Brooke, Lucas, Felix and Haley were all four in a bar located a few meters from the funfair. Lucas was sitting next to Brooke, facing Felix ... Felix next to Haley who was facing Brooke.
LUCAS : So this haunted house!? Not too full of monsters that made your blood run cold!?
HALEY : A few monsters and scary creatures, yes ... But strangely, I was anything but cold!
Haley raised an eyebrow to emphasize her metaphor then turned to Felix.
HALEY : And you, how did you find it!?
Haley gave Brooke a quick wink, proud to make Felix feel a little uncomfortable in front of them.
FELIX : My eardrums are gone from how much she screamed and my bicep is bleeding under my shirt from how tight she squeezed me!
HALEY : You're lying and you're going to pay me!
Felix laughed even harder when she gave him a fake furious and cute look. He took a sip of his beer.
FELIX : And you, this Ferris wheel!?
LUCAS : Amazing and what a fantastic view! We even did a second round...
HALEY : Did I miss an episode or... Brooke, I thought you were afraid of heights!?
BROOKE : I guess Lucas' presence helped me overcome my fear and I even really enjoyed it...
Feeling that there was something wrong with her, Haley took a sip of her cocktail while staring at Brooke before saying:
HALEY : Are you going to the bathroom with me!?
His gaze on her didn't really leave her any other options. She wasn't very discreet, either.
BROOKE : Uh... Okay! I guess I have to pee too!
FELIX : I'll never understand this habit women have of going to the bathroom together!
HALEY : Maybe because you secretly dream of going with me!?
Haley smiled at him just before placing a chaste kiss on his cheek. Brooke found them cute.
HALEY : Lucky for you, I'm not such an easy girl... I'd lose all interest, otherwise!
Lucas smiled at the same time as his friend, winking at Brooke and they disappeared inside the establishment. At the same time, Lucas's cell phone vibrated on the table and he apologized to Felix as he approached the screen.
LUCAS : Excuse me, it's a message from Julie... So what did she say...? They got home safely... And Sawyer is already asleep... I'm not surprised, she was exhausted!
FELIX : I must say that it was already late... But I'm happy to spend an evening with you. It's been a while since we did this, right!?
LUCAS : No kidding! I can't even say when it was because it was so long ago! But it feels good...
FELIX : How are you doing!?
LUCAS : I've known better, as you can imagine... But at the same time, I finally feel like I'm moving forward...
FELIX : With Brooke, you mean?
LUCAS : ...
FELIX : You can talk to me, Lucas! You know that it will stay between you and me ... And I'm even happy for you.
LUCAS : Thanks, buddy ... I know, don't worry! It's just that it's not really the right timing given the context ... And at the same time, it's the perfect timing because I told Peyton last night that I wanted a divorce ...
Felix's eyes widened a little ... He apparently wasn't aware of this information.
FELIX : Oh yeah, really! And I'm not asking you how she reacted ...
LUCAS : Don't ask me, it's better!
They both laughed ... A mixture of yellow and sarcastic laughter mixed with a sincere laugh.
FELIX : But now that war has been declared ... What are you going to do? You've already thought about it I suppose but...
LUCAS : In fact, I already saw my lawyer earlier... Maître Lethier...
FELIX : You didn't waste any time! So you're sure of yourself this time...
LUCAS : Indeed. I can't do it anymore, Felix... And you, better than anyone, know how much I tried though...
FELIX : If it were up to me, I would have already awarded you the Nobel Peace Prize... And the Prize for Wisdom.
LUCAS : You're an idiot!
FELIX : Yeah, but seriously, how do you plan on playing it... At loggerheads like Hollywood stars!?
LUCAS : I'd rather not, believe me! But I'm going to have to adapt and fight back against Peyton's low blows...
FELIX : Let me guess... She wants to make you pay by threatening to rob you!?
LUCAS : If only... But she's more perverse than that! She wants Sawyer!
FELIX : What!?
