You’re Mine by Penny Brooks

Chapter 52

Harper

Easton whirls around when he feels me touch his arm, his blue eyes widening in surprise that I’m the one standing next to him. Confusion fills his gaze and he glances toward Blake, who I was with only seconds ago.

I couldn’t take it anymore, pretending Blake was a sufficient substitute. And it definitely didn’t feel right with his arm around my shoulders, as if he was trying to claim me when he’s not the one I want.

That’s why I ran to Easton. It killed me, witnessing the agony on his face while Blake yelled at him. My brother may be watching us, as well as the rest of the entire school, but I don’t care.

I want to be with Easton.

But does he want to be with me?

“Say it,” I whisper, fear gripping me. “If you can’t tell my brother you want to be with me, I can’t keep doing this.”

He blinks at me, his lips parting and my heart stalls in my throat.

What if he tells Ryan he doesn’t want to be with me? What then?

“Get your pretty ass over here, Harper!” Blake bellows. “Show that asshole who vou really want!”

“Shut the hell up, Blake!” Ryan yells.

A trickle of relief flows through me at my brother’s words, but Easton still hasn’t said a damn word.

Dread curdling in my stomach, I stand a little taller.

“What’ll it be?” I ask, my voice low so no one else can hear me. “Do you want to be with me? Because I refuse to be your dirty little secret.”

“Harper.” He breathes out my name, taking a step closer, and I don’t retreat. He reaches up to lightly touch my face and my eyes fall shut, savoring the sensation of his fingers on my skin.

He immediately drops his hand and I open my eyes, watching as he looks over at Blake, who’s positively fuming, and then my brother. His two closest friends, yet here I am, like I’m coming in between all of them.

walk out of my life,” Easton says, his voice strong. Everyone can hear him.

petrified. I grab his hand and pull him to me, his arms automatically going around my waist as

In front of everyone.

The entire parking lot.

the entire

hard, as if he’s proving a

the actual fuck?” Ryan

“Finally!” Sadie squeals.

“Fuck you, Easton!”

This comes from Blake.

Easton’s arms and he’s so warm despite the rain. His kiss is drugging, lulling me into a trance with every stroke of his tongue. Until I finally have to pull away before things become too heated,

I look exactly the same

murmur.

lose you.” Leaning in, he presses his forehead to mine, staring

smile is huge. I can feel it stretching my lips

into his damp hair. “Oh my

he kisses me again, ending it quick when Ryan screams a string of curse words. My brother storms off, Sadie right on his heels as she calls his name. Easton

red, his eyes blazing

it. You just hate to lose.” Blake thrusts his finger at us. “He’s going to use you up and spit you out, baby girl. And when it’s all said and done, don’t bother running back to me, looking for comfort. The only thing I’ll say

Easton, but he tightens his grip on me, not allowing me to chase

mouth to my temple as Blake jumps into his truck and starts the engine. “He’ll get over

regret. This isn’t how I imagined it would go down between us. Not even close. “He probably thinks

glances down at me, his brows rising.

Like he almost knew Easton and I had a secret thing going, though

my lips shut, not wanting to explain myself

understands. “He knew you were vulnerable. He could sense it.” He inhales sharply,

come on, Easton.” I laugh,

to speak, but someone catches

Aisha.

beside her. They both have looks of utter disgust on their faces and when our gazes meet, Aisha’s eyes narrow, her lips thinning into a