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.

of my life,” Easton says, his voice strong. Everyone can hear him. “I just-I can’t. I care about your sister

heart swells as he sends me an unsure look, his expression – petrified. I grab his hand and pull him to me, his arms automatically going around my waist as he

In front of everyone.

The entire parking lot.

probably the

is hard, as if he’s proving a point, and in

the actual fuck?”

“Finally!” Sadie squeals.

“Fuck you, Easton!”

This comes from Blake.

up in Easton’s arms and he’s so warm despite the rain. His kiss is drugging, lulling me into a trance

exactly the same

it,” I murmur.

forehead to mine, staring into my eyes. “And you’re not

is huge. I can feel it stretching my lips as I slip my

his damp

My brother storms off, Sadie right on

face red, his eyes blazing

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 to you is, ‘l told

to pull away from Easton, but he tightens his grip on me,

him go,” he tells me, pressing his mouth to my temple as Blake jumps into his truck and starts the engine. “He’ll get over

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

me, his brows rising. “Were

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.

my lips shut, not wanting to explain myself any

vulnerable. He could sense it.”

I laugh,

turns to me, about to

Aisha.

watching us along with the rest of the crowd, Julia 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