just go with the flow, don't سوال it :P

Inside the gym at درخت ہل, لندن High the crowd roared as the Ravens began walking onto the court, in the lead Nathan Scott dragged his cool blue eyes away from where his father stood watching, the older mans eyes already judging his sons performance waiting for something to drill him on later. Nathan shook his head and ran to his position, catching the eye of a cheerleader, the dimpled brunette girl sent him two thumbs up and a wink, then she clapped her pom poms together “Go Ravens!” her voice cheered and the other girls repeated the move. Nathan winked back and smiled as the گھنٹی, بیل rang, all thoughts of his father temporarily vanishing as he got lost in the game.

It wasn’t long before the crowd was applauding the Ravens skill, the announcer calling out over the cheers “Basket سے طرف کی Nathan Scott! He really looks sharp out there tonight. And now a steal سے طرف کی the ravens. They'll go on the offensive. Coach Whitey Durham urges them on. Tim Smith -- he's got Scott! And he hammers it home! He's already got 14 of the Ravens' 17 points tonight” and Nathan stood there, his arms still above his head in a pose as the باسکٹ, باسکٹ بال he’d moments پہلے been holding swished through the hoop once again, a cocky smirk on his face as he looked out over the crowd.

It wasn’t long before he was doing the same thing and the announcer came up again “We haven't seen talent like this since his father, Dan, played for Whitey. Here's Scott again -- another one! It's all Nathan Scott!” and each time that ball swished in Nathan felt better and better, knowing this is where he belonged, off this court he could be like anybody else but here he owned it. This time as his eyes searched the crowd they landed on his father, Nathan felt his smirk start to fall, but then he sent him self a message nobody can take this from me, not even آپ dad! And giving Dan Scott a small salute Nathan got back into the game.
…

There was no roar of the crowd, no girls cheering at the side یا lights shining down on the players, under the stars a group of boys occupied the old river court, the only sound surrounding them was the game and the laughter of friendship. A lone figure came walking out of the dark, a black hoody covering his face and a باسکٹ, باسکٹ بال rhythmically being bounced between his hands, as he got closer his head lifted revealing stormy blue eyes.

“And here he is, ladies and gentlemen, Lucas Sawyer. 137 and 3 going into tonight's contest” a skinny boy known as Mouth called out as Lucas finally reached the court, he threw the ball to one of the other guys and ripped off his hoody freeing his blonde hair in desperate need of a hair cut. Smiling Lucas Sawyer greeted his friends, his fist bumping with one as Junk, sitting اگلے to Mouth, looked up from tying his shoelace “he sucks!”

Rolling his eyes Mouth spoke into his imaginary microphone “and as a special bonus, we’re joined in the booth سے طرف کی جنک, فضول Moreti”

“You don’t have a booth”

On the other side of Mouth, Jimmy who was still focused on the others turned to his friend, correcting him in a tone that would make any sport announcer proud “Actually, he’s 138 and 3 – Lucas Sawyer”
…

“You guys are stinking up the place! Time-out! Time-out! Get in here! Ravens! Come on, hustle, hustle, hustle! Just what in the hell is going on out there?” Coach Whitey Durham yelled at his team, his beady eyes flaring.

Nathan, sweating from the game and high with adrenaline wiped his brow “Whitey, relax. We’re up سے طرف کی twelve” which earned him a glare, Whitey stared into the boys eyes for a long moment and still looking at the younger Scott he spoke “Tim… go in for Nathan-” and he turned back to the team leaving Nathan stunned and offended “-All right, let’s get out there and act like we’ve played the game before”

When the whistle blew Whitey faced Nathan again “What have I told آپ about that? I don't care if we're up سے طرف کی 5 یا 50. I'm still the coach. It's still my team!”

Nathan scoffed as he sat down on the bench “whatever آپ need to believe”

The quarter ticked on, Nathan’s head got lower and lower into his hands as the Ravens began to loose their lead.

“And the hawks pull within one. And آپ have to wonder, where is Nathan Scott?” the announcer asked, and glaring at Nathan the coach nudged his head towards the game “Go on” he begrudgingly gave in.

Grinning that cocky smirk again, Nathan began to stand, his jaw dropped when a hard grip took his arm swinging him back around to face his father “don’t forget, no less than twenty”. Nathan shook himself away from his father and as he turned away from the crowd he saw his uncle through the corner of his eye, usually calm warm eyes Keith Scott was watching the scene between father and son, when he noticed Nathan’s glance go سے طرف کی him Keith nodded his head in acknowledgement. Nathan continued, this time walking straight in front of the cheerleaders, Brooke’s voice came out quickly “don’t listen to him, your dads an ass” and her large dimpled grin didn’t falter as she کہا the words just to him, her dark eyes only briefly looking at him. Nathan turned his head back to face her as he continued walking “look who’s talking”

“Ass” she whispered under her breath as Nathan finally joined the others, her pom poms banging together again Brooke quickly changed her voice to a sing song yell “let’s go, Nathan!”
…

“For those of آپ at home, Lucas wears his black shorts tonight with his traditional white high-tops” Mouth began, Jimmy raised his fist to his mouth speaking as if to a microphone “he is currently playing without a shoe contract, Mouth” and they chuckled looking back to the game, Mouth sat up straighter as Lucas once again چرا لیا, چوری کی the ball, soon he was lost in his commentary “…Luke flashes in the paint. Fergie finds one on the wing-”
…

“Under 20 سیکنڈ to go, and it's all tied up. Fasten your نشست belts, folks. We're going down to the wire. Stolen سے طرف کی Nathan Scott! The ravens have it! They're gonna hold on 10 سیکنڈ remaining on the clock. Now five!... Scott for the game!”
…

Mouth’s voice cried out “Sawyer for the game!”

Lucas stood there, his arms still raised above his head, his body casually posing, frozen in anticipation as the ball left his fingers and swished through the hoop. He smirked in satisfaction, a hand thumping him on the back as he stood imagining the roar of crowds.

It was still in his mind as he walked towards ہوم later, the hoody back over his head while موسیقی blasted into his ears. The ball under his fingers would bounce back up after hitting the ground, finding its home, so focused on the موسیقی and the ball Lucas didn’t notice the car coming down the road as her prepared to پار, صلیب it.

Driving along the road, alone and distracted سے طرف کی her phone, she went to answer it, the phone fell to the floor and a swear word escaped, leaning over her eyes were taken off the road for that same moment Lucas was crossing it. Phone in hand she sat back up, her eyes meeting the road and almost screaming the car came to a screeching halt.

The ball bounced back up, landing in Lucas’ hands as the lights got his attention, turning holding the ball Lucas was frozen, barely an inch between the car and his body. His breath hitched as it hit him he’d nearly been ran over, but realising that the hazel eyes were all too familiar Lucas ripped off his hoody again and the headphones with them, his mouth parted.

She glared at him, her eyebrow kinked up.

Finally moving Lucas stepped back, his eyes fierce “you nearly killed me!” his voice screaming louder than her music.