LUCAS : You understood perfectly... She wants to destroy me and she knows where to press to make it hurt...
FELIX : But she doesn't care about her kid! ? You can't let her do this!
Caught up in the shock of this announcement and the anger it inspired in him, Felix quickly recovered.
FELIX : Sorry, that's not what I meant... But you love this kid so much...
LUCAS : Don't apologize, you're right, she doesn't care!
FELIX : Worse than that, since she wants to use her as a bargaining chip to put pressure on you...
LUCAS : That's it. So either I stay, or I risk sharing her... Or even losing her.
FELIX : She has no argument to assert her custody rights!
LUCAS : Wrong... She's going to use Lindsay's accusations to make me look like an unfaithful man...
FELIX : But it's wrong...
Felix paused when he realized that what he was about to say was no longer relevant. Lucas beat him to it.
LUCAS : Indeed... I had never cheated on him... Before Brooke...
FELIX : But you're playing with fire there, Lucas... If she finds out about this... I wouldn't give much for your skin...
LUCAS : She already wants to take Sawyer from me... What's the worst she could do!?
FELIX : Going after Brooke...
LUCAS : Damn, I know it and it really pisses me off! That's why I have to silence these rumors about me... If the press finds out about Brooke and me, which will inevitably happen one day or another... I want to be able to say that I cheated on my wife because I fell in love with Brooke... And also because I didn't love my wife anymore and that it was already over in a way... Not because I'm a womanizer who loves little babysitters. Brooke would be dragged through the mud... And in this environment, I know the damage that can do.
FELIX : Especially since your dear wife works in the same environment and she knows people...
LUCAS : Exactly. So, before anything else, I have to convince people that I didn't do anything with Lindsay... Or better yet, convince Lindsay herself to officially deny her lies.
FELIX : But how do you plan to do that?
LUCAS : There are a couple of technicalities to sort out, but I have an idea...
HALEY: An idea? Technicalities to sort out!? I think we've come at the right time, Brooke!
Brooke met Lucas's gaze and immediately felt his discomfort. Her eyes darkened and her cheeks flushed.
FELIX : We had just finished our conversation... Would you like another drink, ladies?
HALEY : Oh... I see. I'm getting involved in something that clearly doesn't concern me! Sorry! How about four shots of tequila to get us in the mood even more!?
FELIX : Well, you're the opposite of the stereotype of your job!
HALEY : And what's the stereotype of the computer scientist, tell me!?
FELIX : That they are lonely souls with pale skin, allergic to UV rays and everything that is fashionable in terms of clothes ... Nerds do not have IRL interactions, they only like their helmets and their 27-inch screens.
HALEY : ...
BROOKE : Be careful, Felix! I think you're going to awaken the fury that lies dormant in her!
FELIX : That's why I said she was the complete opposite ... Tanned, sociable, stylish ... Even if I don't know what the stereotypes are about computer scientists ... Besides, do we say Geekettes?
HALEY : Because this environment still remains for many in an imaginary corresponding to masculine codes ... And if you want to know, I would position myself between the super sexy rebel hacker and the genius mathematician ...
BROOKE : Really!?
HALEY : Thank you for your support!? You who were supposed to be my best friend until now ...
BROOKE : I'm kidding you! I think it's great what you do and the way you assume it and are proud of it!
HALEY : Mmhh ... I'm going to reconsider my last sentence. You're still my BFF!
Caught up in the good mood but thinking first of what was worrying him the most, Lucas interrupted them.
LUCAS : And me, if you both allow me of course, your skills could perhaps help me...
Felix and Boroke turned to Lucas, sensing that the tone he was using was serious but still hesitant.
HALEY : Me help you? In relation to what?
LUCAS : Well uh... Let's imagine that I would like to record a conversation in complete discretion...
HALEY : Without the knowledge of the person with whom you would be speaking, for example!?
LUCAS : For example, yes.
BROOKE : Would you like to record Peyton?
