Chapter 12

"First day on a brand new planet"

"Brooke."

The voice startled her and caused her to turn around. The elderly man was smiling at her

"Whitey," she said giving him a hug, "what are you doing here?"

"For Haley's wedding," he said smiling, "I can't wait to take a picture with her, she looks stunning."

Brooke smiled, "Where are you staying?"

"This amazing hotel, with all these other people. It is practically crawling with guests for the wedding. I notice most of them are for that husband of hers, really uppity you know? But a couple of her friends got invited as well, and of course me – since I was hers and your favorite coach."

"I know," Brooke said hugging him again

"I haven't had a vacation in forever, and the furthest I've ever been was Florida. So one week in this fancy place will be great"

Brooke laughed and began to walk away. Whitey was right as she ran into several of Haley's friends from work. The sun had set, leaving a balmy night, illuminated by the moon and the lanterns scattered among the yard. Dinner was amazing, and now people were chattering and dancing casually on the lawn. Eventually she found Lucas. Instead of being out with the others, socializing and drinking champagne from the trays of the waiters who seemed to appear from nowhere, he was seated in the study.

His jacket was hanging on the back of the chair and he had a tumbler wrapped in his hands.

"Hi," she said closing the door behind her. In his defense he actually tried to smile. She sat on his lap, as if she were doing it for months, as if it was the most natural thing to do.

Brooke removed the tumbler from his hands.

"It's not good to drown your sorrows in alcohol."

He rested his free hands around her waist, "What are you doing here?"

She snuggled into his neck, "I was looking for you."

He laughed, "I'm scared. Is Brooke Davis actually seeking my company?"

She kissed him, "Maybe."

"Still up to making me pay for being a son-of-a-bitch?"

She lifted her head so she could look at him, "You had to know what we were going to think? Why go through all of that?"

He shrugged, "Firstly, I didn't think anyone would actually believe me if I said I wanted their wedding to be special. And I think they would have been too scared that people would actually object."

"I wouldn't have believed you."

They both laughed.

"I thought so," he said. And then they were silent.

"I'm not really like that," Lucas said softly.

"Like what?"

"I don't really believe in the whole marrying within your class stuff."

Brooke raised her eyebrow, "You don't?"

He shook his head, "No. If she was rich I would have probably used the 'rich women are too superficial to truly love anyone but themselves' argument."

"So you basically just didn't want him to get married at all?"

"It's complicated."

Brooke brought her lips to his, closed her eyes and kissed him hard.

"We've got to go see the newlyweds off," she said eventually, "and get everyone out of here so I can go to bed; I've had a long day."

Lucas nodded, "Can you stay with me tonight....pretty girl"

She smiled, "I guess we can arrange for that."

It took them another three hours after Haley and Nathan left in the limo to get all the guests into their respective taxis to head back to the hotel. Lucas' head was beginning to pound. Really, no good deed ever went unpunished. Yet, he had to smile when he recounted the look on Nathan's face when he saw the seated guests, when he saw their mother. Lucas had always known the sacrifice it would have been for Haley to give up the big wedding she had talked about. Yet, she was willing to do that because she loved Nathan. And now, more than ever, he was sure that she would have trekked naked through the desert to marry Nathan if she was required. When Brooke finally closed the door behind the last person, Lucas smiled.

"Well that was tiring," he said.

Brooke laughed, "This is why I'm never getting married."

Then before he could think she was in his arms. He was becoming to like being kissed by her. He didn't think it was wise at all.

"I'm going to take a shower" he said "Meet you back here in a few minutes?"

She nodded. He headed to his bedroom, shed his clothes, and stepped into the shower. He allowed the jet streams to run over him.

"I'm screwing your wife"

"What" Lucas asked clenching his fists

"I just thought you should know you're about to marry a cheater"

"You're a liar"

"Ask her"

He turned off the shower abruptly. Anger still coiled within him like snake. God. He had underestimated just how much it had damaged him. Brooke was already lying in bed in absolutely nothing. She was smiling at him. He had no idea what the hell he was doing. What fire he was playing with. Yet, he walked over to her and allowed the towel to drop along the way. He kissed her and pulled her body against his. Her skin was cool to the touch, her kisses were fire. He wanted her. Brooke ran her hand through his hair as he brought his lips to hers.

Afterwards she lay in his arms and while stroking her hair he said, "So tell me about Brooke Davis. What makes her tick? What makes her happy?"

Brooke turned into him, "Only if you tell me about you."

He smiled, "Let's kiss it and make it law."

He kissed her lightly, then she began to speak. --- They spoke until sunlight filtered into the room, until she yawned and curled herself into him. Then entangled in the sheets, they slept.