Rolling her eyes she popped her head out the window, Peyton Sawyer coolly asked “so do آپ want a ride ہوم یا what?”

“I wanted a lift ہوم half an گھنٹہ ago, where the hell have آپ been?” Lucas cursed as he walked around the other side of the car and hopped in.

Peyton rolled her eyes again as she started the car, her tone dry “it was game night, آپ know that”

Scoffing Lucas turned the موسیقی down as he replied “you know, you’re the least cheery cheerleader I’ve ever met”

“Whatever” she کہا turning the موسیقی back up.

“If آپ wanna cheer so badly there’s always a spare patch of گھاس at the river court for you” his hand went to turn down the music, Peyton’s stopped it and their eyes connected, blue meeting pale hazel green, she smiled “perving on my brother just isn’t the same” and as a new song came on she turned the موسیقی up ending the chance of further conversation.
…

The same stars that were shining over the court were still twinkling brightly as Brooke stared up at them, and she wrapped her arms around herself and rubbed her biceps to keep warm. Two other cheerleaders walked by, calling their goodbyes as they touched Brooke’s arm in passing, Brooke lifted one hand to wave, a tight smile on her face which disappeared the moment she was alone again. Sighing, she started walking away from the school.

“Brooke!”

Turning after hearing her name Brooke instantly smiled at the man jogging towards her “hey Uncle Keith. I didn’t know آپ were here” and they hugged, she gave his neck a quick squeeze before pulling away.

Keith still kept an arm around her shoulder as they began to walk down the path, “just wanted to see my nephew play” he paused looking around “Where is Nathan?”

With a shrug Brooke answered with another sigh “he went off with Dim, something about a bus”

“So I guess you’re in need of a lift home?”

Brooke wrapped an arm behind his back and cuddled into his side “I can always depend on you, Uncle Keith” and a smile tilted her lips, دکھانا off her dimples again.

Leading her towards his truck Keith answered quietly “and I’ll always be here to depend on”.
…

The دن after a game always meant something else for the team, this morning was no exception, with the entire team standing in front of the principal it sure meant something else, just not something good.

“Some of your parents see this latest incident as tomfoolery, a little prank. Personally, I see a little breaking and entering. Chief Wayman sees possession and consumption سے طرف کی minors and a smidgen of grand theft auto. That said, I think it's time we send a message. The following players were not involved and will not be reprimanded-” there was a timely pause as the boys sucked in their breath waiting for punishment یا absolution “-Jake Jagielski-” a broad shouldered teenage boy with neat brown curls lifted his chin, not a look of guilt on his face remembering he’d gone straight ہوم after the game “-Ruben Gutierrez, Tim smith, and Nathan Scott” and this time as the principal paused Nathan and Tim shared a look, Nathan’s cocky as he remembered the police officer letting him go last night as soon as he recognised him, and Tim’s look was one of gratitude as he remembered Nathan grabbing his کالر and leading him away from the scene. Principal Turner set his disapproving eyes over the team “As for the rest of you, all players involved are suspended from extracurricular activities, specifically basketball, for the rest of the season”

There was a collective groan, Whitey took off his blue Ravens ٹوپی and shaking his head left the room.

“So, آپ just walk away”

Whitey stopped at the voice and slowly turned to face the man who’d called out to him, “well, well. Dan Scott”

“Half the team suspended, Nathan triple-teamed the rest of the season, and آپ say nothing” Dan stepped آگے with each word, complete disbelieve in his voice, disbelieve and disapproving anger.

Whitey straightened his shoulders, slapping his ٹوپی back on “the inmates will not run the asylum” and he turned back around and started walking away.

Dan standing there curled his lip is distaste and sneered out “You're despicable, آپ know that? Letting the dreams of this team just vanish. You're full of crap”

And though they were both remembering a different time and place, neither acknowledged it, after only the slightest falter to his step Whitey kept walking “It comes with old age, Danny, constipation”
…

The گھنٹی, بیل above the café door dinged as Lucas walked through, “hey, Mom” he کہا casually without looking up, making his way over to their usual table, plopping his bag down اگلے to the chair.

Karen stopped wiping down the counter “Hey, Hon”

“It smells good in here” Lucas کہا sniffing the air, finally looking up he sent his mother a smile and then narrowed his naturally squinty eyes “Did آپ change your hair?”

“If سے طرف کی ‘change’ آپ mean ‘dragged a brush through it’, then yeah”

Lucas shrugged a shoulder “well, it looks nice” causing Karen to smile, but a moment later Peyton’s blonde head popped out from behind the counter as she stood up, dropping a cloth onto the counter she looked at Karen “your hair looks the same” and she playfully plucked one Karen’s raven curls before subconsciously twirling one of her blonde ones between her fingers, she leaned over and flicked her head around to lift a brow at Lucas “what are آپ after?” she asked suspiciously. Karen laughed.

About to respond Lucas was cut off سے طرف کی another teenage girl walking in from the back, a magazine being carried carefully between her fingers “The magazine pages are sticky again. Little pervs” and then the cute brunette looked up and noticed Lucas “Oh, hey, Luke. آپ been reading this?”

Peyton laughed.

Lucas put a finger to his chin and pretended to think about it “is that the ‘why do I hang out with these people?’ Issue, because آپ two are on the cover of that, right?”

“No, actually, it's the ‘my best friend is an idiot’ issue” Haley shot back and Peyton quickly looked over her shoulder at the open page, glancing back up at Luke over Haley’s shoulder the blonde added on “and oh look, there آپ are”

With a laugh and now holding a giant mug of coffee, Karen walked around the counter, passing the girls as she went “Haley, would آپ like to شامل میں us?”

Haley gave a little bounce as she walked over to the table, Peyton following behind her, the two girls took a نشست and we’re comfortable سے طرف کی the time Karen managed to شامل میں them. Taking a sip of her drink Karen looked at Lucas from above the mug, pulling it slightly away she directed at her son “So, honey, how was your day?”

Once again before Lucas could respond, Haley chimed in “good, thanks” and then she seemed to think about it before babbling on quickly “well ‘good’ is relative considering a third of the world is starving, which does not change the fact that I am clumsy as hell. Did I tell آپ that I fell down today? Yeah, slipped off the curb, face down, butt in the air-” her hands quickly giving their own rumination, she stopped with her finger pointing up, and looked at the others who were trying to stop the smile at Haley’s antics “-too graphic? Sorry. I'll just be quiet” she motioned zipping her lips and sat back into her chair, still completely unaware that the original سوال had not been directed at her.

Once Haley was quiet Karen looked back to Lucas “So, I got something for you, Lucas-”

“Actually, I found it” Haley cut in with a nervous twitter “Not that I was looking for something specifically, which implies some hideous sort of ‘Joey loves Dawson’ scenario and completely creeps me out, but, آپ know, me and your Mom-” she didn’t stop to breathe until Peyton cut in with a raise of a hand and added on “hey, I was there too”, Haley nodded towards Peyton and continued “okay, so all of us were there, and we saw it-”

Touching Karen’s shoulder Peyton gave a tilt of the head “just give him the book”.

