MUST READ: So I posted a link of a photo of what I wanted Brooke and Lucas to look like at this dinner it's from season 5 episode 4 during Brooke's store opening. This was by far one of my favorite looks for both of them. I thought Sophia was absolutely beautiful in this scene and Chad was so handsome. So check it out because i didn't do a great job of describing her dress or her hair...of course just forget that Peyton is in the picture lol...sorry Hilarie B, you were gorgeous but Peyton blah! Of course get rid of the spaces between the letters and symbols! It's worth looking at how adorable they are! :)

h t t p : / / w w w . s o p h i a b u s h f a n . o r g / g a l l e r y / d i s p l a y i m a g e . p h p ? p i d = 4 4 9 2 9 & f u l l s i z e = 1

You guys are killing it on the reviews! I love them sooooooooo much! You guys are awesome for reals! love love love love love them! Also, I did say this story was going to be a semi-short one so some things will pick up but at a slower pace...if that makes sense! lol this chapter is a step in the direction it needs to go!

Enjoy!

Chapter 5: Dinner

Heart beats fast

Colors and promises

How to be brave

One step closer

Time stands still

"A Thousand Years" -Christina Perri

What have I gotten myself into? I have yet to figure out what I am wearing tonight. So I made up an excuse to go out and buy a new dress, Haley and Rachel came with me as I needed their opinion.

"I can't believe you agreed to do this. Brooke, this isn't even a date, we're all friends hanging out catching up with each other." Haley browsed through a rack of dresses and I rolled my eyes.

"That's what I said, but think about it. Clay and Rachel are going to be all over each

other—"

"I resent that." Rachel cut me off.

I laughed at her.

"And you and Nathan are together as well, I mean believe it or not, no one is going to believe that we are all just friends with you four groping and hanging all over each other, so yeah I guess I agreed to treat this like a date, but it's nothing serious. It's to humor him as he put it."

"Then why are we out shopping for a new dress when you have a closet full of amazing designer pieces." Rachel said as she leaned against a rack and Haley crossed her arms as they both waited for a response.

"Because I love to shop why not buy a new dress."

This time my two friends both rolled their eyes.

"Whatever slut, you're not over him and that's cool because I know he's not over you." Rachel started looking through some dresses.

I stopped and looked over at her. He's not over me? He would have to have feelings like that towards me to not be over me. I didn't say anything as I kept looking through the dresses. Why was I doing this? This was pointless. I should just go home and find something in my closet that I've already worn, but where was the fun in that? Then I found the dress that would be the one to wow him tonight. I didn't even try it on because I knew that it would be perfect. I went to the check out line and paid for the dress.

"You didn't even try it on." Haley said as we drove back to the house.

"I know." I said not looking at her.

"She knows what she's doing Hales." Rachel said from the backseat.

"So what is the deal between you two?" Haley asked Rachel. I was also dying to know the answer to that question.

Rachel was silent and I just knew.

"Oh my God. You're in love with him." I said tossing a glance over my shoulder at her.

"Keep your eyes on the road, slut!" She hissed at me.

"Well, well, well. I never thought I'd see the day the devil fell in love. It's almost touching." Haley brought her hand to her chest and I grinned at her.

"Shut it, James."

"Rachel why don't you just tell him how you feel? I mean I know Clay, I know he feels the same way." I said genuinely. I would be more than thrilled to see them together. I don't understand why they are torturing themselves like this.

"Fine. I'll tell Clay how I feel when you tell Lucas how you feel."

I glared at her through the rear view mirror and she just kinked her eyebrow.

"Ray, what happened between me and Lucas is different than you and Clay. It's not even fair to compare our situations."

"B, you're in love with him and he's in love with you. You both are just too stubborn and stupid to admit to anything. I'm actually glad you two are going on this date or whatever it is to you." Rachel leaned back into the seat and the rest of the car ride was silent.

Lucky for us, the guys were still gone and I was able to sneak in my new dress without the guys knowing that I bought one for tonight's dinner.

"Well skanks, I'm going to go get ready for our dinner in a couple of hours. Clay and I will meet you guys here." She walked out the door and Haley turned to face me.

"What?" I asked her.

"Oh Tigger." She disappeared into her room and I went upstairs.

I took a fresh shower and started figuring out what I wanted to do with my hair. There was a knock on Lucas's side of the bathroom. I smiled at the courtesy he showed by knocking.

