Page 22 of Baked

Can’t. Have plans.

My mask shiftedon my face as I stood in the dark closet, silently waiting for Indi and Carter to return to his house. It was late, and from what I could see on the app on my phone, they had spent most of the evening at a nearby bar, probably trying to talk through their shit. Now, they were almost back, and I knew she was with him. Not because she wanted to be, but because she was trying to hurt me. Which told me I was under her skin, and that’s exactly where I wanted to be.

Minutes passed by as I waited in the darkness. I didn’t exactly know what my plan was, sitting here in Carter’s obnoxiously large closet, but I was here. Part of me was genuinely worried about what he might do to her. I wanted to know if he’d question her about the man in her photos and what she’d say. But then, I also was curious if all she really had planned was just to take him back. Fuck, she was driving me crazy. Nonetheless, I was here. The garage door opened, telling me they were here too.

Instant shouting filled the house as they argued. “Seriously? Wow. Real classy, Indi! You know, I thought we were really getting somewhere and now I’m just getting whiplash. I mean come on! You really can’t expect me to be so calm after everything just because we had one dinner!” Carter shouted as he rushed into the room.

Indi shadowed him, her face flustered. “You’re the one who said you wanted to talk! Fuck—I’m not the one in the wrong here, Carter! You are! You’re always out with other women, hanging all over them, posting them, and suddenlyyouhave the audacity to question me for the same thing?”

Carter forced a fake laugh. “I’m not the one posting myself wearing lingerie in some stranger's bed!”

She put her hands on her hips and scoffed. “It’s sure funny how much you used to like me posting selfies just like it. You were always liking my posts and sliding into my messagesbeforewe got together, talking about how much you loved seeing me post those things.”

“Oh, don’t even try to put that shit on me! You baited me—slutted yourself out. Your whole game is posting content and waiting for someone like me to reach out so you could message me back, teasing me like one of your subscribers! I’m not some obsessed fan in a mask, Indi. I’m your fucking boyfriend and I deserve some respect!”

You better watch your fucking mouth.

Indi cocked her head at him. “Are you fucking serious?”

“Oh yeah. I know all about yourrealjob and its following. All those sick perverts who pay to watch you while you put on a little show. You think you’re so much better than the whores you find on a street corner, just because everything you do is done behind a screen, but you’re not!” Indi’s eyes swelled with anger and tears. It took everything in my power not to bust from the closet and beat the shit out of that blonde haired douchebag. “Nowonder masked men stalk you on the internet. You slut yourself out making people like him feel like you want them, when truthfully, you’re just looking for another paycheck.”

I’m going to fucking kill him.

Indi slowly approached him, holding her head high as she looked up into his eyes. Her lower lip quivered while she smiled, showing just how fucking strong she was. “Tell me. Am I really a whore if you fuck me but don’t pay?” Carter clenched his jaw. “Because I’ve never taken a cent from you, and you’ve happily fucked this whore for months, completely unbothered by the fact thousands of people all over the world pay to see me do things. Things you could never imagine because your head is so far up your own entitled ass. Instead, you try to tear me down and force me to be someone I’m not. Well, I’m sick of it, Carter! This is who I am! And I’m done.” She grinned while tears fell down her cheeks. “Good luck finding another woman to do the things I did.” She grinned. “But when you do find her, don’t forget to ask for a receipt.”

There you fucking go.I was so fucking proud of her.

“Indi,” Carter called after her. “Indi!” He grabbed her arm, refusing to let go. My fists squeezed in response.

Her free arm swung as she slapped him hard across his face, knocking his grasp from her. “No!” He glared at her, burning bright red. “You don’t get to touch me.”

Carter heaved with anger, towering over her frame. His nostrils flared as he stood there watching her. “I will touch you as much as I fucking like.” His hand snatched her neck as she tried to fight him, shouting and trying to free herself.

“Let go of me!” she yelled. “Stop!”

Carter pulled her close, crushing his mouth to hers. She tried to resist, crying as he kissed her again and again. She whispered no, but he only kissed her harder. “You can’t leave me, Indi.” Hereyes widened as she stared at him, his hold releasing her neck as he held her face in his hands. “I’m sorry.”

You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.

“I’m so sorry. I only posted those photos to make you jealous because I’m crazy about you. So crazy that I forget myself. I know you’re not a whore, I’m just—so scared that you’re going to wake up one day and realize you can do so much better than me.” Her face softened as she stopped resisting him.

Please tell me you’re not actually falling for this shit.

“Carter.” She swallowed. “If I stay?—”

No.

“Then…Then you have to change.”

Indi, what the fuck.

Carter nodded, kissing her as he spoke. “Yes. Yes, I will.” They kissed each other. “I just need you to be patient with me. A man can’t change overnight.”

I rolled my eyes in disgust. This fucker straight up just played her into staying with him. After everything that just happened, he fucking played her. Like he always did. Indi was better than this. Better than him.

“I know.” Indi kissed him back. “Let’s just forget everything. And let’s—let’s just be together.” She led him back towards his bed, sliding her dress from her body. “Let me make it better.” She kicked her dress aside as he watched her, placing his hands along her flesh as she fell back onto the bed, ready for him. I felt sick to my stomach. Not only had she forgiven him, but somehow, she was going to make it up to him. To sleep with him like he didn’t just insult her. It was so toxic.

Carter’s phone rang, breaking the moment. He pulled back and turned away, glancing real quick before looking back at Indi. “I have to go.”

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