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"We haven't seen him since last night. What is he sorry about?" Lucas wondered out loud.
"Beats me." Brooke said, scrolling through her texts messages again.
Brooke and Lucas stared at each other in confusion for a moment, but they were soon interrupted by banging on the door.
"I'm afraid to answer the door." Brooke whispered, getting up and smoothing out her hair.
"I'll get it." Lucas offered.
He was surprised to find Haley standing on the other side of the door.
"What are you doing here? Did you know about this?" Haley demanded.
"Know about what?" Brooke asked, coming up next to Lucas.
"Brooke, don't you dare try to play dumb with me. How could you keep this from me?"
"What are you talking about Haley?" Lucas asked.
"She slept with Nathan!" Haley shouted.
"What?!" Brooke screeched.
"You heard me." Haley said coldly.
Lucas was too stunned for words. Brooke took a deep breath and looked Haley in the eye.
"Haley. I don't know what you're talking about."
"Brooke, you can't be serious."
"I promise you that I am being honest here." Brooke said.
"Liar!" Haley shouted.
"Hey!" Lucas said quickly.
"Lucas how can you possibly defend this?"
"She just said it wasn't true—"
"Everyone saw it! It was on tape!"
Lucas felt his blood run cold. This couldn't be happening.
"What do you mean it's on tape?" Lucas asked.
"Brooke and Nathan made a sex tape, Luke. Your brother and your girlfriend have a sex tape that they kept a secret!"
"Haley, please. There's got to be some mistake." Brooke pleaded.
"Video doesn't lie, Brooke. We all saw it."
"Who's we?" Brooke asked tearfully.
"Everyone at the party. Someone dug out a tape and started playing it thinking it was game highlights or something. Nope, just turns out to be the two of you doing it."
Lucas looked at Brooke, trying to keep his composure.
"Lucas, I really don't know anything about this."
Lucas nodded and gently took her hand, then turned back to Haley.
"Haley. Are you sure it was them?"
"Positive." Haley said.
"Do you know when it was made?"
"Lucas you can't be serious." Brooke protested.
"Tell me what's on the video." Lucas said to Haley.
"It's Brooke and Nathan drinking and talking about people they've slept with. Including my sister, by the way. Nathan said that he and Peyton had been broken up for two weeks."
"I remember when that happened. She thought they were over for good that time." Brooke said quietly.
"See?" Haley almost shouted, gesturing to Lucas.
"But I definitely don't remember having sex with Nathan!"
"You really don't, do you?" Haley said, studying Brooke's face.
"Haley, I promise you that I don't remember this."
"See, Haley. She says it didn't happen."
"Actually…that's not what I'm saying."
"What do you mean?" Lucas asked, taking both her hands in his.
"There's a lot of nights I don't remember. I've woken up plenty of times not remembering what happened." Brooke said, not looking Lucas in the eye.
"Are you saying this might be true?" Lucas asked, his heart sinking.
"I don't want it to be. But apparently there's video evidence. And let's be honest here, I was not known for making great decisions, especially when I had been drinking."
"No. Nathan would have said something. He wouldn't keep this from me. Not anymore."
"Lucas." Haley sighed.
"It can't be true." Lucas shook his head.
"I'm so sorry Lucas." Brooke sobbed.
Lucas took her in his arms, still completely dumbfounded by everything he just heard.
"I'm sorry Brooke." Haley said.
"For what? You were right."
"I should have asked you about it instead of coming in here and yelling at you."
"I'm sorry too Haley. I can't blame you for being upset." Brooke said, giving her a hug.
"What do we do?" Haley asked.
"What is there to do? Besides crawl into a hole. Everyone is going to be talking about this. What did Nathan say?" Brooke asked.
"He turned it off as soon as he could. He kicked everyone out. He was pissed."
"It sounds like he remembers it better than I do." Brooke muttered.
"Why wouldn't he tell me?" Lucas said, he voiced strained.