"Come in." I hugged the towel around my body.

Lucas popped his head in and my breath hitched in my throat. He had gotten a hair cut. His hair was short on the sides and he had a small faux hawk in the front. He looked so gorgeous.

"Yes." I said to him.

"I wanted to use the bathroom." He said stepping inside and waiting.

"Oh yeah, sure. Sorry." I grabbed my hair brush and started to walk away.

"Hey, I'm excited about tonight. Even if it isn't a real date." He said and I smiled at him before leaving the bathroom.

What is wrong with me? Why didn't I say anything? Or would it have been worse to say something rather than keeping my mouth shut? I shook my head and tried to subdue the butterflies that were tumbling in my stomach.

I began to blow dry my hair and I wore one of Nathan's old button down shirts and put on a simple thong. I was trying to figure out the best way to wear my hair and I ended up pinning it back in loose curls. I reached for the black bag that held the dress. I unzipped it and pulled out the dress. The background color was a dark fuchsia with an intricate exotic design. I smiled to myself as I took off the shirt and slipped into the dress. A perfect fit. I zipped up the dress that showed off most of my back. I slipped on a pair of heels in matching color to the dress. I knew I bought these shoes for a reason. I grabbed some dangly gold earrings and a large black ring.

I heard Clay and Rachel downstairs and I knew that it was time for me to head down as well.

"Take a deep breath." I said to myself. As I reached for my clutch and started towards the door, there was a knock.

I opened the door to find Lucas in a classic grey button down that was tucked into some very nice, expensive charcoal slacks with a matching belt. He shaved and I have never seen him look so amazing.

"Hey." I said.

"I got you something." He pulled out from behind his back, one single lotus flower.

"Lucas, it's beautiful." I took it from him and brought it to my nose.

"Come on." He held his arm out for me to take and I found myself blushing.

As we reached the top of the stairs, he stopped us and his mouth lowered to my ear.

"You look absolutely stunning."

I looked up at him and smiled.

"Thank you. You look very handsome as well. Who knew you could clean up so well?"

We walked down the stairs together to find what I knew would happen, Clay and Rachel in their own little world with Nathan kissing down Haley's neck as she giggles. For a minute I found myself uncomfortable because Lucas and I were the only two people not running our hands all over each other.

I cleared my throat to make our presence known.

"Are we ready?" I asked.

"Let's go." Clay said as we all made our way outside.

There were two cabs waiting outside for us. Rachel, Clay, Lucas, and I took one and Nathan and Haley took the other. The car ride started in silence before Clay spoke.

"So my girl over here tells me that you two had a thing back in high school." Clay said running his arm up and down Rachel's bare leg.

Lucas's arm around my shoulders tightened.

"Rachel and I just had sex. That was it. It seems that is a lot like what you two have, right Red?"

Lucas and Clay were staring each other down.

"Yeah Lucas and I shared something pretty amazing. I mean the sex was fantastic." Rachel said only aggravating the situation and making me uncomfortable.

Rachel and Lucas exchanged a look and Clay spoke again.

"Yeah well Rach here is a sex pistol." Clay gritted his teeth.

"So break any girls' hearts up in New York?" Clay asked Lucas.

I immediately felt Lucas's hand grip my shoulder. He didn't mean to do it. I looked over at him and there was something in his eyes I've never seen. This sadness washed over him.

"Clay cut it out." I snapped.

"Awe, come on B, I just want to know all about him. I mean I want to know the guy who broke your heart, see if I can find any reason why he would have done that."

"How about you deal with your own problems? You don't think I see how you look at Rachel and what it does to her? You like her, get over your fucking ego and ask the damn girl to be yours, although frankly I think Rachel deserves better."

The cab stopped and Lucas got out of the car holding his hand out for me. I placed my hand in his and got out of the car. I looked over at Lucas.

"Are you okay?" I asked him.

He nodded and Clay and Rachel were arguing in the cab and Nathan and Haley were close behind us.

"What's going on with those two?" Nathan asked.

"Nothing, let's just go ahead and head inside." I said pulling Lucas with me.

I felt the need to keep him close to me. That need to protect him. The feeling that used to possess me in high school. Whatever happened in New York, Clay's words got to him and I had a feeling it had to do with a girl, but not the way Clay assumed it was.

