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,

just stares at

that tell me she's been crying, the

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

don't 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

going to say this

I tell him.

you get in between me and my girl again, I

bone in

arm slips

she's your

hands clench into fists, my

I'm going

gone, I say in a softer voice, "Please talk to me.” She takes

What you did ..."

pauses to take a deep breath, her eyes filling, “it hurts in

You cheated—"

"No.

I didn't.

what happened

her and stop myself, knowing she'll back away

want to tell you the whole story and I can't go another

"You always ask for communication and transparency and that's

which means we only have a few minutes to

detention if I'm

she says.

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

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

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

she says.

the ledge that wraps around the air conditioning unit, giving us a perfect

she's settled

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

"Okay."

"Leigh—"

my head, “I mean,

I started

just innocent conversation, and she would help me out when I