You’re Mine by Penny Brooks

Easton

The dinner with my parents started out like a total shit show, but at least ended on a positive note.

Once we moved past the local news reporting on me and Leigh—like what the actual fuck—-Mom called us into the dining room where she had a huge spread of food laid out in dishes like she made it.

I know for a fact she’s too damn busy to cook and ordered everything from her favorite Italian restaurant, but I never said a word.

Neither did Mom.

In fact, she basked in Harper's lavish praise about the delicious meal and pretended to be modest.

Like her "making"

dinner was no big deal.

Whatever.

If Mom wants Harper to think she’s an expert on Italian cuisine, I don't care.

We hung out for a while after dinner at the table, making small talk, my parents asking Harper an endless string of questions.

She answered every one of them like a champ, never letting her poise slip in front of them.

Damn, she made me proud.

I walked her out to Ryan's car and I climb inside with her, kissing her for a solid thirty minutes before she finally, reluctantly left.

I went to bed with a smile on my face.

Still was wearing that smile when I walked into school this morning.

And then during first period, I got called into the principal's office.

The moment I walked inside, the serious expressions on everyone's face—and there are at least five people crammed into the office, two of them I don't recognize—sends a spiral of dread through me.

"Easton.

Sit down."

Principal Jenkins indicates the empty chair in front of his desk.

I settle in, glancing around.

"What's this about?"

"These detectives here would like to speak to you."

Jenkins waves his hand toward the man and woman I don't recognize.

"About the—incident between you and Mrs.

Scott."

I keep my face completely neutral.

"What incident?"

allegations that have been made in regards

involved with Mrs.

Scott."

Jenkins actually squirms in his

about, and of course we'll leave you alone with the detectives so you can speak freely "There's

my heartbeat

detectives' direction and I can tell

Well tough shit.

to talk to them and turn this

deny

Jenkins frowns.

do you mean, young

mean what

Nothing happened between Mrs.

and I.” I sit up straighter, rendering

helped me out by having me work on a couple of rough drafts for my college

college websites together, but that's it.” Jenkins openly sneers, like he just sniffed someone's

"You were at Mrs.

Scott's house?"

“Yeah.

was that one night, upstairs asleep

on the up

counselor's house in the evening, but that’s about as inappropriate

Scott and I."

"Really."

female detective's flat tone tells me

the only smart one

"Yeah."

her gaze, never

"Really."

"Well."

clears his throat, resting his clutched hands on top of his

"I see.

That changes everything."

I stress, glancing around the room so I can

confessing Iwas inappropriately touched or whatever the

I wanted it.

it happen between Leigh and

time, but I don't need any more trouble

I'm over it.

Done.

"Are you sure, son?"

his

the overly concerned, father—figure

"I'm positive,"

matching his tone of

sound like the prodigal

smile of satisfaction indicating me

detectives, who look