Semi AU Story: Nathan Scott finally got Clay Evans to show up to one of his cookouts... He expected to have a good time and head home, but he never in a million years would have imagined he would fall in love. Couples to be revealed soon.

Contagious Chemistry (Artist: You Me At Six)

Chapter 1: You Had Me At... Oh Hell No!

"Can you believe this weather?" Nathan asked with a jovial tone as he headed over to the outdoor grille, "I thought for sure with all that rain last week, we wouldn't be able to grill out again before I left for the pre-season."

"Someone up there must like you," Lucas said while raising one hand to the sky, "someone has to," he finished with a chuckle. "Should I bring out the meat?"

Nathan started up the grille, "let's get everything nice and hot first."

Lucas looked around at the expansive backyard that was newly remodeled, "how much did you spend on all of this again?" Lucas stepped down into the outdoor cooking area with a swim up bar. To the right of him was a waterslide that could rival any waterpark in the state. Underneath that was a waterfall grotto that changed color at night and provided some privacy for the over-sized hot tub. "I still can't believe Haley let you put in a grotto, should I buy you a smoking jacket for Christmas this year Mr. Hefner."

Haley joined the conversation, carrying out a pitcher of freshly blended margaritas, "hey! That grotto is skank free; no herpes, no centerfolds, no bunnies."

"Unless you count Chester." Brooke giggled as she waded into the pool, "awe," Brooke let a soft moan escape her lips as the water soothed her scorching skin. "Great idea hot shot, thank you for inviting me."

"Anytime Davis, it wouldn't be a party without you." Nathan pulled a beer from the mini fridge and tossed one to Lucas.

Lucas cracked his open and said, "in a few months Brooke we'll all be family… officially."

Before Brooke could respond, someone cleared their throat, "hey Nate I hope you don't mind that I just let myself in." He smiled sheepishly before continuing, "I tried the bell…" he trailed off. "No one answered…"

"Nonsense Clay," Nathan bellowed from the grille, "mi casa, su casa man." Nathan motioned for Clay to join him, "let me introduce you to a couple of my favorite people. This is Lucas, my less handsome older brother."

"Thanks bro," Lucas rolled his eyes and put out his hand, "Lucas Scott nice to meet you."

"Same," Clay nodded. After signing new talent he hardly visited clients at home, he didn't like blurring the line between business and pleasure, but Nathan was different. Clay had represented him for the last five years and it had proved lucrative for him. Through Nathan, Clay had landed an additional four professional athletes in four years, which is practically unheard of for a rookie agent such as himself. Since his five clients are based in North and South Carolina, he recently made the decision to open a satellite office in Charlotte to be more available at a moment's notice. Personal attention and providing indiviualized mangement was something Clay prided himself on.

Brooke swam up to the bar and cleared her throat. "Shit," Nathan snickered, "I didn't forget you Davis I promise." Nathan turned to Clay, "Clay this is Brooke Davis."

He couldn't believe he hadn't noticed her before this very moment. Now that he had, he couldn't look away, she was breathtaking; perfectly bronzed skin, shoulder length mahogany locks, sparkling hazel eyes, and a dimpled smile. "Can you hand me that glitter tumbler please, it's right behind you?"

Clay cleared his throat again and gestured to her, "of course." He handed her the cup, "Brooke is it?"

"Yep," Brooke laughed, "isn't that what Nathan just said?" She kinked her eyebrow in his direction and shook her head. "This one isn't too bright is he?"

"Hush Davis, we wouldn't be standing here, with all of this without him." Nathan reassured Clay with a smile.

"Lest you forget who you married. Those platinum albums in the den aren't yours hot shot." Brooke retorted before sticking out her tongue.

"At ease Brooke," Nathan smirked. "Make yourself at home man," Nathan patted Clay's back as he walked by, "Davis…" Nathan pointed, "be nice ya hear."

Brooke brought her hand to her head in a mock salute, "10-4."

