Apparently I owe some very gorgeous reviewers a Put You To Bed update. Well, never fear, Homies. I'll get on that as soon as my muse gives me a swift kick to the balls… OUCHers! I swear!
Shout to all my favorite and most fucking awesome homies/reviewers ever: DANI OTH, Smartie01, Virgenie, Sweetestgirl123, Shelby, MadeleineV, 3 Brucas, caseycoop, WW86, onetreehillgirl066,moonkisss, BDavisLScott23, OTH-Brucas-love, Brulian4ever, bjq, Love me some Julian, ILoveSarahSophia, koumi11, dianehermans, sobreyra274, HighTideGuy
Next Update - Brooke&Damon| Haley&Dean Crossover fiction
As always Gemella…
II. BreakEven
Quarter after One, I'm all alone
And I need you now
And Said I wouldn't call but I'm a little drunk
And I need you now
& I don't know how I can do without, I just need you now
MTV's Road to the Video Music Awards played over Tric's widescreen overhead projector. It's burning bright brilliance drained color from the cool purple walling towards the video attraction. On the screen, the acoustic version of the Lady Antebellum hit song was played by none other than a rocked out Haley James former Scott. Her beautiful voice didn't compare to her gorgeous appearance. Cropped reddish blonde tangles flared in layers whilst brown eyes were hidden in black mascara. Even her clothes were dark yet fitted, gloving wide hips.
Meanwhile, colorful scarves hung loosely from her neck. The fabric damn near swallowed the short female-well it would have- except the six inch heeled rocker boots she adorned. Haley James had truly transformed into a rock star, though the price she paid was higher than anyone deserved. From her stool at Tric's empty bar, a handful of dark tresses laid Brooke Davis' delicate left palm. Her elbow rested on the bar and the Fashionista stared up at screen in desperation.
To call or not to call?
That was the Question.
Her tiny right hand molded around her blackberry curve anxiously. Fucking hell, if she didn't have to drive home she surely wouldn't be sober. Not with her ex-boyfriend in town and now she was calling Haley James for the concert benefit. This was going to suck - hard - in a bad way. If the world was supposed to end at some point, the brunette was certain now would be the day. Her glossy bottom lip was caught under the weight of pearling teeth.
"BROOKE!"
Millicent came running over to her boss. Brooke turned towards the racing woman slowly. Hazel greens eyed the stocky assistant wearily. The last thing she need was another bad thing to happen. Millicent carried dress fabric in her hands, stumbling as she spoke: "Oh Brooke, I don't know what to do. Alicia says that the fabric is itchy and in her words," Millie shrugged. "Not hot enough for her."
"Ugh," The Fashion Queen squeezed her cell phone irritated. "Gees, who does that has been model think she is? Alicia frickin' Keys?"
Her assistant shrugged lightly to which Brooke rolled her eyes. Sometimes Millie was the most useless person she knew when it came to advice. The founder of clothing company Clothes Over Bro's observed the rest of her staff as they shuffled around Tric. For the next few weeks the club would be closed until the Benefit Concert. And with all the decorating and repairs happening, Brooke worried it would never be finished in time.
Not with the gold trimming being added to booths or expanding stage. Underlings pushed racks of clothing back and forth along the hardwood floor. Couture gowns were positioned along the red bricked walls. Backdrops of former rock and roll performers hung like portraits alongside new fashion montages. Even with the club skylights dimmed one could behold the half finished club.
"Well at least the place is coming along nicely." Always overly positive Millicent spoke kindly. Brooke scoffed at the lie. "Puh, if by nicely you mean explosion of puke and suckiness, than yes! This is one big ball of niceness!"
"Oh." the shy assistant looked down at the floor. "I mean, it isn't getting far but I think it will be great in the end."
