Author's Note: Inspired. And I kinda love the AU-ness of this fic. I have felt inspired to write more lately and try to get back to what I know makes me feel whole. I've always liked the way the characters felt in this. I'm picking it back up… hope there's still interested readers out there!

- Chrissy

A River Runs Through It

Chapter 8: Resolutely Departed

"I actually think this is going to work!"

Slender hands gripped together in an excited clasp, the energy reverberating throughout the dimly lit space of the once lively nightclub known as Tric. Gone was the dust and rubble, the hanging electrics, and the wooden planks that haphazardly lay strewn across the ground just a few weeks prior. Gone was the flickering sign that buzzed whenever anyone got too close to it, its fluorescent yellow lightning bolt the only visible part left of the sign that held the name of the establishment that once housed the nightclub run by Karen Roe.

Lucas beamed at the thought of how she would have loved to have seen it like this. Lit with purpose. A place where dreams come true. He would have to take a picture when it was up and running and send it through when he got the chance.

"I think you might be right, Cheery."

She loved it when he called her that. It somehow made everything seem full of possibility and positivity, and she had missed that feeling in her life as of late. Whenever Brooke began to doubt herself, somehow Lucas was always there to pick her back up again. Encouraging her and her talent. Making her believe that anything was possible. She had watched in awe as he organised his brother and Derek when shipments of materials came in, and how he willingly listened to what his younger brother had to say when it came to structural and building requirements. She watched as Nathan insisted on Lucas taking time to write as he worked away on the electrical work that he claimed would be "too dangerous" for his inexperienced brother to help with. Both knew it was just Nathan's way of allowing his brother to do what he loved most in the world. She had never seen a family just be there for one another. And although the brothers didn't seem as close as brothers should, she would often notice each of them doing little things for the other that made her sure that their bond was stronger than perhaps even they realised.

Then there was Derek, constantly full of energy – unless it was an early morning start – and how he somehow managed to make every situation either funnier or more disgusting than it should have ever been, was quite simply, one of his many talents. Yet when she watched him pouring his blood and sweat into this project – her project – simply because his best friend asked it of him, she realised there was a lot more hidden underneath the shell of mockery and bravado. He was a true friend. He was real. Hell, they all were, and it made Brooke long for something more in her own life.

Something real and pure and true.

She reached out her hand and Lucas grabbed it without hesitation, gripping it tightly as they stared at the now-completed stage, encased with dreamy fairy back lights and a runway that demanded attention. In just a few short days she would be sharing her new collection with the world and moving ever closer to showing her father that she could open a store in the area and that it could be a part of the East Coast expansion venture. That Peyton's insistence that the store would be bad for the company would be proven wrong. That her mother would see where she was coming from and how her desire to be close to home wasn't a hindrance on her talent – it was a muse spreading its inspiration all over the fashionista and bringing out the very best in her.

That they would see her the way Lucas Scott did.

The warmth of the hand that enveloped hers brought about a peace, a thrill, and a longing that she had never felt before. She both feared it and ached for it at the same time.

Her phone buzzed at that moment, breaking her from her reverie and bringing her crashing back to reality. She hastily slid her hands from Lucas to reach into her back pocket and fish out her phone, her heart beating more rapidly as a name flashed before the screen.

Haley James.

She put her hand up to Lucas as if to silence him and he stepped backwards, allowing her the space she needed. She had been avoiding her best friend for weeks and she knew it couldn't go on forever. Where she could have fooled her father, and Julian, and Peyton into believing it was business as usual – she could never fool Haley. Always intuitive, her best friend had a knack for knowing exactly when Brooke felt anything, no matter what the situation. Nervous breaths expelled from trembling lips as the brunette pulled herself together and pressed the answer key.

"Hales, what's up?"

"Brooke Penelope Davis," she sharply bit out, anxiety lacing every syllable as she spoke. "Where the hell are you?"

"I've had a rush of inspiration and I'm running with it," the fashionista announced, trying her best to smooth out the edginess in her voice. "I actually think I'm on a roll here, so-"

"Julian is in your office, with Peyton and your father. Did you forget you had a meeting scheduled with them tonight?"

Oh holy Jesus! She did forget. Dread encompassed her as she realised her mistake. She swore silently to herself and began to scurry across the club's dance floor, heading straight for her bag. The noise of a power drill sounded off in the distance and she raced to cover the mouthpiece, Lucas waving frantically for Nathan to turn it off. He did as he was instructed and both boys turned to see Brooke racing for the door, a quick wave over her shoulder as she darted through the entrance way and allowed the cool, crisp evening air to hit her face as she descended the stairs. Heels danced rapidly on the cement below as she made her way to her car, slid into the front seat, and started the engine.

