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.

because on those good days, the really good fucking days, you can't imagine waking

second without that person holding your hand

yeah, while this all sucks, I know if you really love each other, you'll get through it, fight for it,

her hands.

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

was sick, and I feel so much

like a true crime story ready to unravel

tilts her head. "Blake seemed extra friendly today.

was

in gym. I let him because honestly everyone else was

"Was he nice?"

asks, examining her fingernails. "For Blake,

We had

flirted and it at least distracted me for nearly an hour, which I

"I still think

"Yeah."

her that I'm back to wondering what exactly is off because I can't put my finger on it. "Maybe. I don't know. Either way, it was a

"Blake?"

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

at

"Hey, beautiful, mind if

kisses Sadie on

"Nope, wait, you're friends with

to the reason. Yes, I knew, blah, blah, blah, you all want to murder me, who

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

my eyes. "Thanks,

“Anytime.”

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

take a deep breath and

And then I type.

I know we need

if I'm just letting life kick my ass, but I

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

And I'm still yours.