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.

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

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

my last moment on this earth since I’m touching her in front of Ryan-and pull her against my chest, thankful that both parents are

instantly

I hold her tight.

can go

clench her tighter, whispering in

would do

she cries. I want to go back into that house and

me. So, I gently pull away and kiss her on the

at Ryan. “I

“No promises,” Ryan seethes.

me on the cheek and goes inside. Like an idiot, my hand goes to the spot on my cheek she

hard shove comes from

stumble onto the pavement, nearly

“Grab a

grab a brush. “So, we aren’t talking

cans of paint. “If I talk about it, I might actually go to prison, so

“We should.”

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

that he looks sad kills

one of the cans of paint into the tray. “You probably won’t believe me, but I

for the first time, really looks at me. “How did you not know

and by the time I realized it was Harper, I was already too far

“Holy shit, did you just go all poetic about my fucking

he’s right. “No,

dips his roller into the

want to say yeah, a handful of tits, ass, and every other

ass, it’s us finding out who did this shit to your garage. It has to be Aisha, she’s been all

“What makes you think it wasn’t

mode, it didn’t help that Harper and I took off or kissed or…” I realize

“Maybe.” Ryan is silent.

This sucks.

don’t want to lose

I don’t want to lose

We work in silence.

comes back outside with coffee and some breakfast burritos, then goes back inside