One Step At A Time
Chapter 6
Peyton was in the kitchen of her restaurant doing her Thursday ordering when Haley walked in. " Nathans here." she said all happily.
" yay!" Peyton said in a playful tone.
It's been two weeks since that night at her apartment when she admitted that she was the one that killed someone. After Lucas grabbed her hand in said those words she always wanted someone to say to hear. Reality sink in.. She jumped up making some lame excuse about needing eight hours of sleep. She told them goodnight then went to her room, without so much of a glance at Lucas. She cried herself asleep again that night, thinking how she just ruined her friendship will Haley and her whatever it was with Lucas.
But she was wrong the next morning Haley walked into the restaurant smiling and talking like it was any other day. She never brought up Peyton's little break down or acted differently around her. Which got Peyton thinking that maybe she was different then the rest.
" Shut up..." she joked as she grabbed two beers. " I like that he comes here for lunch everyday.. Just to see me."
Peyton smiled at her, happy that the two were hitting it off. The last two weeks Nathan and Haley seemed to be getting closer. Nathan came to the restaurant everyday at noon, they went out every night and spent the reason of the time talking on the phone. " So what does my brother want for lunch today?"
" He told me to surprise him." Peyton nodded, as she continued to do her order. Haley grabbed the two beers, and a another glass. "Oh...Peyt,,," she said, Peyton looked up from her papers, giving her a what now look. " Lucas is here to...See theres that smile..." Haley teased before walking out the door.
Peyton putted down her papers, and picked up a spoon, trying to check her hair...as she thought about the last two weeks, yes they to, have spent every free moment together, and she was really enjoying his company. And yes, she was into him, but the questioned was...was he into her? Nathan and Haley make out, kissed, hugged, held hands, she in Lucas haven't done anything..So maybe he wasn't into her that way, which could be a bad thing and good thing, Bad thing being she was starting to like him and wondered what it would be like to kiss him. Good thing being, she wasn't ready to have that talk or get that serious, with a guy, she was just enjoying getting to know someone, who she had so much in common with, without feeling like he's judging her, because when and if the whole story, came out he would foreshore be gone fast.
"Hey!" She looked over at the door to see the very same guy she was just thinking about standing there.." Hope me being back here is okay, Haley said, it was.."
"No it's fine..."
"So what are you doing?" he asked as he put his hands in his pockets..Staring at her, he wanted to say how beautiful she was today, or something sweet like that, but didn't want her to kick him out.
"I was just putting on the order for next week...So slow day at the garage.." she asked as she walked over to him...
"Yeah, we will probably cut out early..."
" Yeah, I'm getting ready to leave once I finish the order.."
"Are we still on for tonight?" he asked in a hopeful voice...
She smiled, "Yeah...we are..." she looked down at the floor...
"Do you need me to bring anything?"
"No... I got everything covered..."
"Okay..."
"What's tonight?" Rachel asked as she walked in on their conversation... She looked back and forth the two.. "Are you her boyfriend?"
Lucas looked at the nosey red-head, Not to sure how to answer the question, he looked at Peyton, who seemed to be looking at him, with those wondering eyes of hers. " I am if she wants me to be.." he replied looking at her.
Peyton's eyes widen, "You know she won't date..." Rachel said interrupting their staring moment..
" Well, that must be a lie, we have a date tonight actually..." He says, as he gives Peyton a little smirk... " I'll see you tonight, about six..."
"Sure..." was all she said, he walked over to her, and kissed her cheek. " Have a good day Peyton.." he said, before walking away.
"What's tonight?" Haley said, as she entered the kitchen..
Peyton blushed knowing that both girls saw him kiss her cheek, " I'm making Lucas dinner at my place tonight..." she said, happily, she never cooked for a guy before, well she cooked everyday, for lots of different people, but she never cooked for someone who she was kind of, maybe dating...Her smiled grower, as it hit her, she's dating this guy.. She is actually dating someone...And she's has yet to had the creepy, bad, feelings to invaded her mind. Maybe she will be able to move on...
"So I take it you want the place to yourself tonight?" Haley said, with a knowing look...
Peyton froze, she did want to be alone with him, but not so she can have sex with him, she just wanted to talk to him more, cook for him, simple things like that..." I don't want to have sex with him.." she blurted out...
" Then you might as well give me his number, cause Peyt, I love you, but a guy that fine, is going to want to have sex, A guy that looks that way has already had sex, which means he's going to want it from his girlfriend to, so it you can't sleep with him, like a girlfriend should... I think you should cut him lose now..."
Haley rolled her eyes, " Rachel, not all guys are about sex..."
