You’re Mine by Penny Brooks

Easton I

t's finally the last period of the day—a day that hasn't wanted to fucking end—and the teacher is writing on the board, giving me a chance to slip out my phone and shoot off some texts.

For hours I've been thinking about how I should talk to the guys about this, how I should bring us all together, and only one way makes sense.

To be straight up with them.

I check to make sure the coast is still clear, the teacher rattling off about some shit, and I start typing.

Me: Come to my house after school.

Blake: Should I bring my boxing gloves? Me: Unless you plan on mouthing off and not listening to a goddamn thing I have to say.

Blake: What do you have to say? I already know how much of an asshole you are.

Me: Just be there, dickhead.

I open the last text Ryan sent me and I type out a message to him.

Me: After school, my house.

Be there.

Ryan: I should knock your ass out for that stunt you pulled in the hallway.

That conversation we were having is far from over.

Me: It'll continue after school.

Ryan: I know.

I put my phone away and try to focus on the teacher, but I don't hear a word she's saying.

That's how the whole day has gone—waiting to get called into the office, zoning out as I think of my talk with Harper, relieved as hell that I didn't lose her, ignoring every motherfucker in the hallway who has a smart remark about my situation with Leigh.

None of the Mrs.

Scott pettiness the students are barking at me really bothers me.

They can say whatever they want, I slept with a married woman who's more than twenty years older than me, and I would have slept with her again if she hadn't cut things off.

It's definitely not the worst thing I've done.

I just don't like that the students assume I fucked her while I've been with Harper.

Out of all this, that’s the only thing that eats at me and the reason it hurts is because I know how much it kills Harper.

It makes her feel betrayed and that's the last thing I want.

out of my thoughts, and

are two situations I need to focus on, and both happen to be parked in my driveaway

“Surprised you invited him,"

nodding toward

an entirely different reason—a reason I'm

them, glancing at both of their

shit and none of us are leaving this house

hold the door open and each

and

"Beer?"

and catches the

going to need

hand him a bottle

you didn't

we're all sitting on the

I shake my head.

I swear

told Harper and

haven't fucked her since last

that to Harper.” I stare

I wouldn't do that

"Mrs.

has a lot of shit on all

at me, and then

to Leigh has benefited the guys the same way

I drop a tip under her fingers,

know,”

has reached out to me yet, I have no idea

my way very

Blake says.

whips in

Harper.” Ryan takes a sip and hands me the bottle, chugging a few gulps before I

want this shit

Today.

fighting you every time I lay eyes

into the couch and crosses his

this bullshit with Harper, appearing next to her every time I turn my back, trying to be her fucking knight in

Blake replies.

My fingers clench.

"Stop with the lies.

I know you're fucking crazy about

to fight you anymore, but you have to promise me you're going to lay off.” "It sounds like you're asking me to stop being her friend—

Pauses to take a drink, the motherfucker not even able to admit the truth when it's staring him right