He bounced the ball up and down. He wasn't in the mood and anyone could tell by watching Lucas Scott, new shooting guard for the Bobcats miss every single shot he attempted in the past 10 minutes. He had a terrible night. After he left his moms house he drove home. He made it up to the front door to turn around. He sat down on the steps. The girl behind the red door. Across the street stood the future home of his ex girlfriend and daughter. The thought of referring to Brooke as his ex girlfriend killed him. He'd thought about her everyday since their last moment and regrets how he handled everything. Everyday for however long he decided to stay there he'd have to look at that front door. He had sat outside for more than hour before going inside trying being the key word, trying to sleep. He had zero success.

Fast forward to today, he was doing no better. The sun was shining and the Rivercourt had not changed over the years. He walked over an sat on the picnic table. There was no use trying. He saw from a distance a mother and son running on the playground. A pang of hurt hit him in the heart. How did he not contact his mother for 10 years? Embarrassment rushed over him.

"You're still here? Thought you might dip quickly like last time." He turned around to see Keith walking towards him. Lucas felt a shift on the bench as Keith sat down.

There was silence.

"How did we get here Luke?"

Lucas looked down at his hands ashamed. The man he considered a father his whole life made him feel smaller than life with that simple question.

"Keith I, I don't know what to say. I let my pride get in the way and by the time I realized I had fucked up, I thought it was too late."

"Lucas, it was never too late you could have called or came home."

"Is it too late now Keith?"

Keith didn't answer right away. Lucas longed for an answer. He sighed. "Luke I can't speak for everyone. I'm sorry. It's never too late to fix what you broke, but I can promise you it's not going to be easy. You hurt a lot of people Luke, a lot of people."

"I know Keith, I know." Lucas hesitated with his next words, "how, how is she?"

She.

He didn't have to say her name. Keith knew who he was asking about.

"She's in a real great place Luke. I can't lie it's been really tough for her. The first few years without you and with Emma were very hard for her. She always believed you would come back and then one day she gave up that dream."

"Keith if I would have known.." he trailed off.

"I know Luke you would have been there. And I want you to know in the past 10 years, Brooke hasn't said a single bad thing about you to anyone. Emma only knows the good about you despite Brooke's feelings. I don't want you to be mad at her or angry with her. "

"She hates me. They all hate me don't they?" They he was talking about his Mom, Haley, Nathan, and Brooke.

"Luke they could never hate you. They're hurt."

"Can you tell me about her? Emma?"

"One of my most favorite topics," Keith chuckled. "Lucas shes a great kid. She teaches your mom and I something new everyday. She's so smart, has been reading on her own since she was 5. Brooke wanted her to love books just like you."

Lucas smiled.

"And let me tell you what an athlete!"

They both laughed together. "I know, when she came up to me she took a ball and shot a 3. I was like who is this kid."

"Yea let me tell you the Scott genes run strong in this one. Every sport she has touched she's been amazing at. Emma and Brooke are having a hard time narrowing down to one for her to really focus on. You know to maybe have a future with, college scholarship. Emma really wants to continue with gymnastics. She is insane, flips all over the front yard. But Brooke, Brookes been trying hard to get her to pick basketball. She once told me the sport had a piece of you and if Emma did it, she would always have that with you. She's my pride and joy Luke. It's been a blessing having her in my life. We have a routine and life together, both of them mean everything to us."

A tear rolled down Lucas's cheek. He took his hand and cleaned it.

"Keith man I fucked up. I need to fix this."

"Luke if you plan on leaving …"

Lucas cut him off. "Keith i haven't gone a day where I didn't think about Brooke for the past 10 years. I love her, I never stopped."

Keith slapped Lucas's back. "Good well you got a lot of work to do man." Keith got up and started to walk away and then turned around.

"Ya know, your mom is closing the cafe tonight at 7. If you just so happen to come on by you might get the chance to talk to her and start with the forgiveness path."

Lucas nodded his head yes and watched Keith move towards his car.

He had his car parked for 10 minutes mustering up the courage to go to the front door. He watched his mom turn the sign that said closed and walk back to the counter where Keith and Haley had been sitting. They were laughing about something and his heart ached seeing the smiles on their faces, but remembering how they looked when they saw him yesterday.

He pushed the door open and the bell above the door rang. "We are closed …" Karen's voice trailed off looking up to see Lucas.

"Lucas you came. I was getting nervous since I said 7." He gave an apologetic look to Keith knowing he was trying to help him.

Haley stood frozen in her seat and looked uncomfortable.

"Hey Hales…" She didn't bother to look at him. Instead she stood up, "You know what, I just remembered Nathan needs to relax tonight. He's had a tough few days and I don't want Jamie bothering him. I'll see you guys tomorrow." She walked out of the cafe.

Keith spoke first breaking the silence, "Hun I'm going to go do inventory so we can leave at a decent time tonight you sit and relax." He kissed the side of her head and whispered, "give him a chance." He walked towards the back leaving Lucas and Karen.

Karen didn't know what to say. Lucas stood there with his hands in his pockets afraid. "Mom I,"

"Lucas what are you doing here? You find out you have a kid and you now decide you need to be back here? 10 years Lucas! 10 years." Karen was harsh. She was hurt and angry. Her eyes began to water.

"Mom, I asked for a trade so I could come home."

"Why Lucas why," she cried. He hesitated to walk towards her. But he hesitantly moved, and wrapped his arms around her.