Love Rectangle Plus One (Whatever That Is)

Chapter 5: Dirty Little Secret

Lucas could see from Jake's big smile as he approached the River Court with Haley that she had said yes. Lucas smiled too. Jake was a great guy and he thought he and Haley would really hit it off.

"Hey guys, what's up?" he asked knowingly.

"Nothing," Haley said blushing.

Lucas looked at Jake for a response, but he only smiled and said, "What the lady said."

Haley giggled and walked over to the tables to watch the boys play.

Lucas took the ball and started dribbling as Jake guarded him. When they were close to each other and Lucas was sure Haley couldn't hear, he leaned over and whispered to Jake, "She said yes right?"

"Of course," Jake nodded, "It's me," he added cockily.

"You better not act like that on your date if you want to stay alive," Lucas said flying past him to dunk the ball through the hoop.

Jake laughed and wiped his brow. "I'll take that as a warning."

"Good," Lucas said laughing and smiling back.

The boys finished their game and talked for a while with Haley before Jake had to go home. He said his goodbyes giving Haley a hug and Lucas a high five.

"So Lucas, was that the secret?" Haley teased.

"You're too smart," Lucas said laughing.

"Thanks," Haley said smiling.

"So I take it it's not a bad secret?" Lucas said smiling and prodding Haley on.

"No Jake's a nice guy. I think I could really like him," Haley said but with more hope in her voice than actual feeling.

"That's great. Jake deserves someone."

"You do too Lucas," Haley said softly.

"Thanks Hales," Lucas responded touched.

"And I just think you should maybe focus on someone besides Brooke for a while," she finished lamely.

Oh. So that's what this was about. Lucas was pissed, but deep down he knew Haley was right. He just didn't want to admit it. He hadn't thought of anyone but Brooke for a long time, and he just couldn't accept that maybe she'd never be with him.

"I appreciate it Haley, but I love Brooke, and I know we'll be together," he said stubbornly.

Haley nodded. She didn't want to pressure him and she knew how stubborn he could be. "Ok Luke. You know I support you no matter what."

"Thanks Hales," he said pulling her into a hug.

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A few days later, Peyton walked up to Nathan's house hoping to look inconspicuous, so no one would be suspicious of her going there. She was still unaware that a ton of people already knew about her and Nathan. She walked in and went to the back door in the kitchen. Sure enough, Nathan was shooting hoops in the driveway.

"Nathan," she called.

She turned and the look he gave her was not what he expected. He always looked at her with what she liked to describe as desire, although it was probably more horniness. But the look now was a mix of disgust and annoyance.

"What do you want?" he asked.

"I don't know. To hang out?" she asked hopefully.

"Oh you still want to hang out with me after you acted like a total bitch yesterday?"

Peyton was taken aback. Normally Nathan was calm and collected. He hated to show his feelings, because then he would lose the control.

"I'm sorry Nathan," she said wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Whatever," he said shrugging them off. "This isn't really working for me."

"What?!"

"It's just too much drama that I don't want to deal with."

"Drama, what drama?" Peyton demanded willing herself no to start crying.

"I don't know. Maybe the fact that my girlfriend is also your best friend," Nathan said sarcastically.

"But don't you like how I make you feel,' she said desperately before seizing his face and covering his lips with hers.

Nathan let her kiss him for a while and Peyton really believed she had him back. She pulled away and smiled at him. "See?"

'Peyton, the sex was great. But whatever, I don't want to deal with the whole Brooke thing anymore."

"But," Peyton stuttered.

"Just go Peyton. Because I don't want you here. We're done."

Peyton stared at him blankly before running off tears streaming down her face. Nathan sighed and turned back to his shots. He felt a little bad, but what he had said was true. He just didn't want to deal with the drama of having what felt like two girlfriends especially when those girls were best friends. He couldn't keep the charade up anymore. And the worst thing was he knew that eventually he'd have to tell Brooke the truth. He couldn't hide anymore.

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Lucas sat back against his bed thinking of what Haley had said. He couldn't just pine after Brooke and expect something to happen. She was dating his brother after all. He knew nothing would come out of just waiting. He sighed knowing he'd have to tell her. He knew when he did and she rejected him, he'd have to move on, but he needed to do that. Haley was right. He couldn't wait forever. He had to get past it. He sighed again wishing for some advice when he heard his mom knock on the door.

"Hey Luke, how are you?" she asked from the doorway.

"Not so good. Can you give me some advice?"

"Sure," she said smiling gently and came to sit on the edge of the bed.

"See I like this girl, but she's dating well lets just say one of my friends. But this friend is kind of cheating on her with her best friend. And I don't know what to do. She'll never go out with me if she's happy with him. And if she finds out about the cheating, she'll like swear off guys or something."

Karen smiled at the last image. "Lucas I think the best thing is to tell her how you feel. Maybe she won't reciprocate it in the beginning, but if she realizes that her boyfriend is a no good scumbag, she might see that she has someone that really cares about her, and she'll take time to develop that."

"Thanks Ma," Lucas said feeling a little better, "I guess I'll talk to her."

"I'd suggest it," she said smiling.

Lucas laughed as Karen walked out of the room. It looked like some of what was being hidden would have to come out, and he'd be the first for the job.

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Haley and Jake went out. Haley smiled at Jake. They had had a good time on their date, and he was now standing on her porch saying goodbye. Jake shuffled a little looking nervous. Haley knew he wanted to kiss her, but he was too scared and didn't want to make the first move if she wasn't ready.

"It's okay Jake," she said softly.

Jake smiled and leaned down and brought her lips to his. The feeling was nice, but there was nothing special about it. Haley really wanted to like Jake but she couldn't bring herself to as more than a friend. She broke away and Jake searched her face.

"I'm sorry Jake," she stuttered out.

"It's ok," he said giving her a small smile, "I know what you feel."

"No spark?" Haley asked hopefully.

"Yeah," he said laughing.

Haley smiled and Jake pulled her into a hug. "I had fun though," he said hoping she wasn't upset not knowing how secretly happy she was.

"Me too," she pulled away and smiled at him, "I think we can be good friends."

"Definitely. You're really cool Haley."

"Of course I am," she joked like she would with any other boy friend.

"So I'll see you around then," he said giving her one more hug.

"Yeah. Thanks for being so understanding Jake."

"Hey, me being me," he said walking away with a smile.

As he walked away Haley turned and entered her house slowly. She tried to block out the thought of the boy she had really been dreaming of kissing her. That would and could never happen.

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Peyton toppled onto her bed, the tears coming down fast and furious. She turned on the saddest, most emo music she could find and crashed against the sheets which only days before had been occupied by her and Nathan. Thinking of this made her cry harder. How could I have been so stupid? She wondered. She really thought he cared about her. That it wasn't just a hook-up. And now she knew the truth and she was pissed. She wanted revenge. She would tell Brooke everything! No that would just ruin her friendship. Peyton screamed in frustration. Nathan had broken her heart; she had made a fool of herself, and betrayed her best friend. She was at rock's bottom.

She heard her phone vibrate against her thigh. She groaned and looked at who was calling. Brooke Davis flashed across the screen. Peyton threw the phone halfway across the room and burst into a fresh onslaught of tears. There was no way out of this one.

Brooke stared at her phone after hearing it ring on and on. Then it had gone to voicemail. It was weird Peyton wasn't answering. She never did anything after school unless it was Brooke herself. She just didn't have many other friends she really hung out with. Whatever, Brooke thought. She forgot about it.