You’re Mine by Penny Brooks

Easton

"I kept your secret, you motherfucker,"

Ryan spits at me, stopping me when I'm halfway down the hallway, my eyes glued to Harper and the way Blake is fondling her.

I try to ignore Ryan and move out of the way, but he stops me again and says, “Nice try, asshole."

He's in my face, making it impossible to focus on anything but him.

"You have some explaining to do before I'm done with you."

“What do you want, Ryan, I need—"

"I didn't tell Harper that you fucked Mrs.

Scott.

I saved your ass, I don’t know why I even bothered, but now you owe me some fucking answers.

If you're still hooking up with her, then what the hell are you doing with my sister?” As students pass us, I can feel their eyes on me, judging me for WHGOSSIP's post and probably thinking Ryan is defending his sister's honor.

I guess I deserve that.

But at least Ryan is keeping his voice low, preventing anyone from hearing what he’s saying except for me.

"I promise I'll explain everything to you, but I need to talk to Harper first.” “Nah.” He shakes his head.

"You're not getting anywhere near her unless you answer me."

I grind my teeth together, knowing every second I'm standing here, Blake's hands are touching more of Harper.

"I didn't fuck her, I swear on my life.

Now, I'm going to go talk to your sister and explain everything."

This time, he doesn't get in my way, and I rush down the rest of the hallway, glaring at Blake.

That vulture likes to prey on the weak and vulnerable—I'm sure that's how Harper is feeling at this moment.

When I got to school a few minutes ago and immediately started looking for her, I expected him to be with her, so this isn’t a surprise at all.

“Harper, can I talk to you?"

only inches away from her, wanting so badly to

she just stares

she's been crying, the

up and wrap her in my arms and fill her

you think you've done

wasting a fucking breath on that cocksucker, but I've had enough of his

to say

I tell him.

my girl again, I won't stop at

break every bone in

slips across

she's your

into fists, my patience running

warning you, leave now or I'm going to start swinging.” He

softer voice, "Please talk to me.” She takes several seconds to respond, "I don't know what to say,

What you did ..."

breath, her eyes filling, “it hurts

You cheated—"

"No.

I didn't.

what happened at

grab her and stop myself, knowing she'll back away

tell you the whole story and I can't go another second without

transparency and

have a few minutes to

detention if

she says.

I move next to her, placing

let's go.” She's quiet as we hurry down the hall and up the three flights of stairs to a padlocked door where I turn the wheel several different ways until it opens, stepping

that code, but I don't think I really want

she says.

the side, along the ledge that wraps around the air conditioning unit, giving us a perfect place to

until she's

to tell you everything and I swear every word of it is

"Okay."

"Leigh—"

shaking my head,

and I started

and she would help me out when I needed