- Text Size +
Author's Chapter Notes:
Here's the next chapter.
Enjoy =)
Chapter Two-Hundred-Forty-Seven



“So what did my sister want?” Peyton asked curiously when Brandon returned and resumed his position lying in the sand.


“To offer me a painting job,” Brandon explained while looking up at her. “Kevin’s brothers are working on a surprise bedroom for Ellie. They want me to paint Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on her wall.”


“Aww…that would be awesome. Are you taking the job?”


“Absolutely. We were on three-way call so Tim told me that they wanted to paint the walls a light shade of blue first. They said they could do that part, so I told them to go ahead and get started on it and when I take you home later I’m going to go over there and help them.” Peyton smiled at him in awe then and Brandon raised his eyebrow at her curiously.


“What?”


“You’re amazing,” she insisted and he laughed.


“I’m serious, you are” she persisted. “Is there anything you can’t do Brandon?” Brandon thought about this question for a couple of moments before answering, trying to think of a way to direct the conversation toward her and away from him for once.


“Read your mind,” he answered simply. “Though I’ve been trying to for the past couple of days that I’ve been with you. I always get the feeling that you’re hiding something from me – from the rest of the world,” he explained softly. Peyton looked away nervously. The last thing she wanted was for the conversation to get turned back to her.


“I also get this feeling that everytime the conversation gets turned onto you, you shy away from me,” he added.


“I’m not very interesting,” Peyton insisted, shrugging her shoulders and still looking away.


“Oh on the contrary…I happen to think you’re fascinating,” He informed, and he got up and sat next to her on the rock taking her hand into his and squeezing it gently.


“For the past three days we’ve done nothing but talk about me. Well I want to know more about Peyton” he pleaded softly. He cupped her chin in his hand before turning her head so she’s looking at him and he noticed pain and sadness in her eyes, the same pain and sadness that he saw when they had their first conversation. She had been so upset that day and all he wanted to do was help her feel better.


“What do you want to know?” she asked softly, surrendering to his request.


“Let’s start with the simple stuff…what’s your favorite color?” he asked with a small smirk on his face and she laughed a little, just as he hoped she would.


“Hmm…I guess it would have to be red and black. I wear a lot of that.” Brandon nodded.


“What’s yours?” she asked, looking up at him and smirking and he chuckled.


“I’m the one who’s supposed to be doing the questioning, this is get to know Peyton time, you had your turn.”


“Come on Brandon, please?” she begged, looking up at him with a pout and he shook his head smiling before once again cupping her chin in his hand and tilting her head back so he could see into her eyes.


“Green…the color of your eyes. Everytime I gaze into them I feel like I’m lost in a deep sea of green. They’re so captivating.” Peyton felt her heart flutter inside her chest and she looked away, gazing out at the ocean. It was al she could do in order to keep herself breathing. She is not used to someone being so interested in her like this. The last time she dated someone it was in high school so the guy was a jerk.


“What was school like when you were in High School?” he questioned. “Do you have any girlfriends back home in New York? What are they like?”


“School was okay…but I was never really the type who did well. The only class I had an A in was photography. I barely passed everything else with C’s or D’s. I had a few good friends though, and we’re still very close to this day. Their names are Skyler, Rachael, and Michelle. Skyler – we call her Sky for short is my best friend. I can go to her for almost anything after Brooke. Rachael was a cheerleader when we were in school and she’s working on becoming a professional one…her dream is to be a Cheerleader for a NFL football team or something. Michelle’s dream is to own her own fashion company.


“And what about you?” Brandon asked curiously.


“Me…I’m still working on discovering my dream…” Peyton shrugged.


“It seems to me like you’re headed down the road of becoming an amazing photographer.”


“I think about that a lot…” Peyton replied, while sighing softly. “I love taking pictures with a burning passion…”


“So why not then?” Brandon encouraged.


