department. His eyes smouldered with lust and it was all he could to not just throw her down and make love to her, something told him that this was different, she was different-so he took it slow. He had no idea how much torture this was for her, she liked the way he kissed her torso-feather like touches that left a trail of heat. His hands lightly caressed the inside of her thighs and he took his time making sure she was enjoying herself, Peyton pulled his face towards hers and they sank into one another's embrace. They made love all night and she finally felt free, she had no regrets, Justin was her first since being away, she was glad that she had waited until she was ready.
She woke up and her head was resting on his chest as he slept comfortably his arms wrapped around her. They spent the next two weeks with each other, sitting out in the evening watching the sun go down and drinking tequila, she would sit in his lap and kiss him every now and again, he would chuckle at her and poke her sides-he would mutter things like adorable and cute. She would shake her head and kiss him in that way she had that let him know she wanted to take this somewhere more private. He was great, he was exactly what she had needed, and he didn't make grand gestures and promise her forever. He was simple, their relationship was free and easy, they liked each other a lot but Peyton wasn't sure if she could go there with him. Justin seemed perfectly content taking things one day at a time.
Brooke rang in the third week and asked what the hell was going on,
'Peyton, where are you? I mean I know where you literally are, but why haven't you confirmed your flights or where you will be staying. According to Haley you said you would definitely be here tomorrow and that you couldn't wait to see everyone-and you were bringing someone back with you'. Brooke had carried on barely catching a breath and Peyton just stood there mouthing an apology to Justin as she took the call out on the sun deck. She settled herself comfortably and waited for the tirade to be over.
'Brooke, slow down honey, I didn't confirm the flight because I haven't booked it yet, before you freak out I will be booking it as soon as I hang up ok? I'm bringing my boyfriend Justin with me, I'm signing him to Red Bedroom Records-he has an amazing band and we could make a really great album together. Relax I have everything under control I'll text you my flight details and I'll see you tomorrow best friend. I love you ok-goodbye'. Peyton smiled as she hung up the phone, she had already booked their flights a week ago, Justin had been really excited about seeing her hometown and also signing with her, she had just shrugged her shoulders and said that his band was amazing she just wanted everyone else to see and hear that.
They landed in Tree Hill, it was a beautiful summer's day, the air smelt of freshly cut grass and there was a gentle breeze, Justin joked that it smelt like coming home. Peyton just smiled and tucked her hand inside his, Brooke was waiting impatiently outside, she was leant against her black SUV and she was tapping her foot. Peyton stifled a laugh and ran over to her best friend enveloping her in a hug and murmuring how great it was to finally be home.
'I'm glad your back blondie, but I'm gonna kill ya later after your man here has gone to bed or whatever. You and I are going to talk ok?' Brooke's voice had a serious tone to it and Peyton just nodded in agreement.
'Brooke this is Justin my boyfriend and also my latest client'.
'Hi Brooke it's a pleasure to finally meet you, Peyton has told me so much about you already I feel like I know you'. He drew her into a quick and friendly hug and saw her features soften as she sized him up and gave a slight nod of her head. He chuckled softly to himself as he recognized her feisty nature; she wanted to know if he was good enough for Peyton. Her small nod in Peyton's direction and the smile that reached her eyes-told him everything he needed to know.
Brooke chatted freely and easily with both of them in the car on the way to her beach house, she gave them all the details of the party and told them it would held at Naley's seeing as they had the bigger house and a pool. They had a few hours before the party kicked off, Brooke told Peyton she could maybe take a nap and then they would spend the rest of their time getting ready and catching up. Justin wanted to nap, so as soon as they arrived he slipped into Peyton's old bedroom and lay down on top of the covers. Peyton was too buzzed to sleep and instead chose to sip wine with Brooke out on her balcony and get caught up on everything that had been going on.
