You’re Mine by Penny Brooks

Chapter 57

Harper

In huge ugly letters, the word whore is spray-painted in black, covering the entire garage door for the subdivision to see.

This is so much worse than my locker.

I cover my mouth with my hands as tears form. I stumble out, “Who would do this?”

“We asked the same thing.” Dad kicks at the grass in frustration and looks across the street. “For all his neighbor stalking, Mr. Mann had his Ring camera turned down so that the damn cat across the street would stop setting it off when it shits in his yard.”

“He hates that cat” I say lamely.

“Yup.” Dad nods then cranes his neck toward me. “Harper. is something going on? Really.” The way he looks at me kills a part of my soul. I’ve always been the good twin, the one who never got into trouble, the one people never suspected.

Now I had enough drama in the last few weeks to keep me occupied for life.

I’m also very aware that the look my mom keeps giving me means she’s so disappointed in me. I pray she hasn’t seen Easton’s Jeep. I mean, he parked further down the street but still… Hopefully, she hasn’t noticed Ryan’s not here, but his best friend is. Have they checked around the house? I didn’t hear the stairs creak, so I can only hope they just got home.

I feel sick to my stomach, this is so bad. So bad. And just when I think it can’t get worse, I hear Ryan’s truck start barreling down the street at exactly the same time Easton comes strolling out the front door.

What the heck is Easton doing?

I can only guess he saw Ryan’s car from upstairs and ran down, hoping to intercept him.

widen even further when Ryan pulls up into the driveway. Ryan’s eyes are

where Easton’s looking, a look

brain does the calculations as fast as

Smart one, remember?

be grounded for life if

clearly ready to kick Easton’s ass. “See, I told you Ryan wouldn’t take long grabbing his assignment

she’d keep him all day. You never know how

back of his neck and squeezes. “And leave my best friend alone with my sister? The one I trust most in this world? The guy who swore to be my right-hand man during

so ridiculous, then again, we‘re all screwed if

me that Ryan wasn’t

even closer. “You know me when I love someone, it goes

use the L-word.” Ryan spits. At this point, they’re joined in this weird angry bro hug, both

It’s weird as hell.

way my parents are going

we don’t

his charm works on everyone. “We love

Easton smirks..

for him. I take one look at Ryan’s face and

a step toward them, his eyes darting between the guys. “How didn’t you hear someone outside last night? What the heck were you boys doing last night. Do you even know who would

while Easton smirks and follows it

I inwardly groan.

poke