"Party for Clay Evans." Haley said as Nathan came back with Clay and Rachel who seemed to be in a better mood.

We followed the server to our table as we all sat down. Clay ordered two bottles of wine and we ordered a few appetizers. Rachel and Clay began to roam their hands all over each other once again, but this time it was different.

"Lucas, I want to apologize. I don't know you and I would like to get to know you."

My mouth dropped and I looked over at Rachel who just winked at me. What the hell happened in that cab after we got out?

"That's right you don't know me." Lucas said.

I turned to look at him and his face changed. He was beginning to brood and I rested my hand on his leg and gave it a small squeeze.

"How about we play nice, please? I would like for all of us to get along." I tensed and this time Lucas's hand went to my leg and he gave it a reassuring squeeze.

"I hear that you play for the Bobcats, Clay. How is that going for you?" Lucas's tone changed and he focused mainly on Clay.

I looked over at Clay who changed his position in his seat to face Lucas more.

"It's good. We do a lot of traveling but if we're ever close to Durham I do my best to stay in town and see everyone. Nathan and Brooke told me that you used to play ball. Do you miss it?"

I went back and forth watching Lucas and Clay. Lucas's face fell at the mention of basketball.

"I miss it everyday thanks to the heart condition." He placed his hand over his heart and it was like out of habit whenever the mention of his heart condition came up.

"I'm sorry man, I don't know what I would do if I had to give up something I love."

The table fell silent for a moment and then Nathan spoke.

"Well Lucas has one of the best hearts I know." Nathan smiled at his older brother of three months.

"Yeah." Haley reached over and took Lucas's hand.

I was shocked. If anything Lucas doesn't have the best heart but it made me realize that I don't really know Lucas anymore. Nathan and Haley knew what Lucas was hiding and it was killing me slowly to not have him be able to open up to me.

"You guys are killing my buzz." Rachel downed her glass of wine.

"Do you guys remember junior year right after I showed up into town?" Rachel said as she cracked a laugh.

"Who doesn't?" Haley asked.

We all began to smile.

"Tell me about it." Clay said.

Clay knew the story about Rachel and how she came into all of our lives, but Clay also realized that he was trying to make the situation better. We began to laugh and share stories and Lucas wasn't as tense as he had been. He started talking about the food fight we had at my house and I nearly spit up my wine until my eyes fell upon a person I haven't seen in a long time.

"Brooke what's wrong?" Haley asked me as she followed my gaze.

Everyone at the table turned their heads.

"Oh my God." Rachel said.

"Who is that?" Lucas turned to face me and I began to form tears in my eyes. He started walking towards us not noticing us yet and I began to panic.

"I, I have to go." I got up and started to walk away but the moment I did I heard my name.

"Brooke?"

I froze. I turned around and did my best to keep my composure.

"Hey Chase." I said trying to remain calm.

There was a gorgeous blonde attached to his arm and she was glaring at me.

"How are you?" He asked me and it almost seemed like he didn't really care, it was just something he had to ask me because he caught me.

"Great." That was a lie. I've been eating tubs of ice cream every week since the day you crushed me.

"That's good. You look good. This is Samantha." He turned to the blonde next to him and she held her hand out for me to take.

As I was about to reach it, two arms wrapped around my waist and then a pair of soft, strong lips were on mine. He pulled me close and I found myself wrapping my arms around his neck. His tongue asked permission to enter my mouth and I allowed him to do so. It's been a long time since this has happened. I couldn't resist deepening the kiss further until Chase cleared his throat. He smiled against my lips and turned to face Chase.

"I'm sorry who are you?" He held out his hand towards Chase and I still faced him with my arms around his neck as his other hand pulled me closer to him.

"Chase Adams and you?" Chase shook his hand firmly.

"Lucas. Lucas Scott and how do you know my Brooke?" He leaned over and kissed my cheek

"I am…" Chase began to stutter.

"Chase is my ex-boyfriend." I finally found my words.

"Oh pretty girl, I thought you told me his name was Chuck." He looked back at me and brushed a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

"No, babe, it's Chase." I laughed a little and I could feel Chase shooting daggers at me.

"How about you and your date join us? We have plenty of room." Lucas said and I squeezed his arm in protest.

"Luke, they don't have to join us, they obviously came here for a date." I said giving him a stern look.

"We'd love to!" Chase piped in and Samantha looked at him like he was crazy.

