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.

exists and you live in it because on those good days, the really good fucking days, you can't imagine waking up without

one more second without that person holding your hand and standing by your

other, you'll get through it, fight for it, and come out on the other side.

her hands. “He's dead

can't help it, and then I burst into tears again. "I'm sorry,

I was sick, and I

like a true crime story ready to

head. "Blake

was pretty tame.

to be my partner in gym. I let him because honestly everyone else was pairing up while I was throwing a pity party and he

"Was he nice?"

her fingernails. "For Blake, I mean, since all

We had

distracted me for nearly an

still think something's

"Yeah."

exactly is off because I can't put my finger on it. "Maybe. I don't know. Either way, it was a horrible day and I hate that I

"Blake?"

I say, then rush to my laptop and open it. "Let me just

at

beautiful, mind if

kisses Sadie on

you're friends with the devil.“ He rolls his

right now, you both need to listen to the reason. Yes, I knew, blah, blah, blah, you all

"He loves you. He would never cheat on you. Besides, if he did, I'd cheerfully kill him and go to

my

“Anytime.”

my room, leaving me alone with my

take a deep breath and

And then I type.

we need

ass, but I

to do and how things got so complicated so fast, but... can't text you, so I at least

And I'm still yours.