Stopping her run of words Haley blinked and then hit her forehead before lifting her face back up to face Karen “go for it”

With a free moment of silence Karen did what she had first intended to do, pulling the heavy book out from her bag that had been resting on the table, she passed it to Lucas.

Grateful Lucas took it and carefully opened the book, subtly sniffing the smell, he looked up at the three females and smiled his thanks, and then he closed it just as carefully and read the front cover “wow. Julius Caesar”

Karen gave a small smile “There’s a tide in the affairs of men – یا something like that” and took another sip of her drink.

“Nice. Thank you, guys. Thank آپ very much”

Haley shrugged “whatever. That’s what you’re into” just as Peyton rolled her eyes and gave her own little تبصرہ “I forget you’re such a dork sometimes”

The گھنٹی, بیل dinged as the door opened, “Someone calling Haley a dork again?” his voice came out as the bags in his arms dropped to the floor and four faces snapped up to look at him.

Peyton jumped up from her نشست and ran over “Dad!” jumping into his arms Peyton wrapped her arms soundly around her father’s neck. Larry laughed, wrapping his own arms around her, “I see somebody missed me”

Once free from Peyton, Larry Sawyer strode over to the میز, جدول and leaned down to place a soft kiss to the corner of his wife’s lips “hi, honey” and he slipped into the نشست اگلے to Karen, his eyes went around the میز, جدول “how is the Sawyer family-” he reached Haley and smiled knowingly “-plus one, going?”

Peyton pretended to look amazed as she کہا dramatically “Karen got Luke a book” she grinned and added on “shocking, I know”

Noticing the novel in Lucas’ hand, Larry held out his palm and Lucas passed it over, after a quick glance at the عنوان Larry oohed “Very nice, it’ll go well with what I picked up for آپ in Seattle” and with a secret smile Larry picked up a bag and carefully opened it up so no one could see inside, after a short تلاش he pulled out a paper bag and pushed it across the میز, جدول to Lucas.

Taking the bag Lucas slipped out the red novel and traced his finger over the عنوان Hamlet “thanks, Larry”

Larry nodded and then took something else out and pushed it across to his daughter “for you”. Peyton took the case tentatively and opened it with the utmost care, her eyes growing wide in excitement as she saw what was inside “Oh, Dad! This is totally perfect… just perfect!”

Haley gave an appreciative peek at the art set and Larry gave another chuckle, pulling something else from the bag he preceded to slip the box over to Haley “and of course for miss James” and Haley instantly perked up.

“You didn’t have to do that but thank آپ so much for the… ah” Haley pulled out the snow globe and shook it “for Seattle” she smiled and then rolled her eyes back as she shrugged a shoulder pretending to act surprised “completely unexpected” and she shook it again, her eyes big like a child’s. Larry and Karen suddenly locked eyes, a message passed between them, both leaned آگے to meet half way in a lingering kiss, pulling away Larry rubbed her nose with his “and آپ get your present later”.
…

Keith Scott walked into the office and was instantly greeted with a chuckle سے طرف کی the older man, “well, well, Keith Scott. What do آپ know?”

“Hey Whitey, you, uh, آپ got a second?”

“Oh, I got a lot of seconds. یا haven’t آپ heard?” and Whitey gestured to the empty نشست opposite of him, Keith sat down and gave an apologetic smile to the coach “Oh, yeah, I heard” and then the younger man took out a flask and offered Whitey a drink. Whitey nodded to the mug and smiling Keith poured some in.

Whitey watched carefully, he licked his lips “Just a little. A little more. That’s good” and then they both took a drink and leaned comfortably back into their seats.

After a moments silence Whitey started talking “I saw your little brother today -- Danny. He called me ‘despicable.’ کہا I crush the dreams of young men”

“Was he talking about himself یا Nathan, do آپ think?”

“Both, I suppose. Hey, what did آپ average when آپ played for me?“ Whitey quickly changed the subject.

Keith chuckled as he took another long نگلنا “Oh, about 5,006 beers a night” and they both laughed.

“Well, at least آپ were consistent”

“Yeah, آپ gotta give me that” Keith shrugged and they both grinned again while taking another drink. Suddenly Keith shifted in his seat, he looked down at the flask before meeting whitey’s eyes again “Hey, آپ know, uh... Lucas plays”

“Lucas?” Whitey asked confused and then it hit him and his eyes widened “Oh! Oh, Dan’s other son”

“Well, Karen’s son. Dan's on the birth certificate, but they never got married. Her new husband adopted Lucas a few years ago”

“Where does he play?”

Keith shifted in his نشست again, feeling uncomfortable “Uh...This park down سے طرف کی the river” he finally admitted.

Whitey held back the swear word as he swiped his forehead, not liking the sound of where this was going “oh, come on, Keith. If the kid had any promise, he'd be in the gym with the real players”

Knowing exactly how to come back to that Keith kinked a brow “Like Nathan, آپ mean?” and Whitey shut his mouth, Keith shrugged “come on, coach. Just take a little drive with me”.
…

Another night at the river court was witness to Lucas and his دوستوں playing basketball, witness to Lucas once again shooting shot after shot, Mouth was on the sidelines with Jimmy “Luke is on آگ کے, آگ tonight. How do آپ say ‘hot’ in French?”

“Flambé” Jimmy answered quickly.

“Luke is flambé… Fergie finds Luke, who takes out جنک, فضول again”

“They never learn, Mouth” and both boys shook their heads.

Watching in a car far away enough that the boys couldn’t see them, Whitey and Keith smiled as the game played put, Keith nodded his head and hit the steering wheel enthusiastically “now that’s what I’m talking about”

“All right, and I’m not saying yes, but why put him through that?”

Keith looked away from Lucas and dragged his eyes to Whitey “because he should know that he’s good – and not just playground good, but good period. He could use that in his life” and he frowned, looking far too serious.

Whitey thought about it, and after another two مزید shots from Lucas he turned a curious tone to Keith “I didn’t think آپ were that close to the boy یا his mother anymore”

“Um… آپ know, I’m the kid’s uncle, and I’m in his life. It is what it is”

“And what about your kids? The last I heard there’s bad blood between them, how do آپ think they will feel about having Lucas suddenly thrust into their world?” Whitey turned on Keith.

“They’re not mine” he shot back narrowing his eyes again.

Whitey shrugged “seems to me Nathan and Brooke are yours whether your blood runs through them یا not, just like a part of blondie over there is yours too. It’s a good thing too, as father figures go they all could do worse”

Distracted Keith began to mumble “for a while I thought, but no, it doesn’t matter” Keith shook his head and looked down into his lap.

Tapping the window sill Whitey was thinking about the past, much like Keith had just been doing, the coach let out a breath “I remember when Dan told me Karen was pregnant right after their senior year, I told him he should honour his scholarship and go to college”

Keith’s voice became مزید stern “I'll tell آپ one thing -- آپ did Karen a favour. And Lucas, too” then it softened and he stared hard at Whitey “now maybe آپ can do me one”.
…

The class was silent, Lucas sat between Peyton and Haley, all three with their heads in their books, while Nathan and Brooke sat two rows in front of them doing anything but their work, Nathan playing with his pens and Brooke folding up a piece of paper to make a chatter box.

