Author's Note:Wow, another chapter? I'm feeling inspired by this fic. Thank you to the people who have reviewed. I was beginning to stress that my absence meant I lost my readers. I hope and pray this isn't the case. Please keep reviewing and let me know what you think.

- Chrissy

~ My Favourite Game ~

x~X~x

Chapter Eleven: The Response

"My name is Brooke Evans. And Clay Evans is my brother."

Lucas remained frozen in his spot; his eyes locked onto mine. The air grew thick and heavy between us, and I couldn't help but bite my lower lip in uncertainty, a nervous habit he always noticed. He shifted his gaze to my lips, a response I had grown to recognise over time and secretly, and I had hoped his reaction would be the same as it always was.

The distant rumble of thunder echoed overhead, mirroring the stormy atmosphere around us. Still, neither of us moved. I despised the fact that I couldn't decipher his thoughts, couldn't understand the meaning behind his arched eyebrow or his silence when I believed I had just laid bare the truth that had been missing between us for so long. It was like a dagger to my heart, the way it changed nothing. The way he didn't come closer. My fingertips ached to touch him, as scary as that was.

"Brother…"

He whispered the word as if to convince himself it was true, and I noticed then that his tone was laced with confusion. His silence was a response to this, nothing more like my mind had conjured it up to be, and perhaps if I could ease this confusion then maybe, just maybe, we had a chance of fixing this because I realised that fixing it between us was what I really wanted deep down. As frightened as that made me feel, as scary as it was, I couldn't deny whatever existed between us, and I was done trying to move in the opposite direction from it. This bond, this feeling, was like an elastic band – I was never going to get away, no matter how far I tried to stretch it. I was always pulled back towards him. Knowing this truth, I hesitantly took a step closer to bridge the gap between us.

Eyes widening at the movement, he breathed out a hesitant breath and spoke once more. "Brother?"

I nodded at his words, silent as my big orbs gazed upon him with a mixture of fear and desperation. I needed him to get it, I needed him to understand. Fuck, I just needed him.

Lucas looked tormented, his face a battlefield of emotions. He seemed torn between wanting to speak and some invisible force holding him back. I yearned for his voice, for him to break the silence that had plagued us for far too long. I knew it was my fault – I knew that walls I had built had created such a distance between us, but this was one thing I could be honest about.

Even if it was the only thing I could confess. For now.

I reached out, my hand trembling slightly, and took his, hoping to bring us closer. I could feel his warmth, the electricity between us, and I knew he felt it too. But Lucas couldn't speak, and I understood his hesitation. The words I had spoken last night to Clay had shattered his assumptions, and now he was grappling with the realisation of how much he liked me. I watched as he struggled to catch up with my words, his gaze lost in the stormy skies above.

Thunder roared, and rain began to fall around us. It mirrored the emotions that enveloped us.

"Brooke Evans. Evans…"

He spaced the words out, my name floating on his lips like a confused melody. The only thing I could do was respond in kind.

"Lucas Scott. Scott."

I said his name, trying to bring him back to the moment, and I saw a flicker of recognition in his eyes as a small smile tugged at the corners of his lips. God, even confused this boy was doing things to me and there was no point in denying that anymore. Not when we were here, standing in front of each other, finally telling the truth.

"So what now, Lucas Scott?"

My heart pounded with hope as he looked down at me, his eyes wandering from my own gaze to my mouth. It was then I knew he had returned, that the confusion about me and what he saw last night had been washed away and he was suddenly centred once more. He edged closer to me, and I could feel his warmth, his broad shoulders a shield against the cooling air around us. I bit my bottom lip in anticipation, his breath hitching at the sight of it. It wasn't intentional but knew what that did to him, and a surge of energy awakened between us. I could smell him now, a delicious mixture of cologne and sweat that was sacred only to him and as his fingers encircled my own and he started to lean down, my eyes closed and I tilted my head back slightly, welcoming him to me.

His lips were inches from mine when the front door behind us suddenly swung open, and Lucas darted backwards, bringing us crashing into reality. Clay stood there, surprised by the sight of us. Panic surged through Lucas, and he swiftly pulled his hand away from mine, coughing nervously as he shifted unformattable on the spot and reactively brought a shaking hand through his hair. His eyes darted between my brother and I, and it felt like an eternity with the three of us standing there on the front doorstep.

Clay, sensing Lucas's unease, spoke first. "Alright, man?"

Lucas couldn't look at Clay, instead lowering his head and shifting uncomfortably on his heels.

"Your uh, sister's here."

Without warning he hastily rushed inside the house before Clay could even respond and I was left standing there, bewildered, and shocked, just like my brother. Clay turned to me in a state of panic, holding his hands up defensively as confusion washed over me.

"I swear to you, I didn't tell him a thing."

When I didn't respond to his words he lamented again, worry etched across his features as he pleaded desperately. "I swear, I didn't tell him that you're my sister! Brooklyn, I have no idea how he found out."

