"Brooke, just end it, okay? It's obvious he doesn't care about you," Chloe told her. Chloe and Leah were growing tired of hearing about Lucas.

Her phone rang for the forth time in an hour. It was Lucas, but she didn't want to answer. Two days had passed since their last conversation, and Lucas hung up without saying "I love you."

Maybe they're right, she thought. She ignored the call and dropped the phone in her purse. Boyfriend drama was not going to ruin her day at the beach.

Aside from Lucas, Brooke was having a great summer. New friends, parents acting like a real family, endless sunshine and waves. What more could a girl want?

They basked in the sun, letting the sounds of the ocean take them far, far away. Her mid drifted to thoughts of Tree Hill and she could only remember the pain and heartache that town put her through. At that moment, she didn't want to ever go back there. California could be her new home. I could be happy here, she thought.

After the beach the girls went their separate ways. Leah promised to have dinner with her grandparents. Chloe had to work the night shift at a hotel. Brooke was alone and not ready to go home yet. She wanted to drive around, to clear her head of all things relating to Lucas.

There was no planned destination, she just wanted to drive, maybe get lost for a while. She was in a town right outside of Charming when her car broke down. She called her parents, who were too busy to even pick up the phone. Leah couldn't answer, so that left Chloe, the girl with all the answers. Brooke jotted down the tow truck company's number on a napkin with eyeliner.

Fifteen minutes later the Teller-Morrow tow truck came into view. Of course, that's who Chloe would want her to call. She rolled her eyes and brushed her hair back from her face. Jax and Juice hopped out of the truck with big, wide grins. Why did Jax have to look so appetizing all the time. She looked him over and smiled as she leaned against the car.

"Juice, look at her car and load it up," Jax said, his eyes locked on Brooke's as he walked towards her. "You just couldn't wait to see me again, could you?"

She heard herself laugh and couldn't look away from him. "Well, you know me, I always get what I want," that seductive smirk took control of her lips. His body and voice were taking over her mind.

"A girl with attitude, I like it," he stepped closer to her, close enough to kiss her if he wanted to. She smelled like the ocean water, intoxicating. With a hand on her hip, he leaned in to whisper, "And what is it that you want?"

That voice, his warm touch, Brooke was going weak in the knees. "I don't think you could handle what I want," she whispered back to him.

"How about I fix your car then we can talk about what I can handle," he squeezed her hip, sending fire through her veins.

"You got yourself a deal, gorgeous."

What was she doing? They were flirting, crossing boundaries. Luke and Brooke hadn't talked to each other like that since they first dated last year. She was worried that Luke might not want her, that he had only said those things because she was leaving for the summer. Or, and maybe she was being paranoid and crazy, but maybe he just wanted to be with her because Jake had Peyton.

Brooke sat in the middle of Jax and Juice on the drive to the garage. They were talking and laughing in a way that she had Lucas didn't. She was starting to miss him less and less each day.

Jax helped her down from the truck and walked her to the office. Gemma was on the phone ordering tools and parts. She smiled at them and held up a finger, telling them to wait a minute. She finally got off the phone and the frustration left her voice.

"Brooke, it's nice to see you again," she said, her eyes darted to Jax. He knew that look all too well.

"We're working on her car, Ma, can you get the paperwork started?"

"Sure thing, Honey," Jax winked at both women then left the office.

"Chloe gave me the number. I'm sorry, I know you guys are busy," why was she explaining herself?

"Working on cars is what we do here. With Jax working on yours, it won't take long. Maybe a day, two at most," she motioned for Brooke to take a seat as she pulled out the documents they needed. "If we can't reach you, who is a good contact person?"

"Uhm…my mom, I guess. Victoria Davis."

That name rang a bell. "Victoria? Married to Ted Davis?"

"Yeah," surprise filled her voice, "you know my parents?"

"You could say that. Victoria and I have history."

"Good history, I hope."

"In a way," Gemma smiled and looked at the brunette over her glasses, "We were close when she lived out here. She was my maid of honor when I married JT. Then she met Ted and never looked back."

