"Why are you smiling?" Timber asked when Brooke sat fixing her make-up. "Seriously this whole smiling thing you are doing is freaking me out."
"I'm happy, I don't know why but I am happy," the brunette shrugged coating her lips with red gloss.
"You do know that you are about to go dance on some really old men right?"
"And smile gone," Brooke slammed her makeup down and glared at her friend beside her.
"Anything to help you out baby girl," Timber jumped up kissing the top of her head. "But you do look happy, it's nice to see," she gave an honest smile before disappearing behind the curtain into the smoke filled room.
"Yeah," Brooke looked back in the mirror. Her hair was curled and dropping to her shoulder, her makeup was heavy but flawless and her smile was real. Well it was real for all of ten minutes before her friend so kindly reminded her of what she was about to do.
Lucas wouldn't approve of this; he wouldn't give her a second look if he knew what she spent many nights doing. He might have taken Easton well but knowing she spun around on a pole and rubbed up against men he would be disgusted with her, hell she was disgusted with herself.
However least she was not as bad as some of the girls. That whole statement even sounded ridiculous to her but it made her feel better. Many of the girls, Timber included had no problem going to the back room and giving the guys private shows that was just a nice way of saying they would let some guy rent out the room and you would hear the fake screams of the girls for the night. Some of the guys that would pick those rooms were just disgusting and the thought of them actually touching her in that kind of physical way made her sick. She refused to do that and Ron slowly got where he wouldn't even ask anymore.
"Brooke," she lifted her eyes to Ron standing there with a crocked smile. "Babe there is someone waiting for you."
"Who?" she asked knowing only so many people would ask for her, not like she was considered the best. She didn't even strip down, the furthest her clothes have come off were a tiny bra and thong and she refused to take those off. She was pretty sure Ron wanted to get rid of her but the fact she was the youngest, the most attractive and could spin on the pole better than anyone in the building he dismissed it. She still brought him in customers and she never failed him.
"I don't know darlin' but he wants Penny and that's you," he nodded his head back to the room and Brooke nodded putting the finishing touches on her makeup, adding a little glitter to her chest and shoulders and stood up and followed the large man.
"No," Brooke groaned when she saw sitting on the red wrap around couch the familiar face. "Ron I don't want to do this one, can we give it to Chloe or Blair?"
"No can do, he wants you," he informed her and her skin crawled. "Go make me some money," she patted her ass before walking off.
"Hey," her voice she knew quivered as she approached him, his eyes so cold she felt a shiver.
"Penny," he grinned, pulling his knees apart, his arms draping over the couch.
"Mike," she slapped on a fake seductive smirk and climbed herself up into his lap. "Have you missed me?"
"Clearly," his hands slid to her waist, gripping in a way that made her body stiffen. "You're the best and I want the best," he growled and she swallowed hard.
"Ok," she nodded rolling her hips to the rhythm of the music ignoring the short breathes that released him. "Uhh…" she whimpered when he nipped her earlobe in a way she didn't like at all.
"Slower," he commanded in her ear, pulling her hips to the position on him he enjoyed, a position she didn't want to be in and grinding. "Good girl," he kissed gentle on her throbbing lobe relaxing into her movements, her happy smile completely vanishing.
The next morning didn't come quick enough to Brooke and that afternoon came even slower. As she was driving to Lucas's office all she thought was that four o'clock came slower that day than any other day of her life.
She was giddy to see him, stupid as it maybe after last night all she wanted was to see the boy who was the first person in a long time to put a real smile on the brunette's face, well other then the gorgeous blonde at Rachel's house who she had no doubt was getting spoiled.
"May I help you?" the older black man at the gate smiled.
"Yes hello," Brooke smiled. "I'm supposed to meet Lucas Scott," she told him and the smile grew wider on the older man's face.
"Right you must be Miss Davis, Mr. Scott did say you were a looker," he typed in the code, a blush spreading across the young woman's face. "He wants you to park right over there," he pointed to a free space that said reserve. "And he also wanted me to walk you up," he pushed a sticker to the front of her windshield.
"Ok," Brooke again bit her lip, a new habit she has grown since meeting Lucas Scott. Pulling over to park she watched the older man type something into a number box, the gate closing and him locking up the little box he was standing in.