"Yeah," Brooke rested a comforting arm on her friendly assistant's shoulder, "Sorry if I was mean but I, I just can't seem to call Haley. It's too-"
"Hard?" Millicent questioned to which Brooke nodded. She leaned against the bar. "Yeah, its fucked up you know. Calling her now that me and Nathan are together raising Kailan." She shrugged, "It feels wrong."
"Nathan and I." Millie mumbled passively. Dark curls fell to the fashion queen's shoulders as she looked up in confusion. Brooke raised an eyebrow and in response Millicent insisted. "The correct terminology would be Nathan and I."
"Nathan and I." The Fashionista whined. "My point is that well, it's Haley and I know I promised Nate that if he called Lucas I'd call Haley but… I can't do it."
"I don't blame you." Millicent shifted the fabric in her hands. "You have Kailan to think about. Plus, some secrets he just doesn't need to know right now, correct?"
"Tell me about it." The Boss lady rubbed her phone casing reflectively. "Maybe, maybe I'll just wait until-"
Bzz, Bzz, Bzzz! Vibrations rattled against the brunette's hand from her phone. Soft palms stung from the plastic casing rubbing against it. Brooke nodded towards her phone to signal her assistants leave. The little woman weaseled away from the conversation and towards some of the models. Always working, Brooke sighed whilst pulling the phone to her ear, not even bothering to check the caller I.D.
He always called at this time and never missed a beat. That was why she loved him so much, for being considerate and kind and even loyal. Yes, her best friend's ex-husband was extremely loyal to her.
"Hey Boy Toy, how's my Rockstar doing?"
Nathan's husky voice teased, "Well better than our son apparently, B. You know that Victoria just called me and said that she saw little superman trying to break cars with his body."
"What?" Panic and Fear quickened her heart beat. "Well is he okay? Is my baby hurt?"
She knew she shouldn't panic but her son was the love of her life. Obviously he was alive and well if Nathan were laughing so heartily as he seemed to be doing over the phone at that second. "Ha-ha-ha, B, our little punk rocker is just fine. Ass night get chewed off when the Vampire granny gets a hold to him though. She spotted him in your store I think."
"Well when I see that little munchkin he is gonna wish Vamp granny got hold to him."
"Good, I want a chance at him too." His voice was steady, "Did you call her?" The woman I am too much of a coward to speak to? She could almost hear the words on his breath, "um, cause I spoke to Lucas."
"Lets not talk about this over the phone." Since I am more chicken than you. Brooke cupped the phone to her face. "meet me at Tric, Boy Toy."
"Alright B, Love ya."
"Ditto."
XxX
"They almost ran me over…"
Kai hid underneath one of the many circular clothes racks in Clothes Over Bro's, silks and satins curtaining around him. The smell of plastic stung the brunette's nostrils as tremors ran up and down his sides. After shock seemed to bubble in his belly and settle over his usually cool demeanor. He couldn't stop shaking. The little Davis-Scott had almost been hit by a car, almost died, yet the only thing running through his mind was how his mother would have been emotionally destroyed if something happened to him.
Anxious hands gripped his basketball tightly. Bumpy texture scrapped tough palms and Kai held his breath. Baby blue irises watched shoppers passing feet click by. Crap, crap, crap… if his mother ever found out she would have a heart attack. Furthermore, not only would he be grounded for life but more importantly his estranged family was in town. He wasn't certain exactly what miracle GOD had worked but his appreciation and hesitation were both obvious.
My Aunt and My-
"KAILAN DAVIS! WHERE IN THE HELL ARE YOU HIDING, GRANDSON!?"
His grandmother's cranky voice exploded throughout the crowded boutique. Customers glanced at the tall woman currently charging pass colorful racks of couture wear. Teens and their mothers huddled together as pin straight locks flapped past the cowering females. Here presence was bold, strong, purely intimidating once a searing scowl crossed her face. Even lacy dresses which usually shimmered dimmed under the tyrant's angry approach.