" Psssh, have you been living under a rock lately, Every guy in the world does nothing but think about sex, sex is on a guys mind twenty-four hours a day..."
Peyton sat down on the stool listening to them talk...She wondered if that's why Lucas, wanted to come over today, was it because he thought she would sleep with him.
" Don't you have tables to wait on" Haley said, as she walked over to Peyton...
" Hey, don't get all mad and sad on me just because I'm telling you the truth... I'm sorry, I hate to be the bitch, but we all know, what happens when a guy isn't happy in the relationship.."Rachel said with her hands on her hips..
"Yeah, they take their sorry ass, to whores like you..."
" Whore, who the hell you call...
"Stop.."Peyton yelled, as she stood up.. " That's enough, Rachel go do your job..."
"But I...
"Rachel., I'm not playing...if you want to keep this job get your ass out there now..." Peyton demanded..
Rachel rolled her eyes, then stormed out of the kitchen..."Haley you need to finish you task before you headed off on lunch break or where the hell you just went..." she said. as she picked up her papers... " I'm going to finish this ordered, then I'm going to leave for the day.." she said, in a bitter voice, not because she was upset with Haley, but because she didn't know what her and Lucas was going to talk about tonight, she didn't think about being alone with him, what if he thought she was setting this up so they could sleep together, sleeping with him was out of the question, she can't go down that road...not yet...maybe not ever.
"Peyton," Haley said, as she watched her, shaking as she try to finish her order, she knew something was wrong with her, "Nathan and I would be honored to stay for dinner tonight."
Peyton looked up, hope filling her eyes, "Really? you won't mind?"
"No...I love your cooking and so does Nate.." she said, giving her a wink " Let me just tell Nathan plans changed, I'll be back."
Peyton sighed happily...she wasn't sure how Haley knew she was nervous or what she was thinking, but she's glad she picked up on it...
After Peyton left work, she stopping briefly at the grocery store and bought the ingredients for the meal. She was smiling like a little kid on Christmas morning, her nervousness was lifted when the knowledge of Haley and Nathan been there. She just hopes Lucas isn't disappointed with their presents..
Placing her mail on the kitchen counter, She began unloading the other cargo she came home with before gathering whatever else she might need for the dinner she had planned. After making sure she had everything, she got her cutting broad down, Just as she began cutting, she realized she was still in her work clothes. Her mind had been so preoccupied with this evening that she had overlooked such a simple fact. She needed to go change into something date like material.
After finding something to wear, she throw her hair into a ponytail, not wanting to get hair in the food. She walks back in the kitchen, began preparing and assembling the ingredients for some chicken fettuccine alfredo. Cooking everything slowly and carefully, She prepared what she considered to be an outstanding meal. Everything was seasoned to perfection, the sauce was creamy and the food temperature excellent. With the meal all but finished, She glanced around the room. Prefect, now for the finishing touches.
she went to work. arranged the dining table, setting the plates, cutlery and wine glasses at one corner so that she and Lucas could sit close to one another, on one end and Nathan and Haley on the other end.
" I should have got some flowers," she said, to herself, as she studies the table, "Oh well, no time now." she said, as she looked at the clock, it was almost six. She walked over to the stereo, she figured she'll set the music, Nathan walked in ,as she quickly, finished scrolling around on her iPod, finding the 'Romance' playlist of music, she download last night.
"Wow..." He said, looking around the room..." You sure went all out..." he said, as he looked over at her.. "You look beautiful," he tells,
" Thanks" she said, as she looked around the room, "Go change.."
"Why?"
"Cause, Haley is going to be dressed up, so you sure be dressed up to. Now go..."
"Yes mom..." he said, as he walked to his room...
She closed her eyes, trying to calm down her beating heart. " Damn.." she said, as she realized she forgot something..
"What happen?" a shirtless Nathan walked in the room..
"All I have is red wine or beer.."
"Um...okay what's the problem?" Nathan asked, clearly not understanding why she was upset.
She threw her hands up.."Nathan, Lucas doesn't drink...I didn't even think about it, I just figured I like wine so does Haley, and you and Lucas would drink a beer or something, It never crossed my mind today at the store, that he doesn't drink..."
"So he doesn;t drink, alcohol, he can drink something else." Nathan told her like it was no big deal.
" Like what, I don't know what to server him,"
" Juice, milk, ice tea, coffee, water...that's just a few things, do you need me to go on."
She rolled her eyes, "No..." she took a deep breath. "I just never meet someone who doesn't drink,at all."
"Me either., but its his decision."
"Do you know why he doesn't drink? I mean did he ever give you a reason, or something."
