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.

of the bell pulls me out of my

both happen to be parked in my driveaway the second I pull up

“Surprised you invited him,"

nodding

just as angry at the cocksucker, but for an entirely different reason—a reason I'm going to address

between them, glancing at both of

shit and none of us are leaving this

hold the door open and each of them

follow behind and

"Beer?"

Blake answers, and catches the one I toss

I'm going to need

him a bottle that we'll

didn't

second we're all sitting on

I shake my head.

I

the same story I told Harper and I explain everything that

fucked her since last

do that to

wouldn't do

"Mrs.

lot of shit on

nods at me,

that going to come out?” My connection to Leigh has benefited the guys

I've needed something for them, I drop a tip under her fingers, and it's gotten them

don't know,”

has reached out to me yet, I have no idea what she’s told

very soon.” "That's an in

Blake says.

whips in

sip and hands me the bottle, chugging a few gulps before I say, "We've been friends for a long

this

Today.

every

pushes his back into the couch and crosses

from me, Easton?” "All this bullshit with Harper, appearing next to her every time I turn my back, trying to be her

Blake replies.

My fingers clench.

"Stop with the lies.

her, I know you're fucking crazy

to give you my word that I won't try to fight you anymore, but you have to promise me you're going to

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