Hey! I found that this chapter was being dumb and wasn't showing up so I hope now it is there! Or otherwise I'm writing a sentence no one will see hehe!
Lucas was having a good morning. Probably because he had such a good night but his morning wasn't that bad either. He woke up smiling like an idiot, got ready for work with the same stupid smile and as he walked into his building that smile was still plastered across his face.
"Morning Mr. Scott," Jones, one of the men on his cleaning crew passed by. Jones had been working there since Lucas was little and the older black man with the starting to gray hair was always greeting him with a smile. When Lucas and Nathan were little and Dan would bring them to work to met with his Grandpa the boys would run around in the basement with Jones, watching TV, playing with the playstation he had to use in his free time and was always willing to hanging out with the boys with his constant smile.
He was probably only about twenty six when Lucas first met him, the boys both eight and he was still there, still loyal and still doing his same job. Lucas of course when he got half the team gave Jones a raise, getting paid a lot more than the others, not that they knew, moved him in charge of the cleaning and the maintenance crew that the building had, but he also gave him two weeks paid vacation that he could use anytime of the year, access to his beach house if he ever wanted to take the family away and of course he upgraded his playstation to an xbox 360 and a new playstation 3 because Lucas still liked his getaway time.
"Jones," Lucas kept his smile. "Finally going to take that new job I've been offering?" he joked the normal joke he had every morning with Jones, hitting the button on the elevator. He had offered Jones a new job that would pay more, a lot more and honestly it was a hell of a job that Jones would be great at because Lucas was sure he knew more about basketball and business then he did or half the people in this building. Why Jones kept doing what he had been doing for the last thirty years Lucas still couldn't figure it out.
"No, I don't think today Mr. Scott," Jones deep chuckle filling the lower lot. "You know I like my hours now, gives me more time with the family."
"True," Lucas nodded, knowing the new job would just make him spend all his time at the office, much like it did to him. "Well you know when you want it it's there," the ding of the elevator letting him know it was there. "I'll see you later Jones."
"I'll be seeing you Mr. Scott," he nodded, the doors slowly closing.
Humming along to the god awful elevator music that played through the small area Lucas grabbed his phone from his pocket seeing a few emails from work, which was crazy being as it wasn't even nine yet, a missed call from his brother, a text from Haley saying that Nathan called to let him know they were back in New York, a missed call from Dan he had no pleasure of returning and a text message; a text message from Brooke.
"Luke!" his head lifted before he could read his message, the doors having been open three floors before getting to his.
"Oh hey man," Lucas slid his phone back into his pocket to shake the hand that was offering to him. "So Felix how is that contract going?" he asked knowing that a major deal was in works to get a new center.
"It's going," he smirked knowing he was going to get it. "I thinking this time next week we will have him, James is the best and though he has offers coming from everywhere I know he will sign with us."
"Well that's good, do what you can to get him to sign just keep it legal this time yeah?" he warned, the last time Felix had got someone to sign with them he went way out of his terms of duty, taking the kid to do stuff that Lucas definitely didn't approve of, being as the kid was only twenty.
Yes of course the god sent that was the company's publicist Lindsey figured a way to sweep it all under the rug, make it so the Scott name and company wasn't butchered in the tabloids didn't change that Lucas knew what went down.
"Don't worry so much Luke," Felix's eyes rolled. "I know what I'm doing," the doors opened on his floor, the one below Lucas's. "Don't think I would screw you over man," he winked, spinning off the elevator not at all settling the fear that Felix would very much screw him and his hard work over.
"Whatever," he grumbled, adjusting his stuff in his hand when the doors opened not a few seconds later.
"Morning Mr. Scott," Claire his secretary spun in her chair and stood up to follow him as soon as he walked off the elevator.
Claire Young was right out of college and was a chipper blonde that bounced off the walls and had way too much energy for Lucas's liking. She was nice of course but she flirted with every client that walked into his office and he was almost positive in the last six months of working here had slept with half those clients and potential clients. She was sweet and good at her job, but he greatly missed his old secretary Hope who retired.
"Morning Claire," he pushed open his office door, the clicking of her heels right behind him.