None we’re paying attention to the doorway when Whitey stepped into the classroom “Scott” he called.

Nathan lifted his head up “What’s up, coach?”

“Not you” Whitey waved Nathan off and pointed to Lucas “you”

It all happened at once, Haley and Peyton’s heads snapped up to stare at the coach in shock, Nathan grinded his jaw and glared at Lucas quickly before looking out the window, Lucas’ head shot up at the moment Brooke looked over her shoulder and their eyes met, his not comprehending while hers shot daggers. Lucas’ mouth dropped open, still staring at Brooke, she kinked an eyebrow as if to say what now? And Lucas forced himself to lift his gaze to the coach, and then Lucas pointed towards himself me?

Whitey nodded, Lucas quickly stood up awkwardly, his chair scraping the ground.

“You-” Whitey کہا and pointed to Nathan “- read a book یا something”

Now facing آگے Brooke chuckled and quickly covered her mouth, Nathan turned his glare to her and she gave an innocent shrug.
…

The gym was empty when Lucas followed Whitey inside, the old man smiled lovingly at the gym “Nice, isn't it? A lot of people like their gyms loud. I like mine like this -- quiet, clean... Kind of like a church. A lot of praying is done here, anyway” when Lucas didn’t say anything Whitey continued “You played ball in grade school. Why'd آپ quit?”

“I didn’t”

“What, four guys in the park? That’s not exactly basketball”

“Then what do آپ think we’re doing out there?”

“I don’t know, planning a bank job?” Whitey looked hard at Lucas, trying to see something familiar in the boy, he wasn’t sure it was there “look, I’ve got an opening in my line up, varsity. Chance of a lifetime, what do آپ say?”

Lucas shook his head “I say those people that pray here are wasting their time. God doesn’t watch sports” he turned slowly, not believing what he was turning his back on, but then something stopped him, Lucas turned back quickly, his hand up “one last thing, I’m not a Scott”

“I hope that’s not true, because this team could really use another Scott”

His shoulders fell, Lucas hissed out a breath and gently replied “I’m not him”, he gave a helpless shrug and this time when Lucas turned around and walked away he didn’t stop.
…

Without a care in the world Lucas jogged up to the river court, a smile on his face, reaching the others he opened up his hands for the ball, but unlike usual Skills didn’t pass it, instead the tall African American teen leaned the باسکٹ, باسکٹ بال on his hip and nudged his chin up at Lucas “Were آپ gonna tell us, man?”

“It’s nothing” Lucas shrugged it off.

Skills coughed, his eyes bulging out “Whitey asked آپ to play on the team, and it’s nothing?”

“It’s nothing ‘cause I’m not playing, not with those guys” and Lucas held up his hands again, Skills shook his head and stepped backwards “Luke, man, I’ve been guarding آپ almost every night since we was twelve years old, right? It just seems like a waste to me, man” and he shook his head again.

The other guys had stopped to observe the scene, Lucas avoided their curious eyes and focused on Skills, “well, it doesn’t to me-” there was a collective shake of the head, Lucas lifted his palms up “-Don’t آپ guys ever think that maybe we belong here?”

“No” Skills shot back instantly and then hit his chest “We belong here, you’ve never belonged here” and the other guys nodded in agreement.

“Thanks a lot, Skills. Come on, let’s just shoot for teams”

Stepping آگے Skills moved the ball from his hip and held it to his stomach “Yo, Luke, man, آپ know you’re one of my best friends, right? Ain’t nothing ever gonna change that, man. But keep it real, we ain’t shooting for teams. We’re shooting to be your excuse. And I ain’t about to be a part of that” and he threw the ball down to the ground as he walked away, leaving Luke to stare at his back.
…

Grunting Nathan brought the weights back down to his chest, he was lifting them back up when his father walked into the room, eyeing his son “what are آپ slinging?”

Nathan blinked, trying to concentrate on the weights “about 160” he eventually answered as his father came up behind him.

“Give me that” Dan instructed and took the weights, setting them back into place as he added on “your mom called. She won’t be back-” Dan slightly paused while Nathan relaxed his body, spreading his legs out “what do آپ know about Whitey inviting-”

Sitting up Nathan cut in venomously “Your son to play?”

“Don’t call him that”

Nathan’s mouth dropped open, he looked at his father, resentment growing “The whole town knows, Dad”

Dan let it roll of his shoulders, not even blinking as he replied dryly “wishful thinking on his mother’s part. We were young, summer after high school. We made a mistake”

“You made a mistake alright. I mean, this guy’s a complete zombie” Nathan looked to his feet and then stood up, he shrugged a shoulder “it’s screwed up, and people talk about it”

Still for a moment Dan then walked around the weights, his steel blue eyes staring at Nathan intently “I want آپ to go to this kid, encourage him not to play” he کہا it as if it would be the easiest thing in the world.

Nathan on the other hand casually shrugged as he moved onto the اگلے set of weights, “I’m not afraid of him, Dad”

“Well, آپ should be. We’ve worked too hard to have anyone coming in now, disrupting the offense, taking away shots”

“No, I’ve worked hard” Nathan shot out sternly, rebellion tightening his body.

Dan chose to ignore that تبصرہ and got back to the matter “For now I want آپ to go to this kid and talk to him and trust me when I tell you, Nathan, there’s a bigger picture here-” he started walking away “-and this kid’s not in it” with that Dan Scott left the gym.
…

Black hoody hiding his face again, Lucas Sawyer’s steps grew hurried as he came to the steps of his house, but he stopped seeing a package with his name written boldly on it. Lucas picked it up, passing it between his fingers before going through the back door and jogging up the stairs to his room.

He threw the package onto his بستر and sat down at his ڈیسک a couple of metres away, Lucas span around a few times and then rushed over to the بستر and hesitantly opened it.

The white, blue and black uniform stared up at him, daring him, teasing him, Lucas picked it up, reading the name Ravens on the front, he placed it against his body before dropping it onto the بستر and shackling off his hoody. Lucas was just slipping the jersey down when his mother walked سے طرف کی his open door, a basket of laundry in her arms. Karen froze, shock and fear in her eyes.

Lucas looking like a young boy explained shyly “Somebody left it at the door”

Karen blinked, “Take it off” and kept walking. Alone Lucas turned back to view his room and caught his reflection in the mirror. Despite it all, it looked right.
…

Peyton sat across her bed, a sketchbook open in front of her, blonde curls fell in front of her eyes as she drew the charcoal across the page. She didn’t even look up when there was a soft knock on her door, changing the position of her hand she called out “its open” and continued to draw as the door squeaked open.

Shuffling his feet Lucas closed the door behind him and made his way slowly over to the bed, sitting down اگلے to it he leaned his chin on the cover and watched as Peyton did what she did best.