"Are you ready Miss Davis?" he walked over to her door and Brooke nodded.
"You can call me Brooke," she smiled sliding out of the car, her hair brushing over her shoulders. "Miss Davis makes me feel like I'm in some lame pageant."
"Alright Brooke," he chuckled, Brooke looping her arm through his as they started talking. Jones found it sweet how she went on and on about things, asked him about himself and by the time he reached Lucas's floor he was sure she knew everything about him expect him pant size.
"I'm sorry," Brooke blushed. "I talk a lot when I'm nervous."
"Why are you nervous? There is nothing to be nervous about," he reassured giving her a smile.
"Yeah but some people here keep looking at me funny," she admitted feeling slightly uncomfortable with all the stares she was getting, almost like they knew her, knew what she did or something.
"Are you talking about Claire and Deena?" he questioned, knowing they passed them walking in. Claire was apparently taking a 'coffee break' but ended up downstairs in the lobby gossiping, Jones was sure, with Deena. And when Jones told Deena that he was escorting Brooke to meet with Lucas they both gave that once over girls do and all but glared at the brunette as she entered the elevator.
"I'm not sure," she chewed on the inside of her cheek not sure if she was ok with talking about girls she didn't know to a man she didn't know. For all she knew Jones thought she was annoying, beneath Lucas or something and her bashing some girls to someone he works with might relay it back to him and he might assume she is petty or immature and she really doesn't want that.
"They are young," Jones stated, Brooke not at all going to mention they looked to be about her age. "They enjoy their talking but don't worry; Lucas is excited to see you."
"Really?" a dimple showed and her smile reached her eyes.
"Oh yes, I'm under strict orders to make you completely comfortable until he is done with his meeting. So whatever you want Mis- I mean Brooke," he corrected when Brooke gave him a look that made him chuckle. "I'm at your service."
"Ok," she nodded, the little ding of the elevator making her heart race as the doors slid open. "Do you know if Haley is here yet?"
"No, Mrs. Scott is running a little late but she will be here in a little while. She was letting Mr. Scott and Mr. Evans do their meeting and promised to pick Mr. Scott up when it was over."
"Oh ok," Brooke hid the disappointment of the younger James she has grown to love wasn't there. She was hoping she would be there long enough to catch up and at least give her something to talk about until this meeting was over.
"Hello?" Jones pulled his cell phone to his ear, the radio part of it buzzing he was needed. "Alright be there in just a second," he clipped the little black cell phone talkie to his hip. "Miss Davis I'm terribly sorry but there is a water leak in the basement."
"It's ok Jones I promise not to be upset if you don't refer to me as Miss Davis," she reminded him and he chuckled.
"I'm sorry ma'am," he walked her into a small area right in front of Lucas's office. "You may sit right here and Mr. Scott should be done in just a few minutes. Is there anything I can get you before I head down?" he wondered ushering her over to the leather couch.
"Oh no Jones you have been perfect," she gave a gentle smile. "Enjoy your swim," she kinked a brow making him smile.
"I'll try," he winked before heading out of the office and back down the hall to the elevator.
Tapping her perfectly polished finger on the leather arm rest Brooke checked her phone seeing it was twenty passed four. Lucas was running late, Jones was still trying to fix the water problem and Claire so kindly returned only offering a 'humph' when Brooke gave her a smile.
She missed Easton.
She knew it was dumb, being as she had only left him a few hours ago but she really hadn't seen him at all that day. She worked until early this morning, returned home praying for a few hours of sleep but her phone went off at seven informing her she had to come into work because Mary called out, so rushing to find a sitter she had to have Alex, Clay's sister, come over which she was ok with doing. After thanking the girl profusely she rushed to work, stood on her feet until three when she finally got off, went home showered and left to meet Lucas.
He was having a nap when she left and after Rachel told her to leave an enjoy her date she did and her heart broke a little when she realized she had seen him about a total of three hours that day and one of those hours he was half asleep. She didn't like going that long not seeing him even if he didn't realize the time frame.
However when the ticking of the clock and the sound of Claire typing nonstop was finally about to send her over the edge she grabbed her phone she give Rachel a call to talk to him.
"Hello?" Rachel laughed when she answered the phone. "East stop! I'm on the phone," she warned trying to be serious but of course breaking out into laughter when he started tickling her again.
