Fifteen days have passed since Brooke told Nathan the truth about their plan with Peyton. Fifteen days during which they had gone out on numerous dates, Julian and her, without result. Lucas is indeed sticking to his guns and still stubbornly refuses to talk to Brooke. She then really begins to tell herself that all this is leading nowhere and that her brother may be right. Nevertheless, deep down, she cannot bring herself to give up... Telling herself that if Nathan was not wrong about Lucas' feelings, then they had a chance to be happy one day. After having discussed it at length with Peyton this afternoon, she suggests something to him.
PEYTON : We need to change tactics, Brooke.
BROOKE : What do you mean?
PEYTON : Since Lucas doesn't react, we have to do something else.
BROOKE : What do you mean?
PEYTON : Julian needs to act like an asshole to you.
BROOKE : Why?
PEYTON : Because he's too nice, Brooke. That's why it's not working. What can't Lucas stand? You getting in trouble. If Julian acts like an asshole to you, he won't be able to stop himself from protecting you.
BROOKE : That makes sense. But how are we going to do that? We only see him a short time to the Tric. How do we make him believe that Julian is an asshole?
PEYTON : That's easy. We'll plan another outing together. This time for a weekend. Two whole days of Julian being an asshole should be enough to get him all worked up.
BROOKE : I hope so, but there's just one small problem, Peyton.
PEYTON : Which one?
BROOKE : Lucas isn't talking to me anymore. So I can't ask him to come. Besides, after what happened at the lake, it's not at all certain that he'll agree to come.
PEYTON : His best friend would have to convince him then.
BROOKE : Do you want me to ask Nathan to help us? He'll never agree!
PEYTON : We don't really have a choice, Brooke. You have to try. Just make up a lie.
BROOKE : Lying to my brother?! I don't like that idea, Peyton. I feel like this is going a little too far.
PEYTON : I know... But if we let it go, you might have lost Lucas forever. Are you ready to accept that?
BROOKE : No.
PEYTON : We can't do otherwise.
Feeling guilty, Brooke nevertheless decides to visit her brother as soon as they finish their work.
As planned, after leaving the office, Brooke quickly goes to the Tric to see Nathan. Her brother has just opened the bar and she apprehensively heads to the counter to talk to him. Already busy serving customers, he immediately looks surprised when he sees her.
NATHAN : Brooke? It's rare to see you here at this hour!
BROOKE : I know. But I absolutely needed to talk to you.
NATHAN : Oh really? About what?
BROOKE : Um... actually, I would like you to do me a favor.
NATHAN : A favor? What?
BROOKE : I was thinking that we could all go away together for a weekend and that you could help me by convincing Lucas to come.
NATHAN : Why?
BROOKE : Because I want to try to fix things between us and a weekend would be the perfect opportunity.
NATHAN : I'd like to, but it's not at all certain that Lucas will accept.
BROOKE : I know, but could you at least try?
NATHAN : Sure, but I can't promise anything.
BROOKE : Thanks, that's nice.
NATHAN : Do you already know where we could go?
BROOKE : I was thinking about going to the grandparents' chalet in the mountains.
NATHAN : Okay. It's a bit far, but why not? It's been a long time since we've been there. On the other hand, we'll have to see with the others if they can come.
BROOKE : Don't worry. Peyton is already asking them.
NATHAN : Very well. Everything is settled then. I'll talk to Lucas as soon as I can.
BROOKE : Great!
Finally noticing Brooke's slight discomfort, Nathan stares at her with increased attention.
NATHAN : Are you sure you're not hiding anything from me, Brooke?
BROOKE : No, why?
NATHAN : Because I know you and I feel like you're not telling me everything.
BROOKE : No, no, I told you everything. Really.
NATHAN : Are you sure? Nothing to do with your lousy plan?
BROOKE : No, Nathan. I promise.
Nathan is now staring at her with an unconvinced look and Brooke has a hard time holding his gaze. So she pretends to have to leave, unable to lie to him any more.
