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.

voice strong. Everyone can hear him. “I just-I can’t. I care about your sister a

unsure look, his expression – petrified. I grab his hand and pull him to me, his arms automatically going around

In front of everyone.

The entire parking lot.

probably the entire

as if he’s proving a point, and in a way,

actual fuck?”

“Finally!” Sadie squeals.

“Fuck you, Easton!”

This comes from Blake.

despite the rain. His kiss is drugging, lulling me into a trance with every stroke of his tongue. Until I finally have to pull

exactly the same

I murmur. “You told my

mine, staring into my eyes.

stretching my

into his damp

Ryan screams a string of curse words. My brother storms

his face red, his eyes blazing with

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

his grip on me, not allowing

as Blake jumps into his truck and starts the engine.

never meant to hurt him.” Sadness fills me, along with a giant dose of regret. This isn’t how I imagined it would go down between us. Not even close. “He probably thinks I was using

at me, his brows rising. “Were

Funny. Flirty. I didn’t understand Blake’s sudden interest. Like he almost knew Easton and I had a secret thing going, though I don’t know how he could. “He never really started talking to me until

clamp my lips shut, not wanting

knew you were vulnerable. He could sense

laugh, but it’s shaky.

me, about to

Aisha.

looks of utter disgust on their faces