"I don't know baby. Oh my God, I can't believe this is happening."
"Brooke, I have to warn you. Peyton saw—"
"Hell yeah, Peyton saw it. I can't believe this!" Peyton yelled, storming in the doorway.
"Peyton I had no idea." Brooke pleaded.
"Had no idea what? That I'd see it? I bet that's true." Peyton ranted.
"Peyton I was drunk, I don't remember that night at all."
"Yeah, I'm sure. All that crap you put me through with Lucas and you're just as bad? I can't believe you Brooke!"
"Peyton please, just let her explain—" Haley started to say.
"Just as bad?! Are you kidding me Peyton?" Brooke yelled.
"And you? Defending this?" Peyton gestured to Lucas, ignoring Haley's protestations.
"Peyton she wasn't in a good state of mind, she wasn't trying to hurt you." Lucas said.
"Oh bullshit. Hypocrites. You're all hypocrites."
"How are we hypocrites?" Lucas asked, getting angry.
"Apparently you still don't have any regard for the sanctity of relationships if you're defending her. Or Nathan."
"Peyton's that not fair." Haley said calmly.
"I'm so done with this. I'm so done with all of you." Peyton said quickly, storming out.
As soon as the door slammed Brooke sank to the ground, sobbing once more.
"She's just angry, she'll come around." Haley said, dropping down beside her.
"I really screwed up this time." Brooke said.
Lucas knelt down and hugged her again, stroking her hair.
"I'm going to find Nathan." Haley said suddenly, standing up.
"What for?" Lucas snapped. Nathan was the last person he wanted to see at the moment.
"I just need to know what the hell happened. I'll let you know what I find out. I'm sorry Brooke." Haley said, putting her hand on Brooke's shoulder.
"It's okay Haley. I would be pissed if I saw a tape of my husband with some slut. Ex-husband. Whatever."
"You're not a slut Brooke. You're my friend and I believe what you're telling me."
"Thanks Haley." Brooke smiled.
"Stay here." Haley said as she opened the door to leave.
"Like I want to go anywhere where I can be seen." Brooke said.
"We'll stay here."
"Maybe you should go find Nathan." Brooke suggested.
"No. I need to be here with you. Besides I think I'm not in the right mindset to talk to him right now."
"Thank you for being here."
"Of course." Lucas kissed the top of her head.
Nathan had woken up extremely early. Or to be more accurate, he stopped pretending to sleep very early that morning. He was way too worked up to actually go to sleep. He had been wandering the streets of Tree Hill for quite a long time.
"Nathan!" He heard someone say his name sharply.
Nathan sighed. He knew he was in for a world of trouble.
"What the hell was that last night?" Haley demanded, catching up with him.
"Haley I never meant for that tape to be seen."
"Obviously. How could you do that to me? Or to your brother? Hell, your friend Brooke? How do you possibly justify that?"
"It was a mistake. A mistake I was trying to keep in the past."
"So you intentionally kept that from me."
"Listen, it was a one-time thing. It meant nothing. We were just having fun and it was a long time ago."
"That's sick Nathan. She doesn't even remember what happened!"
"What are you talking about? She's the one who suggested we film it."
"Yeah because she was drunk out of her mind!"
"She was always drunk at these parties. It's not like we were cheating on anyone."
"Nathan, please listen to me when I tell you that Brooke literally has no recollection of that night."
"Was Lucas with you when you were talking about this?"
"Don't even try to suggest that she was lying to him. I saw it in her eyes Nathan. She is devastated by this."
"Okay, okay. You're right. She did seem particularly wasted that night." Nathan admitted.
"What happened Nathan? How could you possibly do this?"
"It wasn't supposed to be a big deal. We were at my house, everyone had left. Peyton and I were broken up and of course she was still a major bitch about it so she left early. It was just me and Brooke. We were drinking, and talking. Eventually we started talking about sex, and we thought it would be funny to rate people that we knew. Then, uh, well you know what happened."
