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,

without that person

you'll get through it,

her hands. “He's

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

I missed school when I was sick, and I feel so much pressure

a true crime

head. "Blake seemed extra friendly today. Wanna talk

"He was pretty tame.

in gym. I let him because honestly everyone else was pairing up

"Was he nice?"

"For Blake, I mean,

was. We had

and it at least distracted me for nearly an

still

"Yeah."

my finger on it. "Maybe. I don't know. Either way, it was a horrible day and I

"Blake?"

my laptop and open it. "Let me just

sounds at my

beautiful, mind if I borrow

kisses Sadie on the

then shoves him. "Nope, wait, you're friends with the devil.“

blah, blah, blah, you all want to murder me, who runs the world, girls, but for real...he did nothing wrong and

would never cheat on you. Besides, if he did, I'd cheerfully kill

fill my

“Anytime.”

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

a deep breath and

And then I type.

I know we need

my ass, but I

text you, so I at

And I'm still yours.