Lucas' eyes became tender when she became worried and interested in his plan. He smiled imperceptibly at her.
LUCAS : No... Well, not yet, at least. I want to confront Lindsay.
BROOKE : Oh... To make him say that it was all lies?
LUCAS : That's the idea... But first I want you to tell me what you think about this idea...
BROOKE : I... I think it's a good idea...
LUCAS : But for that, I'm going to have to see her... one on one...
Brooke's jaw clenched and a small lump formed in the back of her throat. Haley looked at them... Then her frank speech fell as Brooke and Lucas remained silent, staring into each other's eyes
HALEY : Wait! We're talking about that bitch who told the press that you groped her!?
BROOKE : Not just groped if we base ourselves on what she claims...
LUCAS : But we agree that you don't believe her bullshit for a single second, right, Brooke!? Look at me!
BROOKE : No, Lucas. And I trust you, I trust you completely. You have to see her even if it doesn't make me happy.
LUCAS : Me neither, you know...
BROOKE : I know. I just hope it leads to something...
HALEY : She's right! How do you plan on getting the information out of that slut!?
Lucas's concerned and ever-sweet gaze remained locked on Brooke's as he answered Haley.
LUCAS : I think I only have two strategies available to me... But, if you see others, I'm interested! The first... Push her to her limits so that she confesses...
HALEY : She'd have to be stupid enough to say what you want her to say and record it all, right?
LUCAS : I'm afraid she'll be suspicious, especially since I've always refused to talk to her or see her since... And that's why I'm seriously considering the second option...
His eyes looked back into Brooke's, but this time, they showed a certain anguish, a certain hesitation...
LUCAS : In this option, I'd make her believe that I want her too... That I miss her...
His gaze still scanned Brooke's, which widened at the same time as his eyebrows furrowed. He placed his hand on her thigh.
LUCAS : I'll just say it and make her believe it... I'll never touch her...
The lump grew in the back of Brooke's throat and she swallowed hard as he waited for a reaction from her.
BROOKE : I wouldn't choose either...
LUCAS : Do you have another idea?
BROOKE : No... It's my fear of the consequences that makes me speak. Do what you think is best.
LUCAS : If I fail the first one, I can cross the second one... I'll have burned my cartridges.
Lucas' hand tightened on Brooke's thigh to reconnect her to him if necessary.
HALEY : I agree too, she's the only one who could make her lower her guard...
LUCAS : And you Felix? You who know her well after all, what do you think?
FELIX : You're going to have to play it smart but she's just waiting for that... So, she'll eat out of your hand if you're credible. Sorry Brooke... But I also think it's the best option.
The one she now considered her friend gave her a discreet and sympathetic smile. Brooke smiled back.
HALEY : Before the recording, what would be the first step in your plan? Just so I can think of all the unexpected...
LUCAS : I should meet her somewhere...
HALEY : Somewhere where there won't be too much noise around you to hear clearly... Do you have any ideas?
LUCAS : If I have to rule out all the restaurants, bars and cafes... And I want to remain credible... The hotel?
HALEY : A hotel room, huh... Not the echoing lobby that's full of customers rolling their suitcases on the floor!
Lucas looked at Brooke again... As if he knew she was going to have a little trouble breathing. Seeing his reaction too, Haley and Felix looked at her with concern.
HALEY : What if you sent him a message directly already... Maybe we're racking our brains for nothing...
LUCAS : What kind of message!?
HALEY : We'll advise you... You need something hot that makes her want to react with her heart... Or her body... In any case, not with her reason and her brain... Even if she doesn't have any!
Lucas took his cell phone from the table.
LUCAS : I suppose you are the best placed to know how a woman would like to be spoken to...
BROOKE : You're already doing it perfectly...
LUCAS : Because it's you...
An angel passed by when their eager eyes plunged into each other. Lucas finally broke it by returning his attention to the screen of his phone.
LUCAS : Well what am I writing to hope not to even need to see her!? I'm listening...