"Oh my God Nathan." Haley said, exasperated.
"Look Haley, I was a jerk back then. We were talking and I realized that I could—"
"Could what? Get a girl into bed easily?"
"Yeah." Nathan said almost inaudibly.
"You disgust me." Haley said darkly.
"Haley it's not like you didn't know this is the way it used to be!"
"You took advantage of her, and what's worse is that you filmed it!"
"That's not fair Haley."
"I agree. Because she has to live with this."
"I have to live with this too!"
"Somehow you always come out of these things unscathed."
"You think I want to face her? I'm so sorry about all of this Haley. I can't believe Luke hasn't come and beaten my face in."
"You're lucky he hasn't found you. He's too busy comforting his girlfriend who is probably still sobbing."
"Haley you've got to understand how bad I feel about this."
"Oh please." Haley said, turning to walk away.
"Haley!" Nathan yelled, grabbing her arm.
"Forget it. Damn you fooled me. Once again, you got me. I was just thinking we could at least be friends but you're the same son of a bitch you've always have been. You might have everyone else fooled but I won't let myself fall for it again."
"That's not me anymore. You know that." Nathan said weakly.
"I can't do this anymore. I've forgiven way too much already."
"Please."
"Everyone, including your brother, has forgiven way too much from you."
"Lucas knows I would never try to hurt him."
"We'll see about that."
"How can I prove to you that this is not who I am anymore?"
"You can start by apologizing to Brooke. But if I were her and Lucas, I'd be done with you too." Haley said, finally making her exit.
Nathan stood outside Brooke's apartment, feeling like he might pass out. He had never been so nervous to see someone in his life.
He feebly knocked on the door, almost hoping nobody would hear.
Unfortunately for him, the door opened and his brother's expressionless face appeared behind it.
Nathan took in the sight in front of him. He had no idea what Lucas was feeling. His face was a total blank.
Lucas however, could tell his brother was absolutely terrified. He just wasn't sure if he cared.
Nathan walked wordlessly past his brother, stopping briefly to pat his shoulder, and knelt down in front of Brooke who was sitting on the couch.
"Brooke. I am so sorry." Nathan said quietly.
"Nathan I don't know what to say." Brooke whispered.
"I knew you were drunk, but I was having a really good time joking around with you. I just wanted to forget all the drama with Peyton and basketball and my dad and—"
"You knew I would be up for it." Brooke said sullenly.
"Yeah. I'm so sorry. And I'm sorry I didn't talk to you about it after. I can't believe I didn't just destroy the tape."
"I forgive you Nathan."
"You do?" Nathan asked, his eyes wide.
"We weren't at our best back then. It's not like I can claim to have been a better person."
"Brooke that's a lot to forgive." Nathan said slowly.
"Yeah, well, I'm just an incredibly amazing person." Brooke smiled, wiping away tears.
"I happen to agree. Luke is lucky to have you."
"He knows." Brooke winked at Lucas.
"Thanks Brooke. Seriously. I don't deserve it at all, but having your forgiveness means a lot to me."
"Come here." Brooke said, giving him a hug.
Lucas sat down next to Brooke and gave his brother a half-smile.
"I'm sorry Luke. I should have told you." Nathan said quietly, standing up.
"Yeah you should have." Lucas agreed.
"I just felt like I could bury it at first because you and I weren't really close the first time you dated. This time around, once I knew how serious you guys were, I just felt terrified. I didn't want to do anything to mess up your relationship. Or ours."
"I guess I understand."
"I never wanted to hurt you. Either of you."
"I know." Lucas nodded.
"Are we okay Luke?"
"Um…"
"Please forgive me." Nathan pleaded.
Lucas looked at his brother, who seemed completely devastated.
"We're on our way to being okay. I just have to shake off the weirdness of this whole thing." Lucas laughed awkwardly.
"Once again, I'm really sorry."
