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He mocked my face. “Oh, don’t try to make it sound creepy. I was worried, okay? We’d just gotten into another fight and I just wanted to make sure you didn’t?—”

“Didn’t what?” I crossed my arms. “Oh, I see. You wanted to make sure I didn’t run off into the arms of some random guy?” I scoffed. “Wow.”

Carter looked me up and down, pointing to my outfit. “Considering you’re still wearing the same outfit and haven’t changed, I’d say my feelings were valid.” He walked up to me. “Who’d you sleep with, Indi?”

My face burned with anger. “No one. Now, go home, Carter.”

He sucked his teeth. “Really? No one.” He leaned forward and inhaled. “Doesn’t smell like no one to me. Who was he?”

I pushed him back. “I said go home.”

Carter’s mouth twisted. “Oh, I get it now. It was that guy, wasn’t it? The one from the photos you posted.” My cheeks burned. He wasn’t wrong. Carter snapped his fingers. “There. I fucking knew it. Who is he, Indi?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I didn’t sleep with anyone! I went to the club, hung out, came home and crashed. That’s all!” I grabbed his arm, trying to walk him towards the door, but he pushed me off.

“No, I know that look. There was someone else.” He glanced around.

“Carter, you need to leave.”

He looked past me to the hallway. “Why? Is he here? Oh Indi, did you bring your dirty little secret home?” He laughed sarcastically. “Figures. Well, come on then, let’s go wake him up!”

I tried to stop Carter as he moved towards the bedroom doors. “Carter—Carter stop!”

“No, I want to meet him! This elusive mystery guy must be a catch if you keep fucking him behind my back! Me! Your boyfriend!”

I grabbed his shirt and pulled. “Carter, stop!” He shoved me roughly to the ground.

“Hey!” We both snapped to see Haze charging Carter. He swung, punching Carter so hard he knocked him to the ground. “Get your fucking hands off her!”

I shot from the floor and ran to stop Haze. “Hey. Hey!” I pushed him back, trying to stop him. “Enough!”

His green eyes met mine, burning with such hatred and rage. “He fucking hurt you, Indi!” He was fuming, charged with this immense energy that made him see red.

Carter groaned in pain. Haze shot him a look and started to rush after him, but I pushed him back again. “Hey! No!” Haze snarled. “Look at me, Haze. Look at me! Stop this!”

“He fucking pushed you, Indi,” he growled. “That fucking bitch put his hands on you! I’m going to kill him. I’m going to fucking kill him!”

“No! Haze! I’m fine. See? I’m fine! He didn’t hurt me!”

Carter stood, holding his now bloodied nose, whimpering like a child. “Fuck! My nose! I think you fucking broke my nose!”

Haze nodded. “Good! Maybe next time you’ll think twice before putting hands on my sister, bitch!”

“Haze!” I snapped.

Carter eyed Haze as he moved closer to the door, panicking. “What the hell is wrong with you?” He rushed past me in horror. “You fucking psycho!” He opened the apartment door and ran out.

“Carter? Carter!” The door slammed behind him. And I was pissed. I turned to look at my brother. “What the fuck is your problem?” I smacked his chest.

He shook his head. “My problem? No. He fucking shoved you?—”

“No. Stop. Stop it! You don’t get to keep swooping in like I’m yours to fucking save!” His face tightened. “Whateverthisis.” I motioned between us. “It has to stop. Youhaveto stop, Haze.”

“Is that what you think? Oh little sis, when will you realize that you’ll always be mine to save?”

“Stop,” I whispered.

“And what if I don’t want to?” he whispered back. His expression softened as he watched me and stepped closer. “What then?”