“It’s not exactly the ideal career that my parents want me to have,” Peyton explained, her eyes were fixed intently on the ocean but he can see them tearing up. He squeezed her hand gently. “It’s not Brooke and Jaime…they want me to be more like them. Brooke owns this amazing orphanage and hospital and is really successful at what she does…Jaime was taking college classes to become a doctor, but when he learned of Brookie’s rape he dropped out because he wanted to be here for her. He’s planning on enrolling himself in a college here and Brooke is going to try and hook him up with your brother – see if he could be his intern. They both have the model careers that my parents approve of and they’re pressuring me to follow in their footsteps. So…I have no idea what I want to do.”


“Sure you do,” Brandon insisted and he cupped her cheek in his hand and tiled her head back so she’s looking at him again. “You want to be a photographer…so go for it. It’s who you’re Peyton. You’re amazing at it and I’ve only seen your digital work. Has your parents ever seen your work?”


“Yeah…”


Really seen it?”


“They’ve looked at it once or twice…all they said was that it’s a good hobby.”


“Well I’m willing to bet that if you made them really look at it they would understand that photography is who you are. You can’t be Brooke or Jaime, Peyton…you can only be yourself. And sooner or later they’re going to have to realize that.”


“Being myself has never been good enough.”


“Well that’s too bad…” Brandon replied disappointedly. “Because it’s always been good enough for me. I’ve known your sister for years Pey…ever since she first opened the Orphanage and my brother started working there. I’ve grown to really love her over these past few years…she’s like family to me. But it’s you who I am fascinated with. It’s you who I want to get to know…you just have to let me.”


“You have to be patient with me…” Peyton admitted quietly. “No one’s ever cared to get to know me…I’ve hidden behind Brooke’s shadow for so long that I don’t think I even know me…”


“Well then I think it’s about time you got re-acquainted with yourself. Step out of Brooke’s shadow Peyton…you’re an amazing woman and the whole world is dying to get to know you.” She looked up at him then; her cheeks streaked with tears and he lightly brushed them away and dried her eyes.


Especially me.”



~*~*~*~*~*~



Meanwhile at Sean and Trevor’s Lake house, Sean who had been browsing the internet and talking on the phone all afternoon went into the living room where he found Trevor lying on the couch watching TV. Sean went over and lay next to him, snuggling back against him as he felt his arms slide around him. Sean looked up and met Trevor’s gaze and Trevor caressed his cheek with his forefinger and thumb, before leaning forward and brushing his lips lightly over his.


“What have you been doing, love?”


“Just browsing the Internet – checking up on people.”


“Anything important?”


“Lane got interrogated by Detective Stabler…and so did Peter and Angela. They e-mailed me and bitched at me about it. They think I’m the blame for it.”


“Oh great…the last thing we need right now is more haters.”


“At least we’re safe here. No one but Max knows where we’re.”


“Yeah…” Trevor replied softly and he hugged Sean closer to him protectively and kissed his forehead softly. “But Max is in New York for the week, so it’s very important that we stay here in the house. He’s stalked us up on groceries and we’re to just hide out until he’s back, can you handle that?”


“Anything to keep you from being upset with me. I don’t like to upset you…” Sean reassured and he glanced up at Trevor, running his fingers through his hair.


“What about Conner?” Trevor asked suddenly.


“I just got off the phone with him. We discussed how now would be the perfect time for him to get to Aaron. So as soon as he puts Rosalie in Daycare, he’s going to hang out with him,” Sean explained, and he rolled over to face Trevor and he rested his forehead against his. “But enough about work. Let’s concentrate more on me and you and how sexy you are and the things I could do to you.” Trevor smirked and Sean placed his hand to his cheek before leaning forward and capturing his lips with his in a hard kiss and Trevor felt Sean’s hand slip under his shirt and over his body. He flipped Sean onto his back then and shifted so he was straddling him and he pulled his shirt up and over his head before recapturing his lips with his for a passionate kiss.