"Thanks Nate." Lucas said quietly.
"It's amazing how much has changed." Brooke said.
"Yeah, for real." Nathan agreed.
"So did Haley find you?"
"Oh, Haley ripped me a new one." Nathan said, sitting down in a chair across the room from Lucas and Brooke.
"You should have seen her march in here this morning." Brooke said.
"She was crazy pissed off." Lucas agreed.
"I noticed. She was pretty harsh."
"Are you okay?" Lucas asked.
"I will be. Definitely deserved to hear everything she had to say, it just was really hard to hear, especially coming from her. I guess I should get going. The parents are going to wonder what the hell happened to me."
"Did you sleep at all last night?" Lucas asked, peering at his brother.
"Not at all."
"I should probably go too." Lucas said to Brooke.
"Yeah." Brooke said sadly.
"Are you going to be okay?" Nathan asked.
"I will be. I'm stronger than I seem."
"You're one of the strongest people I know." Lucas smiled, leaning in to kiss her.
"I love you Broody."
"I love you too Pretty Girl. Don't let anyone get you down." Lucas kissed her again.
"I won't. Bye Nathan." Brooke said, giving him another hug.
"You sure we're okay?"
"Yes. I promise. Let the past make you better, not bitter."
"Easier said than done." Nathan said sadly.
After Nathan and Lucas left, Brooke summoned up the courage to call her best friend.
"What do you want?" Peyton asked as she answered the phone.
"I want to talk. Nathan and Lucas just left."
"I can't believe you all. I really can't."
"Peyton I know Nathan is your ex but why are you so angry at me? You said that night you were done with him for good."
"You gave me so much grief about what happened with Lucas. I just don't understand how you can justify doing the same thing to me."
"Peyton, I'm really sorry about everything that happened but it is not the same thing. It wasn't like I intended for that to happen."
"Oh so you accidentally fell into bed together?" Peyton said sarcastically.
"I was too drunk to know better. I never meant to hurt you. It was stupid and I'm sorry."
"Well I don't forgive you. I can't believe Lucas or Haley forgives either of you."
"They were willing to listen to me instead of jumping to the conclusion that I'm some kind of a whore."
"If the shoe fits."
"You know what Peyton? Screw you. You're just trying to justify your own actions. But you know what the difference is? Nathan was not your boyfriend at the time. You swore up and down you were done with him and that you were ready to move on. I wasn't trying to move in on him behind your back. The difference is that Lucas was my everything and I'm lucky enough that he still is."
"I got so much hate from everyone at school, all of our friends because of what happened with me and Lucas. Why is it fair that you don't have to live through that?"
"You don't think I'm humiliated too? How do you know that people aren't talking about this?"
"Whatever. Go bitch about me to Lucas and your new BFF Haley." Peyton hung up.
Lucas and Nathan went home in silence. They had a pleasant enough dinner with Dan and Deb, talking about the game and the upcoming spring break from school.
After dinner Lucas wandered up to his room and started shuffling through his school stuff. Nathan knocked quietly on his door.
"Hey." Lucas said, sitting down on his bed.
"Hey. Can we talk?" Nathan asked, sitting down at Lucas's desk.
"Sure."
"What made you forgive me so quick? I would understand if you were still completely pissed."
"To be honest, I was beyond pissed off this morning. This morning was crazy. You're lucky I didn't see you earlier, I wanted to punch you in the face."
"What changed?"
"You came in and went straight to Brooke to apologize."
"Really?"
"Really. I was really pissed at the fact you took advantage of her. I mean, I hate that you didn't tell me, but I cared more about her in that moment."
"Wow."
"But I understand why you didn't tell me."
"You do?"
"Yeah. I guess if I had a secret like that, there would be no good time to tell you. Somehow I wish you did though."
"Me too. I'm sorry Luke."
"It's okay. I promise. There's no reason to hold onto any anger from that."
"Thanks man."
"By the way I slept with Haley."
