Our Little Secret {n.h}

chapter 36

"Hey, do you wanna go get dinner later?" Jake asked over the phone and I hummed, continuing to paint. "Earth to Ari."

"Sorry." I laughed a little and set the brush down. "Sure. Where do you wanna go?"

"Diner by the old house?" Jake suggested and I smiled a little.

"Sounds good. I'll see you at seven."

"Bye sissy poo."

I laughed and hung up, going back to painting. I texted Niall to let him know that I would be home late and he replied with a pouty face. I assured him I would bring him home dinner and shut my phone off, standing up from my stool. I cracked my back and washed off the brushes, throwing paper towels in the trash. I organized my studio a bit since it looked messy and went to the gallery, hanging up a few things. Lana gave me my paycheck and I smiled, depositing it from my phone.

I went to my car after grabbing all of my stuff and threw my things in the passenger seat. I plugged my phone up and saw a few texts from Niall about what he wanted from the diner. I pulled out of the parking lot and started driving to the diner, passing the old house on the way Jake sold it a few months ago so that him and Caroline could get a new house that was better for them two.

I got to the diner and found a parking spot easily since it wasn't very known. I went inside and said hi to the waitress that was always there and found a booth, sliding in. I got my phone out and scrolled through Instagram, replying to Niall's goofy Snapchat. Just as I ordered a water, my phone started ringing with Caroline's name on the screen. I furrowed my eyebrows and answered it, assuming that she was just telling me that Jake would be late. Again.

"Hey, what's up?" I asked.

"Ari, you have to come to the hospital." Caroline rushed out and I hummed in question.

"What happened?" I asked and she sounded like she was crying.

"Jake got in a car accident."

"What?" My voice cracked as I got up from the booth and I ran out to my car. "Is he okay?"

"I don't know. They won't tell me anything since I'm not family." Caroline choked out and I hung up, moving to go towards the hospital.

I quickly called Niall and told him what happened and that I was going to the hospital. He told me he would meet me there and I threw my phone in the passenger seat, speeding to the hospital. I tried to keep my emotions at bay, not wanting to get myself worked up. He could be completely fine with just a few bumps and bruises. I pulled into a parking spot and ran inside, heading to the floor that Caroline had texted me. I jogged down the hallway and found Caroline pacing outside of a room and she pulled me into a hug when she saw me, tears in her eyes.

"A guy ran a stop light and hit his side of the car. They won't tell me anything." She said and I frowned, looking across the hall to see Jake lying in a hospital bed.

We sat down in the waiting chairs and my leg continuously bounced up and down as we waited for a doctor to come and tell us something. Niall came a while later and sat down next to me, grabbing my hand. I shook it out of his grasp, standing up and pacing back and forth, chewing on my thumbnail. I heard both of them sigh but I ignored it, running a hand through my hair.

"Family of Jake Sutherland?" I looked up as a doctor walked out and I nodded, feeling Caroline come up behind me.

"How is he?" I immediately asked and she pulled his chart out, looking at the three of us.

"He has a couple broken ribs and his femur was shattered. We need to do surgery because the broken rib could potentially puncture his lung, causing it to burst." She explained and I gulped. "But, since he has suffered so much trauma, we have to wait to do the surgery until his vitals get under control."