Author's Note: Thank you for your reviews. Again, I'm using some of the dialogue from the show, but changing it to work with this story. This chapter is lacking in Tyler, but I have some story lines planned for Tyler in the next few chapters. I know some of you are getting tired of Sarah giving Brooke a hard time. I hope you'll give her some more time. I know where I want to take her character. You'll see moments where she lightens up on Brooke. In the last chapter, she complimented Brooke. In the chapter before, she apologized. In this chapter, she tries to help Brooke. But, they aren't going to have their big breakthrough for awhile. I've had mixed reviews of the teenagers (Melissa and Aaron). Some of you don't like the teenagers and some of you do. Let me know if you want more scenes with them or if you want me to do less of the teenage scene. I kind of like Aaron and Sarah. I had plans for them, but I don't want to write for characters that you're not enjoying reading about.
Brooke and Julian returned from Jamie's basketball game. Sylvia was flipping through a bridal magazine on the couch. Tyler and Sarah were nowhere to be seen.
"Sylvia, where are Tyler and Sarah?" Brooke asked.
"Oh, they went out."
"You said you would stay here with them." There was a hint of accusation in Brooke's statement. She stared disbelieving at Sylvia. Sylvia knew full well that Sarah was grounded.
"Yes, and I did."
"Okay, Mom, where did they go?" Julian asked.
"The river court."
"Sylvia, Sarah is grounded." Brooke's eyebrows arched up as she waited for an explanation.
"I know, dear, but she was going stir crazy in this house. Two weeks is a long time to ground a 15 year old. You have to give her some freedom. I gave Julian freedom and he was the most responsible kid."
"Mom, Sarah's had too much freedom," Julian said.
"Sylvia, you don't know what you're talking about. Julian's your son. He always had you looking out for him. Sarah's different. Her parents are in prison. She's been in some foster homes that weren't so good," Brooke said.
"If you don't want your home to be one of them, you need to give her a break," Sylvia said.
"Sarah needs to learn that there are consequences for her actions," Brooke said.
"What could a 15 year old do that is so bad? From what I've seen, she's been sweet and helpful."
"Mom, she was smoking at school," Julian said.
"And when we grounded her, she cut school and ran away," Brooke said.
"Honey, she's just going to run away again if you don't lighten up," Sylvia said.
"Mom, Sarah is our foster child, not yours. You have to respect our decisions," Julian said.
The Varsity basketball players were playing a not-so friendly game against the JV players at the river court. It was a tradition that started a few years ago. Aaron had only invited Tyler because he wanted to win and he knew JV wouldn't stand a chance against Tyler. Aaron also invited Sarah to come watch.
Aaron dribbled the ball and looked around frantically for someone who was open. No one was left unguarded. Aaron threw the ball to Tyler. Tyler caught it easily. He used fancy footwork to put some distance between him and the JV player guarding him and then sank a 3-pointer, winning the game for the Varsity players.
Melissa had been watching and cheering for Tyler. She hugged him and whispered in his ear. "Good game. Are you as good in bed as you are on the court?"
A blush crept over Tyler's cheeks. He laughed nervously. "Only one way to find out."
"In that case, do you want to come over to my house for a victory party? A private victory party."
Tyler let Melissa pull him to her car.
Aaron had been darting glances at Sarah throughout the game. He found her easily afterward.
"Thanks for coming," Aaron said.
"What kind of fake girlfriend would I be if I didn't go to my fake boyfriend's games?" Sarah smirked.
"You went above and beyond. You even cheered." Aaron broke into a smile as he teased her.
"I don't think Tyler heard. I didn't have to break up any fights. It was kind of disappointing."
Aaron gently traced Sarah's jaw line. "Does it still hurt?"
"Nah, I'm okay. But thank you for defending my honor." Sarah's teasing tone told him she didn't need him to do that, but she appreciated it nonetheless.
"What kind of fake boyfriend would I be if I didn't defend my fake girlfriend's honor?"
Sarah laughed and her expression settled into an amused smile. "The kind that knows his fake girlfriend and his fake girlfriend's brother can probably kick his ass."
"We didn't finish boxing. I think you were about to go down."
"Oh yeah? I think a rematch is in order."
"Any time, any place."
When Sarah walked through the door, Brooke, Julian and Sylvia were in the middle of a heated argument. They stopped when they saw her.
"Sarah, what part of you can leave the house to go to school and when you're with us didn't you understand? I know you have a good vocabulary. You got a perfect score on that section of the PSAT." Julian's statement was half-reprimand, half-teasing. He didn't raise his voice.
"Julian, I told her she could go out. Just because you're not happy with me is no reason to take it out on her," Sylvia said.
"Sylvia, we aren't talking to you. We're talking to Sarah." Brooke's tone was flat. Her expression was neutral as she spoke to Sylvia, but when she turned toward Sarah, her expression hardened.
"Sorry," Sarah said.
"Next time you leave this house, I want you to be with Julian or me. Okay?" It wasn't a question. It was a command. But, Brooke wanted Sarah to state that she understood for the record.
"Okay." Sarah agreed, but the frustration and annoyance were evident in her voice.
"Good. Now go to your room," Brooke said.
Julian stayed with Sarah and Brooke went to her lawyer's office. They weren't going to leave Sarah with Sylvia ever again. She sat at a long, empty table in a conference room. Her lawyer handed her paper after paper.
"And sign here."