"What?!"
"Just kidding." Lucas grinned.
"You're sick." Nathan laughed.
"So I guess last night ended pretty badly then, huh?"
"Yeah. I didn't get a chance to tell you, but Theresa broke up with me."
"She saw it?"
"Yeah she was not happy. I mean she knows it was a long time ago and all, but that's not really the reason she broke up with me."
"What is the reason then?"
"She said she knew I wasn't fully into the relationship."
"Meaning?"
"Meaning when the tape came up I didn't go to reassure her first. I went to someone else."
"Check it out!" Someone yelled.
"Oh hell no. Brooke is rating the basketball team on their sex skills!"
"A four?! You've got to be kidding me! I rocked your world!"
"Wait a second…"
"Holy shit they're about to do it!"
"What the hell?" Nathan yelled, running into the living room.
"Damn Nathan, you and Luke seem to share everything!"
Nathan slammed the power button on the television and surveyed the scene in front of him. Everyone looked shocked, but some were amused.
And some were seething with anger. Including Haley who was still staring at the blank television screen.
"What the hell was that Nathan?" Theresa asked.
Haley looked at Nathan finally. She just shook her head and walked out of the house.
"Haley, wait!" Nathan yelled, chasing after her.
"Haley." Lucas guessed.
"Yeah."
"She took this whole thing really hard."
"Brooke said she was really pissed."
"Yeah, once she realized that Brooke honestly didn't remember anything, I think she channeled her rage towards you."
"Believe me, I know. She said she was done with me."
"She didn't mean it."
"What if she did?"
"You can't think that way. She knows who you are now."
"She said she's forgiven too much." Nathan said, his voice strained.
"Hey. Look at me." Lucas said, standing up and pulling Nathan up.
"What?" Nathan said, not really meeting Lucas's eye.
"You are so much more than your past. I know it and she knows it too. Things like this are actually a reminder of why I love you. Looking at who you've become, it's amazing. You're a lot stronger than you give yourself credit for. That guy in the video is a completely different person, and I'm not just saying that out of wishful thinking."
"Thanks Luke." Nathan said, finally looking straight at Lucas.
"She'll come around." Lucas said, pulling his brother into a hug.
"I really miss her Luke. Last night I realized, I don't think I ever completely stopped loving her."
"I know Nate." Lucas said softly.
"So what were you saying the other day about it being the best week ever?" Nathan said, trying to lighten the mood.
"I know. I shouldn't tempt fate." Lucas laughed.
"What was up with Peyton? She joined in on the bitchfest too?"
"Yeah, I'm actually really pissed off at her. The way she spoke to Brooke was awful."
"Sounds like it."
"I hate myself every day for what I did to Brooke. For Peyton to throw it in our faces was uncalled for."
"Do you really think about it every day?"
"Yes, actually. Some days more than others. It reminds me to never throw away what I have with Brooke."
"You can't hate yourself forever Luke. Brooke forgives you. Why can't you forgive yourself?"
"There's just a lot of regret there. If I knew that there wasn't really anything there with Peyton, maybe Brooke and I would have been together this whole time."
"I hear what you're saying. I just realized that thinking about the 'what ifs' won't change anything. Take our family for instance. Instead of dwelling on what our childhood could have been, we just need to enjoy what we have and what we built from nothing."
"You're absolutely right Nate."
"So can we inject some sanity into our lives?" Nathan said awhile later.
"Meaning?"
"We need Jake. He always deals with these things well. Where the hell has he been all day?"
"I don't know he wasn't with Peyton earlier. He might be scared of how pissed off she is." Lucas said, pulling out his phone to send Jake a text.
"She'll get over it." Nathan said dismissively.
"You might owe her an apology too."
"I guess. I just feel like we've talked that subject to death. Our relationship sucked."
"Give it a try. She'll appreciate it. By the way Jake says he's been working at the café all day avoiding the drama." Lucas said, looking at his phone.
