Afterglow
Chapter 21
You're changing. Everything is changing.
Lucas wasn't sure what to say or how to be. He hadn't seen her in some time now. With his career. Married life. The pregnancy. He had forgotten about her.
"You're becoming such a success now. You should be proud of that." Alex said.
"I am. Late nights. Re writes. Meeting with my team."
"Having Brooke by my side being loving and supportive is the only way it works out. I'm a lucky man." Lucas said.
"You're happy. The expectation. The routine. The same person day after day. I feel restless just thinking about it." Alex replied.
"I am. Overjoyed. Its peaceful and full of love." Lucas replied.
"Next in line." Lucas exclaimed.
And that was it. His gaze and attention was no longer on her.
Frustrated and upset Alex left the bookstore in a huff.
...
"We were close Haley. I loved you like a sister and for reasons i still don't understand you turned on me."
"I supported you after you came back from you're music tour. I let you move in with me. You're involvement with Chris Keller."
"I encouraged and offered support to both you and Nathan to work it out. Jamie. Lydia. And Ryder. Wouldn't exist."
"Yet Lucas giving me another chance and us getting married and building a life together is a problem?" Brooke asked.
"I think it's funny how you're okay with airing out other people's mistakes and bad choices. And when i do it i'm wrong."
"You love him now. With his career on the rise. While he's giving you everything you say you want. But let's face it. The two of you were supposed to be a summer fling at the most. But he fell in love with you. Who Victoria and Ted are as people is in you."
"Entilted. Self serving. a Bitch. I feel for him when he realizes he will never be what you really want." Haley prroclaimed.
"Get the hell out and feel free to lose this address." Brooke replied.
By the time Lucas returned home.
Brooke had dinner prepared and plated in the kitchen.
"Cooking lessons with you're mom has been so fun. I love getting time to bond with her and learn things i didn't know." Brooke said.
Lucas wrapped her in his arms into a hug and kissed her.
He placed his hand on her belly. "My babies. Can't waut to find out what we're having." Lucas said.
"Week 20. That scan will tell us the genders. And i'm so ready to picl out names and buy clothes." Brooke replied.
"You will never believe who stopped by my book signing. Alex. I knew Tree Hill was small but i hadn't seen her in awhile." Lucas mentioned.
"What did she want?" Brooke asked.
"To have her book signed. And she said some things that don't really matter now." Lucas replied.
"I bet she looked hot. I felt threatened by her back then. Even though i wouldn't admit it."
"And now i'm all belly. Boobs and maternity clothes."
"You're still attracted to me right?" Brooke asked.
The expression on Lucas's face softened.
"Why would you ask me that?" Lucas questioned.
"We haven't been having sex and i started thinking. And being in my head about it." Brooke replied.
"You haven't wanted too. I mean you don't even change in front of me anymore. You don't want us being that close and that's okay." Lucas proclaimed.
"Haley came by and said alot of things. She's gotten to you. Hasn't she? That i'm not really invested in our marriage and so many other lies! She's just trying to come between us."
"That is why you're pulling away from me." Brooke exclaimed.
"You're feelings and thoughts are all over the place. I miss when i could read you're mind. When you would let me in."
"Letting hold you and touch you. I miss the version of you before you got pregnant." Lucas confessed.
Brooke's eyes went wide. A hurt expression went across her face as she burst into tears and walked out of the kitchen.