So I know this is way overdue and I can't apologise enough for that. I won't bore you by going into all the reasons why it took me so long lol. Anyway so the last week or so I have been sick, which although it sucks for me is good news for you guys as it means I managed to finish this chapter at long last. I hope it was worth the wait and I will try and update sooner this time which shouldn't be too hard lol. Hope you like it and please review as you are always so lovely. Thanks.
Vicky
"He knows" Lucas said as he walked through the door and saw his brother. Brooke followed close behind.
"Who knows what?" Nathan asked as he watched Lucas place his and Brooke's bags on the floor.
"Felix he knows" Lucas replied simply knowing further detail was not needed. He really didn't know what to do, Felix wasn't just going to give up and he knew that but at the same time he didn't want to worry Brooke, he had to be strong. If she saw that he was worried then she bound to worry even more than she probably already was.
"But how?" Nathan asked rather taken aback by the news.
"He overheard us talking, we had no idea he was there until it was too late" Lucas explained, turning to face Brooke as he did so. He knew she was worried, he could see the fear in her eyes. He wished he knew what to do to make it all go away but life wasn't that easy.
Brooke listened to his words, and she couldn't help but feel that this was all her fault. If she had just told Felix the truth before then maybe they wouldn't be in this situation. Now he was hell bent on revenge. He had never liked Lucas, and now he didn't like her either, which meant there was no reason for him to leave them alone.
"Would someone please tell me what is going on, what does Felix know? Haley said as she entered the room, visibly confused.
"Not now Hales" Nathan said dismissively as he tried to work out what they would do next.
"Fine why don't I leave you three to it, you clearly don't want me to know whatever it is!" Haley snapped back, grabbing her bag from the side and then proceeding to storm out, slamming the door as she did so.
Brooke winced as the door slammed shut. Yet another problem to add to the ever-growing list. This was exactly why she didn't want to tell Nathan, because now she had put him in an impossible situation with his wife, and one of her closest friends. It wasn't fair on Haley, it wasn't fair on Nathan, it wasn't fair on any of them.
"You should go after her." Brooke advised as she attempted to minimise any damage just caused by Nathan to his marriage.
"She'll calm down" Nathan replied trying to focus on how to handle the situation Brooke and Lucas had just gotten themselves into.
"I'm sorry, I should have told Haley, I didn't mean to put you in this position" Brooke apologised feeling that it was the least she could do.
"Look what matters now is what we are going to do about this Felix thing. How did he react?" Nathan asked despite pretty much knowing how Felix would react, that guy was quite predictable when it came to things like this, his default setting seemed to be attack. Felix didn't do rational thinking, he did his thinking with his fists.
"Angry, which was to be expected" Lucas answered.
"Why don't you get us something to drink" Nathan suggested to Brooke wanting to speak to his brother alone.
"Sure" Brooke said as she headed out to the kitchen. She just really hoped that Felix would leave them all alone, but the chances of that happening were not very high. Everything seemed so much simpler a year back and now it was just pure chaos, she had never felt so out of her depth. She wasn't good in a crisis, that was more Lucas's department, he was just so much calmer than she was and seemed to be able to think clearly even when there was so much going on, she on the other hand seemed to fall to pieces. She had become a lot stronger over the years especially with her parents moving away, she had had to be strong, she had no one else, she let people think she was strong even when she was breaking inside, that was who she was. Now she had people there for her though, and the problem with that was that they knew when she was falling apart, she didn't like them seeing her so weak but in a way she was glad that she had people there for her, it sure beat going through all of this alone that was for sure.
"So what are you thinking man?" Nathan asked his brother.
"That this isn't over by a long shot." Lucas reluctantly answered.
"So you think he is gonna want revenge?"
"I can't see him letting us all walk away from it all can you" Lucas asked back.
Nathan shook his head. "What do we do then?" Nathan asked just as Brooke re-entered the room with the drinks. She placed he drinks on the coffee table and took a seat.
"We need to talk to Haley." Brooke stated oblivious of the conversation between the two brothers.
"Brooke you don't have to tell her, she will understand." Nathan reassured her.
"Look Felix knows now and so knowing him it will be all around school soon and I really don't want her finding out from some stranger, she's my friend and she's your wife, I think we owe her the truth." Brooke argued disagreeing with the younger Scott brother.
"I really should go find her." Nathan concluded as only now did it begin to sink in that he had caused his wife to storm out.
"No I'll go, I think she is angry with you enough as it is." Brooke suggested.
"I really don't think that's a good idea, especially with Felix around, why don't you stay here with Nathan and I'll go find her and bring her back here so we can all talk" Lucas proposed. There was no way he wanted Brooke wandering around looking for Haley when Felix was out there probably just waiting for the perfect opportunity to get his revenge.
"Sounds like a plan" Nathan said giving his approval.
