Page 32 of Baked

Terror filled her eyes. “Y-you’re hurting me, Haze.”

I leaned in real close, glaring into her dark eyes. “Good.” I released her neck. She slowly backed away, her eyes remainingon me as she moved. “Remember this the next time you try to start shit, Mary-Jane. We can go back to the way things were, or this.”

“Things were fine before. Let’s just—just go back to that. I’m-I’m sorry. Okay?” She nodded with a fearful smile.

“I was hoping you’d say that.”

Mary-Jane slowly made her way to the sidewalk before running away. I couldn’t help but to laugh. But at least now, she’d keep her fucking mouth shut about Indi.

Speaking of?—

I walked around to the apartment door and stepped inside. My body was drenched from the light rain outside, and I needed a shower. I tossed my jacket aside, kicking off my shoes to see Indi sitting on the couch. She sat crisscrossed, wearing tiny shorts and a raggedy old shirt that was cut and hung halfway off her body, exposing her shoulder and arm. Her hair was tucked behind her ears, and she was smoking from my bong while Kush rolled around the floor. Her eyes rose to me and locked with mine as she deeply inhaled the smoke.

“Careful, don’t want to smoke too much of that.”

Indi held her breath before exhaling a large cloud of smoke. “There’s no such thing as too much weed, Haze.” Kush jumped onto the couch next to her. “Isn’t that right, Kushy-Kush?” Her eyes returned to me. “You’re all wet.”

“That’s what she said,” I teased. She didn’t seem amused. “Oh, come on. Don’t play dumb, Indi. I know you saw us.”

Her eyes fell back to the cat. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Oh, yes, you do.

I leaned over the armchair across from her and smiled as light drops of rain fell from my wet hair. “Did you at least like what you saw?”

She blew a mouthful of smoke in my direction. “I told you. I didn’t see anything.”

All I could do was grin like a fucking kid on Christmas. “And where have you been all day?” I asked.

Indi looked away, almost ashamed. That alone answered my question and ruined my cheerful mood. “I went to see Carter.”

My knuckles turned white as I squeezed the chair in anger. “And why would you do that?”

“You fucking broke his nose, Haze! I had to make sure he was okay and wasn’t going to fucking press charges or something!”

I snapped. “Press charges? Ha! He should be fucking grateful I didn’t beat the shit out of him! Or worse! Fucking little bitch?—”

“See? That. That is your fucking problem!” Indi shouted. Kush’s ears fell back as he watched us fight.

“Myproblem? Indi, he fucking put hands on you!”

She shook her head. “Oh my god, would you just fucking stop! I can take care of myself, Haze!”

I scoffed. “Obviously not. Or I wouldn’t have had to break that fucker’s nose. You’ve always been so weak when it comes to these fuckboys, Indi. You let them treat you like shit and beg for their love when you know deep down you’ll never get it. Youneedme to protect you.”

Indi lit the bowl of the bong and watched the neck fill with smoke. She then inhaled it all and as she exhaled, she looked at me dead in the eyes and spoke in the most serious monotone. “Yeah, well, it’s really none of your fucking business.”

Fine. I turned and walked from the living room in a hurry.

“Where are you going?” she called after me.

“To take a shower!” I stopped and looked back at her. “Not that it’s any of your fucking business.”

The shower was exactlywhat I needed. Not only did I clean any trace of Mary-Jane from my body, but I was able to sit and simmer with my thoughts. I was furious at Indi for crawling back to Carter.Again. What was it about that prick that made her so weak and easy to manipulate? So easy to break and put the pieces back together how he saw fit. He wasnothingcompared to her. And I think it’s time he learned.

I turned the shower off and grabbed my towel, wrapping it around my waist. I cleaned the steam from the bathroom mirror and I stared back at my reflection. My fingers curled over the edge of the sink as I replayed the images of Carter shoving Indi, grabbing her by the throat in her home, and all the other times he ever dared to fucking touch her. My muscles bulged at the memories and I began to seethe.

I’m going to make sure he never hurts you again. I’m done playing games. You’re my little sister. Mine. And no one fucking touches what’s fucking mine.

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