Nathan shrugged, "He said, he just didn't like the taste..."
"Oh..." she said, as she thought about things for a moment, her thoughts were interrupted, by the doorbell. "Their here." she said excitedly...but didn't move.
"Peyton are you just going to stand there or let them in." Nathan smirk,
"Shut up and go put a shirt on.." she said, as she walked over to the door. She took a another breath, "Hey guys.." she said, as she moved aside..." Haley you look beautiful..." she said, Haley was wearing a cranberry skirts, with a black and white striped top.
" Thanks so do you." Haley replied, as the two shared a hug,
"There's my girl."Nathan said, as he walked into the room, "Baby you look amazing.." he said, as the two embrace each other..
"Thank you babe."Haley said, as she kissed him..
"Seriously, Nate."Peyton asked as she shook her head.
"What now.."
"I asked you to clean up, and you call this clean up." she said, pointing to what he was wearing. Baggy blue jeans, and a Lakers jersey...
" I think I look good ." He said, in a cocky voice..
"You do baby.." Haley said, as she kissed him again
Peyton rolled her eyes, then turned her attention to the guy standing beside her, "Now this is what a normal guy wears to a dinner date." she said, as she check Lucas out. He was wearing black slacks and a nice blue dress shirt;
"Well, there not exactly formal, but still comely enough for a date night with such a special woman." Lucas said, as the two locked eyes, "these are for you." he whispered, as he handed her a bouquet of flowers.
"Thank you, I was thinking how beautiful a bouquet of flowers would look in the middle of the table.. It's like you read my mind." she smiled, " I'm just going to go put these in some water." she said, as she turned away.
Lucas grabbed her arm, pulling her back around. " "You look absolutely gorgeous!" She wore a lavender blouse, soft and elegant, that fit her figure flawlessly, bringing out the beauty of her delicate curves. Below her shirt, she wore a richly-coloured black skirt, ending just below mid-thigh. It fit tightly enough for a prominent display of the women she was, but not so snugly that it was promiscuous. On her feet was a pair of black, heeled shoes which exaggerated the length of her smooth, delicate legs.
She smiled shyly, averting her eyes to the floor. "Thanks," she giggled. she walked away hoping to hide her blush.
Nathan smiled, "Did she just giggle?" he whispered into Haley's ear.
"yep.."Haley said, as she looked over at Lucas who was still watching Peyton.
Nathan smiled to himself, as he watched his sister, she placed the flowers in a vase neatly between the dishes, flanked by the candles. She was happy, not the pretend happy she has been the last ten years, she was happy, happy, the way she used to be, before everything happen.
"Mmmm! That smells good!" Haley said, as she walked in the kitchen
"Hope so," Peyton announced. "I'm pretty proud of it, if I do say so myself."
Looking over the stove, Lucas turned to her and smiled. "Fettuccine alfredo?"
"Chicken fettuccine alfredo," she elaborated. "Been a while since I've made it. But Haley said it was your favorite, so I figured I would try to make it for you."
" It going to taste wonderful, I can already tell." he winked at her.
"Everything's almost ready, " she told him. "Nathan why don't you get them their drinks."
Nathan walked into the kitchen, "Luke what do you want?"
"Waters fine.." he said, as he stared at Peyton...
Peyton looked at him curiously, "What?" she said, noticing the way he watching her.
"I swear you are like the most gorgeous women I have ever met."
"Lucas." she whispered, as she turned her head trying to hide her blush. " I'm not that..."she trailed off as he touched her hand.
Taking her hand with one of his, He tilted her face up to look at him. "I mean it,Peyton" he stressed. "You are the most loveliest women I've ever had the pleasure to laid eyes on."
Humming appreciatively, she placed her hand on the back of his neck, pulling them together. She was ready to kiss him, like she's been wanting to do, but Nathan's voice stopped her...
"We set everything on the table.."
Peyton pulled away from Lucas, "Thanks," she whispered..."Lets eat.."
Lucas led her to the table, pulling out her chair and replacing it as she sat down before taking his place around the edge of the table. He looked over the simple, but delicious, spread of food she prepared. Beyond the fettuccine, She had readied dinner rolls and vinegar/oil dipping sauce, bruschetta with bread and a light salad.
Lucas 's eyes lit up "Wow. Is this all for me?"
"Well, for us, yeah," she clarified. "I thought it suitable for a nice evening."
Her eyes met his "I think it will be a fantastic evening,"
"Peyton everything looks so good."Haley said, as she filled her plate..