"So any ideas as to where she might have gone?" Lucas asked picking up the car keys which he had placed on the table a matter of minutes ago.
"Maybe the library or the café." Nathan sighed. Lucas shouldn't have to be chasing around town looking for his wife that was the problem, and neither should Brooke. He shouldn't have made his wife storm out in the first place.
"Ok well I'll check those out then and hopefully I'll be back in no time. Can I have a quick word Nate?" Lucas asked as he walked towards the door
"Yeah sure" Nathan said as he followed his brother to the door leaving Brooke alone.
"Look after her ok?" Nathan nodded, Lucas didn't need to tell him, he would take care of her no matter what, "And if he comes round don't answer the door and call me straight away, I'll be back as quick as I can" Lucas added making sure his brother was prepared incase Felix did make an appearance.
"Bro I know what to do ok, she is in safe hands" Nathan smiled.
"I know, I just worry, anyway I better go and find this wife of yours" Lucas joked closing the door behind him.
Nathan made sure the door was bolted and chain was on before going back to Brooke. He was not about to be responsible for anything else going wrong.
"Let me guess, you've been instructed to take care of me" Brooke stood waiting with her hands on her hips as he re-entered the room.
"He just worries, we all do" Nathan shrugged.
"What so you all think that I can't take on Felix?" Brooke asked.
Nathan chuckled a little at Brooke's question before noting her serious expression. "Brooke you're pregnant and this is Felix we are talking about" Nathan reminded her.
"I know" Brooke replied not seeing Nathan's point.
"Felix is dangerous and where most guys wouldn't dream of hurting a girl let alone a pregnant one, you have to remember that Felix just isn't like other guys. You have to let us help you on this one Brooke. You can't fight this on your own" Nathan pleaded hoping to get through to her.
"I know I need you…….., I need Lucas…….Haley…….. Peyton, I need all of you ok, are you happy now? Is that what you have all been waiting to hear?" Brooke voice shook as she spoke.
"Come and sit down ok" Nathan said putting his arm around her waist and guiding her to the couch. "Just try and calm down"
"I am calm, does this not seem calm to you" Brooke said. Her wavering voice telling Nathan she was anything but calm.
"It's all my fault" Brooke exclaimed as she buried her head into the palms of her hands.
"Ok so it had not been the best day but we will get through it, we always do and it's not your fault all of this is happening."
Brooke shook her head having found no comfort in Nathan's words. "It's MY secret that has caused Haley to storm out and it is MY big mouth that's the reason why Felix knows, so don't tell me that this isn't my fault because we all know it is, it's all my fault… it's…. all…my… fault." Nathan wrapped his arm around her as he felt her begin to shake. He pulled her to him hoping to soothe her and calm her down but he wasn't sure he was of much use. The one person who Brooke needed right now was bust searching for his wife.
"Look I know how it seems like it is a mess right now and it is, but its gonna get better, it always does, everything happens for a reason right, so maybe this is just a way of getting all the secrets out in the open" Nathan said as he gently rubbed her back trying to ease her the now sobbing brunette.
"Do you ever just want to escape Nate?" Brooke asked as she tried to control her tears.
"What do you mean, escape from what?" He asked clearly baffled by the brunette's question.
"From all of it, from all the drama and the trouble and just be with the people who you care about. I just wish someone could wave their magic wand and make Felix disappear" Brooke said sadly.
"I think we all wish someone would do that." Nathan laughed
"Why does this keep happening Nate? Why is it that every time I think I am safe, every time I think nothing can destroy my happiness, something or someone comes along to wreck it?" Brooke asked. There had to be a reason why this kept happening, maybe she was just one of those people who was just not meant to be happy, maybe she didn't deserve to be happy, she was hardly a saint, but she surely didn't deserve this, did she?
"I don't know Brooke, I really don't, I wish I did, I mean if anyone deserves to be happy it's you, but you are going to get through this, and we are all gonna help you" Nathan said as she rested her head on his shoulder.
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Meanwhile Lucas was still looking for Haley, first stop was the library and it had turned out to be a very lucky guess as Lucas had spotted the blonde within seconds of entering the building. She was alone at a table, she had a book open in front of her but she didn't look to be reading.
"Nathan said I might find you here" Lucas said as he pulled up a chair next to the blonde,
"Well you can tell him to go to hell." Haley bit back.
Lucas winced at her words. "Don't you think that's a little harsh?" Lucas asked.
"No not really, not only are you keeping secrets from me, but my own husband is in on it too and didn't think to tell me, and then when I try to talk to you about it, my husband dismisses me like I am nothing, how do you think that feels?" Haley asked angrily as she tried to keep her voice down to avoid the stern looks people were giving her.
"Look I know he screwed up but there is a good reason behind it all, so please just come back to the house and hear him out" Lucas whispered.