Peyton didn't want to tell Brooke that she was home for good this time around, she had made the decision a few weeks ago and she was excited about it. Justin would of course be sticking around and the two of them would be staying in separate homes, they were in no way ready to make such a big commitment and besides Justin had said that the guys would be excited about renting a house near the beach and just having a bachelor pad. Peyton planned on moving back in with Brooke, just until she found her own place.
The sun had just begun to set and Brooke and Peyton were almost ready to head out, Justin had woken up a half hour ago and spent ten minutes getting ready. He looked amazing in his slightly faded jeans and smart button down shirt-he had completed his look by teeming it with his signature leather jacket. His hair was lightly gelled and he looked like he had stepped off the pages of a magazine that was modelling underwear his good looks and casual manner endeared him to almost everyone he met, Peyton just kissed him lightly on the lips and said she would be five more minutes.
Haley answered the door with a smile and pulled Peyton into a tight hug.
'God, I've missed you. I'm so glad you're back. Who's the friend'. Haley spoke quietly but there was warmth to her tone.
'I've missed you Hales, and this is my boyfriend Justin'. Peyton grabbed his hand and made the introductions. Justin was charming and funny, he had everyone laughing at ease and soon as they entered the house. Brooke smiled at Peyton and got a nod from her, Peyton had done good, she looked completely different from the broken and tired woman of two years ago. Her hair had a shine to it and her step had a lightness to it, she was back, Brooke's Peyton was finally back.
Peyton felt at ease amongst her friends, she laughed and joked with Nate and sat and held Jamie in her lap, they had a cook out and Nate held court with a big fork in one hand and a beer in the other. Peyton looked around curious as to where Luke and his wife were. Haley told her they should be here any minute. Peyton smiled and tipped her head back soaking up the sun's rays, she felt a slight hint of nervousness but she knew she would be ok, she had Justin with her and she was going to be just fine. Or so that's what she told herself, truth to be told Peyton never knew how she was going to feel at seeing Luke after so much time but she reasoned that two years was more than enough time for her to be finally over him.
She gave Jamie back to Haley, kissed Justin lightly on the lips and said she was going to get a drink. Brooke told her she could use a glass of wine and Justin just pointed to his almost full glass and shook his head when she quirked her eyebrow at him.
She walked into Haley's kitchen and busied herself with mixing a drink; she fancied a cocktail, nothing too alcoholic but something with a kick in it. She strode over to the freezer and was bent down peering into the ice tray when she felt his eyes on her, it had to be Luke, even when she couldn't see him she could always sense him. She slowly stood up and turned around. He was standing just across the kitchen island from her, his hair was messily gelled and his shirt clung to his body, he took her breath away even after all this time. Fuck. Peyton was in trouble. She had thought being away from him would allow her to fall out of love with him. She couldn't have been more wrong.
Luke had arrived alone as Lindsey had been held up in New York she had left Haley a voicemail apologising for not being there. He had walked into their house and had spotted Peyton right away, he had seen her bent over by the freezer her curls looked longer and seeing her again after all this time still made his heart skip a beat. She had subtly changed, there was an air of contentment around her, and the time away had clearly done wonders for her.
'Hi, It's good to see you, how long has it been?' Luke shyly smiled at her and took in everything about her; she smiled back at him and casually shrugged her shoulders.
'Hey Lucas, it's been awhile, I'm doing good, in fact I'm making some drinks you want one?' She held the ice tray in her hand and the vodka in the other.
'Sure, I'll have whatever you're having'.
'Ok, I warn you now I take no responsibility for how strong this is going to be, in Mexico we call it "A shot in the dark", the drink consists of vodka, orange juice, a twist of lemon, a hint of raspberry and a drop of tequila. Are you sure you can handle it?' She had a teasing smile on her lips and a playful look in her eyes. Luke just shrugged his shoulders and told he could handle anything she gave him.
'Alright, here goes'. Peyton mixed the drinks in a shaker, poured some of the liquid into some tumblers and handed one to Luke. He clinked his glass against hers and they toasted to her return and Brooke's birthday.
