I AM BACK!

Hopefully, you will enjoy this chapter!

Stay tuned because as this one is shorter, another one will come up soon!

Peyton was sitting in a bar in Tree Hill that she had never visited before. There were very few people, and it was okay that way. This bar was especially popular with sports fans who watched games continuously. There was baseball, golf, and tennis on screen. Peyton had already had two beers, and she was brooding. She couldn't believe she had seen Ellie Harp. Why was she in Tree Hill, and more importantly, why did no one tell her about it? She was definitely angry with everyone. She did not care if her friends were looking for her. Her quietude was suddenly interrupted by a dark-haired man, probably in his mid-twenties.

"Go away, I don't feel like talking to someone right now." Peyton spat.

The guy laughed. "Coping with a heartbreak?"

"If only it were only that, it would be easier," Peyton replied firmly.

"I'm Clay Evans." He said with a small grin. "Can I sit?"

Peyton rolled her eyes. "Whatever, I guess."

The man, apparently Clay Evans, ordered two beers, including one for Peyton, who hadn't added anything. The guy's presence annoyed her. Clay Evans stared at Peyton for a long moment and laughed. She thought he was nuts or something similar.

"What's the matter?" Peyton asked with a confused look.

"I come here a few times when I pass through Tree Hill and rarely see girls hanging out here." He replied. "And I've never seen you around."

"I live in New York, now." Peyton quickly said.

He smiled. "Okay, Blondie. Let's call you Blondie since I don't know your name. Why are you here alone? Tell me everything."

"I thought my biological mother had been dead for almost 5 years until tonight. I think it sums up my mood." Peyton spat. "And if I go back to my dad's place, I might just break everything, and my son is in there. It's better to be here."

"Oh! Wild!" That's all he could answer. He hadn't expected an issue like this. "How old is your son?"

"He's four." She replied.

"Mine's four too." He smiled as he showed his phone wallpaper to Peyton. "It's hard being away from him."

"He lives with his mother?" Peyton questioned.

He shook his head to gesture a no. "My ex-wife died from an aneurysm. It's only him and I. He's with my parents when I'm on the road."

Peyton took a sip of her beer. "Let me guess! You're like a lawyer or a district attorney?" She smiled slightly.

"Oh! I deserve a smile." Clay laughed. "But no, you're so far from it. I'm an agent. Sports agent."

"I could never have guessed." Peyton laughed. She emptied her beer. "You know how to play pool? Let's play pool, even if you can't."

Peyton Sawyer and Clay Evans played pool for a while before ordering shooters. She was trying to have fun despite being angry. The guy was very friendly and told jokes. Around two in the morning, Peyton took her cell phone out of her purse and noticed the hundred missed calls from Brooke, Nathan, Haley, Skills, and Mouth combined.

"I have to go. I have a meeting in the morning." Clay declared. "It was fun."

"Thanks for keeping me busy for a while." Peyton smiled. "I'm Peyton, by the way."

"It was a pleasure to meet you, Peyton." He replied. "I'm taking a cab, can I drop you off somewhere?"

"No, it's fine. Thank you, though." She said. "Anyways, it's the last call. I might just walk around and I'll get a hotel room for tonight."

"As you wish." Clay replied.

Peyton walked for a while on the main street of Tree Hill until a vehicle stopped near her. The driver rolled down his window and Peyton smiled shyly. It was Haley who looked rather relieved.

"Girlie! I emptied my gas tank. I've been looking for you for hours." Haley said. "Get in the car, please."

Peyton sighed and obeyed her friend. "The only reason I went upstairs is that my feet hurt badly."

"I'm sorry that happened. I thought you knew Ellie had been here for a few years." Haley declared. She put her hand on Peyton's shoulder. "I assure you Brooke was as surprised as you."

"For a few years?" Peyton repeated. "My father never told me anything."

Haley smiled stupidly. "I... While Nathan was playing in the NBA and I was still in college in my senior year, Deb often came to Maryland to help me with Jamie." She explained. "She told me that Ellie had become good friends with her and Karen. I didn't know you didn't know she was alive. Nathan didn't know either."

"I especially blame Larry." Peyton spat. "How could he hide that from me?"

"You should have a long talk with him." Haley said. "For now, let's go to my house. Brooke will be relieved to see you."

Peyton was silent throughout the ride. She looked at her cell phone and scrolled on Facebook. She noticed a post on Facebook from Karen Roe that made her react greatly.

After a three-month trip, Lucas is back! Look how happy Lily is to see her big brother again! :)))

There was a photo with the post. It was obviously at Tree Hill airport. Peyton hoped Brooke hadn't seen the post. Clearly, their return to Tree Hill was going to be fraught with complications.

Peyton meeting Clay, where do you think this could go?

Let me know what you think guys!