"Rachel? Are you ok?" Brooke raised a brow, hearing the laughter of her friend and son on the other end.
"Yes but your son is like a tickle monster," she informed her, wrapping her free arm to stop him from tickling her.
"Rachie!" Brooke heard him squeal and a smile lit up her face.
"Rach you think I could talk to my baby?" Brooke asked, not at all missing when the typing on the other side of the desk stopped.
"Mommy!" Easton squealed into the phone, jumping up on Rachel's couch. "It's me!"
"I know it's you gorgeous," she laughed relaxing back into the couch. "I was just checking on you. Making sure you are being good for Rachel?"
"Mommy I de best," he rolled his blue eyes like her thinking he wasn't being good was the most ridiculous of ideas. "Mommy guess who called me?"
"I don't know baby who?"
"Aunt Quinn, she say she misses me and will see me morrow," he repeated the line she told him.
"You mean tomorrow?"Brooke corrected.
"Momma I say dat," he plopped down on the couch. "Rachie choc milk!" he yelled, forgetting to pull the phone from his ear and making Brooke cringe bit.
"Say please," Brooke warned, rolling her eyes at the blonde who was clearly eavesdropping on her conversation. She wasn't even hiding it well.
"Please!" he squealed again.
"Ok baby," Brooke looked at her watch, time ticking almost four thirty. "Mommy is going to go ok?"
"Otay, I lub you!"
"Love you too my baby boy," she smiled, hearing him erupt into giggles before the line clicked off. "Bye," she frowned, shutting her phone and sliding it back into her purse. Looking up to see Claire snap her heard back to the computer and start typing again.
"Brooke?" her head snapped up to see an older, grinning dirty blonde in the entrance. "Oh my god, Brooke!"
"Haley!" She flew off the couch, engulfing her friend into a hug. "How are you? I've missed you."
"I've missed you too and I've been good. How is Easton? Quinn sent me some pictures from Christmas and he is gorgeous."
"I know he is growing up so fast I don't know what to do with myself," Brooke glowed at the discussion of her world. "He is going to be three in a few weeks and I don't know what I'm going to do."
"Aw I can't wait to see him again. It's been forever I doubt he remembers me."
"Oh whatever Quinn and I talk to him all the time about his Haley, plus he doesn't forget who gave him his favorite blanky."
"He still has that?" Haley smiled, recalling the little blue and white blanket she got him for his second birthday. It wasn't much, but she just saw it and couldn't not get the little blanket with dump trucks on it.
"Of course, you try to get rid of it and he freaks," Brooke waved her hand, recalling the fit he threw when she tried to take it away from him to wash, but after explaining she was just cleaning it he slowly allowed it. "But how are you? I heard you are getting married."
"I am," her hand flew forward, not at all missing the noise of disgust that Claire let out.
"Ignore her, I think she is PMSing or something," Brooke dismissed it, rolling her eyes and not at all caring if the stuck up blonde heard her.
"She is a permanent PMS," Haley informed her not stupid to the attempts Claire went to, to seduce Nathan, like that was even possible.
"Bitch," both girls mumbled at the same time before breaking out into giggles.
"Haley it's gorgeous," Brooke cooed over the sparkling ring on her friend's slender finger. "And I've met Mr. Fiancé definitely nothing to sneeze at."
"I know he is the most amazing person I've ever met, I never thought it was possible to be this in love with someone but I am," Haley having the biggest smile she only seemed to get when it was Nathan being discussed.
"Oh Hales I'm so happy for you," Brooke again pulled her into a hug. "You deserve the best."
"Yeah well the Scott boys are just that," she wiggled her brow not at all confused to why her friend is there. "So you and Lucas huh?"
"I wouldn't say it like that," she shook her head nothing thinking her and Lucas were at the you and Lucas stage, heck it was only their second date.
"Well what would you say?"
"That I'm going on a second date with a very sweet guy," she smiled knowing that it was a little more than that. She liked Lucas, she knew it was nuts but she just felt it, something she didn't know and in the cliché high school way when he was mentioned or around she got all these butterflies that made her feel just that more stupid. Who gets butterflies after knowing a guy for a week?
"If you say so," Haley gave her a questionable grin the James girls always give making Brooke roll her eyes. The girls falling into a light conversation until the deep chuckle of men filled the area.