Click! Clack! Six inchGucci pumps slammed against polished oak. Click! Clack! Punctures became more prevalent the closer Victoria Davis came to her grandson's location. It was like a Game of Marco Polo with that mature older woman. Kai pushed his basketball to the floor and quickly tugged the material of his makeshift hideaway slight apart. Immediately, he was met with black stocking covered legs.
Please don't find Gammy Witchtoria! Please don't find me!
"Ah-ha!" Victoria gave a maniacal hooray and Kai knew he was done for. It was either fight or flight time. "Found you, you little sneaky brat!"
"Dang it!" Kailan groaned, knowing he was about to be lectured for one crime or another. "Whatever they said I did, I didn't do!"
"Oh this is all you!" The menacing female grabbed the metal rack. "You have some explaining to do young man, now out of this rack and into the storage room!"
"Well…" Kai paused in reflection, "If I come out, am I gonna get into trouble?"
"Does that loser producer your mom had a fling with make crappy movies?"
Yes, double yes.
"Now get over here, Kailan!"
Perhaps she had seen the near fatal accident or knew about him clogging her toilet with last night's meatloaf surprise. Either way, the eleven year old refused to go down without a fight. Immediately, little arms swung the clothes back until he was allowed an exit. The towering tyke scrambled onto his hands and knees in a last ditch attempt to escape. His entire body zoomed from under the rack precisely as his grandmother bent over to snatch him.
"Come here!" The older brunette shouted at her grandson. Withering arms shot out towards the evading child but Kailan slapped her hands from his face. No thought for consequences, the little urchin rolled out from under the clothing rack to his Gammy's chagrin. "Get off this dirty floor now!"
Nosy shoppers turned their attention towards the business lady and her troubled prey. Haphazardly, the Mohawk-ed brunette rotated back onto his hands and knees. Adrenaline forced the tiny escape artist to slither towards a table filled with rainbow hued shirts. Slap, slap, firm knees slammed painfully against the rich oak hard. Kailan winced but kept dodging his predator with fill force. Victoria nearly tripped as the little boy zigzagged from her chasing arms.
"Ha-ha, LOOK AT HIM GO!" Customers laughed and giggled at the retreating little brunette and his grandmother. Older women cooed with pure delight. "ISN'T THAT THE MOST PRECIOUS THING YOU EVER SAW? BAD JUST LIKE MY SON!"
"Kailan Davis," She never called him Davis-Scott. The name always made her feel ill and to be honest she loathed all things Scott. Gruffly, the older woman raced behind him, "stop this shenanigans this instance! Behaving like that no good father of yours!"
"Which one?!" Kailan's hands smacked the hardwood floor and he skirted towards the door exit.
Bitterness aside, one had to admit that the little Davis was feisty. This trait, however much it was inherited, infuriated his grandmother. Not to mention her irritation at the laughing Tree Hill population. Those country peasants were citing: "THAT'S SO CUTE! WONDER WHAT THE LITTLE FELLA DID!?"
Victoria kicked out her foot, slamming the heel of her shoe down on the eleven year olds baggy pajama pants. Crsk! The heel hooked onto the loose fabric and nearly ripped as it halted the fleeing child. Kai's pants almost slipped down and he paused to grab the stretchy band at his waist. Using his brief standstill to her advantage the Co-CEO of Clothes Over Bro's leaned towards her grandson.
An evil right hand snatched his ear and yanked him hard.
"OW! That hurt Gammy!" Kai cried out once a harsh sting shot through his ear. His grandmother's wrinkled face smirked, "Now get up or I'll box the other one, too!"
"Okay, Okay!" The little boy slowly raised his hands from the floor. Intense lower body strength pulled the eleven year old on his feet without the assistance of his hands. Tugging, his grandmother dragged him back towards the store's innards. Both passed the watchful audience, the mischievous little runt rolling his eyes, "Can you let go of my ear, Gammy. This is child abuse."
"AWWW," Spectators responded and Victoria growled lowly at her grandson.