" Yeah, she can sure cook...she's the reason I can't loss this little gut." Nathan joked, as he patted his stomach
"Yeah, whatever, those six or seven beers a night doesn't help either."Peyton said, as she took a sip of her wine.
"So Peyton, what made you want to be a cook?" Lucas asked, as he took a bit..
" I just love to cook, It started when I was younger, and as I grew up, I just got more eager to do more..."
" Me to, " Haley said, as she looked at Peyton. " I used to love cooking with our mom everynight...She was the best cook..."
" Our mom had talented to, " Peyton said, as she looked down at Nathan, who nodded with her. " She was my inspiration, she was the reason I adored cooking, and I learned a lot that I know now from her. " she paused..." She had this little bakery, called Sweet Tooth...Nathan and I would help her every evening after school and on the weekends, I used to love helping her, she used to let me be in charge of the tarts, chocolate tarts, strawberry tarts, banana tarts, all kinds of tarts..." she smiled as she remembered... " She made the best strawberry cheese cake..."
"Yeah, she sure did.." Nathan said, with a little smile.
"I bet she was so proud with you decided to open up your own restaurant." Haley said,
Peyton looked over at her, " She probably would have been..." she trailed off, for a moment..." She died, when I was seventeen..."
" I'm sorry, Peyton.. I didn't know..." Haley told him in a sympathy voice.
"It's okay... it's been ten years and I still cry when I think about her,"
Lucas reached out in touched her hand, making her look up at him.."We get it...we lose our mom, when we were about twelve.."
Peyton's eyes widen..."Wow! I'm sorry..." she said, staring at him..." How? I mean nevermind you don't have to t...
"Breast cancer.." Haley said, interrupting her, " She had breast cancer, "
" I'm sorry.." Peyton repeated, as she looked down at Nathan. " Our mom was...killed..." she said, as a few tears fell.. " I...
" Someone broke into our house one night, and killed her while she was alseeping..."Nathan said for her, giving her a look, telling her that they didn't need to know all the details...
"OH MY GOD!" Haley said, as she hand flew up to her mouth..." That is horrible..." She grabbed Nathan's hands...
" Did the ever catch the person who did it.." Lucas asked, as he slides closer to Peyton... who was crying a little hard now...
" Yeah..." Nathan whispered, as Peyton closed her eyes, trying not to remember the night that changed their lives completely...
They all sat there quietly, letting things sink in..." Peyton that was the best cooked meal I have every had.." Lucas said, breaking the silent..
"Hey!" Haley said, in a hurt but playful tone. " That hurt Lucas." she said, causing everyone to laugh...
" Thank you Lucas, I'm glad you liked it..." Peyton said, as she started to clear the table..." You guys can go into the living room, I'll be right there once I'm done.."
" I can help you..." Lucas said,
" Luke, I can help her, why don't you go in the other room, we will be there shortly..." Nathan said, giving Lucas a looked that told him, he needed to talk to his sister..
"Okay." he said, before smiling at Peyton,
The cleared the table, " I can't believe you told them the truth.." Nathan said, as he put the dishes in the dish washer.
Peyton shrugged." I can't believe it either, but after hearing that they lost their mom, I felt like I should be honest with them, I hate telling people she died in an accident, I want to be able to tell the truth, besides we didn't exactly tell them the whole truth."
"I know, but after you told them how she died, I didn't think you wanted them to know, who, or what she was trying to do when it happen.. Are you going to tell Lucas about that night.. Anything about that summer?"
" I don't know...I mean I want to, but... I don't want to scare Lucas off. So I probably won't tell him everything.. I will wait in see, if he asks me questions I will try to explain it as best I can.."
" Haley knows, about dad.."
"You told her?"
" Yeah, we were talking one night and she told me about their dad, and I told her about ours.. "
"What about their dad?"
"Let me just say we aren't the only people in this apartment tonight, that know what it's like to lose both parents."
"He died to " she said in a shocked voice.. "How?"
" I think it's best for Lucas or Haley to tell you..."
She nodded, they finished up the kitchen in headed back into the living room.. Nathan sat beside Haley, and Peyton sat beside Lucas. They talked about work, and everyday life things for a good hour or so. Peyton kept rolling her eyes, as Nathan and Haley would stop talking a every five seconds to share a little peck...
After like the hundred peck, Peyton looked over at Lucas, " I think I need some fresh air..."
"Me to.."
They walked out of the room, "Wow, it beautiful out here" Lucas said, as he walked out on the balcony.
Yeah, I know," She whispered,... " You should see it when the sunsets or rises its. remarkable." Lucas watches her, stare out into the night, "That's one thing I miss about South Carolina... you can't really see the stars here, like you can there."