~*~*~*~*~


The next day around six thirty, all five boys – and Ashley, Riley, Kori and Wiley woke up and got ready to leave for the HSBC Arena to do their sound check. Nick who had awoken to Dakota nestled into his chest had to carefully lie her down before getting up. He remembers her coming in and crawling into bed with him at about three in the morning. When Ashley had finished getting ready, she walked out of the room leaving Nick to finish up and she found Laney sitting on the couch drinking coffee. He looked at her as she entered though.


“Morning Ash how’d you sleep?”


“Pretty good. I definitely feel the affects of being out late last night, but I’ll be okay.”


“Want some coffee? Drew is about to do a Starbucks run, I could add your order to the list.”


“That would be awesome” Ashley replied desperately and he chuckled.


“What would you like honey?”


“A venti mocha frappuchino with whipped cream,” she answered, and she watched as he wrote that down on Drew’s notepad. When he finished he set it down.


“Do you think you could do me a favor Lan?” she asked suddenly.


“Of course sweetheart, what’s up?”


“Walk with me to Alex’s room please? I want to talk to my brother.”


“Sure,” he agreed readily and he stood up with his coffee in hand and he followed Ashley out of the room and down the hall to AJ and Howie’s Penthouse. When they arrived there, they found that the door was already open. Ashley knocked on it and poked her head in to find AJ sitting on the couch with a cranky Laila in his lap.


“Hey sweetheart, what’s up?” he greeted, and he got up, Laila under his one arm and he went over and kissed her cheek. “Did you sleep okay?”


“As well as to be expected after being out so late,” Ashley replied while smiling some. AJ chuckled.


“Yeah, same here. Plus, I had a cranky toddler wake me up at five in the morning this morning, so Drew is getting me some very strong coffee so I’ll be able to concentrate today. But anyway, what brings you here?”


“I just thought Id come visit my brother…” Ashley shrugged, and she went over and sat on the couch. AJ chuckled and went over and sat next to her.


“Okay, but what do you want?” Ashley narrowed her eyes at him.


“What? Can’t I visit my brother without wanting something?” AJ raised his eyebrow at her and she sighed.


“Okay, okay…I just wanted to ask you a question.”


“All right, what’s up?”


“Did you ever go to pick up the promise ring we picked out and got engraved?”


“Yes actually I did! I’ve been meaning to give it to you. I went and got it while you and Nick were spending the day at your house. It’s in my bags. Do you want it now?”


“No, keep it for the day. I want to give it to him while we’re in New York City. I don’t want to risk him finding it though, so keep it in your stuff for me, okay?”


“Sure thing,” AJ promised, and he took her good hand into his and gently squeezed it as he gazed into her eyes, feeling very happy about what he sees. That glow in her eyes that disappeared the day Nick broke up with her is back. She is truly happy and Nick makes her that way. He’ll kill him if he ruins it again.



~*~*~*~*~



Meanwhile back in Florida, Brandon stepped out of his studio and shut the door and locked it before turning around planning to go search for Peyton only to find her standing right behind him. He jumped slightly with a start, causing her to laugh a little.


“I didn’t mean to scare you,” she told him and she stepped forward, slid her arms around him and pulled him into a hug. “I was just going to knock on your door when you came out.”


“Oh yeah?” Brandon asked while grinning and she nodded. He rested his forehead against hers and caressed her cheek with his forefinger and thumb.


“I guess great minds really do think alike, because I was just on my way to find you.” Peyton smiled up at him slightly, and then glanced toward his studio.


“Are you ever going to let me go in there? I’m just dying to see your work you know,” She asked softly.


“Not just yet…but soon. My work is very special to me…I don’t like showing it to people unless it is just right.”


“You let Ashley in there all the time,” Peyton pointed out, trying to suppress the jealousy but it didn’t work out so well. Brandon sighed inwardly, feeling bad immediately. The last thing he wants is for Peyton to feel jealous.