"Silence," Pseudo kindness was extended towards the customers, "Never mind my grandson. He's a handful and a half but I love him, right Kailan." The extension of his name followed an ear squeeze that left the boy with little choice in answers. "Yes?"
"B-b-best," Wheezing out and nodding simultaneously, "…Grandma in the whole world, my grandma is."
"AWWW!" There was another chorus of sighs and admiration as Victoria guided her grandson into the storeroom turned office.
Brooke's office was a mixture of a workshop and computer lab. Three Sewing machines lined the back walls and colorful material stacked in every corner. All of her sketches were spread out on wooden easels while B. Davis Magazine covers hung like portraits on the wall. Purple paint glamorized the office space and the pink Mac computer made the store room professional.
Kailan pulled away from his grandmother once they were completely inside. Wrinkled hands grabbed the metal, white door and slammed it closed. POW! The room shook and Kailan jumped slightly. Though Fear soon left him as his mother's fight returned to his dark brows.
Dimples became tortuous vices as the little boy smirked, "Gammy, you're quick for an old broad."
"And you are dumb for a Davis, little boy."
They didn't dislike each other – not at all actually.
Both were quite fond of each other because of their simple understanding. Both wanted what was best for his mother and her daughter, Brooke Davis. They were family after all, but that didn't stop their back and forth relationship. Victoria nagged the little boy and he would make little comments that some might find inappropriate but his grandmother loved to see the Davis Snark alive and well inside her heir apparent.
"What did I do, Gammy?"
Kai stared at the woman as she moved behind her daughter's desk. The older lady pointed to the computer screen. "Does any of this ring a bell?"
The little boy shrugged and Victoria read in her staunch voice, "Let's see… Oh yes," she glared down at the screen as she quoted, "Fashion Baller23's Blog update: YOU DON'T FOOL ME!"
"Oh," narrowed lips hooted in an 'o' shape. His blog/e-journal had been discovered. Damn it. "See that was just a way to let off steam." Pudgy fingers clasped and twiddled, "You know, express myself without any carnage…"
"No…" Her hand went up to stop him. She continued to read though extremely angered. "My mom and dad are Famous and I'm-" Looking at him, "Captain Obvious if you don't think people will know who you are! I told you about your father to build some character not write tabloid fodder."
"It's not tabloid fodder."
"Delete it!"
Kai bristled, "But I have over forty-six followers. I can't delete it."
"If the wrong person reads this trash, your mother's career could be ruined."
"No big name publisher will ever get hold of this, Gammy." The mini-Davis tucked his hands into his pants pockets. Level shoulders slumped in his baggy pullover. "Trust me."
"I want it deleted Kailan." Victoria turned her back to the tiny male agitatedly. Dark eyes searched the room for anything to focus on but her whining grandson. "I will not allow this rubbish to destroy everything I've built."
It would only take one tabloid to discover that blog and figure out who this celebrity kid was - then all hell would break loose. Years of building a family fashion empire would be wasted and shareholders would leave. There was nothing worse than a successful company without its major shareholders. With already C/B losing steam and allure with consumers (citing that the company was no longer 'sexy'), a scandal like this could either make or break the company.
The older Davis wasn't willing to take the risk.
"Fine Gammy." Kai's hands thrust up from his pockets in submission. His grandmother turned towards the boy and smirked. Rolling his eyes, Kailan insisted, "I'll delete it tonight."
"You better," Victoria mumbled. "Now, what were you doing running in front of cars? I saw you while my driver was pumping gas and lets just say: you were nearly road kill." Dark irises narrowed at the little boy, "Are you trying to get yourself killed, little boy?"
"No ma'am, but can't we talk about this on our way home?"
"Hmm, have it your way." Victoria snapped. "It's past four, so we have to go see your mother at Tric."