"Penny!" Brooke froze at the tone, at name, only a few people calling her that, only a few people knowing that name.
"No…" she swallowed the lump in her throat, the shaking her legs as she spun on her heels, finding just the person she thought it might be, she would recognize that voice anywhere, it's hard to forget it.
"What are you doing here?" a teasing grin tugging at his lips, two confused men in suits by his side.
"I'm meeting Lucas," she nodded her head at the blonde, Haley quickly moving to Nathan's side, giving a kiss that made Claire again make a noise that pissed her off.
"Hey babe," Nathan slung his arm around her shoulder, pulling her close. "Brooke," he gave a nod which she returned.
"Who's Penny?" Lucas slowly moved his way towards Brooke, greeting her with a hello and a kiss to the side of the head.
"No one," Brooke rolled her eyes. "My brother gave me that nickname when I was little, some people think its ok to call me it," she sent a glare at the dirty blonde who threw his head back laughing.
"Oh whatever Davis," he walked over, engulfing her into a hug and kissing her cheek.
"Oh whatever Evans," Brooke rolled her eyes playfully.
"How is my boy doing? He learn to catch a football yet?" Clay raised his brows.
"Clay you broke the vase. You can't expect a two year old to catch a huge football," Brooke reminded him, not like her and Quinn hadn't a million times.
"It is not that huge, I mean it's a football not a car," he teased and Brooke narrowed her eyes.
"He has little hands and don't joke like that, that was your fault," she slammed her little finger into his chest, him again laughing.
"I'm just kidding B, but I have to go, promised to meet the little lady at the house," Clay told them, adjusting his jacket. "Is East at my house?"
"No, he is with Rachel," Brooke reached up fixing his collar.
"Damn, I wanted to play some video games; Quinn won't let me unless Easton is there. Apparently it's not grown up," he mocked, using air quotes and getting a laugh.
"You are corrupting my child."
"Hey you let him around Luke and he is worse than me," Clay teased, strolling towards the elevator.
"Hey! I'm a great influence," Lucas objected at that, again everyone letting out a laugh. "Plus Easton and I get along great, we both like chocolate milk and pizza," he reminded Brooke making her laugh.
"That you two do, you little two are such big boys," she pinched his cheek, him slapping her hand away before giving her a smile.
"Clay hold that elevator, Hales and I are leaving too," Nathan called a mumble 'alright' heard down the hall. "Bye Luke, see you this weekend, Brooke good seeing you again," he smiled, slipping his hand into Haley's.
"You too," she nodded, giving Haley a quick hug and goodbye before the disappeared down the hall.
"I'm sorry things ran late," Lucas apologized, taking Brooke's hand leading her back into his office. "I think the guys are still trying to get their sleep back," he told her, shutting his laptop and stuffing some papers into his briefcase.
"That's ok," Brooke shrugged, slowly walking around his large office, pretty much positive it was bigger than her kitchen and living room put together. "It gave me time to catch up with Haley," she told him, scanning over a shelf full of pictures. "Is this your little sister?" she picked up a picture of a dark headed woman and a little girl with Lucas's eyes.
"Yeah," he walked over to her. "That's Lily and my mom," he told her, a smile on his face already. He loved his family.
"Your mom is gorgeous," she looked at the woman with the dark hair in the picture. "She looks really young."
"Yeah, she had me when she was eighteen," he told her, Brooke slowly turning to look at him. "She was a single mom," he told her with a small smile.
"She looks like she has done well for herself," she pulled in a breath looking back down at the woman. The reason Lucas was so at ease with Easton making a little more since. "She looks happy."
"Extremely, things were tough growing up, I mean it was just me and her but she is really happy now. She has her own café back in our hometown and even thought about opening a new one in some other places."
"And she did all on her own?"
"Yup," he grabbed his jacket off the hook. "I think you two would get along pretty great," he winked, holding out his hand. "Ready?"
"Yeah," Brooke slid the frame back on the shelf and taking his hand. A sudden feeling of hope washing through her.
"Lucas can we be in here?" Brooke tip toed as and whispered as if someone could hear them.
"Pretty Girl, it's just us," Lucas laughed, leading her through the dark room. "You don't have to whisper."
"Well I don't want to get in trouble," she clung to him, still nervous.