“It’s different with Ashley…she’s a good friend,” he began, being sure to emphasize the word ‘friend’. “She offers constructive criticism and tells me her honest opinion. But I haven’t brought you in there yet because I want everything to be perfect before I do. Your opinion is what matters to me the most…” Peyton gazed up at him for a few moments in silence.


“But you do promise to show me sometime?” she asked softly.


“I cross my heart,” he told her and she smiled up at him some, causing him to smile at her in return.


“So what are your plans for the day? What’s Morgan up to?” He asked curiously, turning the subject away from his studio and his art.


“Morgan and her friends have gone with Jennifer and Chris to see a movie. Sooo I have no plans so far.”


“Perfect. I have a surprise for you…how soon can you be ready to go somewhere with me?”


“Ten minutes. I just have to go find Brooke and run it by her first.”


“Kay, I’ll meet you down in the lobby in ten then?”


“Sounds good,” Peyton replied, and she pulled away from him and hurried off to find her sister. Brandon watched her go until she was long gone, and then he pulled out his cell phone and went to the missed call list. He pressed call on the number at the very top – the number to the museum that had called him and left him a voicemail earlier while he was sleeping. The woman who had left him a voicemail telling him that she wants him to call her back and schedule a time when he can bring his paintings in for her to see. As the phone was ringing, he unlocked his office door and went back inside it and he shut the door behind him. He would make the appointment before meeting Peyton in the lobby. He had to do it now because he could see how jealous Peyton was starting to get. He has to go through with the surprise that Ashley has been trying to hurry him into doing for awhile now…even if it scares him to expose his most treasured work. Ashley’s advice has never steered him wrong before though, so why should it now?



~*~*~*~*~



“Another date with Brandon huh?” Brooke asked, when her sister had found her in her office and asked for another day away from the Orphanage to be with Brandon.


“I guess so,” Peyton smiled. “He says he has a surprise for me and wants to take me somewhere.”


“You two seem to be getting pretty serious I see…and are you planning on telling me what happened yesterday by any chance?” Brooke asked hopefully, as she didn’t get to talk to her sister at all about her date yesterday because she had been avoiding her.


“Can’t it wait?” Peyton begged. “I’m supposed to meet him in the lobby in ten minutes.”


“If you tell me now, I’ll let you have the day off.”


“It’s not like I’ll be doing anything anyway…Morgan is out for the day,” Peyton pleaded impatiently. Brooke sat back in her chair, crossed her arms over her chest, and stared at Peyton with a raised eyebrow. Peyton sighed and sat down on the couch, surrendering to Brooke’s demands.


“He took me to his house and made me lunch.”


Really?” Brooke asked impressed. “He cooked for you? Wow…I thought he was just going to take you out to some restaurant or something.”


“Yeah, me too” Peyton smiled.


“Well, is he a good cook? What did he make?”


“He is an amazing cook. He made Lasagna, breadsticks, and salad and we ate it out in his backyard at the little umbrella table next to his pool.”


“Isn’t his house gorgeous?” Brooke asked while smiling some, and Peyton nodded.


“I loved it.”


“So what else did you do besides eat lunch?”


“We hung out on the beach for awhile, talked and got to know each other better, and just enjoyed the sunny afternoon on his beach. I took a lot of pictures and then he brought me back to your apartment.”


“Has he kissed you yet? Brooke probed, wriggling her eyebrows some.


“Not yet…but I really want him to” Peyton admitted shyly.


“Aww…that’s so cute,” Brooke gushed and Peyton blushed, clearly feeling embarrassed.


“Okay, now that you’ve embarrassed me, may I go now?”


“Hey, it’s not like you never did this to me…” Brooke laughed and Peyton stuck her tongue out at her. “But yes, you may go. Have fun and I want the details later! Don’t think I won’t ask,” she threatened and Peyton got up and bounded out of the room.