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 I

was mentioned in the list of suspects,” Mr.

Did Harper actually believe ! would do something so awful to her? What kind of asshole does she think

“Do you still think I did it?” I rise to my feet, slinging my backpack onto my

get called back in,” Mr. Rose says before I leave his

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

to go off

ch

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

I bite out as

say 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, the both of

I demand, my voice so loud

contemplates me coolly, her expression completely unreadable. “What

talk to you. I pause. “In

her head. “Not a good

hand on her shoulder. Just like that, a bolt of lust shoots through me at first

So fucking annoying.

boss me

can when you’re spreading false rumors about me and your

walking beside each other, exiting the cafeteria together. Ryan watches us with narrowed eyes but he doesn’t say a word

he doesn’t like that I’m

his face unreadable, his

go suck

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

tell her before she can get

mouth falling open for a brief second before

I would never go that far,” I continue. “I don’t know

I

awful.”