Brooke and Clay watched as Lucas and Nathan headed back to the house to gather the rest of the items for the cookout. Brooke pulled a notebook towards her and sipped her drink, "what are you working on?"

"A list," Brooke answered quickly.

"I see," Clay grinned, "can I get you a margarita or something?"

"No thank you." Brooke said without looking up, "I think I'll stick to cucumber water for now."

Clay felt his heart leap into his throat, what is wrong with you he wondered before speaking again, "great. So what do you do for a living Brooke?"

"I am a fashion designer by day and renegade crime fighter by night." Brooke said without looking up from her notebook. Her thoughts immediately interupted by the commotion coming from inside the house, "oh goodie the team is here."

"Team?"

"Yep, the guys from the court, the rivercourt. They have all been friends basically since utero." Brooke angrily crossed something off her list, "welcome to our merry band of misfits."

"I see," Clay took the seat across from Brooke and she shut the notebook, "so what's your superhero name Brooke, in case I need help someday?" He wasn't sure what it was about her, but he wanted to get to know her better so he made the snap decision to flirt with her in the hopes of getting her number before the end of the night.

Brooke smiled, "B-Dazzle." She glanced around them, brushed her hair behind her shoulders and whispered, "but don't tell anyone I have a reputation to uphold. Informing everyone that they are inferior just wouldn't be right."

Clay mimed zipping his lips, locking them and throwing away the key. "Your secret is safe with me." Clay tilted his head down and admired the quote in Brooke's journal; Poets are all who love, who feel great truths, and tell them. And the truth of truths is love. "Interesting quote, life mantra?"

"Hardly," Brooke guffawed. "My bestie P. Sawyer studied comparative literature at Brown University. When she was a freshman she took some kind of English poets class and found this quote by some guy Philip Bailey... Brinley... Brightly. I can't remember exactly, when she was in town recently she gave me this journal and added quotes and pictures throughout… to inspire me. It's a bunch of hogwash if you ask me, I think anyone with a beating heart is capable of feeling and emoting real love - not just stuffy dead poets."

Clay couldn't help but laugh at her candor, "fair enough." He wasn't sure what was happening between them but he felt this instant attraction to Brooke and he thought now was as good a time as any to make a move before he had the chance to talk himself out of it, "I am going to be in Tree Hill for the next few days do you think yo-"

"Brooke?" Lucas called from the sliding glass doors, "did you remember to apply sunscreen before you got into the pool?"

Brooke tapped Clay's hand, "one minute." She turned her attention to Lucas, "no broody I didn't."

Clay watched on as Lucas opened a towel and beckoned Brooke to get out of the water, "you're being summoned. We can chat another time… maybe?"

Brooke flashed him a warm smile, "I'll be right back and we can finish up." She got off the pool stool she was occupying and swam to the steps. Clay admired her perky behind from the bar and glanced down at her abandoned notebook:

GIRLS - Virginia, Bianca, Noelle, Natalie, Felicity.

BOYS - Casper, North, Gabriel, Theodore, Joseph.

He looked up and gasped in confusion at the sight in front of him. Brooke pulled the waiting towel around her shoulders and Lucas was now gently applying sunblock to Brooke's visibly swollen and rounded abdomen. She's pregnant? Clay wondered to himself; the insistence on sticking to water and list of names now made sense, perfect Evans… the first girl that made your heart flutter since Sarah died and she's clearly spoken for and expecting a child. He guzzled his beer and threw the bottle in the trash, how could I have been so wrong? I've been out of the dating game too long, I just thought a pregnant woman was flirting with me... "Evans, you down for a pick up game before we eat?" Nathan hollared from the deck.

"Yeah man," Clay pulled his stare from Brooke and Lucas laughing together. "Where's the court?"

This is my first time ever writting fanfiction and I've been thinking about it for a while now. So it's sort of become my baby - please be kind and send me a review. I would love to read what you all think about the first chapter and where you think the story is going to go and who the couples are going to be.

Until we meet again!

ALEX