"Brooke, seriously, where are you?" Haley's voice blasted over the car's speakers as her Bluetooth kicked in. She sounded a little more urgent now, as she lowered her voice somewhat.

"Ten minutes away," Brooke promised, the clicking of her shoes prominent as she darted across the road and to her car. "I promise. Stall them."

Without waiting for a reply, Brooke clicked the phone off and made her way through the calm, mostly deserted streets of town. Once she hit the bridge, she knew she was back in familiar territory but also felt the pang of leaving behind the side of the river she had grown to love. Her mind connected with the difference this feeling was to how it had been decided her whole life, how she was always warned of the 'wrong' side of the river. She smiled then, her lips curling up slightly in the right corner as she pulled into the parking lot of her office building.

The irony that the 'wrong' side of the river was now the only place that felt 'right' in her life.

Feeling like the elevator would take too long, Brooke traversed the stairs two at a time, hurtling herself towards her office. By the time she reached the top she was out of breath, so she took a few seconds to close her eyes and compose herself. She knew what was waiting inside for her. She could sense the uneasiness in Haley's voice the minute she heard her. She knew that her plans for a boutique in Tree Hill was going to cause issues, but she also knew that something was gnawing at her insides and propelling her to make it happen. So she opened her eyes, took one final deep breath, and opened the door.

The office was filled with an air of anticipation as Brooke made her way inside. The scene that greeted her was nothing out of the ordinary. Her father, Ted Davis, was reading a piece of paper intensely, circling and crossing out bits and pieces as he read. Haley sat in a chair around the small oval desk that sat in the middle of the room, frantically tapping her pen on the notebook that sat on the desk in front of her. Julian had dominantly placed himself on the edge of Brooke's desk, mindlessly flicking his fingers across the screen of his phone and Peyton sat in a chair in front of the desk, svelte legs crossed over at the knee, looking up at Julian. She was never too far away from him. They all turned to face Brooke as she entered, her father smiling and opening his arms as she made her way to him. She embraced him, a small smile on her lips as he kissed the top of her head and gave the piece of paper he was holding to Haley. Brooke made her towards a chair at the table where Haley sat, and the others followed suit. Julian pulled the chair next to Brooke and leaned in to place a kiss on her cheek, but it felt cold and uninvited. She noticed Peyton tense ever so slightly at the public display of affection, but it meant nothing to the brunette. She was amazed at how little she had started to care.

As she settled into her chair. Her father, Ted Davis, cleared his throat and began to speak.

"Brooke," he began, clasping his hands together on the table, "Sweetheart, I love you. You have more talent for clothing design than anything I have ever seen. Hell, anything the world has ever seen. But I hear things are a bit of a mess here and I wanted to touch base with you on this."

Brooke glanced at Peyton, who raised an eyebrow slightly at the look. It was no secret that Peyton had never wanted to return to Tree Hill, and she made her disdain for the place obvious on every occasion. Brooke couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness, wondering when things had gone so wrong between them. What had happened to the wide-eyed trio of best friends that had grown up in this small town and dreamed together. What had happened to the shared love as they embarked on their journey into the unknown world after high school.

When had the people they once were, died?

"Things are fine in Tree Hill," Brooke announced, offering a sweet smile to her father, a smile that had always worked when she wanted or needed something. Ted Davis was not a bad person, but he had never excelled in the role of a father. Business was in his blood, and he had shown his love by supporting Brooke's ventures financially. Buying things, paying for things, and showering her with gifts was his love language, as Haley often put it.

"Darling," Julian cooed, reaching out to hold Brooke's hand. It felt wrong, and Brooke couldn't help but think of Lucas's touch earlier that day, longing for it again. "How about we become a little more realistic about what you want to do here?"

Brooke's brow furrowed, and she replied firmly, "How about you let me run my company the way I see fit?"

Peyton's eyes widened at Brooke's words, and she glanced at Julian. He showed no emotion, only a small smile at the corner of his lips, as if he were in on the game, and this was just a private battle between them.

"I've invested a lot of time and money in this company, and I just want to see it succeed. This town... I don't see it doing that for us. I'm trying to be practical here," Julian argued.

Brooke froze at his response, her anger simmering. Haley noticed and quickly tried to defuse the situation.

"Actually, our projections aren't that bad. The buzz of Brooke being back in town, helping with ribbon-cutting ceremonies and giving talks at the local high school has seen an increase in her social media standing. People are happy to see this side of her."

Peyton jumped in, scoffing. "It pales in comparison to the reaction we get from bigger cities like New York, Houston, Washington..."

"I'm doing this," Brooke declared, standing up to the surprise of everyone in the room. "With or without you all."