Not lifting her eyes Peyton spoke when the silence started to annoy her “stalker never suited you”

“I like watching آپ draw, it calms me”

“And yet, it creeps me” Peyton dropped the charcoal and huffed “either tell me why آپ came sulking into my bedroom یا turn around and walk straight back out”

“Whitey asked me to play for the team” Lucas admitted, his eyes staring at Peyton’s white walls. She rolled over to her side and leaned her head against her left hand “the whole school’s heard, tell me something I don’t know”

“I کہا no, but then I think he left the uniform here and I tried it on and Mom saw. She seemed…” Lucas couldn’t find the right word to describe the look in his mother’s eyes, instead he squinted his eyes, zooming in on a strip of pictures hanging on the wall. The black and white cheerleaders were unidentifiable, except two, Peyton’s pale curls and sombre expression against the dimpled smile of the other girl, and that smile could only belong to one girl. Lucas became مزید serious “how do آپ do it?”

Peyton lifted a fine blonde brow, “do what?”

Eyes still on the strip, Lucas forced them away so he could look at his stepsister as he replied peculiarly “Be part of their world without being one of them.”
…

The sun shone brightly above Karen as she forced herself to look at the burning سٹار, ستارہ before quickly looking away, her vision spotted briefly before returning to normal and she hugged the coffee to her chest, sighing as memories bombarded her. Karen Sawyer was only in her early thirties, with a teenage son and stepdaughter, and another little girl, who gave her both joy and heartache. She was happy and content, and Karen was grateful that her life gave her opportunities to smile and laugh constantly, but sometimes she still felt like she was that eighteen سال old girl being abandoned and getting her دل crushed, یا even older, having her دل crushed again سے طرف کی another Scott brother, so Karen had regrets and on some days they stood out brighter than the good.

“Mom, آپ okay?”

Karen’s head snapped up and she watched as her son took the spare spot اگلے to her on the porch steps, then she looked back down, staring into the nearly empty mug, “yeah…” Karen looked at her son again and saw the worry in his eyes “do آپ know who left it?”

“Coach Durham, probably. He asked me to play”

“Maybe آپ should” it took a lot for Karen to say that, but she prided herself on being a good mother to all her children, no matter the circumstances, sacrifice was something Karen knew all too well about.

Looking out over the yard Lucas got a faraway look in his eyes “you sound like Skills. The guys refused to play today, کہا they didn’t want to be my excuse”

“How’d آپ feel about that?”

“Honestly?” Lucas asked, Karen nodded, he sighed “I was pissed. Those guys are supposed to be my friends”

Karen put a hand to her son’s knee “they are your friends” and then she picked up the تصویر frame she’d dragged outside with her, handing it over to Lucas they both looked down at the young blonde boy grinning as he held a basketball, “do آپ remember that?” she asked.

Lucas chuckled and gripped the frame harder “my first leather basketball. That was the Christmas Unc-ah- that Skills’ father told us there was no Santa Claus”

“Yeah, and we tried to talk آپ out of it” Karen remembered and they both began to laugh, but then Karen looked down at her mug and her tone turned serious “then آپ کہا something I’ll never forget-” and she looked back into his eyes, so similar to her own “-you کہا آپ felt bad for the kids who never figured it out, because when they grew up and had kids of their own, there wouldn't be any gifts on Christmas morning. You're a good kid, Luke. But sometimes I feel like you're sitting out your life on account of me, and I don't want that for you. My past is not your future, okay?”

The mother and son continued to stare at each other, and then he gave a small nod, still unsure.
…

With her legs over the side of the car Brooke flipped through the latest gossip magazine admiring the latest fashions as she scanned through it, only half paying attention to the guys and what they were saying.

“So, your pops finally mentioned the bastard spawn, huh? They say he’s got game. Maybe we could use him”

Nathan grimaced “Please, I can get us to the state championship with three blind guys and a cripple, which is basically what I got with آپ and what’s left” and to prove his point Nathan threw the باسکٹ, باسکٹ بال he’d been holding at Tim and the other boy tried to catch it but miserably failed. Brooke held back the chuckle, but lost all attention she had for the magazine as Nathan started the car up, Tim asking her سوال for her “so, where are we going?”

“Let’s go to the park” Nathan replied with a smirk and a devilish glitter in the eye, Brooke sat up quickly, bringing her legs back in and dropping the magazine “Nate!” she warned.

“What?” Nathan shouted back at her, giving her a knowing look “do آپ want this kid coming into our lives and ruining everything. He doesn’t belong in our world”

Brooke leaned in closer to him, poking a finger to his chest “you think I don’t know that? آپ think I want him anywhere near me? Like hell” she poked him again.

“Then what is your problem?”

“You think I care about him? He’s a total freak in desperate need of an eye doctor, so for all I care Lucas Sawyer can jump of a bridge, it’s آپ and our family I care about, and thank god he’s not a part of it so why don’t we just keep it that way and go back to pretending that loser doesn’t exist” her voice got louder and louder as she spoke.

Nathan still driving carefully looked at her, not really wanting to say what he was going to have to say, but he did, trying to keep his voice calm “well, it’s too late for that. It was your beloved Uncle Keith that dragged the bastard back into our lives, so we can’t ignore it”

“You’re lying!” Brooke yelled, not believing what she was hearing.

Nathan just looked at her, that intense look that he gave when he was being dead serious, Brooke with her mouth gaping open just sank back into her نشست “take me home, just take me home”
…

As expected when Nathan and Tim drove up to the river court Lucas was there, alone he played that court like he owned it. Nathan frowned as they walked over to him. Lucas was unaware his private place was no longer so private, that was until he followed the ball’s path from the hoop and saw it land in Nathan’s hands, the darker teen looked down at the باسکٹ, باسکٹ بال in his grip and then back up at Lucas “Nice shot. Think آپ can hit that against a double team, down سے طرف کی two, packed house telling آپ that آپ suck?” and then Nathan threw the ball to Lucas’ chest as hard as he could “how ‘bout just two people telling آپ آپ suck?”

Lucas caught the ball effortlessly, hiding the wince as it hit his chest “what do آپ want?”

Nathan looked back at Tim can آپ believe this? And his friend chuckled. Nathan turned back to Lucas and pointed to his own دل “What do I want?” Then he stepped آگے and slapped the ball away from Lucas, getting into his face “What do آپ want, man?”

Silent Lucas just stood there, while Nathan stepped back and started circling the slightly older boy “I mean, other than my family and my spot in the line up, huh? None of us want you, man. I don’t want you. The guys don’t want you. My dad sure as hell doesn’t want you. Brooke hates looking at you, man, and Uncle Keith… well, that speaks for itself. You’re just a mistake we all regret. آپ should have been a stain on the carpet” Nathan smiled as the words hit Lucas, he knew he’d gotten to him, he stopped his circling and stood still, face to face with Lucas “but here’s the deal – آپ and me, one on one. آپ name the time and place. If آپ win, I’ll quit the team. If I win, آپ crawl back in your little hole and آپ remember your place in all this. Time and place, baby, time and place” Nathan didn’t wait for a reply, he turned around and walked off, grabbing Tim سے طرف کی the کالر as he went.
…

The اگلے day, walking down the سٹریٹ, گلی Lucas stood to the right of Haley and Peyton, his hands in his pockets as he stared intensely at his feet.

