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

stares at me with

that tell me she's been crying,

want to do is pick her up and wrap her

think

no intentions of saying anything to him, not wasting a fucking breath on that cocksucker, but I've had enough of his relentless attempts of making

to say this

I tell him.

you get in between me and my

bone in

arm slips

your

hands clench into fists, my patience running

now or I'm going to start swinging.” He

need me—for anything—you know where to find me.” Once he's gone, I say in a softer voice, "Please talk to

What you did ..."

take a deep breath, her eyes filling, “it hurts in ways you can't even

You cheated—"

"No.

I didn't.

not what happened

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

talk? I want to tell you the whole story and I

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

we only have a few minutes to get to

get detention if

she says.

to her,

flights of stairs to a padlocked door where I turn the wheel several different ways until it opens, stepping us out onto

how you knew that code, but I don't think I really want that

she says.

of replying, I lead us to the side, along the ledge that wraps around the air conditioning unit, giving

until she's settled and facing

to tell you everything and I swear every word of it

"Okay."

"Leigh—"

stop myself, shaking my head, “I

I started

as just innocent conversation, and she would help me out