Confusion swirled within me as I tried to piece together what had just happened. Lucas's abrupt departure left me with more questions than answers, and I was left standing in the rain with my brother, I couldn't help but wonder what on Earth I was going to do next. So I did the only thing I could and leaned forward to wrap my brother in a big bear hug. He instantly relaxed in my hold and wrapped his arms around me too.

"All good," I announced, holding him closely so he couldn't see my face. "I told him."

I could feel the confusion in Clay's body. He had never been any good at faking it. It was what made him so damn good. He was always honest, always honourable. Always dependable. Shame the same couldn't be said about me.

He pulled back then and placed his hands on either side of my shoulders, holding me in place as he crouched down slightly to ensure our eyes were level. There was no escaping him when he did this. I pitied the people who even tried to.

"You told him?" He couldn't hide the incredulity in his voice. "But I thought-"

"Better that than him thinking I was one of your booty calls, am I right?"

Clay shuddered at the thought, and I knew I was right. It wasn't the whole truth, but it was enough to ensure I wasn't lying to my brother as I tried to figure this out in my own head.

"Ew," he pulled a face of disgust and shuffled me back slight, digging his hands into the pockets of his grey sweatpants as he shook his head. "But I don't have booty calls. That isn't my style."

"You might want to tell Rachel Gattina that," I replied, raising my eyebrows at him as he looked at me in confusion. I laughed then, allowing the feeling of ease and safety that only came when I was in my brother's presence to wash over me. "Come on, I'll tell you all about it over breakfast."

Throwing his arm over my shoulder, Clay pulled me close, and I fell into the comfort of his hold. "Hell yeah little sis, I'm starving."

And with that we made the mad dash through the rain to my awaiting car, my eyes glancing in the rear-view mirror as the house of basketball disappeared into the background behind us.

x~X~x

It was late afternoon by the time I had made my way back to the dorm and was traversing the stairs back up the sanctuary of my room, the familiar surroundings offering a sense of comfort after a long day. As I turned the key in the lock and made my way inside, I spotted Haley sitting on the floor, leaning against her bed, engrossed in her laptop with a Twizzler in hand. The screen illuminated her face, and she looked up, a warm smile spreading across her lips as I entered.

Setting her laptop aside, she extended the packet of Twizzlers towards me. I took a seat on the floor next to her, my exhaustion palpable. Without a word, I rested my head on her shoulder, seeking solace in her presence.

"Rough day?" Haley inquired gently; her voice filled with genuine concern.

"Mhm hmm," I replied softly, taking one of the Twizzlers she offered and holding it in my hand. We sat in silence for a moment, Haley understanding that sometimes it was in the silence that I found the comfort to open up.

"I had lunch with Clay," I finally began, my voice barely above a whisper.

"That sounds nice," Haley replied, leaning her head on top of mine. "I went to the library. Sounds like your day was a lot better than mine."

I chuckled at Haley's comment. "Only you would end up at the library the morning after a rager."

Haley joined in my laughter. "No rest for the wicked."

"No rest for the nerdy."

"The nerdy shall inherit the Earth one day, mark my words. We are just slowly plotting our insurrection."

Our laughter faded, and we settled into a comfortable silence again. My heart raced as I contemplated opening up to my roommate about the events of the previous night.

"Haley?"

"Yeah?" She responded, her tone soft and attentive.

"About last night..."

Haley's interest piqued. "Yeah?"

I took a deep breath and decided to share my inner turmoil with her. "Lucas saw me with Clay. He heard me tell him I loved him."

Haley's reaction was immediate. She bolted upright and turned to face me, her eyes wide with surprise. "Shut the front door. How the hell did that happen?"

I began to explain the moment Lucas and I had found each other on the balcony, the undeniable spark between us, and the overwhelming emotions that had left me both scared and thrilled. With each confession, Haley's eyes sparkled brighter, excitement building within her until she couldn't contain herself. She squealed with delight when I mentioned the touch between our fingers on the balcony, her hands instinctively reaching out and grabbing my own.

But then her expression shifted to one of confusion and I knew the realisation had dawned on her. "Then how do we get from that to Lucas hearing you tell Clay you love him?"

I sighed, annoyed at my own behaviour. "I did what I always do – I freaked out and ran away. But when I went inside, I saw a very drunk Clay with a very determined Rachel all over him, and my sisterly protective instincts kicked in."

Haley nodded in understanding, waiting for me to speak again.

"So, I went up to Clay," I continued, "and he said my name, naturally. Rachel was confused, spat some stupid remark my way about choosing which guy I wanted already... actually, pretty sure she called me a whore."

Haley's eyes widened, and a tinge of anger coloured her expression. I appreciated her protective stance.

"And then?"

"And then I got Clay upstairs," I went on, "and he told me some stuff he's been dealing with, and I guess I just let him know I was there for him. He told me he loved me, and I said it back... and then Lucas was just there. In the doorway."

Haley's eyes went impossibly wide as my words hung in the air between us. She brought her hands to her mouth, still gripping one of mine tightly, her fingers trembling with anticipation.

"Did you go after him?" she asked, her voice hushed with a mix of shock and concern.