Haley eyed him through the corner of her eye “so, Nathan challenged you. Are آپ gonna play him?”

“I don’t know. It’s not like I have anything to prove”

“But don’t آپ just want to دکھائیں him sometimes- Oh damn!” Haley screamed as Peyton grabbed her سے طرف کی the arm and pushed her roughly away, just as a flock of birds swooped سے طرف کی where they would have been standing, Haley pushed Peyton away “Dude, what is up?!”

“I was saving your life, gee’s remind me to let the birds get آپ اگلے time” Peyton rolled her eyes and started walking away, Lucas called out to her “where آپ going?”

Peyton waved her hand above her head without looking back, “somewhere”

“She had plans today, remember?” Haley explained without really explaining, “Remind me to thank her for saving my life later. I don’t know what the winged world has against me, last week I was attacked سے طرف کی a flock of crows! I’m totally serious” she added as Lucas began to laugh.

The two started walking again, Lucas casually کہا with a smile “by the way, it’s a murder”

“What?”

“More than one بانگ is a murder”

Haley shook her head and gave him a strange look “Dude, I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about”

“Well, Dude, it’s a murder of crows, a parliament of owls, an exultation of larks…” Lucas began but Haley stopped him سے طرف کی stepping in front of her best friend and putting a finger on his chest, saying as she did so “I think that is why people think you’re weird, right there”

Lucas chuckled and smiled down at his short friend, Haley turned back to stand اگلے to him as they continued to walk “so, Luke, what are ravens, I mean, مزید than one?”
…

Walking out of a small boutique with her hands full of shopping bags یا as Brooke called it ‘having a therapy session’ she was beginning to get her smile back. There was a small plus in having parents who threw money at her instead of actual love, not that Brooke didn’t have someone who loved her, she did, she believed strongly that she had an unconditional love from Nathan and Uncle Keith, but sometimes she feared that wasn’t so unconditional, so she did her best to keep it. The darker thoughts made her smile start to slip again, because really money wasn’t a perk, it was a reminder of why her parents threw it at her in the first place, so when she lifted her head and saw Lucas Sawyer walking down the opposite side of the سٹریٹ, گلی something inside her snapped. Tightening her jaw, Brooke barely checked the road before she was crossing it.
…

Lucas was about to answer Haley with a smile when he felt something hitting him hard, the اگلے thing he knew he was up against the دیوار of a دکان and a pint size Brooke was restraining him with a hand to his chest. Lucas was so shocked he just stood there.

Eyes flaring Brooke leaned in close, thankful that her heels gave her an extra height so she didn’t have to look up so much, “look, I don’t know what you’re playing at, but stay the hell out of my life! Don’t talk to my family, don’t even think about joining the team, because you’re NOT one of us, ‘k, no matter what anyone says” she blinked as if wondering what she was doing, her grip loosened and she stepped back, picking up her shopping bags none of them had really had a chance to notice she dropped. Brooke stroked back her shoulder length brown hair and started to turn away, only to snap back “and stop looking at me!”

Lucas and Haley watched her storm away, he stayed against the دیوار for a moment, still not really understanding what had just happened “what the!” he whispered.

“You okay?” Haley asked touching his shoulder, Lucas nodded and stepped away from the دیوار and straightening his شرٹ, قمیض he started walking away in the opposite direction of Brooke. Haley jogged after him to catch up to Lucas’ long strides.

“It’s an unkindness” he answered as they strode down the سٹریٹ, گلی quickly “more than one raven is an unkindness”.
…

“You’re kidding me!” Peyton screamed as her car stopped without warning, she tried starting it up but it wouldn’t budge and furious she jumped out of her car and kicked the offending object. Peyton stopped and looked around, she was stranded on a quiet road سے طرف کی the river, wiping her fingers through her blonde curls Peyton let out another swear word before she pulled out her phone, mumbling “just my friggin luck”.
…

Keith Scott rolled from under the car and opened his palm; his nephew Nathan quickly handed over the tool the mechanic was after yet instead of rolling back under, Keith looked up at Nathan who leaned against the car “so, what are آپ مزید afraid of, your brother یا your father?”

Nathan hissed “can we please not call him that”

“What, your brother? Because Lucas is. He’s your brother, Nate, whether Dan acknowledges یا not” with a kink of the brow Keith slipped back under the car “now get back to work, I don’t pay آپ to watch me”

“You don’t pay me enough to listen to your lectures” Nathan shot back.

Keith yelled from under the vehicle “Uncle’s privileges” and a moment later his head was back out. Grease smudging his cheeks as he grinned “you’ve had a lot of chances in life, why deny him just one?”

Their eyes connected, Nathan sighed, but the moment was broken as the phone rang, in a rush Keith pulled himself all the way out and jogged over to the phone “Keith’s body دکان and towing”.
…

“So, why won’t آپ play?” Haley asked as they made their way back to the café, Lucas gave her a serious look.

“I do play – every night”

She stopped in front of the door and blocked his entry “it’s not the same, Luke, and آپ know it”

Lucas sighed and rolled his head back, he had a feeling Haley wasn’t going to give up so easily “you know, we used to play in junior leagues together – me and Nathan”

“Basketball?”

“Yeah, and I loved it, and I was good at it. آپ ever have something that آپ knew that آپ were better at than almost anybody else?”

Haley didn’t need to think about it, she answered quickly “No”

“Anyway...Guys kept teasing me about it, about how Nathan’s dad was my dad, too. So I asked my mom, and she کہا he wasn't. But I get home, and I hear her crying in her room. I knew it was true. So I never went back. I told my mom it was because I didn't want to have to see his face. But... It was mostly because... I didn't want her to have to”

Haley just stared at him for a moment, and then she grabbed him سے طرف کی the shoulders and twisted him around to look inside the café. Karen could be seen going between tables, a smile on her face while one hand was carrying a tray, and her other one kept the toddler balanced to her other hip.

“Does that look like a woman who can’t handle her past? Don’t make her your excuse. She doesn’t deserve that and neither do you”
…

“Well, well, look who I found”

Peyton span around to face the voice and swore when she saw Nathan Scott pulling up with a tow truck but resisted shooting back a sarcastic remark his way, instead she remained silent as he got her car ready to tow.

Nathan smirked her way and Peyton rolled her eyes, turning away and grabbing her phone she dialled the café, after a few rings a childish voice answered “may help you?”

“Hey Maddie, can آپ put Mommy یا Daddy on” Peyton tried to keep the annoyance out of her voice, her little sister didn’t deserve that.

“No”

“What do آپ mean no!”

“Too busy” the toddler answered sounding distracted.

“Well un-busy them” Peyton fired back.

Nathan couldn’t help but laugh, he smiled his most charming smile as he shouted out “I’ll give آپ a ride if that’s what you’re after”

Without glancing back Peyton lifted her hand above her shoulder and sent him the rude finger, Nathan chuckled and continued to listen to her phone conversation.

