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.

take a deep breath. It opens, because of course it does. Leigh is holding it open with a glass of wine in hand, she’s wearing a crop top that leaves nothing to the imagination

and over again because you

my jeep and look behind me just in case, not that anyone was following me but I’m suddenly extremely paranoid for some reason as I walk toward

her wine, meanwhile I want to

holds her door

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

03

girlfriend?” She

want to vomit. “Good, thanks for asking.” I

She opens the door

The fire roars in the fireplace and two bottles of wine are set on the kitchen table with an empty glass

kitchen counter and grab the wine,

long,

rob someone for it with the way she’s looking at

gunshot to the head

ring. I literally want to yell midlife crisis, instead I look away and drink more wine. “You wanna go into

assault me to the point where it’s

I truly

Really.

Love.

Her.

to play me and my friends. The more I think about it, the more pissed

“Kiss me,” Leigh says.

kiss you and

shugs. “Sure,

Do you need me to make you feel young 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

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

gotten huge so maybe that’s

again. “Easton,

I’m not man enough for you, maybe I should just

my shirt and rips it on

I stare at her.

see a

loop of me fucking her