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 thoughts, and I rush up from my

to focus on, and both happen to be parked in my driveaway the second I pull

“Surprised you invited him,"

nodding toward

an

between them, glancing at both of

tired of this shit and none of us are leaving this

open and each of

follow behind and

"Beer?"

the one

to need vodka for

him a

you didn't do

second we're all sitting

I shake my head.

I swear I

the same story I told Harper and I explain

fucked her since last

to Harper.” I

do that to

"Mrs.

has a lot of shit on all of

nods at me, and

connection to Leigh has benefited the guys the same

them, I drop a tip under her fingers, and it's

know,”

has reached out to me yet, I have no

coming my way very soon.” "That's an

Blake says.

head whips in his

Ryan takes a sip and hands me the bottle, chugging a few gulps before I say, "We've been

want this shit

Today.

can't keep fighting you every

his back into the

I turn my back, trying to be her fucking knight in shining

Blake replies.

My fingers clench.

"Stop with the lies.

her, I know

fight you anymore, but you have to promise me you're going to lay off.” "It sounds like

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