"You have two messages, one from Clay saying he was back from North Carolina but would be late because his plane landed not a few hours ago. He sounded sorta grumpy so I doubt he slept that much," she warned. "But also your father called and-"
"Thanks," he pulled the message from her hand not needing her to nosy in anymore on his family ordeals. "Can you move my morning meeting until Clay gets here? I can't really talk to his client without him here," even if it is my brother I'm signing. He said that last part in his head, not wanting to mention his brother being as Claire got all annoyed with the fact he never gave her the time of day.
"That I can do," she flashed a perfect smile, spinning on her feet and her heels clicking again as she moved out of the room, her hips doing what he was sure she assumed, a sexy walk that really didn't make him give a second glance.
'Lucas we are having a dinner next Friday.'
That was all the message said, but he knew it wasn't so much of a 'hey son join us for dinner' as much as it was a 'be there, it's ordered.' He also knew a dinner wasn't a dinner as much an expensive dinner with a room full of snotty business men and their wives or mistresses, depending on what day it is.
"And happy morning ruined," he crumbled up the paper shooting it into his trash can. Dropping down into his chair he wasn't even logged onto his computer before his phone started going off.
"Lucas Scott," he answered, sliding his phone between his ear and shoulder.
"I'm late, was called a bastard by some moody flight attendant and super exhausted please tell me that you aren't holding me to this meeting this morning."
"Clay," Lucas chuckled leaning back in his chair. "I take it your morning has been rough?"
"My weekend has been rough. Why we thought it was a smart idea to fly to North Carolina, pack Hales all up and fly back while her and Nathan drove all in a day's time is beyond me."
"You did it to save money and to get back to work since Quinn couldn't miss more than a day," he reminded him with what he told him.
"I have enough money," he grumbled making Lucas laugh.
"The meeting was cancelled, Haley text me saying they just got in not even ten minutes ago so I know little brother isn't going to show up. Take the day and relax with that girl of yours."
"That I can do. Speaking of girls I heard from a certain brother of yours that you happened to spend your night the other night with a certain brunette I know."
"That I did," Lucas smiled at the thought of Brooke, quickly remembering her text he still hadn't checked. "We met at Nate's party and I actually took her out last night."
"You did huh?" Clay said, not sure all Lucas knew about his friend. He loved Brooke of course, loved her like she was his sister but he was also protective of her and Easton.
"I did," Lucas tapped his finger on his desk. "She brought Easton," he told him.
"So she told you about East?"
"Yeah she did and I have to admit he is a pretty badass kid, I mean for two."
"That I agree. You better watch too because he can get you into trouble. The other day he broke a vase in our kitchen. Kid missed a football," he told him.
"Yeah I will watch that."
"So how come I didn't know you and Brooke were seeing each other?"
"How come you never introduced me to Brooke before?" he questioned back, the topic of Brooke Davis never being mentioned from any of his friends that knew her.
"I don't know, I guess I never thought of it before. Also there is Easton and they have been through some stuff and I mean how was I supposed to know you wanted a kid."
"I don't know, I never thought one way or another about it. I don't know many people with children," Lucas said, the line of they been through some stuff ringing in his head. "But I like Brooke, Easton is a part of Brooke and to me you get one you get the other," he explained.
"True and Easton is Brooke's world Luke. So if you aren't sure about it all don't get involved because Brooke may seem tough but she is a lot more fragile. Plus once Easton starts to like someone he likes them and wouldn't understand them being there than not."
"We've only been on one date Clay," Lucas reminded him, not sure why Clay was getting so in deep with all this. "I mean for all I know she is going to tell me she doesn't want to ever see me again."
"Well I doubt it but I haven't talked to her but if she let Easton met you then that's probably not going to be her answer. Yet I haven't mentioned you seeing Brooke to Quinn yet only because I didn't know all the details but be careful man Quinn is almost like a momma bear when it comes to Brooke and Easton. She thinks it's her job to take care of them," he told him knowing his girlfriend felt everything that went wrong in Brooke's life somehow was because of her. From her getting pregnant to them moving to New York to anything else that might go on. No matter how much he and Brooke tried to tell her that was farthest from the truth she wouldn't believe it. And if Clay was honest he himself blamed some of Brooke's troubles on himself. If he could go back in time and change things for his friend he would and never let what happened to her happen.
