Page 45 of Debts and Desires
As much as I wanted to, I knew better than to argue with Carter. His word was law. I headed to the basement and plopped down on the couch there. I turned on the TV, since the one upstairs didn’t work; something to do with needing an adapter. I wasn’t really listening when he explained.
It took a while, but his response finally came in the form of a few pictures of the Hudsonville Diner’s menu.
Emmy
What do you usually get?
Carter
Steak and eggs
I grinned. There was something about him choosing steak and eggs that made me chuckle. It felt like the quintessential Carter meal—hearty, no-nonsense, and probably delicious.
Emmy
Ok, that sounds amazing right now. I’ll take it however you get yours.
Minutes turned into what felt like hours as I waited for Carter to return. But he did eventually. Mac’s head perked up as I heard the footfalls on the floor above. I paused my show and headed up, Mac on my heels. When I stepped into the kitchen, Carter had just set two plastic bags down.
“You’re a lifesaver,” I smiled as I walked to the table, opening the bags. One had double of everything I had asked in it. I kept everything in the bag and moved to the next one. This one had things I didn’t ask for; chocolate, ice cream, Midol, aspirin, and?—
“Those are for Mac,” he said as I lifted the dog treats.
“No, really? I thought you got them for me,” I teased, but that wasn’t the item I was confused about. He rolled his eyes, snatching the treats from me. I pulled the last item out of the bag and brought my brows together. He took the box of condoms, setting them on the counter before turning to the sink to wash his hands.
Why did he get them? Had he gotten them to use with someone else since I wouldn’t be putting out? How did he know I wasn’t going to? I never told him. My mind turned against me, telling me he was going somewhere else. I became irrationallyangry and jealous. I knew I had no right to be. Carter and I weren’t a thing.
“Why? We haven’t used them since the first time.” The words slipped out.
“Less messy,” he answered with a grin as he pulled the food containers out, placing them on the table. It took me a moment to understand what he meant, but when I got it, I could’ve slapped him. Instead, I put the ice cream away, put the pain relief in my other bag, and put the chocolate on the counter for later. Then I walked my shark week bag to the stairs before returning to the kitchen.
“I think it goes without saying, I’m not really up for sex this week,” I said, crossing my arms. He grabbed silverware from the drawer, setting them on top of the unopened containers.
“That’s fine.” He shrugged. I had assumed he’d fight me on it and it made me a little less irritated that he di— “Your mouth still works.”
There it is.I rolled my eyes.
“Seriously, Carter?”
“Seriously.”
“Yeah, it works. But what if I don’t want to do that either?” He eyed me a moment, then took a step closer. I uncrossed my arms and shrunk back.
“Then I won’t make you, but somethin’ tells me you want to.” He took another step. “You like suckin’ my dick, don’t you, Buttercup? Gets you all bothered.” Another step. “Or we could fuck, anyway.”
“N-no.” I didn’t know how he always managed to get under my skin.
“Fine. Have it your way. I just thought it’d help with cramps.” He paused and eyed me. “But we’re gonna pause the other points for now.”
“What?” I reared back. I hadn’t been expectingthat.
“Well, by not doin’ anythin’, you’re not actively honorin’ the agreement. I’m not just going to give you hours for the otherstuff.” I stared at him for a few beats. It was all about the hours to him.
You bargained hours for him to be nice, remember? He’s only been being nice because of that, not because he wants to be.
“You are so shady,” I finally said, crossing my arms.
“Am I? Or am I just a smart businessman?” He had the audacity to wink at me. I didn’t dignify him with an answer. “C’mon, before it gets cold.” Without another word, he grabbed two of the three containers and headed downstairs. Grumbling, I grabbed my food and followed. When I got down there, he already had two TV tray tables out, sitting behind one as he ate. I took my place and resumed my show. He didn’t mind the show I had on and we ate in comfortable silence.