~-&-~
Questions. I have more questions than any kid in the world. Why was I born into such chaos? Why does all this money and gifts mean nothing when I think about my two Dads? Do either of my fathers know the truth? I should be mad at my mom, but I can't be. Not when I love her so much, when she's always there for me. Some days I just wish it was just her and me, no drama, no lies….
But then I think of my dad - the guy who I want to be just like- and I realize I love being his son.
~-&-~
Green eyes scanned the computer screen intensely. Her vision trailed Fashion Baller23's blog sentences word for word and Sawyer Brooke Scott couldn't help but wonder who this kid could be. His location was listed as North Carolina but that was all the information she managed to acquire. And that alone stroked some fiery instigative gene within the stunning little blonde. Thus golden spirals dipped over her bright pink laptop from the breakfast bar.
"Luke, where are we gonna put my albums? Maybe the old Nursery and Sawyer can have the old guest room?"
Figures. I get the smaller crappy room.
Momentarily, the stick thin teenager glanced up at her parents. All around her, her parents moved suitcases filled with her clothing. From the corner of flaxen lashes the tween observed her father lifting a cream suede couch while her mother struggled to carry in a box of albums. Hundreds of venal discs were unloaded on the counter before the music loving mother returned with more. Both adult blondes seemed happy oblivious to her existence as always.
White headphones were packed in Lucas' ears and he hummed lightly to the sounds of Usher's Hey Daddy. Sawyer noticed sadness in her father's eyes but she dared not question it. Lucas was known to be extremely solemn if not completely broody at times therefore the little girl knew not to get too testy with her father. Besides, since almost running over that strange kid the blonde male had been oddly more distant than usual.
"Luke!" Peyton stumbled back into the house with more music. "Lucas Scott, are you even listening to me?"
Boggling eyes cut to the masculine blonde currently setting down a loveseat. A tanned box shifted in skeletal arms as she moved towards her husband. Carelessly, Lucas shifted the couch and loveseat towards the television. The strong male barely used an ounce of energy to rearrange the furniture. In fact, the Brooder still adorned his dress white dress shirt and black slacks. Silk sleeves rolled up past his elbow, displaying muscular biceps.
His wife stalked over to him angrily. Click, Clack… Her high heels punched divots into the hardwood floor which everyone should have heard. Well, everyone except the blonde currently dancing along horribly to the new song he discovered on Brooke's Imeem Playlist. It wasn't until his wife swung her brittle hands at his headphone strings that Lucas looked up.
Peyton snatched the headphones from his ears, speakers popping out of his ears.
"Hey!" The blonde backed away from his wife in aggravation. Quickly, he tugged the strings towards his pants pocket were his black rectangular iPhone rested. Quickly, he tucked the still echoing headphones into the cloth material. "What the hell? You could have torn up my cell, Peyt."
Sawyer watched her mother cross boney arms over her chest. The blonde female cocked her head to the side to peer at her husband. Displeasure crossed her elongated chin, "Well if you listened to me instead of listening to that gay wannabe gangster, welfare music than-"
"Gay? Wannabe, welfare?" That was completely disrespectful to say among other things. "Are you PMSing or was that meant to make you look like an over privileged bigot?"
Countdown to the Royal Rumble, WWE style:
Ten.
"No," the music buff insisted with the toss of blonde spirals. Coarse tangles flew over her face. "I didn't mean it that way. But come on Lucas, since when do you channel Nathan with all this rap, pop, and overall commercial music bull? Next you'll tell me you like those sellouts: the Kings of Leon or even Muse."
Nine. Eight. Seven.
Sawyer could see her father beginning to grow restless at the mention of her uncle's name. The thirteen year old wasn't sure why her father and uncle hated each other but her mother claimed it was because of her Aunt Haley. When Nathan finally pursued her Aunt Brooke, well the world known as the Scott brothers exploded into a thousand little pieces. Honestly, Sawyer Brooke Scott wasn't dumb enough to think that excuse was viable.