"Well she doesn't. From what I can tell Brooke can take pretty good care of herself and Easton, but like I said she may not want to freak just yet I haven't really talked to Brooke since last night," he admitted, drumming his fingers on his desk. "I was actually going to call her, do you know if she is working?"
"Umm no I don't think. Normally when she works during the day Quinn watches Easton and if she is working I watch him and if she gets desperate he will hang out at work with her. All the girls and even cooks don't mind help out. He is a good kid, just colors and drinks a lot of milk."
"Yeah I've noticed that," he laughed, remembering the talk he and Easton had about milk the night before. "But I got some things to do; I'll talk to you later, man."
"Alight dude. Talk to you later."
"Bye," Lucas hung up; going to his inbox to see the text message he had been thinking about.
'I still have your jacket. I didn't notice until earlier. I promise I didn't steal it. But it is amazingly warm. ;)'
"She's adorable," he chuckled, typing back real quick before starting his work.
"Mommy!" Easton screamed making her drop the pan in her hand and take off down the hall.
"Baby what's wrong?" she rushed beside him as he sat on the floor, curled into his blanket.
"He come back," he whimpered, climbing from the floor and into her lap. "Daddy come back," he cried and guilt washed through her.
"Sweetie," she held him close. "I'm sorry, mommy is so sorry."
"Daddy come back mommy," his arms slid around her neck. "He come back to see me."
"I'm sorry," she kissed the top of his head, a tear trickling in her eyes. "I'm so sorry," she ran her hand through his hair. "You know," she pulled him back to look at her, plastering on a smile. "What if we went the store? Mommy has been promising you a new racecar for weeks and I think it's time we go get one."
"Really?" he wiped his eyes and she nodded. "A black one?"
"Yup," she carried him over to his dresser. "And maybe we can find that one you liked last time with the red stripe," she said knowing Easton had been wanting a new racecar. He had one for ever and about a month ago a tire fell off and the paint was chipping off and the poor thing was begging to be retired. Brooke had promised to get him a new one but life kept getting in the way and she hadn't gone yet.
"Yeah?" Easton smiled, his whole mood completely changing.
"Yeah," Brooke pulled his shirt off, pulling on his blue collared shirt Quinn picked out for his birthday this year. "And who knows maybe if you are really good we get some ice cream."
"Ice cream!" Easton's blue eyes widen and Brooke nodded. "Momma I promise to be de best!"
"Yeah I figured," she laughed, putting on his jeans, shoes and lifting him to her hip. "You're always the best," she kissed the side of his head as they headed out of the apartment.
"Momma they have it!" Easton's chubby little hand flew towards the small little maxbox car hanging on the shelf.
"They do," Brooke smiled, loving when he was happy. "Here you hold this," she grabbed the black and red car from the rack and handing it to him.
"Mommy you ringing," he sung out making her laugh.
"Yup I am," she slid her phone from her back pocket to see a text from Lucas.
'It looks better on you anyway. But if I promise to 'forget' it again can I see you again?'
"Hmm…" Brooke grinned, biting her bottom lip. "East," she looked down at her baby in the stroller. "Do you like Lucas?" she questioned before responding.
"He lub choc milk mommy," he reminded her like she somehow forgot. "And he won me candy and we got pizza."
"That we did," she knelled down in front of him, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. "But do you like him being around? Do you want him around again?" she asked knowing that she would never pursue anything with Lucas if Easton didn't like him.
"I don't know," he shrugged, not really understanding what she was talking about.
"You like Clay and Quinn."
"I lub dem momma it's my Quinn and Clay," he told her like she was stupid and she laughed.
"Right I know but you know how we play with them a lot?" she asked and he nodded. "Would you be ok if Lucas came around and we played with him?"
"I could like dat," he nodded, spinning his car in his hands. "He play racecar with me."
"I bet he would love to play racecar with you," she grinned, kissing the top of his head. "Let's go pay for that racecar," she pushed the stroller to the front.
"Hello?" he answered as he scribbled down some notes to bring up at his next meeting.
