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.

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

– petrified. I grab his hand and pull him to

In front of everyone.

The entire parking lot.

the entire

a point, and

the actual fuck?”

“Finally!” Sadie squeals.

“Fuck you, Easton!”

This comes from Blake.

rain. His kiss is drugging, lulling me into a trance with every stroke of his tongue.

exactly the same way.

it,” I murmur. “You told

you.” Leaning in, he presses his forehead to mine, staring into my eyes. “And

feel it stretching my lips

fingers into his

screams a string of curse words. My brother storms off, Sadie right

face red,

and you know 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

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

he tells me, pressing his mouth to my temple as Blake jumps into his truck and starts the engine.

with a giant dose of regret. This isn’t how I imagined it would go

down at me,

shake my head. “No. Of course not. He was always so kind to me.” Funny. Flirty. I didn’t understand Blake’s sudden interest. Like he almost knew Easton and

shut, not wanting to

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

come on, Easton.” I laugh, but

to me, about to speak,

Aisha.

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