The conversation with Owen about Lucas at the playground had left Brooke more than perplexed. She had naturally defended Lucas because even though she was angry with him, she didn't want him to get into trouble. She knew that Owen and Tim could cause him trouble and she preferred to avoid them crossing paths... Beyond protecting Lucas, it was above all herself that she was protecting because she would inevitably have some big troubles to deal with. So she had pretended to Owen that she still had work to slip away and escape this more than unpleasant situation. And as usual when she needed to clear her head, it was the direction of the gym that she took.
BROOKE'S THOUGHT : Lucas, a mobster? All that because of a tattoo!?
She had tried a lot to consider this possibility, she remained completely impervious to this supposition.
BROOKE'S THOUGHT : I've never known a man as nice as him... So imagining him as a bloodthirsty killer or a violent mobster!? Afterwards, I still hesitate at the fact that the gang Tim spoke of would be a Corsican criminal organization... From Bastia, what's more!
As this not insignificant detail resurfaced, Brooke chased it as quickly as possible from her mind!
BROOKE'S THOUGHT : I can't believe it, I don't want to believe it... It's a secret that's much too heavy to bear!
As if her body still had to evacuate the stress and anger it contained, she continued with the punching bag. She punched the huge leather log until her arms pulled and her shoulders ached. She emptied herself completely. Once exhausted, she stopped, clutching the bag between her arms to immobilize it, she caught her breath.
JULIAN : That was a punch!
Brooke turned around... It was Mr. Muscle who was smiling at her with all his teeth, artificially whitened. He already pissed her off just by his presence behind her. She absolutely did not want to start a conversation.
JULIAN : You have a high level, it's obvious! Too bad you definitely don't need a coach!
BROOKE : Indeed, no way! On the other hand, the boy over there could clearly break in two... It's obvious that he's a beginner! Your help would surely be much more useful to him and his muscle mass worthy of a plain yogurt!
Julian didn't even bother to turn around to the man in distress but smiled at her shock repartee.
JULIAN : I already know that I prefer your pecs to his... Besides, would you like us to go for a drink, you and me?
Brooke couldn't believe her nerve and she contained herself as best she could to hold back her rage. She stood in front of him. Julian was clearly taller than her, taller than Lucas or Owen for that matter, but he didn't impress her.
BROOKE : At what point exactly did you feel that I had sent you any kind of receptive signal!?
Brooke laughed but it wasn't a sincere laugh, she wondered if there was an honest and upright man on this planet! She decided to quickly leave the gym, even more disgusted by the male gender.
The next day...
The first part of the day passed extremely quickly with Debie. Sam's birthday was at 3pm. It was already high time to get ready to join the young people at the home... And Lucas, incidentally.
After getting ready, Brooke then set off and headed towards the home. She hoped not to meet Lucas on the way. Although her morale was not at its best, walking around while observing the landscape pleased her a lot. The air was warm without being stifling, there was even a very pleasant little breeze. The birds were singing, it smelled good.
Soon, she arrived at the bridge and heard someone approaching behind her. She already knew it was him. He purposely quickened his pace to get to her level without saying a word, he looked for her gaze but she avoided it. Brooke walked straight ahead forcing her not to look at him ... But she smelled his fresh and woody scent.
BROOKE : You didn't forget your gift?!
LUCAS : Our gift you mean ... No, I brought it this morning to keep the surprise effect.
Brooke just nodded. They quickly arrived in front of the foyer, and Brooke let Lucas go in front of her. She obviously took the opportunity to examine his outfit and ogle his buttocks molded in dark and flattering jeans. He was wearing a simple t-shirt enhanced by a slightly shiny black jacket and perfectly cut to his broad shoulders. Brooke quickly looked away when he stopped on the steps of the porch to make sure she was following him.
HALEY : Hello, come in! Sam will be so happy to see you!
Brooke don't have time to react that the young girl already stuck her head out the door, her eyes wide.
SAM : Lucas! Brooke! You came for me!?
LUCAS : Of course! We wouldn't have missed this for the world!
Sam hugged him tenderly, Brooke could see how much she appreciated her and she easily understood why.
SAM : I'm glad you're here too, Brooke! It's really a great surprise!
The girl's frank and sincere smile filled Brooke with joy, she was even very moved. She hugged her too.
BROOKE : With pleasure, my dear! Really!
They went into the living room, which was nicely decorated to celebrate the birthday. Everyone was there and very well dressed.
QUENTIN : It's great that you're here!