"Hey," Brooke laid Easton down for his nap.
"Hey Brooke," he smiled, leaning back in his chair and waving at Claire when she walked into the room. "Just a second Brooke," he pushed his phone to his shoulder, handing her a few papers and told her to fax them off.
"I'm sorry are you busy?" she chewed on her thumb nail. "I probably shouldn't have called."
"What? No!" Lucas told her quickly, nodding for Claire to shut the door before walking out, knowing all too well how Claire will ease drop on anything. "I'm glad you called," he smiled thinking after his text he screwed up since she never responded back. "What are you up too?"
"I just got home actually," she dropped down on the couch. "Easton's old racecar broke so we went and got him a new one."
"Awesome. I didn't know he was into racecars."
"Yeah he loves them and Clay has been trying to get him into basketball but I'm not so sure," she informed him, not sure if she wanted her son to get into the sport she hated.
"Why? You not a basketball fan?"
"No, not so much," she rested her head back against her old worn out couch. "The whole sport just bugs me."
"Ouch," Lucas's hand flew to his heart. "I guess the whole working with them doesn't help my standings with you huh?"
"Oh no!" she freaked not even realizing she was bashing his job, the job she knew he clearly loved. "I mean I like basketball, kinda," she rephrased and heard him chuckle.
"You don't have to like basketball," he told her. "I don't like you because you have superb basketball skills."
"And who said I don't have skills?" her brow shot up knowing just what her basketball skills were.
"Do you have skills?" his voice sounding so rough it sent a shiver all through her body.
"I do as a matter of fact," she crossed one leg over the other and relaxed back onto her couch.
"Well Miss Davis what if I say prove it? What if I said to meet me for dinner and after you show me all these basketball skills?" he suggested and could quickly picture the smile that incased across her face.
"Ok," she trapped her bottom lip between her teeth. "I would say that we do just that, but I can't tonight," she frowned at the idea of having to work.
"Oh," he was sure he didn't do too well of hiding his disappointment. "Is it because of Easton? Can you not find a sitter again because if that's so you can bring him again? I like spending time with both of you."
"No it's not that, I just…" she trailed off not at all wanting to admit what she had going on. "I promised my friend Rachel she could come over. Her dad is getting married again and needed someone to talk to about it, but I'm free tomorrow. Are you busy tomorrow?"
"No I'm not busy. I have a morning and afternoon meeting but other than that I'm completely free. What if I came and picked you up around six?" he suggested.
"No!" she said quickly, the thought of someone like Lucas seeing where she lived making her freak. "You don't have to pick me up, I could umm…meet you there. No need to come all the way here to drive back to the city."
"You sure? I mean I'm sure it's not that far, I don't mind," he told her another few questions racing through his head.
"No its ok I promise, I will just meet you."
"Ok well my last meeting is at three and should be over by four so if you want to meet at my office you can. I'm thinking Nathan is bringing Haley up here and I'm sure she would love to see you."
"Oh I would love that!" Brooke smiled at the idea, she missed Haley, it had been way to long since she had seen her.
"Ok well I guess I will see you tomorrow. Do you want to bring Easton?"
"Umm…" she tossed a look back in the back room and thought about it. "I think I will have Rachel watch him. Maybe have a date with just me and you," she shrugged knowing she wanted to get to know Lucas and even with loving her child more than anything knowing her and Lucas did need some time alone to learn about each other.
"Ok," Lucas smiled, the thought of just him and Brooke sounding pretty great. "Then I will see you tomorrow."
"Yeah tomorrow," that goofy grin returned on her. "Bye Lucas."
"Bye Brooke," she heard a small pause before the phone clicking off.
"Oh my god!" she flipped out on her couch covering her face with her pillow. "I feel like such a school girl," she shook her head at how stupid she was, however that smile still never leaving.
Sometimes I'm like really! Do I really get that many reviews for the story every chapter! It's crazy all the feedback I keep getting and let me tell you loves that REVIEWS are what make writers excited to write. It makes you still have the want to write a story if it gets so much feedback and I love it! (I just sung out love it. You didn't hear it but I swear it was and it was lovely! hehe) But I love you all and I love you all love this story and please!
Review!