“Luke, thank god… it’s me. My car broke down, you’re gonna have to come pick me up… so leave the café, Haley’s there… this is not the time for you’re – arr- it’ll take آپ like ten minutes… I’m on River Road around the curve… Well, sucks to be your sister too”

Nathan chuckled “I just sense the family love”

Peyton turned around sharply and glared his way “hey I’m not the one here who shares his blood”

“He’s not my brother”

Shrugging Peyton leaned back against her car “if that’s your story”

They both turned away from each other then.

After nearly ten منٹ of waiting Nathan dared to speak to her again “the rides still on offer”

“Yeah, I don’t think so”

“Usually girls jump at the chance of getting in a car with me”

Peyton crossed her arms as she laughed “yeah, that’s what I want, to be another name added to the فہرست of girls who’ve been in your back seat” and the silence returned.

As the منٹ ticked Peyton looked at him from the corner of her eyes, eventually curious she turned back around, resting against the car to face him “can I ask آپ a question?”

Nathan shrugged “it’s a free country”

“Why don’t آپ want him to play? If Whitey thinks he’s good enough-”

Snapping his head up Nathan took a few steps towards Peyton, she backed away as his voice rose “Whitey knows shit! I don’t care if Uncle Keith told him about Lucas, he had no right to, that is my team, it’s me who decides who is good enough!”

“GET THE HELL AWAY FROM HER!” Lucas yelled running from his mom’s car towards Nathan and Peyton, without asking سوالات he grabbed Nathan سے طرف کی the کالر of his شرٹ, قمیض and threw the boy against the tow truck, “you okay?” he directed softly to Peyton. Wide eyed, the blonde nodded and watched the scene. Lucas looked down at Nathan in disgust “ever raise your voice to her again and I’ll do مزید than push آپ against a car, got that?”

Nathan just stared at Lucas.

“I said, got that?” Lucas asked again, banging Nathan harder against the truck as he did so.

“Got it” Nathan spat out, slowly Lucas let go and went over to Peyton, taking her arm and leading her towards Karen’s car, his blood was still boiling. Peyton was trying to tell him something, she lowered her voice “Lucas, there’s something آپ should know, the reason why Whitey asked آپ to شامل میں the team” and though Lucas didn’t stop walking she knew she had his attention, she let it out quickly “it was Keith”

Lucas’ breath hitched.

Meanwhile, Nathan pushed himself away from the truck and wiped his mouth, his lip had somehow gotten in the way of Lucas’ tirade, and he spat out the little bit of blood in his mouth, and watched the two blondes walking away, “Hey, Sawyer, آپ scared?”

Mid step Lucas froze, Peyton grabbed his arm “don’t do it, whatever you’re thinking, he’s not worth it”

Nathan’s voice immediately followed Peyton’s “I understand that you’re scared, I’m better than you, everyone knows that. So if آپ wanna keep walking away, feel free”

“Luke” Peyton warned.

Lucas let go of his breath and slowly twisted around “the river court, tomorrow night, twelve o’clock”

“Wow, and Brooke says you’re such a wuss” Nathan couldn’t help but tease.

Lucas smiled, a plan forming in his mind “yeah, but the wager, I have something else in mind. So, are آپ scared?”

Nathan lifted his chin, “name your price”
…

Brooke bounced into the garage, a beaming smile on her face and the shopping still attached to her arm as she snuck up behind Keith and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.

Keith jumped but when he turned and saw Brooke he instantly smiled “hey kid, how was shopping?”

She pouted “alright, I guess”

“What’s the matter?” he asked sensing there was something bothering Brooke, he threw the rag in his hands down and gave her his full attention “come on, kid, spill”

Brooke plopped herself down onto the work میز, جدول and gave a long sigh, “Mom’s still not home” she کہا as if that explained everything.

Keith looked back down and suddenly wished he still had that rag so his hands had something to do “I know آپ miss her-”

“Yeah but do آپ ever wonder if she misses us? It’s just… our family is so screwed up and with this whole Lucas thing, I just wish it could all go back to normal, آپ know?”

Fidgeting Keith avoided her eyes, “having Lucas around doesn’t have to be a bad thing, I know آپ don’t like him”

“That’s an understatement” she mumbled.

Suddenly footsteps could be heard and Dan appeared in the doorway, Brooke tuned to look at him and quickly jumped off the work table, Dan gave her a polite glance “Brooke, why don’t آپ give us a moment”

Keith finally looked up and nodded at Brooke, with a weak smile she quietly left the two brothers alone.

Dan watched Brooke as she walked out, his eyes straying to the seductive sway of her hips, he whistled, and Keith felt his fist curl up, Dan eventually let his eyes return to his brother once Brooke was out of sight.

“How آپ been, big brother?” Dan asked, looking around the garage. Keith started picking up his tools as he answered “not bad. How about you?”

“Good, good. Dealership’s good. I sent آپ some business not long ago”

Keith sent his brother a fake smile “Oh yeah, I, uh, I meant to call آپ and thank آپ for that”

Dan smiled too, his just as fake but there was something dirty about it “yeah well, we’re all busy, right?”

“Right”

Walking around the میز, جدول Dan seemed to relax more, he gave his brother a hard look as his voice came out in a half jokingly manner “I mean, with all that talking آپ do with Whitey I’m surprised آپ have any time to work these days”

Keith straightened up, “I find the time” he defended, his jaw clenching.

Dan smiled that smile again, putting his car salesmen voice on “That stepdaughter of yours is awfully cute, it would be a shame if something was to happen to her. If someone was to interfere in her life somehow” at Dan’s words Keith felt something grow inside him but before he could respond Dan continued, seemingly changing the subject “Nathan’s got a shot, Keith. A real future”

Abandoning his tools Keith took a step closer to his younger brother, anger growing even مزید at everything the man was suggesting “a real future-” he hissed out “- let me ask آپ something. Do آپ ever think about Lucas’ future? Huh, do آپ ever think about that?”

Outside the very subject of the conversation came walking up to the garage, Lucas Sawyer had one thing on his mind, he wanted answers.

“I wouldn’t go in there if I was you” a raspy tone rolled down his spine as she spoke, Lucas stopped and noticed Brooke Davis leaning against one of the cars in the yard.

He eyed her up and down “clearly I am not you”

“Fine then, don’t say I didn’t warn you” she shrugged her hands up and jumped onto the bonnet of the car, crossing her legs as she did so.

Lucas just watched her, there was just something about her that always grated on his nerves, and he knows exactly what it is, it had always bugged him from the moment they first met all those years پہلے “why do آپ hate me so much?” he asked.

She looked up, shocked at the question, her mouth gaped open and she quickly shut it, then opened it again as she fought over finding something to say, eventually she settled on a sigh and a quiet “I don’t hate you”

Lucas just gave a loud laugh “I’m sorry, all these years you’ve made my life hell, that was for some strange other reason”

“Fine!” Brooke shouted, hopping back down “I hate you, looking at آپ makes me feel sick, all right, does that make آپ happy? I hate you, Lucas bloody Scott یا Sawyer یا whatever the hell it is آپ want to call yourself, I hate آپ and everything آپ stand for”

“Don’t hold back” he retaliated. Brooke rushed right up to him and hit his chest with her palms, quickly hitting him again “just get out of my life!” she screamed, Lucas grabbed her wrist.