Lucas greeted everyone who ran towards him, he kissed them one by one.
BROOKE'S THOUGHT : This guy definitely can't be a mobster! He's kindness incarnate!
The children played near them in the living room while they toasted with cider between adults.
JAMIE : The presents! The presents!
SAWYER : The presents! The presents!
So Haley suggested to Sam to open her presents and eat the cake after, for a snack. Sam received many small homemade presents from the children and was ecstatic in front of each one, touched.
HALEY : And here is the present from the educators and Quentin, my dear!
SAM : Oh, thank you Haley! And thank you to Quentin for breaking your piggy bank for me!
Sam applied himself to unwrapping the carefully wrapped present then discovered a pretty gold anklet.
SAM : Ohh I love it! I wanted one for this summer! How did you know?!
Despite the black color of his skin, Brooke noticed Quentin blush and throw a knowing glance at Haley. Sam noticed it too and she just smiled at him. She thanked everyone, including Brooke and Lucas.
LUCAS : You'll thank us after we give you our present! Besides, follow us!
Lucas turned to Brooke to give her the signal to get up and follow him outside the house. Everyone started walking towards the garden, intrigued. Only Haley was in on the secret.
SAWYER : I don't see anything! Where's Sam's present?
LUCAS : It's right there Sawyer, behind the big tree... But be careful, it's only for Sam!
The little and big children ran as if the Easter bells had just passed, then Brooke heard:
SAM : But nooooooooo, is this a joke!?
Sam turned her head towards Brooke and Lucas, incredulous. Brooke could guess that she had tears in her eyes in front of the personalized scooter.
QUENTIN : What crazy luck! You'll let me drive it from time to time, huh!?
SAM : In your dreams, maybe! At the limit I'll take you behind me if you're good!
Sam came back to Brooke and Lucas, hugging them again and thanking them by kissing them warmly.
SAM : This is the best gift I've ever been given! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
LUCAS : With pleasure! But don't forget, we never go up without a helmet!
After everyone had settled down in the garden where the weather was delicious, little Jamie called out to Lucas.
JAMIE : Do you want to play cops and robbers with us, Lucas?
He then pointed his fake revolver at Lucas as if he were ready to shoot. Lucas's face changed expression. The good mood and joy that reigned in the garden had almost made Brooke forget her resentment and her worries.
LUCAS : Jamie, I already told you I don't like it when you play with guns!
JAMIE : But... But it's my new gun, my dad sent it to me!
The little boy, very sad, closed up like an oyster next to Lucas whose reaction had upset him. Lucas realized it and took Jamie on his knees, who did not let go of his weapon and looked at Haley, tears in his eyes.
HALEY : I know it's a gift from your dad, my angel. But Lucas is right, violence does not bring anything good.
Jamie put the toy on the table with a resigned air. Lucas and Haley shared a look full of innuendos. A look that Brooke interpreted as a silent criticism towards the initiatives of these failing parents... These parents who tried to compensate for their absence as best they could with a certain clumsiness.
LUCAS : I apologize, Jamie. I shouldn't have reacted like that. It's great that Dad sent you a gift...
Lucas comforted the little one while taking the gun from the table. His grip was sure, expert even. Brooke shivered.
LUCAS : Why don't you put it away in your room for today? We have better things to do than play gangsters, don't you think?
BROOKE : Or mobsters!?
The words came out of her mouth naturally, like lightning split the sky, sharp and striking. Lucas' reaction was immediate, he looked at her, breathless, open-mouthed and bewildered. But Sam and Quentin arrived at the same time. They had decided to let go of the scooter to join them at the table.
SAM : I love the detail of the multi-colored angel wings, Brooke! It makes it even more beautiful!
Brooke smiled at her, appreciating the compliment. Sam looked satisfied and announced to the table:
SAM : Besides, I think I like it so much that I found an idea for my next birthday present!
QUENTIN : We can say that you're doing it well in advance! What inspired you then, tell us?
SAM : I think it's a beautiful model for a first tattoo, as soon as I'm eighteen, I'm doing it!
Brooke was definitely being offered opportunities on a silver platter today. She took the opportunity to add:
BROOKE : I won't be here by then so I won't be able to accompany you but Lucas must know about tattoos... I have a shower of stars on my stomach. And you Lucas, what do you have on your arm above the birds?
This time, Lucas turned pale and his Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed. However, he carefully avoided Brooke's gaze.
LUCAS : Nothing worth explaining and even less serving as inspiration, it's a youthful stupidity...