"Why should I? Why is it always me giving in? I have always stood by him, I tell him everything, and it hurts that he didn't feel he could come talk to me, I just don't get why." Haley said shaking her head in confusion.
"It wasn't his" Lucas whispered still well aware of the people staring at them.
"What?" Haley asked, he was whispering so quietly she couldn't even hear him now.
"I said it wasn't his secret" Lucas repeated.
"What do you mean? If it wasn't his then who's is it?" Haley asked, now more confused than before.
"Look just come back home and we'll talk there" Lucas asked deciding that now was not the time to discuss it. The librarian had been giving him dirty looks since he had sat down and then there was the staring from numerous other people.
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"Do you think he's found her yet?" Brooke asked as she stirred her drink once more making sure the sugar was mixed in.
"I don't know" Nathan answered honestly. They hadn't heard anything from Lucas and the more the minutes went by, the more the guilt built up.
"Don't worry I'll put her straight" Brooke said rubbing his hand reassuringly.
"Thanks"
"We're back" Lucas called as he walked through the door.
A huge smile appeared on Nathan's face as he heard Lucas' words.We're back. Brooke smiled at Nathan, genuinely happy for him, she knew Lucas would come through and bring Haley back.
"Hales I am so sorry" Nathan said. As soon as she walked into the room he went to embrace her.
Haley's hands flung out preventing Nathan from coming any closer. "I don't think so Nathan, you lied to me. Now are you going to tell me what this is all about or am I going to have to leave again?" Haley asked staring directly point blank at her husband.
"It's my fault" Brooke said speaking up, it wasn't fair that Haley was having a go at Nathan, he had not done anything wrong, all he had been was a good friend.
"Your fault?" Haley said now extremely confused, "Brooke no offence but I really don't think it is your fault that my husband has been lying to me."
Brooke knew what she had to do. She took a deep breath. "It's my secret ok, I didn't want everyone knowing, so don't blame him, blame me."
"So what is this big secret then?... Actually no it's not fair to make you to tell me, I'm sorry Brooke." Haley corrected herself, she wanted to know but Brooke was her friend, she wasn't going to force it out of her, that wasn't right.
"No it's ok, I want you to know, it's not fair on you that you don't know and I would rather you hear it from me before Felix has spread it round the school" Brooke replied.
"Hang on…what's Felix got to do with this?"
"Everything" Brooke bluntly replied.
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"So there you have it, that's everything, so soon the whole school will know I am a baby killer, and my ex, well who knows what he is up to but I doubt he is going to leave me alone, so my life is just one big mess, I'm so sorry I didn't tell you Hales but you have to understand how hard it was for me to tell one person and I just really didn't want anyone knowing, it was bad enough that I knew, I just didn't want you to judge me" Brooke explained as best as she could.
"Tigger I could never be angry with you, I wouldn't have judged you ok, you are a good person and you need to remember that. Just please don't keep stuff like this to yourself, it can't be good for you"
"Ok tutorgirl" Brooke said opening her arms to give Haley a hug.
"Great so now that that is all sorted what are we going to do?" Nathan asked as he went to put his arm around Haley, Haley saw this and quickly moved out of his way.
"I thought everything was ok now?" Nathan asked rather puzzled.
"No it isn't Nathan, not between us" Haley answered.
"But Brooke told you everything, I was just doing what she told me" Nathan said not understanding why there was still a problem.
"Oh I get that, but the way you treated me earlier Nathan, I just can't get over how dismissive you were of me, it's one thing to keep secrets from me, and I can understand why you did that but you just waved me off earlier as if I was some stranger and then you didn't even have the decency to chase after me, instead your brother has to come and find me, how do you think that makes me feel?" Haley yelled.
"Hales he was going to come but I said I would go instead" Lucas said jumping to his brother's defense.
"Fine but why didn't you come after me when I left, was I not important enough? You see that's where we are different Nathan, with me you will always come first, with you I am not so sure where I am, but I sure as hell am not at the top of your list" Haley ranted. She loved him she really did and although she knew he loved her, but why didn't he always show it?
"I just thought you needed to calm down Hales. You know how important you are to me, it's just that we really needed to talk about stuff" Nathan tried to explain.
"You see that's just the problem Nathan, I used to know how important I was to you, but I really don't anymore. Before I was second to basketball and now this, I really don't know what to think" Haley said falling into the chair.
"I think we will leave you guys to it" Lucas said feeling like that they were in the way.
"Yeah I think that's a good idea" Brooke said grabbing Lucas's outstretched hand and letting him guide her away. Brooke let out a light sigh as she passed the arguing couple as it reminded her of one good thing she had going for her. And that was her relationship with Lucas, she still had something to be grateful for, but the question was would it last or would it end up just like the rest of her life.
One big fat mess.