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 because on those good days,

one more second without that person holding your hand and

all sucks, I know if you really love each other, you'll get through it, fight for it, and come out on the other side. Until

hands. “He's

then I burst into tears again. "I'm sorry, I'm just so

sick, and I feel so much pressure over

true crime story ready

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

"He was pretty tame.

everyone else was pairing up while I was throwing a pity

"Was he nice?"

asks, examining her fingernails. "For Blake, I mean, since

was. We

at least distracted me

"I still think something's off

"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

"Blake?"

I say, then rush to my laptop and open

at my door.

"Hey, beautiful, mind if I borrow you real

kisses Sadie on the

wait, you're friends with the devil.“ He rolls

me 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 me, who runs the world, girls, but for real...he did nothing wrong and

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

fill my eyes.

“Anytime.”

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

deep breath and get on

And then I type.

know we

I miss you. I don't want to

do and how things got so complicated so fast, but... can't text you, so I at least thought I could email and let you know that no matter what, right now, in this moment, you're still

And I'm still yours.