You’re Mine by Penny Brooks

Chapter 24

Easton

I heard the rumors about Harper‘s vandalized locker at the beginning of first period. How someone wrote slut on the front of it in black spray paint-like what the fuck?

By the end of class, I’m being called into the vice principal’s office. The serious expression on Mr. Rose’s face tells me he means business, and he doesn’t even hesitate with his accusation.

“Did you vandalize a locker this morning before school started?”

he asks.

I scoff, shocked he would think it’s me. “Absolutely not. Why the hell would I do that?”

The pointed look he sends me for cursing at him makes me want to say something else. Something ruder. “Watch your mouth. And where were you on campus before the first bell rang?”

“Out in front of the school, like always am. I have witnesses if you need them to vouch for me.” I lean back in my chair, completely at ease.

“Let me look in your backpack.” Mr. Rose points at where it sits on

the floor.

“No.”

“Thave every right to search your belongings when you’re on school property.” He flicks his fingers. “Give it to me. Now.”

Without a word I hand over my backpack and he settles it on top of his desk before he zips it open, rifling through my things. Irritation fills me but I’m confident he won’t find shit. I don’t even know what he’s looking for. A spray paint can? The person who actually did this would have to be a complete idiot to walk around with the evidence still on them.

“Looks like there’s nothing.” Mr. Rose says once he’s finished and gives it back over to me.

“Want to search my car? I can guarantee there’s nothing incriminating in there either,” I say.

“Not yet,” Mr. Rose says, which sets off a fresh wave of annoyance.

think

in the list

flown anger. Did Harper actually believe ! would do something so

still think I did it?” I rise to my feet, slinging my

not sure, so be prepared to get called back in,”

pay attention, to do anything but walk through the halls like a damn robot, my gaze constantly scanning, looking for Harper.

to

ch

to find Aisha standing in front of me, tempting in a cropped black shirt and high waisted

out as I

something else but ignore her, moving through the crowds of people like a shark whose scented his prey. I find her in the cafeteria, sitting at a table with Sadie,

demand, my voice

contemplates me coolly, her

talk to you.

head. “Not a

you think.” I round the table and place my hand on her shoulder. Just like that, a bolt of lust

So fucking annoying.

just boss me

spreading false rumors about me

the cafeteria together. Ryan watches us with narrowed eyes but he doesn’t say a word or

like that I’m

too, his face unreadable, his

go

arm and lead her toward the parking lot, which is mostly devoid of people. The moment we’re out of sight, she’s yanking her arm out of my hand,

locker,” I tell her before she can get a word

open for a brief second before she snaps

go that far,” I continue. “I don’t know who did it, and after what’s happened

you’d think I

awful.”