You’re Mine by Penny Brooks

Chapter 58

Easton

My best friend wants to murder me and stand over my bleeding corpse, smiling and kicking until I breathe my last breath.

Actually, I wouldn’t be surprised if he actually just grabs a shovel from the garage in a vain attempt to knock me out and bury me in his backyard next to the tree we carved our initials in.

Huh, how fucking poetic.

I walk behind him, angry that it’s come to this but also angry that he can’t see how much I care for Harper.

worst and has it out for Harper. The look she gave us yesterday is burned into my mind. She’s officially taken it too far.

“Grab a roller,” Ryan barks.

I grab one of the rollers.

He’s silent. He grabs two cans of white paint, a tray, and some plastic. I grab another brush and one more roller, then follow him out of the garage.

Harper is standing in front of it in tears.

“Harper.” It comes out harsher than I would have liked. “We’ll take care of it, just go inside.”

She crosses her arms over her chest like she’s embarrassed.

Does she regret last night and this morning?

Shit, we had sex at least three times, or was that four?

I was kind of rough with her the last time.

Maybe she feels like a whore now?

Clearly the words on the garage could have been written at a better time.

Shit.

I’m not used to feeling insecure. I want to go comfort her, but I figure Ryan and I need to talk before I touch her.

Ryan sets the paint down and curses. “Easton’s right, go inside, call Sadie or something, eat chocolate, do what girls do when they’re sad.”

“You should know what girls do when they’re sad.” It’s like I can’t stop myself from saying these things.

now, Easton.” He doesn’t even look at me. “Harper, we’ll figure

hell not to stare after the perfect ass I sunk my teeth into last night and

for the front door. I spin her around-possibly my last moment on this earth since I’m touching her in front

relaxes instantly

I hold her tight.

can go fuck

to sob as I clench her tighter, whispering in her ear. “We’ll figure it

would do

her eyes, damn she’s so pretty, even when she cries. I want to go back into that house and lay in bed with her. I want to

me, I think, as much as I need her, but I have an angry brother/best friend behind me. So, I gently pull away and kiss her on the forehead. “He’s right. Go call Sadie and

over my head at Ryan. “I

“No promises,” Ryan seethes.

don’t look too panicked as Harper kisses me on the cheek and goes inside. Like an idiot, my hand goes to the spot on

hard shove

onto the pavement, nearly falling. “What the hell

“Grab a

a brush. “So, we

“If I talk about it, I might actually go to

“We should.”

over the metal lids. “Anyone but her, bro. Why did it have to

he

the cans of paint into the tray.

at me for the first time, really looks at me. “How did

was making out with in the dark, and by the time I realized it was Harper, I was

frowns. “Holy shit, did you just go all poetic

he’s right. “No, I’m just saying,

a simp.” He mocks and dips his

say yeah, a handful of tits, ass, and

I work on my spot on the garage door. “Right now, the most important thing isn’t you kicking my ass, it’s us finding out who did this shit to your garage. It has to be Aisha, she’s

snorts. “What makes you think

or kissed or…” I realize the more I

“Maybe.” Ryan is silent.

This sucks.

don’t want to lose

don’t want

We work in silence.

outside with coffee and some breakfast burritos,