You’re Mine by Penny Brooks

Harper

Easton is pale.

Normally his skin is a healthy tan, his good looks are so ridiculously hot that I want to strangle him then kiss him right afterward.

I'm next to my locker when he walks up, hands shoved into his jeans, posture stiff.

"Sup?"

I snort out a laugh.

"Did you just bro talk me?"

“Huh?"

He scratches his head, completely distracted.

I mimic his movements, then give him a slight shove.

"Yeah okay, bruh, what you wanna do later, dude, wanna hit the pavement, go for a smoke, shoot some hoops and—"

"-Are you high?"

He leans in, and the smell of his cologne has me dizzy with want.

"And why wouldn't you share?"

Flirtatious Easton is back.

The one I'm obsessed with.

The one I need more than anything, despite how frustrated I get with him on a daily basis.

He's mine.

All mine.

I just wish all this bullshit would go away so we could have more time to figure out what we are, how we work, and what this means before graduation.

Ugh.

"Not high."

I wrap my arms around his waist.

"You just seem distant..."

We have at least half the day left before we can go home-—before I can go home with him, even if that means I'm just going to be in the backseat of his super sexy Jeep.

"Yeah okay boomer,"

he jokes.

"I'm fine, I promise."

Our foreheads touch and I forget all about the worries I have as people whistle and pass us as they walk down the hallway.

"I just had a moment.

all this shit is getting really

when what

with a badge, okay so yeah totally a police officer—attached to

by us, her sneer

she know? Is that why he’s acting weird? He doesn't so much as flinch as he

"Have a great day."

Her eyes narrow.

"Girlfriend?"

"Yes,"

and stick out

"My name's Harper."

"How..."

throws on her black

"Lovely for you..."

like it's the time of the month and the world ran out of

the hell was

I say out loud.

but manages a

don't do shit? Hates her job? A woman in a man's world? Take your

spins me toward

"What if we skip?"

"Skip what?"

I frown.

"Life?"

He jokes.

life, but what if we skip the rest of school, run back to our houses, pack, and go to my parents’ cabin

epic things

like this mansion right on the lake and only the most

used to have serious envy when Ryan would go because

he wants me

I ask.

“Over my dead body."

appears, scaring the

is leaning against his side, her head

they are moving weirdly fast if they're

sounded

cringe and look toward

leave you out.” Easton bumps fists with

in? Should we just

Ryan snorts.

get to write you an excuse

talking and

mean, it might

bother him as much as they do me as he looks down

hours, then leave? We can

do it.”

some alone

down at

I make a face.

of you.” Ryan rolls

EARPLUGS and I wink

Sadie jokes.