"I own the place," he reminded her. "They can't really kick me out, I sign their paychecks."
"That's true," she pondered the idea. "But if we get arrested our third date will be spent with you making it up to me."
"So there is going to be a third date huh?" he raised his brow and shrugged.
"We'll see how the second one goes," she played coy, sliding around him and into the large area.
"You come back here," he chased after her.
"Lucas!" she squealed, when his arms circled around her waist and lifted her off the ground, spinning her in circles. "Luke…" she clung to him, burying her face in his neck not wanting to get dizzy and throw up the very nice meal he had just bought for her.
"Oh no," he stopped spinning, dropping down on his back and closing his eyes. "Too much spinning."
"Aw poor baby," Brooke climbed up his body, resting her hand over his shoulder. "You ok?" she pulled back her hair that was falling in his face.
"You're beautiful," he looked up at her, his heart pounding in his chest looking up at her.
"No, I'm not," she shook her head. "I had a baby."
"So? You're still beautiful," he pushed her hair back.
"I don't feel like it very often, I feel…old," she admitted looking down playing with his collar. "I mean I know I'm only twenty one but I have a baby and feel like I've gone through so much in my life and that I'm like dried up or something," she said, glancing up at him and feeling stupid. "I know that's dumb…"
"No its not," he sat up on the hard floor, her slowly easing off of him. "I understand, but Brooke you can do so much with your life if you want to."
"It's kinda hard with a baby Lucas. I mean once I had Easton I had to accept my life stopped, it's all about him."
"Which I understand but Brooke you are young. Yes you have to think twice now, once for you and once for Easton but if you want to do something do it, if you have an idea about something that isn't working at a diner then do it. I mean yeah the diner is great I guess but I really don't think growing up that was your real want in life."
"It wasn't," she shook her head. "I've always been into fashion, since I was little," she told him. "Quinn and I decided to move here right after high school and we had this big plan. We were going to go to college and when we graduated get jobs where we would gain experience and also save money and then when we were saved up open our own business. We had it all planned out and everything."
"Well what happened?"
"Well," Brooke curled her legs under her. "We moved up here and we both started school and halfway through my freshman year I got pregnant with Easton," she shrugged. "Quinn had already taken some college class while in high school because she was just a freak so she graduated last June, got the job she has now, loves it and I dropped out and became your local diner girl."
"You can still have your dream if you want Brooke. I believe you could probably do anything you wanted," he smiled at her, truly believing that. Hell he saw his mom do it and he had no doubt Brooke could do the same.
"Yeah," she looked down at the polished floor, running her finger back and forth. "But umm…" she shook her head. "Look where we are? I mean I'm in the middle of a basketball stadium."
"That you are," Lucas chuckled, dropping the conversation that made her fall silent.
"Well why might I be here Mr. Scott?"
"Well Miss Davis," Lucas stood up, helping Brooke rise to her feet. "You see the other night I was told by a very gorgeous girl that she knew how to play basketball," he leaned over a railing grabbing a ball that was hidden. "And I'm here to test that," he tossed the ball which she caught with ease.
"Oh really?" she slipped off her shoes, kicking them to the side.
"Yup, I'm thinking first to twenty?" he walked over. "But you can start with six if you want? I mean I wouldn't want you to be embarrassed if you score nothing."
"Oh cocky much?" she kinked a bow, spinning the orange ball in her hands. "Well I'll take those six points and tell you to shove them up your cute little ass," she took a step in front of him, a smirk planted on her face. "Because I'm going to win."
"You think I have a cute ass?" he grinned and she rolled her eyes.
"Come on," she headed towards the court.
"No seriously, have I been missing you check me out?" he followed behind her, her laughing sounding like music to his ears.
"Rachie," Easton sucked his spoon in his mouth.
"Easton," Rachel did the same as she took a bit of her own ice cream.
"What is a daddy?" he randomly asked, Rachel's head snapping over to look at him. "I mean my daddy isn't here anymore I get dat. But what does one do?" he asked not getting the concept, he has his mommy who he loves and he is happy so he didn't get the point of one.
"Well," Rachel tucked her legs under her as they sat on the couch. "Some daddies are really special, some are the best but I think daddies are more for mommies."
"I don't get it," he turned to look at her, his little blue eyes sparkling.