He took a slug of the drink and coughed as he felt the heady mix hit the back of his throat, she hadn't been kidding when she said it was a strong mix. He covered his mouth with his hand and swallowed the mouthful down. It was tasty, but very strong. Peyton laughed at his discomfort and grabbed a wine bottle, she poured Brooke a drink and gathered up her own.
'Come on Lucas, let's go join the others-there's someone I'd like you to meet'. He followed her outside and was quickly welcomed, kissed and hugged. Brooke got up and gave him a hug-she whispered in his ear about Lindsey's whereabouts, he told her she was held up in New York and wouldn't be back until next Friday. Brooke nodded her head and grabbed her wine from Peyton.
'Lucas, I'd like you to meet my boyfriend Justin'. Justin stood up and went to shake hands with Luke.
'It's nice to meet you Lucas, Peyton here has told me a little about all of you. How do you fit into all of this?'
'Haley's my best friend, Nathan is my brother and Brooke and Peyton are old friends from high school'. Luke chose not to reveal his past history with the two women to Peyton's new boyfriend he figured it would make things uncomfortable. Brooke snorted at his description of her and Peyton but chose not to correct him. Peyton smiled with her eyes and sat back down.
The evening wore on and everyone seemed to be having a good time, Justin told stories about his band and all the trouble they'd gotten into over the years. Haley filled Luke in on how Peyton and Justin had gotten together; it was close to midnight when the party started to wind down. Brooke was happily tipsy; Peyton and Justin were still relatively sober and were making moves to leave. Haley woke Nate up and everyone said his or her goodbyes. Luke offered to drive the girls and Justin home seeing as he had consumed only one drink. They nodded their assent and left.
Brooke passed out on the way home and Justin started to nod off in the back seat. Peyton and Luke sat in a tense silence neither one of them knowing what to say. Before Peyton could gather her courage to say something, anything they were pulling up outside Brooke's house. Luke helped Brooke inside and said good night to everyone. Peyton thanked him and went to her bedroom. Justin had crawled under the covers and was fast asleep. Brooke had mumbled something about needing coffee but had gone to her bedroom and passed out on top of the covers. Peyton tucked her in for the night and left the room quietly chuckling to herself. She had never felt more wide-awake. Her heart was doing flip flops; she really didn't know how to feel, or what being home really meant to her.
She grabbed her keys and left the house, the moon was full and there was a gentle breeze in the air, she took her time and ended up at the River Court. It felt really good to be home, but she still didn't really know where her head and heart were at. She knew it was unfair to Justin but she couldn't help it. She had loved Lucas for a long time and it would seem that some things never change. All it took was one look from him and Peyton was right back where she had started.
She may have been gone for two years but her heart had stayed right here in Tree Hill, she wondered if there would ever be a time when she didn't feel this way about Luke. The not knowing was slowly killing her, it wasn't a moment of clarity but a realization that she would never love another living soul the way she loved Luke.
She sat in the middle of the River Court and traced her finger along the spray paint that spelled out hers and Lucas' names, she started crying. How cruel fate was, she had tried to mend her broken heart and all she had done was put a band-aid over it. One single day had undone the past two years.
She lay down on the warm blacktop surface and let the breeze ghost it's way across her arms and hair. She put in her ear buds and let the music fill her head, she didn't know how long she lay there, but it took her mere seconds to realize she was not alone anymore. He was there, she could sense him, and she could practically breathe him in.
Luke had trouble sleeping and decided the River Court would the best place to clear his head, truth to be told he felt unstrung. Lindsey had stayed in New York because they had agreed on a trial separation, his marriage to Lindsey had been happy at first; it had been everything he had thought it was going to be. Until the day she found his Peyton box, he'd never had it in him to throw that stuff away and every now and again he would flick through it and reminisce about the past. He had fallen asleep clutching a photo of Peyton and him smiling into each others eyes, Lindsey had come back early to surprise her husband and instead found him fast asleep with a contented smile on his face, she had been happy until she realized he was holding a photo of Peyton and that look on his face was a result of the photo and not because of her.