"Brooke," her father spoke gently, trying to calm the situation. "We all started this journey together. Julian was our first investor. Your best friends have helped build this company, this brand, into what it is. We need to think clearly about what's happening here and see things for what they are. So, let's put this to bed and look to the future, okay?"

Ted reached down and began spreading out the papers that lay in a pile before him, discussing details of the next project he had in mind for the company's expansion. His words seemed distant to Brooke, echoing in the background like white noise. Everyone began to talk around her and she felt like she had become a bystander in her own body, her mind awash with all the things she wanted to say but never did. All the ways she had been raised… and the lessons, the expectations. They enveloped her like a plague.

Be the good girl.

Be the polite girl.

No one wants to hear what you think, only what you can do.

No politics. No taking a stand on public issues. No outspokenness.

Put up. Shut up. Smile.

It was enraging. She took a deep breath, trying to shut out the voices, but it was like trying to capture the wind. Every word, every expectation laid upon her that she attempted to drown out was interrupted by the snippets of conversation around her. Frustration welled up inside her as she yearned for solitude, a quiet place where her thoughts could flow freely. Like an animal trapped in a cage yearling to be free. She looked at Haley, who gazed at her with sad, worried eyes, and then at Julian and Peyton, who shared a triumphant look between them like they had somehow bested Brooke at her own game. It was the final straw. Something within her, a tethered thread that kept her connected to all that existed between them snapped, like a fragile twig.

"No."

Her voice was resolute. Strong. Determined. Brooke's words cut her father's talking short, and they all turned to her once again. She was done playing this game, done being a pawn in their plans. She was done with it all.

"Dad, I love you. I love you with all my heart, but I'm doing this. I'm starting a store in Tree Hill, and it will be a success."

Her father remained quiet, as if somehow trying to come up with the right words to convince his daughter otherwise. It was when he really needed his wife in the room. She always knew what to say to make Brooke do the right thing. But Victoria wasn't here now. So instead, Peyton interjected, trying to reason with Brooke. "Brooke, why are you so hell-bent on this? This isn't what's best for the company. This isn't the right thing to do—"

It was the wrong choice of words to come from the blonde's mouth. Brooke's anger flared and she was like a dormant volcano that had suddenly become active.

"Oh, piss off, Peyton. Don't you dare talk to me about the right thing to do. Like you would know anything about right and wrong."

"What the hell?" Julian spoke up them, glancing between Brooke and Peyton as they faced off. "Brooke, where the hell did that come from?"

Peyton glared, incredulity dripping from every syllable as she spoke. "I have done everything I can to make this company a success, Brooke. Even at the expense of my own career…"

It was Brooke's turn to scoff then, pushing away the hand that reached out to her as Julian recoiled from her dismissive rejection.

"I'm not taking advice about right and wrong from the woman who has been having an affair with my fiancé behind my back for God knows how long."

The room fell into a stunned silence. Peyton swallowed hard, her eyes darting in fear between Brooke, Ted, and Julian. Haley gasped in shock, her hand coming to her mouth at the revelation.

"Brooke, I don't know what you think you've heard—"

Julian leaned forward, panic in his eyes. "Brooke, sweetheart—"

"I'm not your sweetheart, I'm not anything to you other than an investment that's gone too far," Brooke retorted. She turned to Julian and placed her engagement ring on the table in front of him. "I don't even know why I loved you. All I know is I don't love you anymore."

Brooke turned to Peyton, who was at a loss for words. "And I sure as hell don't love you anymore, either."

With her final resolute words out in the open, she began to walk away. The feeling of turning her back felt both freeing and terrifying but she knew that it was now or never. She was done putting herself in this position because she had always been told it was the right thing to do. How can the right thing leave you feeling so miserable, alone, and scared?

In his anger, Julian stood up. "I will not let you ruin this company because you have some misguided idea that Peyton and I are anything other than colleagues. We've all worked too damn hard."

"Honey," her father said, reaching out to bring her back, "Julian's right. There's a lot on the line here. I'm sorry, but I can't let you do this. Clothes Over Bros will not endorse this new location, and that's the final say on the matter."

Brooke's heart broke a little at the realisation that even her own father couldn't put her above the company. She looked at the faces in the room, a single tear coming to her eye.

"I see," Brooke whispered, her voice filled with sadness and resignation. "Then I quit."

With that, she turned on her heel and walked out of the office, leaving behind a shattered group of people, each grappling with the consequences of their actions and decisions, uncertain of what the hell could be done to salvage the mess they created. The elevator doors closed as Ted's booming voice turned on Peyton and Julian, a smirk coming to corners of Brooke's mouth at the sweet sound of it.

~x~X~x~

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