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.

her of the conversation from the library. “What’s up with

books. “Well, like I said, we‘ve been talking more. Texting. Having convos at

he’s not treating you

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

him

reputation is as harsh as his friends. When it comes to girls, they’re after one thing, and everyone in this

them, they get what they

Always.

won’t let

want to stop right here,” Blake says, approaching us as we’re nearing the

“Why?” Sadie asks.

Sadie. “Someone wrote something on your car.” He then looks at me.

“Wrote something?” I inquire.

like the sound

begins to churn, my heart picking up

it

looks up again, he says, “Why don’t you let Ryan and Sadie deal with this, and we’ll

He’s protecting me.

But why?

What does it say?

I’m not leaving this school until I

wrote, your sister is a slut, on Ryan’s windshield.” His eyes shift to Sadie. “And on yours it says, your

me. “Not because of my car,

you.”

chest is so tight, I have almost no voice when I say, “Who would do this

me

isn’t Easton. He can’t be that mad about Blake’s text, not

knows me. I’m Ryan’s sister to

know,” Blake responds. “But, I promise you, we’re

clear my throat, hoping the tightness will lessen.

parents seeing this when they get home from work makes me want to die even

the cheerleaders use for homecoming when they decorate the

back into school and grab some wet napkins,” Sadie tells me. “I’ll clean the glass super quickly, and then I’ll