"Well you know how mommy takes care of you? She makes you happy and smile and fixes your boo boos and stuff."
"Yeah," he nodded turning back to his ice cream.
"Well daddies make mommies happy. They give them kisses and hugs and make them smile. They take care of mommies."
"I take care of my mommy, am I a daddy?"
"The way he takes care of mommy is different. You take care of mommy because you are her baby," she told him knowing this was just confusing him more. She didn't know how to explain what a daddy did, she never had one to really look up too and honestly she found them all kinda pointless, she had no clue what it was they did that Easton would understand.
"Oh," he got a confused look on his face. "I tink I understand. A daddy makes a mommy happy and he takes care of her? Wike makes her waffles and stuff?"
"Yeah gorgeous, he gets her waffles and stuff," she ran her hand through his blonde hair.
"We need to find momma one, I wike when she is happy."
"Me too sweetie," Rachel leaned down kissing the top of his head, hoping she didn't screw up that whole conversation.
"I just don't get it," Lucas said for about the millionth time. "I mean how?"
"I told you, I have skills," Brooke laughed again, slipping back on her heels.
"But you beat me, I mean you beat me by ten and I didn't even give you free points," he looked over at her, still utterly confused. "I mean you made four three pointers, four! You are short!"
"Hey! I'm not that short," she defended herself.
"Well to short to store enough energy to make a shot that far four times!"
"You know you're kinda adorable when you're in shock," she teased, turning on the bleacher to look at him.
"I just can't not believe this," he said looking back at the basket and the line Brooke made a shot from, four times!
"Oh god," Brooke started to laugh. "You do realize you just quoted my two year old right?" she laughed, his 'I can't not believe this' sounding just like Easton's.
"If there is ever a time for that line its now," he told her with such a serious face she started laughing again.
"Oh Luke," she shook her head, running her hand over his cheek. "You are adorable," she looked up at him, realizing just in that moment how close she was to his face.
"And you're beautiful," he whispered before lifting her chin and capturing her lips with his. Making the decision then he would tell Brooke Davis she was beautiful until he knew she believed it again.
"Mmm," Brooke hummed against his lips when his hands gripped her hips and pulling her up into his lap. Leaning back rather uncomfortably on the hard wooden bench behind him Lucas seemed to dismiss the comfort in his back when Brooke parted her lips for his tongue to enter.
She threads her hands through his hair forgetting what it was like to really kiss a man. To feel his mouth almost begging for hers in a way that wasn't in a drunken want. His hands running over her in such a gentle way but also in the way that there was no doubt in her mind he wanted her. She forgot what it was like to be really wanted want not just used.
Her hands sliding down to rest on his neck Brooke broke the kiss breathing heavy and dropping her head to rest beside his.
"What are you doing to me Pretty Girl?" Lucas's breath racing in and out of him. Turning his head and burying it in the side of her neck, inhaling her sweet scent. "I've only known you a little over a week," he let out a dry laugh, kissing the side of her neck.
"I know," Brooke nodded thinking her feelings for him didn't make since at all. How could they? How could they all be rushing around in her so fast that the thought of him makes her smile stupidly and makes her almost get a tingle all over, it made no since. "I don't really get it; I don't get what this all means."
"I don't know," Lucas shrugged, Brooke pulling up to look at him. "But I'm hoping I get a third date to figure it out."
"Are we going to play basketball? Cause I really enjoy beating you," she teased a little, trying to lighten the serious mood, not at all wanting to try to decipher everything they were at that moment.
"I don't know depends on how fast my ego recovers," he joked, finding her flushed face so innocent. "How about football? How are you at that sport?"
"My brother played in high school, he got a scholarship to the top school in the country," she informed him.
"Maybe we will putt-putt and bring Easton, I feel like I could probably bet a two year old," he shrugged and Brooke laughed.
"Ok we can play putt-putt," she looked down at him; his blue eyes seem to be holding so much life in them that she hoped to have that again someday. "You know, I kinda like you Scott," she had a teasing grin, stroking her thumb along his bottom lip.
"Well I kinda like you too Davis," he grinned, leaning up and once again capturing her lips with his.
New chapter! Hope you all enjoyed! Oh also check out my new story. 'Somewhere with you' is the title and I think y'all might enjoy!
Review!