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.

He doesn’t even look at me. “Harper, we’ll figure it out,

gives us both one last tear-filled look, then slowly walks toward the door. I fight like hell not to stare after the perfect ass I sunk my teeth into last night and nearly fail as

move toward her. Harper’s right hand reaches for the front door. I spin her around-possibly my last moment on this earth since I’m touching her in front of Ryan-and pull her against my chest, thankful

instantly against

I hold her tight.

go

whispering in her ear. “We’ll

who would

who aren’t so happy right now.” I pull back and wipe the tears from beneath her eyes, damn she’s so pretty, even when she cries. I want to go back into that house and lay in bed with

need her, but I have an angry brother/best friend behind me. So, I gently pull away and kiss her

then looks over my head at Ryan. “I like him, please don’t

“No promises,” Ryan seethes.

the cheek and goes inside. Like

shove comes from

the pavement, nearly falling.

“Grab

and grab a brush. “So, we aren’t talking about

“If I talk about it, I might actually go to prison, so no, we aren’t talking

“We should.”

lids. “Anyone but her, bro.

fact that he looks sad kills

into the tray. “You probably won’t believe me, but I didn’t know it was

looks at me. “How did you

and by the time I realized

did you just go all poetic about my fucking sister right

“No, I’m just

simp.” He mocks and dips his

to say yeah, a handful of tits, ass, and

you kicking my ass, it’s us finding out who did this shit to

snorts. “What makes you think

and I took off or kissed or…” I

“Maybe.” Ryan is silent.

This sucks.

don’t want to lose my

want

We work in silence.

breakfast burritos, then goes back inside without