She had sat on the edge of the bed tears streaming down her face as she felt within her soul that she had made a huge mistake and she would be left wanting something she could never have-the complete and total love of her husband. Lucas woke up and saw her tear stained face, they had talked for a few hours and both knew it was never going to be the same again. Lindsey asked for a separation and Luke pleaded with her to give him a second chance, she refused and left the next morning. The day of Brooke's party he had been served with divorce papers, he had tried to muster up the ability to be devastated but all he felt was relief. He had been lying to himself for so long now that being with Lindsey had made him relatively happy but the day Peyton left he had felt devastated, it was LA all over again. He was too stubborn to go after her and to angry about everything that had happened between them to fight for her, so he married Lindsey instead.
Luke hated to fail at anything and this was why he had all but begged Lindsey to stay, but they both knew that it was never going to work, Lindsey was just so much stronger than him she didn't want to waste another moment living a lie, pretending that everything would be ok when she knew deep down that it would never be ok. All she had ever wanted from Luke was his heart, when she realized that she was never going to get that she left for New York. She spent the next few days speaking to her friends and even taking a trip to see her mother. She had sat by the pond and contemplated her future without Lucas in it-when she realized that it didn't break her spirit to not have him in it; she served him with divorce papers. She also left him a voicemail telling him she wouldn't be back and that she would send someone to collect her things.
Lindsey didn't feel sad about the ending of her marriage she felt disappointed, their relationship had started its downward trajectory in the last six months and it had felt like she was doing all she could to hold on to it. After finding Lucas clutching the photo of Peyton she just couldn't do it anymore, she said goodbye to her marriage and went to New York to heal her heavy heart, she knew in time that she would be just fine.
Luke stood at the edge of the River Court, he could see the prostrate form of Peyton directly in front of him, she had her legs crossed one over the other and he could hear the tinny sound of her headphones. She sat up abruptly and saw him watching her, she slowly took out her ear buds and just stared at him, her heart rate spiked, her palms got all sweaty and she felt a thin bead of perspiration form at the base of her neck. She was in danger of doing something she couldn't take back-and a really big part of her wanted to do that, but she knew if she did it would never be right for her, she would feel tainted. She respected herself too much to do that, so she just sat there, idly tracing patterns on her jeans waiting for him to say or do something.
'I remember the last time we were together here on this court, it was night time and you had this sad and far away look in your eyes. I wanted to say so many things to you that night, but every time I went to say them I just couldn't'. He came and sat next to her, she turned to him and just looked at him. He was different, it was a subtle change, but his eyes didn't hold the same intensity, they seemed dulled at the edges, he looked ever so slightly haunted.
'Luke I needed to leave so that I could really start to live again, I missed this place but everywhere I went gave me a piece of myself back. It felt really good to be out there by myself making it all happen. I don't regret leaving or what happened with us, sometimes the hardest thing to do is walk away not knowing if you'll ever walk back-you know?'
He just tipped his head and looked down, he was thinking about all the missed moments, all the mistakes that had been made over the years and when all was said and done they somehow ended up back right where they had started.
'I felt just like that back in L.A and we never really spoke about it, I didn't break up with you because I stopped loving you. I broke up with you because it hurt to love you they way I did. Being so far away from you and not being able to share all my dreams with you, it just became too hard. I've always regretted that choice I made'. Peyton looked into his eyes searching for honesty and all she saw was a Luke laid bare, he had let her in again after all this time. She leaned toward him and captured his lips with her own, it was something she did on impulse, and if she was honest with herself she had been wanting to do that all night.
Before Luke could pull her to him, Peyton pulled back and said she was sorry but she wouldn't be the other woman, and she didn't feel right about cheating on her boyfriend. Luke nodded his head and touched his lips, they were hot to the touch and his cheeks were flushed, Peyton had a fiery look in her eyes, she said she needed time and that she didn't know what all this meant.
She got up hurriedly and all but ran back to Brooke's beach house; she lay down on the couch in the living room and felt herself start to drift off.