Page 93 of Debts and Desires
“C-Cassie said,” I sniffled. Carter pulled back, looking at me through the mirror.
“What’d she say exactly?” he asked.
“Just that… no one put any money in the tip jar for me. It was all for you and Tyler.”
“No,” he said. “Ty doesn’t take tips and anythin’ that I got is yours. I don’t wanna hear it. But Iamgonna go find out what the fuck’s going on.”
“Carter don’t?—”
“No. I told you, you’re mine. That means I take care of you.” He gently tugged my face to look at him, planting a small kiss before he got up and stormed out.
I take care of you.
It was strange. Having someone fight battles for me was a weird concept. And I realized too, Carterhadbeen taking care of me. Even at the beginning. Sure, the start of it all was rough, butnow… Now wasdifferent. Hours didn’t really matter to either of us anymore. I still kept track of them, but I decided I wasn’t going to anymore. Dumb? Maybe. Did I care? No.
A few moments later, Carter and Tyler came in, followed by Cassie. She looked like a lost puppy following Carter. So I thought. I noticed then that she was actually looking at Tyler until her eyes met mine. Then she scowled.
“I should’ve known,” she said, sniffling. “I don’t know why Emmy doesn’t like me.”
“Save it,” Ty said, then he looked at me. “Carter told me what you said. Did Cassie not give you your tips?”
“Igavethem to her. It’s not my fault she didn’t get as much as she wanted to, greedy bitch,” Cassie interrupted.
“Watchhow you speak about my girl,” Carter growled. “Go ahead, baby.” I would’ve swooned had it not been for the situation.
“She did, technically. But she had two jars. One for me and one for you guys,” I said.
“I don’t take tips, you know that. And they played together, Cassidy. They get paidtogether,”Tyler began.
“No,” Carter cut in. “Emmy was the performer. I was backup. She gets all of it.”
“No one even knows her here, Carter. They all gave it to you,” she huffed.
“Did they? Or did you find another jar to put just the loose change in?” Carter snarled.
“Why would I do that?” she asked.
“Why do you do any of the shit you do when it concerns me?” Carter shook his head.
“Keep it up and I’ll tell Ty your littlesecret.”
“Go right the fuck ahead.” Carter motioned with his hands. Cassie said nothing. “Fine. I will.” He turned to Ty. “I ha?—”
“No! Don’t!” Cassie cut in. Carter looked at her.
“Too late. I fucked your stepsister four years ago.” Carter looked back at Ty. “I’ve regretted it every fuckin’ day since. Especially since she’s done nothin’ but hold it over my head andtry to get with me. If you wanna beat the shit out of me, go for it. But do itafterwe getthissquared away.” There was a long silence. If Tyler wanted to hit Carter, he made no notion of doing so. He didn’t seem all that bothered. Slightly grossed out, but not bothered. Meanwhile, Cassie’s face was red.
“So you guys are gonna take the side of someone you barely know over me? Someone you’ve known for years,” she said to Carter, then turned to Tyler, “And your ownstepsister?!”
“I ain’t taking sides, Cass,” Tyler started. “‘Cause there is no side to take. You stole from Emmy. There ain’t no right reason for that at all.”
“I didn’tsteal,” she hissed, her venomous eyes meeting mine. “No one put anythin’ inherjar.”
“The whole fuckin’ jar was hers, you delusional, selfish?—”
“Hey, now,” Tyler cut Carter off. “Still my g—stepsisteryou’re talkin’ to.” Carter let out a huff this time.
“Yeah, well, your little stepsister needs to grow the fuck up and accept that I ain’t ever gonna be with her. Especially now,” Carter spat.
