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?"

from her, wanting so badly to

just stares at me with

been crying, the thought breaking

is pick her up and wrap her in my arms and fill her with

you think you've done enough

to him, not wasting a fucking breath on that cocksucker, but I've had enough of his relentless

to say this

I tell him.

and my girl again, I won't stop

bone in

arm slips across Harper's

your

clench into fists, my patience running so

or I'm going to start swinging.” He

he's gone, I say in a softer voice, "Please talk to me.” She takes several seconds to respond, "I

What you did ..."

her eyes filling, “it

You cheated—"

"No.

I didn't.

not what happened

her and stop myself, knowing she'll back

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

hesitation, I add, "You always ask for communication and transparency and that's what I'm going to give you, just give

means we only have

get detention if I'm

she says.

next to her, placing my hand on

go.” She's quiet as we hurry down the hall and up the three flights of stairs to a padlocked

ask you how you knew that code, but

she says.

ledge that wraps around the

she's settled

going to tell you everything and I swear every word of

"Okay."

"Leigh—"

myself, shaking my

and I started flirting last

innocent conversation, and she would help me out