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.

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 a pair of low slung

cougar you fuck over and over again because you get bragging rights, but now? I

jeep and look behind me just in case, not that anyone was following me but I’m suddenly extremely paranoid

a sip of her wine, meanwhile I want

She holds

hands into my jeans. “Yeah well, I

03

girlfriend?” She

“Good, thanks for asking.” I force a smile “Gonna

She opens

candles lit around her small living room. The fire roars in the fireplace and two bottles of wine are set on

toward the kitchen counter and grab the wine, pouring it into

take a long, hard sip. Fuck,

someone for it with the

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

on is her belly ring. I literally want to yell midlife crisis, instead I look away and drink more

Harper in the hot tub assault me to the point where

I truly

Really.

Love.

Her.

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

“Kiss me,” Leigh says.

you and this

fucking shugs. “Sure, why

I let out a bitter laugh. “How many guys in our school do you do this with, huh? 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?

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

so maybe that’s why you need to

me again. “Easton, I’m

“Maybe I’m not man

She grabs my shirt and rips it on

I stare at her.

see a painful

of me fucking her in order to