You’re Mine by Penny Brooks

Chapter 116

Easton

“Let's hang out, '

Ryan says to me at lunch the next day. Harper is still at home sick. I think she’s even worse today. The fever is gone but she's coughing like crazy and can’t stop blowing her nose. It was risky, kissing her yesterday. Spending time with her, but damn it, a cold is worth being able to see my girlfriend, even if it’s just for a little while. “What are you thinking? '

I ask him. The cafeteria is packed with people since it’s raining outside, and the aroma in this place is kind of awful. Smells like a combo of greasy food and smelly feet. Makes me a little queasy. “Let’s go grab a pizza when school’s over. Maybe go to your house and play some pool. Catch up without the girls always around? '

“Sounds go— '

“What are you whores planning? '

We both glance up to find Blake standing by our table, his expression easy going. As if he hasn't just screwed us over in an endless amount of ways over the last couple of months. Yes, he’s one of my oldest friends. No, I still don’t trust him. Anyone who willingly spends time with Aisha has to be given serious side eye. But how does that old saying go? Keep your friends close and your enemies closer? Yeah, that’s what I'm trying to do. “Nothing, '

Ryan answers too quickly, his expression guilty as hell. “We're gonna go grab some pizza after school, '

I say, leaning back in my chair. As casual as ever. “Want to come with? '

Blake shrugs, ignoring Ryan. “Sure. Sounds good. '

“Probably head to my house after we're done and play some pool. Or just hang out, '

I continue. “All right. '

Blake nods. “Meet you in the parking lot after seventh period? '

“Perfect. '

We slap hands in a complicated ritual we made up when we were fifteen and stupid and then he’ s out. “What the fuck, Easton? Why did you invite that asshole? '

voice rising. “Because that asshole

“Yeah and now you think he’s a complete dickwad who's planning our demise with

makes a face. “You don’t

“Nope, I don't. '

him to hang out

pick his brain. Figure out what his motives are and where

don’t want to understand him.

narrow. “Fuck

Just...go along with me.

pizza in town. Once we make our orders, we get our drinks and find a booth to

we're settled in. “Me either,

we could've ordered

glass full of Pepsi like it’s full of poison.

can have a

guys invited me,

his expression oddly sincere. “I've missed

“Really? '

you were too busy with Aisha to miss

was kind of nasty at the lake house—

“Kind of? '

fucking awful. But she’ s damaged goods, man. And that storm fucked her up but good. Made

making a tsking noise. “I don't want to

say, hating the misery coursing through my blood. Those memories are best left behind me. “And I really

who brought her up

to figure out if you're still a friend to us, or are you planning on digging up information from us and reporting to

throws back at him.

breath, already regretting my choice to invite Blake. “Shut

“Hey boys. '