I swallowed hard, my heart heavy with the weight of my actions. "I couldn't. I looked, but he was gone. And then everything just felt so overwhelming, like I couldn't breathe and… I found you, and..."

Haley's eyes flickered with understanding. "And that's why you looked panicked," she breathed, realisation dawning on her features. "Wow, that's a lot."

I nodded, feeling a wave of relief wash over me as I finally shared the truth with my best friend. I took a deep breath and continued to recount the events of the morning, the girls in the shower, their tale of the sight of Lucas's bloodied hands, and the fear that had gripped my heart, not knowing if he and Clay had gotten into a fight. Lamenting how all of this was because of my cowardice, my fear. I must have gotten lost in my own condemnation because Haley suddenly pulled me close, wrapping her arms around me in a comforting embrace. She refused to let me beat myself up any further.

"I'm glad you've told me, though. Now we can try and fix it."

I smiled as I pulled back from Haley, anticipation evident in her wide-eyed expression. She looked at me with a mixture of curiosity and excitement, her hands still holding mine in a tight grip.

"Well, actually..."

Haley leaned in closer, her voice eager. "Well, what...?"

"I kinda went over there this morning. To find Lucas."

The excitement radiated from Haley, and she giggled like a schoolgirl discovering her friend's crush. She brought her hands to her mouth, waiting with bated breath, her grin infectious.

"And..."

"And I told him." I paused for emphasis, making sure there was no room for misinterpretation. "I told him Clay was my brother."

Haley couldn't contain her excitement and clapped her hands together, her eyes sparkling with delight. She looked at me with determination. "Tell me everything. Now!"

Haley settled in comfortably, as if she were preparing to dive into the world's best romance novel, eagerly awaiting each turning page. This was the kind of friendship I had never experienced before—real, pure, and safe. It felt secure enough for me to share, and between her squeals, claps, and gushing, I realised that this was what genuine friendship was all about.

So I told her everything. I began by explaining how Lucas had been distant when I first arrived and how he had shut me out. I told her about his confession, how it had exposed a different side of him, one that felt deeply. I confessed that I felt the same way, though I hadn't admitted it to him yet.

"Do you think he knows?" Haley questioned, her anticipation palpable.

"I think he knows," I replied, recounting the near-kiss and watching as Haley's eyes closed in delight. She sighed, completely immersed in the romance of it all. "And then?"

"And then Clay opened the front door, Lucas freaked out, ran inside, and I took Clay out to get something to eat. The end."

Haley frowned at the anticlimactic ending, her shoulders drooping slightly. "And have you heard anything from him since the almost-kiss?"

I shook my head, reaching for my phone and showing her the empty screen. "Radio silence."

"What does that mean?" Haley asked out loud, her curiosity getting the better of her.

I shrugged, my throat tightening at the uncertainty. What did it mean? What could it mean? What was next?

"You should text him," Haley suggested, as if she had all the answers to the questions swirling in my mind.

I shook my head firmly, resisting the idea. She rolled her eyes.

"Yes, you've come this far. What have you got to lose?"

"My dignity?" I responded, my apprehension bubbling up.

Haley laughed and waved her hand dismissively. "Honey, that's still waiting on the doorstep of Lucas' house. Do it now and save yourself the wondering. Life is too short."

I bit my lip and looked at her, finding nothing but unwavering support in her eyes. Reluctantly, I opened my phone and began typing, erasing, and typing again. Haley sighed and suddenly grabbed my phone, shooting a single solitary emoji to Lucas' number before handing the phone back and opening her eyes wide. I looked down at my screen and felt my cheeks fill with heat, a red love heart emoji glaring back at me proudly from my screen. As I watched in horror, the message went from 'sent' to 'read' and I dropped my phone on the floor, my heart beating rapidly in my chest. Haley reached for the phone and watched the screen intently, my body unable to move.

It felt like an eternity before I finally choked out my reply.

"Why did you send that?"

"Go big or go home?" Haley replied, hoping for my understanding. I was too shocked to speak. She frowned when no reply came from Lucas, and my heart sank further. After fifteen uncomfortable minutes of silence, it became evident that he wasn't responding. I got to my feet, and Haley did the same, looking at me with sympathy.

"That's that, then," I sighed, closing my eyes and forcing myself to breathe.

"We need ice cream," Haley declared when the silence became too much. "Come on, let's go to the gelato stand down the road. My treat."

"Actually," I murmured, suddenly feeling the familiar sensation of oxygen deprivation. "I think I'm just going to take a walk and clear my head."

"Are you sure?"

I nodded and grabbed my hoodie, hastily zipping it up, though the left shoulder slid down and clung to my arm. I grabbed my keys, and before Haley could say anything else, I reached for the door, opening it, eager for the cool evening air to wash over me.

Then, cerulean orbs met mine.

"Hey."

Lucas was there, smiling down at me in the corridor, and I felt my heart flutter.

Hey had become my new favourite word.

As always, let me know what you think by reviewing.

AN: I have also updated one of my previous fics called 'A River Runs Through It'. Brucas-centric as always, with a hint of Naley. I would love to hear your thoughts!