You’re Mine by Penny Brooks

Easton We're not really cleaning up much out here.

More like the three of us are shooting the shit and talking about taking the boat out with the girls before we head home.

Occasionally, we'll toss a chair cushion back on the couch and pick up the beer bottles and cans we left scattered on the tables from last night, throwing them all away in the discrete trash can that sits nearby.

The back door suddenly swings open and Aisha bursts outside, screaming like she's being chased by a serial killer with Sadie following after her, that serious expression on her face telling me she's intent on murdering her, just as she promised.

"Blake, oh my God, tell her to stop!"

Aisha yells as she runs into his arms, panting like she's just ran ten miles.

He holds her close, rubbing her back as he glares at Sadie.

“What the fuck is your problem?” "Don't talk to her like that,"

Ryan interjects, defending his girl.

Aw, so sweet.

Though we've got no time for sentiment right now.

"Sadie, what happened?"

I ask as Ryan goes to her and wraps his arms around her, pulling her close and glaring at Blake and Aisha.

"She's a complete bitch,"

Sadie practically snarls, pointing at Aisha.

"Talking so much shit to us, yet acting like an innocent angel for you guys.

Don't fall for her lies, Blake—she's a psycho!"

Damn.

If anyone is acting like a psycho right now...

I hate to say it, but Sadie is borderline hysterical.

"I'm the psycho?"

Aisha turns in Blake's arms, her back to his front as she rests her hand on her chest.

"You're the one who's chasing me with a knife!” Sadie glances down at her empty hands before holding them out in front of her.

"I don't have a knife, you fucking whore bag.” "Hey, no need for name calling,” Blake says fiercely.

"We can talk about this like reasonable adults."

She's accusing me of chasing her with a knife when I never even had one! What the hell are you talking

tears and Ryan tucks her close to him, rubbing her back as he whispers to

he's trying

expression on

make Sadie look like she's out

Such a manipulative bitch.

open doorway, rubbing her ass with a pained expression on

"Everything okay out here?"

rush toward her, crowding her in the doorway, my

"Are you okay?"

I rest my hand on

"Landed on my butt."

you mean, you

a contrite

so sorry I pushed

I didn't mean to.

my own strength

hell? Sadie pushed Harper? Maybe Aisha

Sadie is the

“It's no big deal,"

out to grab Sadie’s hand and give

"I'm fine.

on that cold tile

over

is yelling

is yelling at

asking her to tell

a witness to the chaos that

Smug bitch.

"Okay, that's it.

We're done,"

announce loudly,

up

going out on

but I shut him up with

hurt your feelings.” Aisha says, her eyes wide and her lips formed

if she's the innocent

"Fuck off,"

and heads straight into the house, Ryan

going to our room to

Harper tells me.

cheek and pat her

“Go on in, babe.