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.

It simply exists and you live in it because on those

can't imagine breathing one more second without that person holding your hand

all sucks, I know if you really love each other, you'll

her hands. “He's dead

I can't help it, and then I burst into

sick, and I feel so much pressure over finals and

true crime story ready to

head. "Blake

shrug. "He was pretty tame.

else

"Was he nice?"

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

We had

least distracted me for nearly an

"I still think something's

"Yeah."

wondering what exactly is off because I can't put my finger on it. "Maybe. I don't know. Either way,

"Blake?"

I say, then rush to my laptop and

sounds at my door.

lets himself in. "Hey, beautiful, mind

kisses Sadie on the

him. "Nope, wait, you're friends

knew, blah, blah, blah, you all want to murder me, who

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

fill my

“Anytime.”

arm and pulls her out of my room, leaving me alone with my laptop

a deep breath and get on

And then I type.

know we need

but I miss you. I don't want to break up, I

at least thought I could email and let you know that no

And I'm still yours.