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?"

away from her, wanting so badly to reach

just stares at me with red,

tell me she's been crying, the thought

wrap her in my arms and

you think you've

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

going to say this

I tell him.

in between me and my girl again, I won't stop

bone in your fucking

arm slips across

she's your girl

clench into fists, my patience running

warning you, leave now or I'm going

softer voice, "Please talk to me.” She takes several seconds to respond, "I

What you did ..."

eyes filling, “it hurts in

You cheated—"

"No.

I didn't.

what

go to grab her and stop myself, knowing

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

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

bell rings, which means we only have a few minutes

detention if I'm

she says.

can serve it together.” I move next to her, placing my

three flights of stairs to a padlocked door where

ask you how you knew that code, but I don't

she says.

ledge that wraps around the air conditioning unit, giving us

until she's settled

and I swear every word of it is the

"Okay."

"Leigh—"

shaking my

I started flirting last

innocent conversation, and she would help me out