Brooke signed her signature in the designated spot. She couldn't believe it was this easy to sign away her ownership of Clothes Over Bros. A few signatures and the company she'd built from scratch at age 17 wasn't hers anymore.
"Thank you, Ms. Davis. Now as of this moment, your ownership is terminated. You are no longer affiliated with the Clothes Over Bros brand."
How could she not be affiliated with it? It was her brand. She was Clothes Over Bros. She felt like she was losing a piece of herself that she could never get back. She loved her company. It occupied a place in her heart. Subconsciously she squeezed the pen in her hand tightly, her knuckles turning white.
"May I…have my pen?"
Brooke thrust her hand in the air and the lawyer pried it from her grasp.
When Brooke walked through the door, Sylvia was sitting at the breakfast bar making a phone call. After listening for a few minutes, Brooke realized the call was about her wedding.
"Oh, Brooke, honey, I hope you don't mind, but I changed out those hand towels in your kitchen. Oh, and good news, I booked the room at The Oaks for your reception," Sylvia said.
"I can't afford it." Brooke's statement was tainted with bitterness. Beneath the bitterness was anger and frustration. She'd handed over the reigns to her company and she felt like Sylvia was taking the reigns on wedding planning. She didn't have anything.
"Now I did have to pull a few strings, but it is so lavish. I wish I had my reception there." Sylvia continued, unperturbed by Brooke's objection. Brooke couldn't tell if Sylvia hadn't heard her or was just choosing to ignore her.
"I said I can't afford it." Brooke didn't raise her voice, but this time the anger was unmistakable.
"Well, you don't have to, dear. I told you I'm taking care of it."
Brooke's frustrations were building up. She was at her boiling point. She struggled to gain control over her temper. Maybe if she explained the significance of today to Sylvia, Sylvia would realize it wasn't a good day to pick a fight with her. "I started my clothing line in high school. Did you know that? I made a website and sold clothes online and ever since that, that is who I've been. That's what I've been. Clothes Over Bros. Until today."
"Oh, honey, I know you're hurting, but I really don't know what that has to do with the wedding."
No such luck. And Brooke was done being patient. "When I took the line to New York, I had to attract investors and what I realized very quickly is that when you take their money, you take their input. I don't want to take your input. I'm sorry. I don't like The Oaks. I don't really like any of it." Brooke spoke quietly and with what she thought was admirable patience.
"Well, on your budget, there's always white bread sandwiches and a box of wine." But, apparently Sylvia was lacking sorely in patience. It was the 1st time Brooke took a stand and Sylvia wasn't having it.
"I just want a small wedding that I can afford. One that feels like mine."
"Okay, you can have your small wedding. You know, I guess I shouldn't be surprised. You have been curt to me ever since I got here."
"I have not." Brooke thought she'd been very nice all things considered.
"Yes, you have, and I have news for you, missy, just because you're upset with your mother is no reason to take this out on me."
That was the last straw. Sylvia knew next to nothing about Brooke's relationship with Victoria and it had nothing to do with the topic at hand. "Just because your son is in love with me is no reason to take it out on my liquor cabinet!"
"You're a spoiled little bitch!"
"Fine, drinky!"
Sarah heard Brooke and Sylvia fighting from her room. She could tell Brooke was about to lose her temper. She'd been on the receiving end before, so she knew the tone of voice Brooke used when she was at her wit's end. She could imagine Brooke's expression perfectly.
Sarah knew Brooke was about to say something she would regret. Normally she would let Brooke go down in flames, especially after Brooke had yelled at her and sent her to her room. But, she was impressed that Brooke gave her company up. She didn't want Brooke to pay any more than she already had. She knew Brooke was angry and needed someone to take her anger out on. She'd been that person for her mom. She could be that person for Brooke. She was a better target than Sylvia.
When Sarah walked downstairs, Brooke stopped mid-sentence. She transferred her anger from Sylvia to Sarah. "I thought I told you to go to your room."
Sarah decided to provoke Brooke into letting it out while she was in the vicinity. Her lips formed into a sassy smirk she knew would irritate Brooke to no end. "You didn't say for how long."
"Well, I'm going to go," Sylvia said. She made an exit, not wanting to be in the crossfire.
"You are such a smartass!" Brooke raised her voice. The expression on her face matched her furious tone.
Sarah laughed as she started back up the stairs. She'd done what she came to do. Sylvia had left in one piece.
"This conversation is not over, young lady." Brooke's voice stopped Sarah.
"I'm sorry. Bring it on. You can do better than smartass. I've been called so much worse. Come on, give me your best shot."
On any other day, Brooke would have held her tongue. But not that day. After the lawyer and Sylvia, Brooke wanted to scream or hit something. She unleashed all her pent up anger at Sarah. She rose to the challenge. "You are 15 years old and you think you can say whatever you want to anyone, do whatever you want. You're wrong. There are rules. You're smart, but you act stupid. You could do whatever you wanted and you'd rather be like your mom. If you keep this up, you're gonna get your wish. You're on the fast track to prison. You'd rather do it on your own and fail trying than let us help you. You think you're a badass. Honey, you don't hold a candle to me when I was your age. Your parents slapped you around. Your foster dad threw you down a flight of stairs. You've spent your life being a punching bag. You don't know that you're better than that. You act tough, but you're weak. You feel a little embarrassed about the bruises. You think they make you weak."
Somewhere in the middle of the shots Brooke was taking, Sarah blushed and looked down. She waited for Brooke to let it all out and then slowly turned and started up the stairs. The truth hurt.