Everyone having finally agreed to come, Brooke gets up very early the following Saturday to go to the chalet. It is about a hundred kilometers from Tree Hill, in the mountains overlooking the city. They plan to meet up soon in front of the Tric, in order to hit the road early. Brooke hurries to take a shower and get dressed so as not to be late. Once ready, she makes sure to turn off everything in her house, before grabbing her suitcase and leaving.
When she reaches the bar a moment later, she notices that the others are also arriving at the same time. They then take a few minutes to greet each other and discuss the trip. Unfortunately, Lucas does everything he can to ignore her again, breaking her heart again in the process. Julian therefore decides to start the new phase of the plan immediately and discreetly lets Brooke know. They thus begin their charade in front of everyone, just before leaving.
BROOKE : Julian, can you help me put my suitcase in the trunk, please?
JULIAN : I'm busy making the playlist for the road, baby. You can do it, right?
BROOKE : Yeah, I know. But it's heavy.
Julian not answering and pretending to ignore her, Brooke immediately throws a discreet look at Lucas. She can see that he hasn't missed a crumb of their exchange and stares coldly at Julian. Then, Brooke quickly turns her head away and loads her suitcase in the back with difficulty while Lucas' gaze deviates on her. Brooke can then feel that Lucas does not take his eyes off her until she gets in the car with Julian.
They then drive for almost two hours to arrive at the grandparents' chalet. Brooke takes the opportunity to discuss with Julian about Lucas' reaction earlier and the rest of their plan. Julian says he is confident about his success and Brooke tries to be too.
When they finally reach their destination, Brooke immediately notices that the place hasn't changed. It's been a long time since she last came, but her father still comes from time to time to fish. She also remembers with nostalgia that she and Lucas used to come here when they were little... Fishing with his grandfather in the surrounding lakes or walking in the thick forest that surrounds the chalet. Lost in her thoughts, Julian discreetly pulls her out of her reverie.
JULIAN : Is everything okay, Brooke?
She then notices that the others are already busy unloading their things.
BROOKE : I'm okay, Julian. I was just thinking about some memories.
JULIAN : With Lucas?
BROOKE : Among other things, yes.
Julian then smiles at her one last time warmly, before having to take on his role as an asshole.
JULIAN : Ready?
BROOKE : Yes, let's go.
Resuming the same scenario as before the departure, Julian lets Brooke carry his suitcase, still under Lucas' gaze. They then all approach the front door to enter the house. Once inside, they immediately start discussing how they were going to spend the night. The chalet does not have enough bedrooms, so they will have to share them.
NATHAN : How to do it? There are three bedrooms and there are eight of us.
BROOKE : You and Haley can take one, Nathan.
NATHAN : Very well. But you?
BROOKE : Do what you want. I'm going to sleep on the couch.
NATHAN : Oh really? You don't want to sleep with Julian?
Nathan looks at Brooke with a petty glint that only she can understand and she immediately curses him inwardly. She can then feel Lucas's penetrating gaze on her again as she answers her brother with embarrassment.
BROOKE : Uh... no. The couch will do just fine, Nathan.
NATHAN : Okay. So that's it okay three of us. That leaves two rooms for five, now.
HALEY : Peyton and Julian could share a room, right?
NATHAN : Yes, that's right. So that leaves Quinn, Rachel and Lucas.
RACHEL : It's simple... Lucas and I will take a room and Quinn will sleep with Brooke on the couch.
LUCAS : No, Rachel. You will sleep with Quinn in a room and I will sleep with Brooke on the couch. It unfolds, right?
Faced with his proposal coming out of nowhere, everyone stares at Lucas with astonishment, Brooke first. However, in front of his determined look, no one contradicts him and the distribution of the rooms is therefore done.
After putting away their things and doing a little cleaning, the whole small group had lunch in a good mood. Then, they settled outside to sip a beer, except Lucas who drinks his traditional orange juice. Brooke then tries at all costs not to think about the prospect of sleeping with him in the same bed tonight. Comforted by Lucas's strange attitude, Julian now decides to add another layer.
JULIAN : Could you go get me another beer, baby? And hurry up, because I'm thirsty.