"Great!" Lucas said leading us back to our table.

We all walked back over to our table and we had just got done eating our appetizers.

"Hey guys, you remember Chase." I said.

It seemed that they were all smiles except Clay. Obviously this was all an act they planned before Lucas came over and made out with me in front of him.

Chase said hey to everyone. The dinner was pretty awkward but Lucas didn't keep his hands off of me. I knew what he was doing and I ate it up. I played along and Chase couldn't stand it. Besides Chase and his slut of a girl, we had a great time. I wasn't sure if Clay and Lucas were playing along or actually coming to some kind of understanding. I had my money on the fact they were both ganging up on Chase to make him feel like shit.

When dessert finally came, Lucas kicked it up a few notches. He ordered a cheesecake with some strawberries, whip cream, and chocolate on the side. This almost seemed very inappropriate but Rachel and Clay ordered the exact same and decided to play along as Nathan and Haley shared a piece of chocolate cake. I could catch out the corner of my eye that Samantha was throwing herself at Chase but he just watches me and Lucas.

Lucas dipped a strawberry into the chocolate sauce and the whip cream and brought it to my lips. As I took a bite out of it, Lucas leaned over to my ear.

"So what does this remind you of?" He whispered.

I closed my eyes for a moment to remember.

"Who are you and what have you done with Brooke?" His arms held my hips in place and I bit his ear.

I reached behind me and grabbed a strawberry from the fridge and brought it to my lips. He licked my lips for a taste.

"Hmm…sweet." He said licking his lips.

"How about we make it sweeter?" I kinked my eyebrow at him.

I pulled out whip cream and chocolate sauce.

"Okay seriously where is Brooke Davis?" He pulls back and holds his hands up.

"How about we just pretend she's on vacation?" I said seductively.

We had mad, crazy sex and I almost let it slip that I loved him that night. That's a whole other story and night that almost made tears form behind my eyes. I looked over at Chase who was so red in the face with anger that it made me smirk. I reached for a strawberry dipped it in chocolate and cream and brought it to Lucas's lips. I copied his action from earlier and I brought my lips to his ear.

"Thank you." I said.

He pulled away and looked at me.

"You're welcome."

Clay paid for everyone including Chase and Samantha's dinner. Lucas started kissing me again as we all headed out of the restaurant.

"Okay well we are going to take a cab home." Nathan said with his arm around Haley.

"It was good seeing you guys again." Chase said strained.

"Yeah." Rachel said as she clung to Clay's arm.

"It was nice meeting you, Chuck." Lucas held his hand out to Chase.

"It's Chase." He hissed.

I wrapped my arms tighter around Lucas's waist and smiled at Chase.

"Have a good night." I said to them.

Chase and Samantha walked in the opposite direction from us. Clay hailed down a cab.

"Hey let's go for a walk." Lucas whispered in my ear. I looked up at him and nodded.

"Hey we'll see you back at the house." I said to Rachel and Clay.

Clay gave a stern look and Rachel winked at us. Lucas and I began to walk and it was getting a little chilly. Lucky for me Lucas brought a jacket and placed it around my shoulders.

We walked in silence for a little bit before either one of us spoke.

"I'm sorry." He said and turned to look at him.

"For what?" I asked.

"You know what for Brooke." The most sincere passion escaped with those words.

"Lucas—"

"What did he do? The last time I saw you with that look on your face is when you walked in on me and Peyton."

I looked over at him and his jaw was clenched and I could see his hands clutched into fists in his pockets.

"He made me fall for him and then he ripped the rug out from under me. He just left me and said he didn't want me anymore." I hugged the jacket tighter around me as we continued to walk.

"If I could take that back for you I would. You never deserve to be treated that way. I should have never treated you that way."

"Lucas stop it, damn it!" I said harshly.

"Brooke."

"Stop it okay? I knew what I was getting myself into when I went as far as I did with you. I just, I don't know I thought that maybe if you knew how much I loved you maybe that would change things."

I could feel his eyes on me.

"Damn Brooke, I give a rat's ass about you trust me! It's just—"

We stopped and I looked over at him.

"Lucas, thank you for what you did tonight with Chase. Let's go home." I couldn't hear anymore.

He gave a rat's ass about me. I wanted to start crying. He got us a cab and we rode home in silence. Once we got back to the house I gave Lucas a small smile before walking inside. Haley and Nathan were sitting at the kitchen counter eating some ice cream.