He looked down at her, not understanding her anger “why do آپ hate me so much?” it was quieter this time.

She stopped, her chin slowly lifted until her dark hazel eyes met his, and for a moment everything else disappeared. Brooke couldn’t look away. She has hated this boy for so long Brooke had never bothered to really look at him, afraid of what she would really see.

Silent Brooke just stepped away, forcing her wrists from his grip. Lucas just looked at her, shocked to see vulnerability in Brooke’s eyes, a look he’d never thought to see in her, so he willingly let Brooke go and didn’t stop her as she just walked away.
…

“I can’t change the fact this kid exists. If I could, I would. The truth is I told Karen I’d take care of it. But she-” Dan stopped as something made a noise behind him and suddenly Keith paled as he looked somewhere behind Dan’s shoulder.

“Lucas” Keith got out and Dan instantly turned, setting eyes on his first born son for the first time in years, it effectively made him speechless.

Lifting his hand up to stop what either of them could possible say, the blonde teenager looked sickened, he just shook his head and turned back around, he walked out of گیراج until he was outside, and then he ran.

For a moment Keith just stood there, and then he chased after him “Lucas!”

“Lucas!”

“What?” Lucas screamed at his uncle as he span back around, “what could آپ possibly say to me now?”

“I’m sorry about what you’ve heard, Danny’s an ass, آپ know that. But it doesn’t-”

“SHUT UP!” Lucas cut in, causing Keith to shut his mouth, Lucas’ blue eyes seemed so cold as he continued “just shut up! Stop acting like آپ care about me”

“Lucas” Keith began, holding out a hand as he took a step forward, but stopping as Lucas flinched and stepped backwards.

“No! آپ can’t do this, آپ can’t just come back into my life after all these years and be nice to me, آپ can’t just ignore me and then pretend آپ care and get Whitey to put me on the team. آپ just can’t do that!”

It felt like a مککا, عجیب الخلقت to Keith’s guts, “I do care”

“Then where the hell have آپ been for the last five years, huh? آپ call him an ass, at least he never pretended, he never told me he loved me, he was never there to even leave me, but you, آپ were and then you’re just gone” his body defeated Lucas felt his spirits sag as old resentment seeped in “so, آپ tell me, who’s the ass?”

“I’m sorry آپ felt-”

Lucas cut in again, not wanting to hear what excuses Keith could possibly give “don’t feel sorry for me and I won’t feel sorry for you, I hope آپ enjoy your family, Uncle Keith” and before the older man could get one word in Lucas was running away and this time Keith didn’t chase after him.
…

The اگلے دن Dan Scott was calmly sitting in his office when Karen Sawyer came through his door “I’m guessing you’re not car shopping” Dan کہا as he stood.

Karen didn’t smile, she was resisting the urge to slap the man in front of her so instead she took out her frustrations with words, not believing how low some people could get “he’s a boy who wants to play basketball, reluctantly. I find it horrifying and amusing it takes something as simple as that to bring آپ around”

“I’m only thinking of the kid”

Karen scoffed, still in disbelieve, and this time also that she had ever seen something in this monster “you have no right to think of him, not today یا any other دن of his life” her voice was starting to sound hysterical.

On the other hand Dan was calm “are آپ finished?”

“I haven't even started” she slammed her hand down on his ڈیسک “We've asked nothing of you, and آپ have delivered in fine fashion. I'll expect that to continue. If Lucas decides to play, you'll do nothing. Anything else might make me angry and detract from the pleasant, cordial side آپ see now”

And against his will Dan found himself smiling at her, he had to force himself not to give a chuckle at the sight of her, because unlike Karen he remembered exactly what he’s seen in her all those years ago. “You know-” he paused “- I know your son doesn’t exactly fit in, but Nathan is all-state, and I’m not sure why you’d want to humiliate your kid like that”

Karen felt her shoulders drop, once again he disappoints her “You’re right, Dan. I’d rather not humiliate him, you’ve done that enough” with nothing else to say to this man Karen span around and went home.
…

Stepping out of the bathroom with only a towel around his waist, Nathan started towards his bedroom, only to be blocked سے طرف کی his father. Dan gave a meaningful look to the piercing on Nathan’s left nipple “if I wanted a daughter, I’d adopt one”

“So آپ could abandon her, too?” Nathan smirked, Dan did not seem amused, “Just a joke, dad”

Crossing his arms Dan gave Nathan another look over “Yeah. And this bet tonight, is that a joke too? آپ have everything to loose here and nothing to gain”

He shrugged and uncaring Nathan responded lightly “sometimes what آپ call ‘everything’ I call ‘nothing’”

“I just think it’s best if آپ don’t do this, Nathan. We’ll find another way”

“No, Dad, I do a lot of stuff for آپ – almost everything. But I’m gonna do this for me” Nathan started walking closer to his room, turning his back on his father, Dan stood there watching, he didn’t blink until a teenage girl came out of the same bathroom Nathan had just walked out of “hi!” the skinny, wet haired girl کہا before following Nathan.

Shaking his head and smiling Dan left the hallway.
…

Another night in the café had Larry and Karen sitting across from each other, with their three and a half سال old daughter Madison lay sprawled asleep in Karen’s lap. She softly stroked Maddie’s soft brown hair over and over again, and when she spoke Karen whispered so not to wake the child “I worry about my children everyday, Larry. I worry that Lucas sacrifices too much, that Peyton doesn’t smile enough, and that Maddie will never understand this family… I worry about a million things”

“He’ll be fine” Larry reassured her, taking a hold of her hand and bringing it to his lips for a kiss.

Karen shook her head and pulled away her hand “I just don’t understand how Keith could do this to Lucas”

“To Lucas یا to you?”

At her husbands سوال Karen met his eyes but unable to stay staring into those honest orbs she turned away and looked back down at Maddie “both of us”
…

Above the café Haley and Lucas stepped onto the roof, she switched on the light and the place exploded with life. Lucas span around, taking it all in “wow”

“Yeah”

“This place looks great” and Lucas picked up a golf club, twirling it around, he pretended to take a swing. Haley did the same, carefully pretending to strike the imaginary golf ball.

“Thanks. I just finished putting up the lights. Miniature golf is never going to be the same” and she took another swing, wiggling her butt dramatically making Lucas throw his head back and laugh. She turned back around after her shot and leaned against the club, her dark eyes مزید serious now “Your mom is worried about you, she’s downstairs with Larry picking through her life”

Lucas nodded as he took his shot, avoiding his best friend’s eyes, then he stopped mid strike and just stared at the club “do آپ think I’m being selfish playing Nathan tonight?”

“I don’t think your mom thinks that. Look, I don’t say things like this very often ‘cause it sounds weird, but… you’re a really good guy and I’m glad we’re friends, but آپ and your mom worry too damn much”
...

coninues in part 2