"Sure do. The Kings of Leon rock and you can stick your Muse hate in your mouth and blow because they rock."
Six. Five. Four.
Oh brother.
Sawyer knew where this was going. Her mother would explode and get drunk; her father would go pop pills as usual or disappear to work. Meanwhile, she would be left to clean up her mother's puke all because of some lame musical war. Although, he mother did have a point about her father's music choice. Some had to tell him and it may as well be her.
Though, this wasn't some ordinary argument compared to ones of the past. There were underlying tones that both her parents were trying to shield her from. The teen pushed her laptop closed before whirling around on her rotating stool to face her arguing parents. Both were in the midst of a huge yelling match to the point where her mother was pointing in her father's face.
"Why are you never satisfied with deep meaningful music? Why do you need that stupid, slutty difficult to understand shit? Music that is all over the place and so poppy? What's wrong with content art?"
For a moment Sawyer felt like her parents weren't battling over music but over… personalities. The blonde female was at her wits end with this debate until she heard her father casually toss out. "…Besides, who wants to listen to emo music that makes you wanna slash your wrist."
"Is that what my music does?" Possessiveness, never a good thing. "Ever since we almost hit that Kid," Now she was stressing words. "That kid we both saw something in, a secret in. Well, you've been listening to her music. WHY?"
Sawyer's brows furrowed in confusion as stared at her father awaiting a response to this HER allegation.
"Maybe," Lucas folded his muscular arms over his burling chest, "for once, I wanna try being happy instead of depressed like you. Every fucking day you are bitching about something and every fucking day I wonder why I haven't leapt in front of a moving bus yet?"
Three. Two…
"Well maybe you shouldn't have married someone like me." Green eyes slowly began to burn with tears. Boiling liquid slipped down her cheeks and she cried, "Maybe that Vegas phone call was a mistake. Maybe the state championship was a mistake."
"I didn't say that so don't you dare put words into my mouth." Blue eyes cast over to his daughter. Venom left his voice just as quickly as if had come. Softly he pleaded, "Sawyer, go to your room for a minute, okay."
The teenager's gaze shifted between her mother and her father. They weren't far away at all- at least not physically- but mentally both mother and father were on separate islands in hell. She should have said 'yes sir' and left but the look in her mother's eyes broke her heart. Instead, the tween shook her head in resistance.
"No! I'm tired of watching the two of you fight, Dad. And, and this is really your fault. Maybe if you were around more often-"
"I said to your room!" His hand whipped out towards the bedrooms, index finger guiding her. Peyton covered her eyes with her hands as more sobs came. Sawyer grabbed her laptop from the counter and set it in her lap. "No, fuck that and you if you think I'm gonna stay in the dark about my family!"
One.
Did she just say Fuck?
Lucas mouth literally gapped open and his wife sobbed even harder. Was this serious? In what world did children speak to their parents this way and live to see the next day. The brooding publisher bawled his fists in anger. His mother would never put up with such disrespect and neither would he. Strong legs pushed away from his weeping wife towards his little girl snarling at him in equal rebellion.
"I said!" He halted before the small tween, towering over her in bitter reproach. "Get to your room now, Saw! Your disrespect will not be tolerated so either get to you room or you're grounded."
"PLEASE!" Peyton's damsel in distress anguished cry went unheard by the arguing father daughter duo.
Sawyer crinkled her noise before biting out, "I'm not scared of you, Dad. You're not gonna do a damn thing because you're a failure who's passive aggressive and too dumb to do shit about it! Shit, I'd rather you be like Grandpa Dan cause at least he has ba-"
"SHUT UP!"
Rage coursed through his veins and before he knew it, the Brooder was thrusting out at his daughter. The child shrunk back in absolute fear, back slamming into the counters edge. Pain shoot from the connection point to her boggling eyes. Tears flushed down her rosy cheeks out of nowhere, causing her to nearly choke. Fear tensed her muscles and she thought that her father had finally gone crazy. He was going to hit her -she knew it.
