You’re Mine by Penny Brooks

Chapter 69

Harper

Sadie and I are still chatting in the living room when we hear car engines pulling into the driveway. Then the slamming of car doors.

Sadie’s eyes widen and she turns toward the window that faces the front of the house. “Oh shit. Your brother’s here.” She hesitates. “And he brought Easton with him.”

My heart skips a beat. I’m both excited and angry, which is not a normal combination for me to experience. I want to see Easton, but I’m also still really mad at him for ditching me

for Ryan. I know they’re best friends but…

I jump to my feet at the same time the front door bangs open and Ryan and Easton walk

They’re angry. I can feel it radiate from the both of them, see it written all over their faces. And it’s super intimidating. They’re both so big and broad, their expressions fierce, jaws clenched, mouths grim.

Sadie remains frozen on the loveseat, as if she’s afraid to move and I stand there in front of the both of them, ready to face them down.

They don’t scare me.

Well, not really

“Where the hell were you?” I ask with way more bravado than I’m feeling, my gaze on

Easton.

Ryan takes a step toward me. “Harp, you need to sit down. We have to tell you something.”

“Blake did it,” Easton says without hesitation.

Ryan sends Easton an irritated look. “Nice. Real smooth.”

frown, confused.

was Blake.” Easton reaches behind him, pulling his phone out

again and again, taking a step backward. Then another one, like! need the distance. “No. No way. I don’t believe

Easton’s voice is grim as he thrusts the phone into

make out what

paint cans. All black. In the back of Blake’s car. He fucking did

who looks as horrified

it was his before I went inside because I was

went to him. He wanted me to

me. Sweet. I’m sure he was disappointed about

did it all” Easton continues. “The locker. The cars. The garage door. He’s responsible for all of it and I’m

she’s in class, and Easton goes silent. “The locker and

the hell are

you call it. It’s the paint they use for windows and whatever on game days,”

mean washable paint?”

the cars were painted with

two people are responsible

stuff at school wasn’t brave

at school, so that washable paint shit was readily available,” Easton says. “Aisha didn’t do this. This

think Sadie’s on to something,” Ryan says carefully. “Maybe it

has that many enemies? Bullshit,”

talked to anyone. I keep to myself. And now there are people at school who actually hate me? Enough to vandalize my locker and my brother’s car and

absolutely

one person who hates me that

all Aisha,” I announce. “That bitch hates my guts. She confronted me in the hallway today and

Blake share a meaningful look but otherwise say

hell was

Sadie noticed