You’re Mine by Penny Brooks

Chapter 26

Harper

I can’t believe my idiot brother said that in front of Easton, or that Easton took it for that matter.

My cheeks burn with embarrassment, because he’s not wrong is he? That’s exactly Easton’s MO and yet here I stand, right next to him, suddenly accepting his help along with a ride home when anyone who knows us or knows him, would find it suspicious.

Clearly Ryan’s pissed and I know it’s because he’s being protective which just makes me even more nervous over the fact that a few minutes ago Easton had his tongue in my mouth.

And I didn’t push him away.

I pulled him closer

And accepted his help despite his asshole tendencies.

“Let’s go,” Easton gently grabs my arm and pulls me towards his car. I have no other option but to follow him especially since my punk ass brother aka my normal ride is currently trying to find a tampon since it’s clearly his time of the month.

Ugh.

Boys.

I tuck my hair behind my ears, keep my head down, and follow Easton out into the parking lot. I know people are watching us. I can feel their stares burning through my back as me and Easton for the first time, like, ever, get in his Jeep without my brother.

I’ve always loved his Jeep, I’ve had several fantasies where he stops by my house, picks me up, and asks to see me, not my brother-me. I never imagined that this would be how senior year would go, and my head is going to explode if any other surprises happen today-or if Easton attempts to kiss me again.

“Get in.” Easton opens the white door and it feels like he’s letting me into his life despite my brother being a crazy idiot.

I’m getting in

And it’s not Ryan who’s helping me but Easton.

The boy who kisses me one minute, then looks ready to trip me the next.

I gulp and crawl up into the seat, then put on my seatbelt.

It smells like coffee and spearmint gum which just reminds of the way he tastes and how much Ryan will lose his shit if he finds out.

I don’t have time to be nervous, soon enough Easton’s in the Jeep, and it’s roaring to life as he backs up out of his parking spot, wordless, jaw clenched, looking beautiful and pissed at the same

time.

out the window and frown as Blake watches us

What’s he staring at?

The Jeep?

Me?

like everyone else

in the first place? Embarrassment hits me fast and hard as I remember how everything fell out of

of the school year left, which means this could happen again and again unless

hungry?” Easton asks once we’re on

“Huh? What?” I frown.

he bites down on the bottom

know if I can eat right now.” I sigh.

My voice trails off.

I feel anxious.

Off balance.

hard to even inhale because with every single breath I smell

And I shouldn’t.

brother would kill both

Easton and yet I can’t stop the way my heart races

his breath and turns on the music. Great my not being hungry somehow pissed him off. How could I ever think that this could be anything but madness

passes my street.

“You’re shaking.”

he asked if I was hungry? I’m still staring at my shaking hands and my black chipped nail polish when the Jeep

hates you?” His question catches

not at my house, we’re

We’re at his house.

In his driveway

stare up at

down, where he upped his meanness past what had been normal in the

you.” He says it quietly and then he’s opening his door and slamming it like his actions can’t

really not

other choices, I get out of the Jeep and follow him inside, rolling my eyes because he doesn’t even turn around to see if I’m following, he just assumes that any girl with

the front door and continue to

are home-l assume they rarely are from what Ryan’s said

looks different without everyone

Emptier.