You’re Mine by Penny Brooks

Chapter 73

Harper

Easton is forgiven.

I know that apology wasn’t easy for him-he’s not the type to ever say I’m sorry-and neither was accepting the fact that he needs to communicate. But I’m pretty sure I got my point across and that was my hope.

My other hope is that he doesn’t kill Blake and I’m doing everything I can to make sure he doesn’t

Except the moment I come out of my fourth period class, I fail.

Blake is standing directly outside the door, waiting for me to join him. I can tell he wants to chat, that shouldn’t be that big of a deal. We are friends – aren’t we? Or we were before the chaos erupted. Maybe we can be friends again once things cool down and the

guys realize it wasn’t Blake who spray painted our garage.

But, at this very moment, Blake is fire.

And the best thing I can do is stay far, far away from him.

Except he’s making that impossible, moving beside me the moment I step into the hallway. I dart to the right, trying to avoid him, and he slides in the same direction. A simple shift to the left and it happens again.

“I’m a much better dancer when there’s music playing,” he jokes.

| smile, I can’t help it. He’s goofy, but sweet at the same time. “Hey, Blake.” I take a deep breath, thinking of what to say. “I have to run, I have to talk to my teacher about an assignment before class.”

“I’m headed in the same direction, I’ll walk you there.” He gently touches my shoulder, leaving his fingers there as we take our first steps. “I’ve been wanting to talk to you about your house and the spray paint. That’s why I came over that morning the second I heard the news, I wanted to make sure you were okay, but Ryan said you were at Easton’s.”

I recount the moment he’s talking about, knowing very well I was home, and Easton was with me, and Ryan shooed Blake away so Easton didn’t kill him.

“There’s so many rumors going around school about it,” he continues. “I want you to know I’m sorry. I hate that this is happening to you, you don’t deserve it.”

There’s sincerity in his voice, his eyes so soft and sympathetic.

Because he had some silly, so called evidence in his trunk that could have been used

Whore still stings as I reply. “It sucks, Blake. Someone is trying to hurt me, and I don’t understand why … but it’s

me realize his

weaving around a few students. “Thank

from getting a good night’s sleep?” He

though Easton took us into the doorway of the classroom, trying to prevent us from having onlookers, I was worried we still did. I’m sure Aisha was somewhere in that crowd too. Wherever Easton is, she

fine,” I assure

hope he has good intentions, you know? I don’t want him to treat you like he treats everyone else. You’re

Lied to?

feeling thumps in

know something I don’t,

his hand through his hair. “Man, I don’t know …” He glances down, like looking at me

“All the time?”

you’re okay with? I mean, I know if roles were reversed, I wouldn’t

All day?

aches from this news, my stomach churning. What if Blake is right, what if

asks and he points toward the left. “There’s some for

He’s standing outside

body starts hurting, tears threatening to rise

how much I hate her, how she’s to blame for everything

he’s still

All day?

damn locker,

girl, I wouldn’t need to talk to anyone else. You would be more

eyes backing up everything he’s saying, and then my gaze returns to Easton. He shuts

when he sees I’m

turn

what he wants to do, and it’s not going