"You two are still eating?" I asked.

"Well we just got done having sex so yeah craving after sex food."

I rolled my eyes and went to get a spoon. Lucas walked in, smiled at everyone and went upstairs.

"Everything okay?" Haley asked.

"Yeah." I said and we stayed up a little while longer talking and I didn't see Lucas again for the night.

Nathan kissed Haley and me on the cheek and headed off to bed.

"Talk to me Tigger, I mean you've had a big night."

I looked over at Haley and shook my head.

"I'm grateful for what Lucas did for me, but it doesn't change anything." I said eating some more of the ice cream.

"Yeah, but you at least can see that he's trying to correct the wrongs he's made. You should have seen him at the table when Chase finally caught up to you. Clay and Nathan were getting ready to beat his ass, but Lucas said just to follow his lead. Of course, Clay wasn't too happy about it, but it seemed to work." She said as she giggled.

I rolled my eyes.

"I'd be lying if I didn't say that it felt good to kiss him again and be with him again, but I don't think I can ever go back to that." I said and I placed my spoon in the kitchen sink.

"He'll come around and so will you." She said as she placed the ice cream back in the freezer and her spoon in the sink.

"Brooke he wants to be that guy for you. I mean I think it will take time for the both of you, but he's working on it." She winked at me.

"Goodnight Hales." I pulled her into a hug and she walked to her bedroom.

I walked upstairs and saw that Lucas's light was off. I walked into my bedroom and finally took off the heels I tried to ignore weren't killing my feet. When I cut my light on, I saw something on my bed. I crinkled my brow and walked over and reached for the envelope. There was a sticky note on top of it.

Baby steps pretty girl. –Lucas

I pulled out the piece of paper within the envelope and I gasped.

Lucas,

If you are reading this then I have passed on. I remember when your mother told me she was pregnant with you. I was seventeen and heading off to college to play basketball. I panicked and just left. Then three months later I found out that Deb was pregnant and then it made me realize that I couldn't leave another woman and child behind. So I made a sacrifice. I chose Deb and Nathan over you and Karen. I know there is no justice in that, but sometimes second chances are available and you have to take them while you can. It got to a point where your mother didn't care to have me in your life and I respected that. I've always respected that. So when you were around five, I decided to start putting money away for you and your mother. I know it doesn't make up for all the years I've missed in your life and all the time I could have been a father to you. I also know that you and Nathan have been spending time together, you both don't hide it that well and that's okay. I never hated you Lucas, you have to believe that. I put on a front so that you would hate me. That you wouldn't question if I just made a mistake or anything. I wanted you to hate me because nothing I possibly could have said or done would have changed the fact that I abandoned you and your mother for another family. I just hope that you will always be there for Nathan. I want to leave you enough money to make up for the small things and the big things I've missed out on. Your mother deserves to be taken care of for the rest of her life and I can provide that for the both of you. The only fatherly advice I'll leave you with is this…I see you with Brooke Davis and I know how you act like you are a tough guy with no feelings, trust me I was that kid in high school. Learn to open your heart to those who love you. Let Brooke in and let her see the love I know you possess. I've always been looking out for you and checking in on you. You're a good kid and I'd like to think you didn't inherit all my bad qualities. Maybe in another life you could love me and I could be there for you always.

I love you son,

Dan

While I was reading the letter I had managed to fall to my knees and I was shaking with tears. I wanted to reach out to him. I wanted to pull him in my arms and tell him that I love him. I wanted to tell him again and let him know that I was here for him. That I never stopped loving him. It seemed that everything was making more sense to me. Lucas believed that he was like Dan. Lucas was nothing like Dan and I will do anything to help him see that.

I looked back at the sticky note. Baby steps pretty girl –Lucas.

He was trying and he started with this: the letter from Dan. I changed clothes and walked through the bathroom into Lucas's room. He was in bed and I could hear his breathing. I tiptoed over to his bed and sat down on it. His chest rose up and down as he breathed. I leaned over and kissed him on his forehead.

"Thanks Luke." I whispered and started tiptoeing back to my room.

"You're welcome." I heard him say through a sleepy voice and I smiled.

AWE! YAY! Thoughts? Next up: the chapter will focus on Lana (puke) and Lucas...Brooke runs into a familiar person! Any guesses? :)

Stay tuned!