Chills went up and down her body from the blonde male's omnipotent countenance. Lucas' massive hands forced their way into her lap, fingers like twisting pythons. Pulsating phalanges wrapped around her pink skinned laptop harshly. Complete and utter rage allowed him to yank the computer faster than the speed of light. A burning heat settled over the laptop trail and Sawyer felt her heart stop.
"You don't want to obey!" Parental authority punched the child hard than any fist could ever do. Wiggling the laptop he yelled at her. "Try living without this!"
"What?" Sawyer whispered sheepishly. "Wha-wha-what are you talking about?"
Without warning, her father swung his arm backwards. Built muscles jumped with all the power behind the swing. The shiny computer dangled near his huffing shoulder. The Brooder turned his sculpted form from the whining tween towards his wife. Lucas pitched the laptop pass his wife as hard as he could. Swoosh! "Ugh, this!"
Pink metal went flying into the opposite wall like a lightning bolt. POW! Shrill pounding echoed in the air upon top popped opened upon contract only to crash into the floor. Tiny fragments exploded over the floor, glass spraying everywhere. The monitor literally shook and a ragged crack ran through the transparent layer. Lights flickered on and off for a brief second then finally completely died.
Both Sawyer and Peyton let out a sharp shriek.
"DAD!"- "LUCAS!"
"Noooow," Depth strengthened his menacing tenor. Blue eyes flashed dark in the exact moment that he whipped around to the miniature blonde. Massive biceps flexed and contracted in finger point. "You will obey me! You will be quiet! And you will respect me! Or so help me GOD I will send you to a boarding school in the worst third world country where you'll drink your own piss!"
His bark was terrifying and the teen felt her eyes sting.
Hot liquid pulled from bloodshot irises to crowded golden lashes. Fear and heartache shock her to the core and the little girl couldn't help but sob. "ahmmm…" One sob unleashed thousands causing the blonde to shiver. Her body crumbled up like a spider under her father's angry gaze. Then the crying stutters, "I hate you, Daddy! Why, why, why, wh-why do you treat me like something you don't want?"
Lucas stared at his daughter completely lost. All the pent-up rage within him from before dissolved into confusion. Wasn't it Sawyer who disrespected him? Who wouldn't allow herself to be grounded? It wasn't his fault that she never listened. Was it? Apparently, his wife thought so. Peyton raced over to her daughter still crying as well. Bush blonde tresses mingled with identical blonde coils as mother and daughter cuddled together.
"It's okay, baby." The former record label owner petted her daughter. "I know how you feel, baby. But we, we love you so much."
"I give up." The blonde male threw up his hands in submission. "You both are going to drive me crazy! I'm going for a walk."
He didn't wait for a response or even a plea for him to stay. Something inside of him had broken a long time ago and now he just didn't give a fuck. Usually he lived his life in a solitary state of mind. Or he was completely and totally isolated from his family by work or any obtainable substance. Thus he left his wife and daughter alone in his childhood home. Lucas walked, jogged, ran, and did everything possible to relieve the stress of his family from his shoulders.
Some days he hated his family with everything in him. Other days he loved them with a passion unbelievable but mostly he wanted rid of the pain. Rid of the life he chose thirteen years ago and that continued to haunt him even when he tried to make things right. Perhaps that was the problem though. Perhaps he should have never tried to make things different from what destiny planned for him.
Maybe then he wouldn't be a bitter, lonely man still pinning after the life he gave away. Maybe he wouldn't miss his best friend more than life if he had just kept his mouth closed. Haley James should have listened to him though. Listened when he told her that something was going on with their family. She should have never pushed him aside and labeled him fucking crazy.
"Nathan, Nathan stop! Ha-ha!"
