You’re Mine by Penny Brooks

Chapter 125

Harper

"It would be so much easier if I still didn't feel like shit!"

I throw myself onto my bed as Sadie paces back and forth as if that's going to help the trauma of the day. Why can't things be easier?

I do love him. I do. I just feel betrayed. Hurt.

And exhausted, quite honestly, I could nap for ten days and probably still not feel rested.

Maybe it's the fact that I was so sick and jumped right back into school, the trauma of my mom finding us, or feeling guilty over not telling my parents about the love of my life.

Wow, take your pick.

"He's an asshole,’ she finally says. "Let him sweat it out a bit."

“Would you?"

I ask. "Let Ryan sweat it out?

Or would you communicate?

Hear him out?

Be mature?

I don't even know what I want to do. One minute, I want to run Easton over, the next I want to hold him and never let go.

He's mine, Sadie. Mine. I love him. I just...I don't understand this side of him. The one that's still holding back, the one that's afraid.”

She sighs. “Love is scary, babe. No matter how young or old you are.

It has no prejudices, it is what it is. One day, it cuts you so deep you think you might bleed out, the next day you wonder how you ever lived without that feeling.

you live in it because on those good days, the really good fucking days, you

more second without that person holding your

other, you'll get through it, fight for it, and come

hands. “He's dead

help it, and then I burst into tears again. "I'm sorry, I'm

I was sick, and I feel so much

true

myself. Sadie tilts her head. "Blake seemed extra friendly today.

shrug. "He was pretty tame.

let him because honestly everyone else

"Was he nice?"

"For Blake, I mean, since all the

was. We had

barely flirted and it at least distracted

still think

"Yeah."

can't put my finger on it. "Maybe. I don't

"Blake?"

to my laptop and open it. "Let me just send this

sounds at my door.

himself in. "Hey, beautiful, mind if I borrow you real

Sadie

shoves him. "Nope, wait, you're

just say right here and right now, you both need to listen to the reason. Yes, I knew, blah, blah, blah, you all want to murder

on you. Besides, if he did, I'd cheerfully

fill my eyes. "Thanks,

“Anytime.”

grabs Sadie's arm and pulls her out of my room, leaving me alone with

deep breath and get on

And then I type.

we need to

if I overreacted or if I'm just letting life kick my ass, but I miss you. I don't want to break up,

text you, so I at least thought I could email and let you know that no matter

And I'm still yours.