You’re Mine by Penny Brooks

Chapter 34

Harper

Easton thinks he owns me, that every happy expression that crosses my face is due to him.

Screw that.

But the truth is, Easton’s message is what caused me to grin. I had just flipped to Blake’s text when Easton saw me, the timing just couldn’t have been more perfect.

I’ll never tell him that though.

As far as he’s concerned, Blake makes me smile too, and it needs to stay that way.

I continue down the hallway when Sadie stops me and says, “Whoa. I just saw Easton and he looks like he’s about to murder someone. Any idea what that’s about?”

I shrug. “He read a text that Blake sent me. Maybe it has something to do with that

-I mean, hopefully it does.”

“Blake and … you?” Her eyebrows lift so high, they look like they’re about to get lost in her hairline.

“It’s not what you think. He just asked me out for dinner.”

She laughs. “Really? And you think that clarifies my questions somehow?” She adjusts her bag. “Unless he’s feeling you, he’s not going to ask you out to dinner.”

I tuck a chunk of hair behind my ear, the smell of Easton’s shampoo from this morning’s shower still so present, something I’m not even close to getting used to. “I’m not interested. He’s the biggest player at school.”

“And Easton’s not?”

“And Ryan’s not?” I argue back.

“Okay, good point, the three of them are equal in the player department. But we both know I’m going to mold Ryan into the man I want him to be and you’re going to do the same with Easton. Or is it Blake? I feel lost-again.”

I wrap my arm around hers and start walking. “It’s Easton. It’s only ever been Easton.”

But I can’t deny that having Blake’s attention is an interesting feeling. One I’ve never had before. Probably because Sadie is the only person who’s ever cared about me. And now, suddenly, there’s two new numbers in my phone and both are texting me on the same day.

My mind is blown.

I say, reminding her of the conversation from the library. “What’s up with you

we‘ve been talking more. Texting. Having convos at night before we go to

not treating

for the parking lot. “Things are good.” She looks at me, biting her lip. “And, God, you

just don’t want him

though he’s my brother, his reputation is as harsh as his friends. When it comes to girls, they’re

them, they get what they

Always.

won’t let

right here,” Blake says, approaching us as we’re nearing

“Why?” Sadie asks.

toward Sadie. “Someone wrote something on your

“Wrote something?” I inquire.

don’t like the

churn, my heart picking up speed as Blake

it say?” I

Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallows. When he finally looks up again, he says, “Why don’t you let Ryan and Sadie deal with this,

He’s protecting me.

But why?

What does it say?

Blake. I’m not leaving

eyes soften, his hand reaching for mine. His thumb grazes across the back of my palm as he replies, “Someone wrote, your sister is a slut, on Ryan’s windshield.” His eyes shift to Sadie. “And on yours it says, your best friend

“I will kill whoever did this.” She looks at me. “Not because of my car, I don’t give a shit about

you.”

have almost no voice when I say, “Who would do this

me

mad about Blake’s text,

Ryan’s sister to them and most don’t even

know,” Blake responds. “But, I promise

hoping the tightness will

seeing this when they get home from work makes me

use for homecoming when they

into school and grab some wet napkins,” Sadie tells