You’re Mine by Penny Brooks

Chapter 78

Easton

I’m shit.

Like actual shit on shit, the worst shit, fuckkkkkkkk.

My palms are actually sweating as I grip the steering wheel and head over to Leigh’s house.

She didn’t just send me horrible text threats, she called seven times, which is the last thing you want when you’re trying to open up to your girlfriend basically saying, “hey no worries I’ve changed,” only to leave her and go to the guidance counselor slash admin you used to fuck and repeat history. Originally she said she needed a favor, code word for she wants the high school senior to bend her over against her office chair until she’s hoarse from screaming.

| snort, yeah, a favor, she said the same thing in her texts tonight, hey can you do me a favor?

Code yet again.

I know what Leigh wants.

I know she’s going to use any information she has on us.

And I want to actually run my Jeep into the next brick building I see.

I don’t want her anymore. Funny how the minute you have something good, the universe is like yeah just wait for it, I’ll fuck with you. You’re in love? Cool, let’s bring in some hate or competition, or even better, let’s make sure your entire life is over if you don’t do xyz.

I’m sick the entire drive to her house.

| almost turn around a dozen times, maybe if Harper questioned me I would have, instead my phone is silent, my car is like death as rain starts to pound against my windshield.

It takes me maybe fifteen minutes to get to her house, it’s in a nice subdivision five blocks over from Harper’s house. The white and black split level house stares me down as I park.

I suddenly hate doors that are white and have fall decorations.

I hate them.

I know what’s behind that door, maybe that’s why.

Or maybe I suddenly have a conscience, either way, I’m not happy to be here and in the past the only reason I even came here was to get good grades or because it was taboo.

Not feeling that way right now, no. I’m feeling cheap and disgusted and like a total liar.

Leigh is holding it open with a glass of wine in

over again because you

in case, not that anyone was following me

her wine, meanwhile

She holds

and shove my hands into my jeans. “Yeah well, I didn’t really

03

girlfriend?”

“Good, thanks for asking.” I force a

She opens the

in the fireplace and two bottles

the kitchen counter and grab

spill over, then take a long, hard sip. Fuck, I would murder someone for weed right

rob someone for it

front door closing feels like a gunshot to the head as I try

is her belly ring. I literally want to yell midlife crisis, instead I

assault me to the point where it’s hard to breathe.

I truly

Really.

Love.

Her.

using her authority as a way to play me and my friends. The more I think about it, the more pissed I get as she walks toward me and takes my wine glass out of

“Kiss me,” Leigh says.

kiss you and this all

shugs. “Sure,

again, Leigh?” I draw out her name and am basically in her face. “Or is this about men your age not getting you off, say where is that husband of yours anyway? Drunk off his ass at some

• “Well …” I’ve clearly lost my mind as I peer around her and shrug. “Looks like your ass

huge so maybe that’s why you

me again. “Easton, I’m

I.” I grin. “Maybe I’m not man enough for

playing games.” She grabs my shirt and rips it on the sleeve.

I stare at her.

a painful

see a constant loop of me fucking her in order to