FATE

52. Hailee's Wheelchair

JONAH

I try to hold on to Hailee's wheelchair and push her into the kitchen but she grabs the tires and wheels herself in first, with Carmen by her side. I look back, in the living room, my Dad sits with her parents, wide smiles on their faces as they talk. They're happy she's home. Everyone is.

"You hungry?", I hear Hailee ask from inside the kitchen.

"No, I'm fine", Carmen replies in a soft voice.

Hailee turns and a smile fills her face as I walk in. "I missed you so much"

I chuckle, "that's the third time you're saying that in the past fifteen minutes"

She shrugs, "because I missed you so much"

I rest an elbow on the counter, "why didn't you tell me you were coming home this morning?", I glance at Carmen, "I would have come along with your parents"

"I did call you", Hailee says, "but you didn't pick up and my Dad said he went over to your house and knocked a couple of times but no one answered. I'm guessing you and your dad overslept"

"Oh", I stare at the space above her head, "we were tired after working yesterday"

"Working?", she raises an eyebrow. Across from me, with her gaze on the counter, Carmen hums mindlessly.

"We're trying to build a dog house for Bruno since he won't go in the house"

Hailee's eyebrows crease slightly then realization fills her face, "the dog"

I nod, "I'll explain that later"

"Hmm", she presses her lips, "okay"

"So, Carmen", Carmen looks up at me as I turn to her, "what's up?"

She cocks her head, confusion etched on her face, "I'm fine"

"Brooke is coming over today", I trace my finger along the top of the counter.

Her eyes open wide, "when?"

"I'm not sure when", I trail, "could be in an hour, could be later"

"Oh, I missed Brooke too", Hailee says in an enthusiastic tone, oblivious of Carmen's reaction, "I can't wait to see her!"

I smile at her, "she missed you too"

From outside the kitchen, Mrs. Hartford screams, "Hailee!"

"I'll be right back", Hailee whispers before wheeling out of the kitchen.

I turn to Carmen quickly, "you didn't tell Brooke"

"I can't Jonah, I don't know how she or Mandy will react", she says in a low tone.

"They're your friends"

"I know but..."

I sigh, "look, when Brooke comes over, she's going to want to see Hailee and Hailee is going to want to see her. I'm not going to stop that from happening just because I'm trying to keep your secret"

"I understand"

"I'm not going to lie to my girlfriend for you either"

Carmen nods mindlessly, her gaze resting on the counter, "I'll leave"

I look back at the kitchen entrance, I can hear Hailee and her parents talking. I turn back to Carmen.

"Listen", she looks up, a sad look is on her face, "Brooke already notices how weird you've been acting. I suggest you come out before she starts making crazy assumptions-