Chapter 4

"Where are you?"

"Well hello to you too!" Haley said into her phone.

"Why didn't you tell me you were leaving that bastard?"

"Calm down. I'm in North Carolina. And I didn't tell you because I wanted you to be able to tell the truth when you told him you didn't know where I was" Haley explained.

"You're in North Carolina? Why didn't you come stay with Callie and I?"

"Gabe, I didn't want to impose on you guys."

"Haley, you're my sister and Emily is my niece. I love you guys and so does Callie, you wouldn't have been imposing. Where exactly in North Carolina are you? I want to come see you, see for myself that you're ok" Gabe said.

"No Gabe. I don't want you taking time off of work to come see me. I'm fine, really."

"I don't have to work this weekend and neither does Callie. We are driving down there this weekend whether you like it or not" Gabe insisted.

"Fine, I'm in Tree Hill" Haley relented.

"That's only about four hours from here. We'll be there sometime tomorrow night. I'll call your cell phone so you can give me directions to where you're staying."

"Ok. I'll see you tomorrow."

"HJ?" Gabe's voice cracked "You're really ok? You promise?"

Tears came to Haley's eyes as she heard the nickname her brother had called her since they were children.

"Yeah Gabe, I promise" Haley said barely above a whisper.

Haley ended her phone call and began getting ready for work. She had to be at the café in half an hour and she needed to cover the bruises on her face that were still visible. Haley and Emily arrived promptly at seven o'clock. Karen and Haley were talking when they heard the bell ring notifying them that someone was there.

"Good morning Nathan" Karen greeted.

"Morning Karen. Oh, hey Haley. I didn't know you were working today" Nathan replied with a warm smile.

Karen rolled her eyes at Nathan. That was a load of bull because he knew Haley was working today.

"Hi Nathan" Haley replied with a shy smile.

"What can I get you this morning Nathan?" Karen questioned.

"Um, coffee and a plain bagel."

"I'll get it Karen" Haley said then busied herself with Nathan's order.

Karen looked at Nathan and watched as his eyes followed her until she was out of sight.

"What are you doing Nate?"

"What do you mean?" Nathan questioned, confusion written on his face.

"Look, I barely know Haley but I know what you're thinking. Just don't. Haley has a three year old daughter, she has a lot on her plate. Besides, aren't you dating someone? Someone you shouldn't be dating but you are?" Karen said sternly.

"I don't know what you're talking about Karen" Nathan denied.

"Sure you don't."

Haley walked back in at that minute with Nathan's coffee and bagel.

"Here you go" she said placing it in front of him.

"Hey Karen, I'm back with the supplies. Can you come help me unload them?" Deb called out from the back of the café.

"Yeah, I'm coming" Karen called out and walked to the back.

"So, Haley, how do you like Tree Hill so far?" Nathan questioned

"It's nice. Everyone I've met so far has been really nice to me" Haley replied.

After a few minutes of awkward silence Nathan decided to break it.

"Well, I'm going to go see if mom and Karen need help."

Nathan walked to the back and Haley went about helping a few customers that just walked in. When Nathan came back to the front five minutes later he saw Haley bending over wiping the counter. Her shirt was raised up slightly in the back and Nathan caught sight of a tattoo on her lower back right above her butt. Before he could make out what the tattoo was Haley reached further down the counter and her shirt rose up more and he saw two huge bruises on her back.

'What the hell? She must've have fallen' Nathan thought to himself.

Haley quickly turned around snapping Nathan out of his thoughts. Nathan quickly redirected his eyes and looked down at the floor. He walked to the other side of the counter and sat down and gave Haley a slight smile. He glanced down and saw her arms, they too had bruises on them. Haley noticed him looking at her arms and she quickly pulled her sleeves down.

'Ok, those bruises are definitely not from a fall' Nathan thought.

Nathan looked at Haley and could tell she was uncomfortable. He figured he was part of the reason she was uncomfortable so he decided to change that.

"Well, I have to get to work. I'll see you later Haley" Nathan said as he stood and walked out of the café.