"He's got the right idea. At least he gets to hide." Nathan said.
"He asked if we want to come over."
"Yeah let's go."
"So fun day, right?" Jake joked as he opened the door.
"Very funny." Lucas said, rolling his eyes.
"Luke I tried to stay even longer at work but your mom kicked me out."
"Does she know what happened?" Nathan asked.
"I gave her a brief overview because she saw Haley stomping away from you." Jake said to Nathan.
"Oh that's right we were near the café. Dammit I am never going to do anything right in Karen's eyes."
"Relax. She thinks you're great. Really." Lucas assured him.
"Everyone in Tree Hill knows what a screw up I am." Nathan sighed.
"Well the good news is you aren't alone." Jake pointed out.
"How's Peyton?" Nathan asked.
"Still ranting and raving last time I checked. I think she's coming around though. She still feels awful about what happened with you guys so anything that reminds her of that sets her off. I think she also feels bad about what she said to Brooke."
"I don't get her deal." Nathan said.
"I think it's more complex than just what happened last night. I think she and Brooke are at a weird place in their friendship because they're facing separation for the first time."
"So it would be easier to 'break up' now?" Lucas asked.
"That's my guess. I know Brooke and Haley have gotten close lately which is another sore point for her. Like maybe she'll be replaced once we go to California."
"I wish they would just talk about that instead." Lucas said.
"Me too. Please don't turn into one of the crazies." Jake said to Jenny, who was in her bouncy seat.
"Do you think Brooke's okay?" Nathan asked Lucas.
"I don't know. I hate that I had to leave her."
"Brooke!" Jenny giggled.
"Want to go visit?" Nathan suggested.
"Always." Lucas smiled.
"I'll come with you but I can't stay too long. This little monster has to go to bed soon." Jake said, picking Jenny up.
Lucas knocked on Brooke's door.
"Who is it?" Brooke called tentatively.
"It's me." Lucas said.
"No boys allowed!" Haley yelled, opening the door.
"Forget that." Brooke said, running up to give Lucas a hug.
"Hey. Feeling better?"
"Much better. Hi Jenny! Come join our girls club." Brooke smiled, taking her from Jake.
"Can we come in?" Nathan asked, looking past Brooke at Haley.
Haley gave him a small smile.
It was better than nothing. Especially compared to the way she looked at him earlier.
Brooke surveyed the three guys standing in front of her.
"This is doing absolutely nothing to help my reputation, but come on in. We're watching movies and they're all chick flicks so don't say I didn't warn you."
"Hey." Nathan said quietly to Haley, sitting next to her on the floor. Everyone else was in the kitchen getting snacks.
"Hey yourself. Listen, I'm really sorry about earlier. I just blew up. I wasn't being fair."
"You weren't wrong."
"It doesn't justify me speaking to you that way. I know you've come a long way since then. I was once your biggest supporter and I'm sorry I turned my back on that."
"Thanks Haley."
"How are you doing? Is everything okay with you and Lucas?"
"Yeah we're okay. Apparently you yelling at me bought me enough time that he decided not to kick my ass."
"What about Theresa?"
"Not so much. We broke up."
"Oh Nathan. I'm sorry."
"It's okay."
"What did she say?"
"Oh. You know, she was pissed about the tape. She said she found it hard to trust me after that." Nathan lied.
"You really liked her though."
"I did. But maybe it's for the best."
"Maybe it is."
"Hey Hales, do you remember when the most exciting part of our weekends was getting a high score in Scrabble?" Lucas asked, coming back into the room.
"Sadly, yes." Haley laughed.
Nathan looked at them both and laughed in disbelief.
"You two are nerds."
"Nerds are awesome!" Haley protested.
"They're not so bad." Nathan said, smiling at her.
So I know this happened on the show, but I stopped watching before that so I don't exactly know what happened afterwards.
More excitement to come. My internet was out the past few days so I had plenty of time to write.
Thanks for reading!