Brooke then doesn't have time to answer, Lucas immediately intervening in her place.
LUCAS : What if you got off your ass and went and got that beer yourself?
Everyone stares at Lucas again while he looks hard at Julian. Julian seems to want to drive the point home by provoking him again.
JULIAN : What did you say?
LUCAS : I told you to go and get your damn beer yourself!
Wanting to push him to the limit, Julian gets up and Lucas does the same. The two men look at each other under the puzzled gaze of everyone.
JULIAN : What are you getting involved in?
LUCAS : You don't talk to him like that, okay?
JULIAN : Otherwise what?
LUCAS : Otherwise I'll destroy you. Is that clear?
JULIAN : Oh yeah? I'd like to see that.
Moving even closer to each other, Nathan then immediately intervenes to separate them.
NATHAN : Hey! Calm down! We're here to have a good time, remember?
LUCAS : Then tell him to talk to your sister differently.
NATHAN : It's okay, Lucas. He understood.
LUCAS : I hope for him.
Julian not adding more for the moment, the three men sit down again. The rest of the afternoon then passes in a strange atmosphere, the tension still present between Lucas and Jullian.
Much later, everyone has retired to their room to sleep, leaving Brooke and Lucas in the living room. Intimidated, Brooke decides to quickly go to the bathroom to take a shower and change. Unfortunately, when she returns to the living room, she notices with a beating heart that Lucas is only wearing pajama bottoms. She can't help but admire his perfect torso while Lucas's gaze slides over her body. Wearing only light pajamas, Brooke tries to justify herself by stammering.
BROOKE : I'm sorry about my outfit... I wasn't... you know... planning on sleeping with you...
LUCAS : Don't apologize. It's kind of pretty.
Brooke laughs softly at his allusion, before they both settle into the unfolded bed. A fire crackles in the fireplace next to them, spreading a soft warmth in the room. Side by side, they contemplate the flames dancing on the ceiling. Brooke then takes the opportunity to speak to him quietly.
BROOKE : I missed it.
LUCAS : What?
BROOKE : Us. You.
At her words, Lucas turns his head to look at her and Brooke does the same.
LUCAS : I missed you too, Brooke.
BROOKE : Is that true?
LUCAS : Yes, I regret having yelled at you in the forest.
BROOKE : It wasn't your fault, Lucas. It's me who shouldn't have insisted that we be together.
LUCAS : No, Brooke. You did well, on the contrary.
BROOKE : Why?
LUCAS : Because that's what I want too. I've always wanted it. That's why I refused to sleep with Rachel.
BROOKE : Is that true? Does that mean you didn't sleep with her?
LUCAS : Of course not. And you? Did you sleep with Julian?
BROOKE : No.
It doesn't take much for Lucas to turn around completely and approach Brooke very close.
LUCAS : Can you give me some time, Brooke?
BROOKE : Yes. All the time you want.
Lucas immediately gives her a tender smile, before taking her lips almost timidly. They then exchange an exploratory kiss for a few moments, as if they were finally tasting the forbidden fruit. Then, the passion too long repressed suddenly discharging itself, it suddenly becomes much deeper. Their tongues discover and mingle while Lucas holds Brooke against him firmly, his hands roaming her body. The tip of Brooke's breasts hardens against Lucas' muscular chest and a soft heat spreads in her lower abdomen. She can feel his desire for her as he presses between her thighs. Letting out a heavy sigh, Lucas suddenly lets go of Brooke's mouth to come and whisper in her ear.
LUCAS : I want you so bad. Do you have any idea what I wanted to do to you the night you slept over?
BROOKE : No, but show me.
LUCAS : Not now, Brooke. Anyone could surprise us. But it's only a postponement, I promise.
Her heart overflowing with love and impatience, Brooke gives him a big smile. Lucas does the same, before kissing Brooke one last time and rolling onto his back, pulling her with him. Satisfied, Brooke rests her head on his chest and listens to the beating of his heart while Lucas caresses her back. They end up falling asleep in each other's arms, happy as they have never been.