" I know, same thing about Tree Hill... " he said, still looking at her.. " Peyton, you have the most amazingly green eyes I have ever seen... And I can tell there is a story that lies behind your eyes.."
She looked at him, for a moment, " There's is... maybe one day I could tell you, I just have trouble letting people in my life" she replied honestly
"Whenever, your ready." he said, with a smile that made my heart flip. "I wish that one day I can be one of those people you let in"
"I wish that to" she whispered, as she touched his arm. She licked her lips, as her eyes scanned his lips.
"Peyton" he whispered, as he lowed his lips to hers, His fingers tangle in her hair,
Both feeling so excited, afraid their hearts going to burst out of their chest. She wrapped her arms around his neck. His arms draped down around her waist pulled her even closer, gently nibbling her bottom lip. A moan passed her lips, he took that as a sign, and push his tongue into her mouth, writhing against hers, as their lips mashed together sensuous.
"I have wanted to do that since the first night I talked to you." He said, as he rested his head on her forehead.
" Me to," she whispered, back.
They stood there wrapped up in each others arms, for moment, " I'm sorry about you mom." he whispered.
She leaned back a little, " I sorry about yours..." she bit her lip..." Where's your dad at?" she asked, knowing the answer, but just wasn't sure how to bring it up.
Lucas sighed, " My dad died to,... he drunk himself to death..you could say."
"Oh..." was her repealed, " Is that why you don't drink?" she asked in a hesitantly voice.
He step back a little, but not letting go of her completely, " Part of it, " he said, as he looked out into the night sky... " I was in rehab..."
"Rahab?" She questioned with a confused look..
" I was an alcoholic, "
" Wow!" she said, looking up at him, so many questions running through her head, " But you not now?"
"No, I've been sober for six years now..."
She smiled, "That's good..." she pulled him back to her, "Do you ever get the urge to drink?"
" Sometimes, but I have Haley who keeps me on my toes..."
She nods, "Well, I would like to take over that job, you know I can keep you on you toes.." she smirked..
" I would love that.." He smiled, as he touched her check... " But I think I should tell you how it started first..."
" If you want.." she said, like it was no big deal...
"If was after a girl I was in love with broke my heart, I kind of went crazy.. I guess you could say..."
Peyton was surprised by that, she thought it had something to do with his father, not a girl... " How long were you together?"
" About two years, I guess.."
"Are you guys still friends? you know do you keep in touch?" she asked nervously,
Lucas lifted her chin, " No, were aren't friends, and no I haven't see Brooke and about seven years,"
Brooke, that name flashed inside her mind, no way could it be the same girl...then it dawned on her, when she meet Brooke, she said, she was just getting out of a serious relationship,. and the guy went crazy, and Brooke was from Tree Hill...So she just had to asks, " What was Brooke's last name?" already fearing she knew the answer.
Lucas give her a confused look.. " It was Davis...why?"
Peyton step completely away from him, " I think you should go.." she said, walking back inside.
Nathan and Haley were in the living room, also having a talk about their ex's..."Brooke Davis...you use to date Brooke Davis?" Haley said, as she stood up, shocked from just learning about Nathan and Brooke , a girl Haley hated more than her ex husband, dated her now boyfriend.. Brooke Davis was a heartless bitch, she was the reason Lucas got off track with his life.
"What's the big deal...And how do you know Brooke?"
"Apparently, Lucas is the guy Brooke told us about.." Peyton said, as she walked into the room, " Brooke and Lucas dated in high school.." she said remembering some of the details from what Brooke told her about him,
Nathan stood up, looking at his sister, " Brooke and Lucas dated?' he questioned...
" Yeah...I'm going to go lay down..." Peyton said, as she noticed Lucas walking back inside..She should of known that something was going to come crashing down on her, she's isn't allowed to be happy... She just didn't think Brooke Davis was going to be the reason again...
" I should go to" Haley said, as she grabbed her bag.. " Thanks for everything, don't call me..." she said to him, before walking out the door...
Lucas sighed, as he looked down the hall at Peyton's closed bedroom door, Nathan stared at the door Haley just went out of..." What just happen?" Nathan asked,
"Brooke Davis just happen, and she's not even here...and she's still causing damage..., Brooke's not a name you want to say in front of Haley."
" I get that, it's not a name you want to say in front of Peyton either,"
"Look, I'll go get Haley, you work on Peyton, we're meet back here, about an hour... "
"Why?" Nathan asked,
" Because, I like your sister and I'll be damn if I let Brooke, get in the way...she's not going to ruin my life again.." Lucas said, as he walked out the door in search of his sister..