She was giggling, giggling way to loudly for him not to notice. He'd been watching her since the wedding ended and she went running past him like her hair was caught on fire. Chocolate waves bellowed in the crisp air whilst golden sun beams chased the red tint of those tresses. Though, the fitted gown encasing the beauty was a dark evergreen – definitely not her color. Yet she was still perfect amongst the hundreds of relatives.
Guest filled the chalky auditorium, crowding almost every corner. Lucas peered through mangled arms at the brunette tickling his best friend's husband. Her laugh was infectious and beautiful. Something, everything inside him wanted to be the reason for that glorious laugh but alas he was not. No, it was his brother whom managed to bring a charming smile to the dimpled goddess.
Standing beside Haley, the Brooder folded his arms over his chest.
She was doing this on purpose, flirting with his brother.
"… first she sunk her claws into poor Cooper."
Honey hued irises rolled as the bride and groom. A gorgeous bride whirled on the dance floor in a pink Brooke Davis Original wedding gown. crimson strands fell down the length of the bride's shoulders as her light brunette-haired groom held her close ."And now that redheaded devil has latched on Nathan's poor sports agent Clay. Ugh, disgusting. Right Lucas?"
"um, yeah whatever?" Baby blues froze on his ex-girlfriend and brother. "So, Brooke and Nathan," he looked down at Haley whom was lost in her menacing glare at Rachel. Nudging her with his elbow, "Hales, did you hear me? I was saying Brooke and Nathan are closer than when I left."
The strawberry blonde shrugged, "Oh yeah. We've all gotten pretty close since you and Peyton moved with Sawyer. Its been, well its been really nice to be close again."
"Close?" Lucas questioned, "exactly how close is close?" The blonde Author caught the stiffness and tension that filled the room. "Not that I'm implying anything."
He questioned his own reaction even as he spoke it. However, everything in his heart told him to be wary of his brother and his ex-girlfriend. Brooke was vulnerable after she dumped Julian Baker on his sorry ass. He'd cheated with some horrible actress like all idiots whom were ever blessed enough to date Brooke Davis. Nathan, well he was just Nathan and lately the Naley Marriage as Brooke called them was suffering.
Not that his marriage was going any better.
Which, Haley James Scott was eager to point out.
"Excuse me." Tiny claws captured his tux sleeve. Haley yanked him ear level, "don't you ever imply something so vile, Luke. Brooke's one of my best friends, Jamie's God mother, and a good person as is my husband They love me and I love them. Besides, you're just miserable in your marriage and want company."
"Hales!"
"Go to hell Lucas."
Flaxen lashes fluttered wildly under the setting sun. Lucas found himself standing in a dirty pathway, pants covered in mud. Where he managed to go, his heart had led him there to it. A familiar brick building filled cerulean prisms with his mother's old club, TRIC. Pavement was covered in vans and fashionable workers unloading posters and material. It was a strange sight but the smell of yesteryear, vodka, sex, and laughter still lingered.
Home.
Finally, he was home.
Lucas made a swift movement towards the building but stopped short at the sight of his ex pushing through the entrance. Small and petite, beauty knew no other name than Brooke Davis. She was dressed in one of her many couture dresses, a bright yellow splash of sunshine. Those very rays seemed to hit the inside of his heart. Breath became a struggle and his heart pounded against his chest.
"Brooke," He whispered her name, the syllables like heaven on his lips.
Once more he moved forward only this time it wasn't Brooke's presence that shocked him. It was his brother, brother's son grandmother racing towards her that caused his eternal halt. The tall boy collided with his mother lovingly. Long arms wrapped around her waist and both father and grandmother met them at Brooke's side. They were a family. A real, genuine family - that image alone made him ill.
Neither his brother nor ex deserved happiness when Haley, Sawyer, Peyton's and his lives were miserable.
And he would make sure they didn't have it.
Staring at his nephew, "One way or Another."
Thanks all the reviewers whom I will thank personally next chapter. But this is a rushed chapter so… Sadness and all that shit.
Ha-ha, Read and Review Homies, LOL… :D
XxX