Victoria had a history with bikers? That didn't sound like the Victoria that Brooke knew. Her mom was polished, dressed to impress, cared too much about her reputation as a Davis. This summer just got interesting.

"I can call her, have her pick me up here. You could catch up," Brooke needed to know more about that friendship. Her mother had a history that she wanted to keep hidden. Brooke didn't like secrets.

"I don't think that's a good idea right now. I'll cook dinner one night this week, your family can join us."

"I'd like that. Thank you."

"Do you have a way home? I can have Jax take you."

Brooke called her parents first, but they were too busy. Leah and Chloe had other plans. "No one can come," she felt embarrassed to say that.

Gemma yelled for Jax to come into the office. "Brooke needs a ride home. Have Chibbs take over your work until you're back."

"We're taking that?" she asked, fear washed over her, "You don't have a car?"

"You'll enjoy the ride," he handed Brooke a helmet. "Remember to hold on tight."

He started the bike and it roared to life. Brooke was in for a treat. She liked the way the vibrations felt between her legs. Jax was driving fast, making her tighten her grip around his waist. She couldn't see his face, but she was sure he was smiling, too.

"So this is where you sleep at night?" Jax asked when he stepped off the bike.

"Sure is," she ran a hand through her hair to get out the tangles.

"What do your parents do? This place is huge."

"Dad owns a Fortune 500 company and my mom designs clothes. They're hardly ever home."

"Is that an invitation?" That smile of his drove her wild.

"Maybe," she stepped closer to him, this time her hands were on him, "but not today, grease monkey. Go fix my car."

Brooke knew how to play games and Jax was making an excellent challenger. The chase is what she enjoyed most.

"Guess I'll see you around," she turned to walk towards the front door.

Jax grabbed her arm and pulled her back, his lips crashed into hers. Soft and sweet, like Tara's. Brooke kissed him back, her tongue playfully licking his bottom lip.

"Now," she kissed him once more then pulled away, "you have to go. Call me when my car is ready," without another look back, she bounced down the sidewalk to her door.

She didn't want to make a big deal about the kiss. If Chloe and Leah found out, they would freak and try to play matchmaker even more. Brooke didn't know what came over her. She kissed another boy; she cheated on Lucas. That kiss was fireworks-on-the-forth-of-July amazing, yet she felt a pang of guilt.

"Oh, you're home," Victoria entered the living room with a stack of mail. "Where's your car?"

"It broke down so I had it towed to a shop," this next part would belike walking on egg shells. "Jax Teller is working on it. His mom is Gemma," she nervously waited for a response.

"I know Gemma," the look on her face told Brooke that she was walking down memory lane. "I haven't seen her in ages," Victoria took off her heels and rubbed her feet. She was exhausted. "How's she doing? Or did you talk to her?"

"She's good. She runs the Teller-Morrow Garage. All the paperwork, that kind of thing. She asked for an emergency contact, so I gave her your information. I hope that's okay."

Brooke was finally getting the mother/daughter time she had wished for so much. They talked about the friendship between Gemma and Victoria. How Victoria had dated Clay Morrow in her younger days.

"Please tell me you have pictures!"

"I threw all that out when I met your father. He didn't need to know that part of my life."

"Mom, you were a biker babe! I need to see this."

"I'm sure Gemma has pictures. That girl never threw out anything. I'd like to see her. Maybe I'll take a lunch break in Charming this week.

"She seems great. She keeps the guys at the shop on a tight leash, especially Jax."

"I always called him Jack. It drove his father crazy."

"What happened to him? Gemma said he died a couple years ago."

Victoria's expression turned into pain and anguish. "I don't know. I had no idea—it's been so long," tears formed in her eyes and she quickly changed the subject. "Here's your mail. I'm going to start dinner."

Junk mail. Credit card offers. College brochures. Then a letter from Lucas. Her heart skipped a beat. She almost, almost didn't want to read the letter. Excitement and curiosity got the better of her.

Blah. Blah. Blah. Sorry about New York. Can't wait for you to come home. Blah. Blah. Blah. You're mine forever.

You're mine forever…she had read those words in another letter that Lucas had written. To Peyton.

Forever just got a lot shorter, Lucas Scott.