Brooke couldn't think of a thing to say to that. It was true, and she had admitted as much. She couldn't dispute it even if she thought he might believe it. And she didn't want to, because Lucas Scott really was that important to her. "You weren't here," she told him quietly. "He was the one who went to appointments with me and held my hand. He made me feel like I could handle everything that happened, like, I wasn't alone."

That probably wasn't making him feel any better, but she continued. "I didn't give you that chance because I didn't know you. I was so scared, so overwhelmed by everything. That was my mistake, and it was a big one. Now I just...I wish it had been you."