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.

doesn't take sides. It simply exists and you live in it because on those good days, the really good fucking days, you can't imagine waking

without that person holding your

other, you'll get

claps her hands. “He's

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

and

with Aisha still feel like a true crime story ready to

Sadie tilts her head. "Blake seemed extra friendly

was pretty

let him because honestly everyone else was

"Was he nice?"

examining her fingernails. "For Blake, I mean,

was. We had

distracted me for

"I still think something's off

"Yeah."

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 horrible day and I hate that I can't

"Blake?"

say, then rush to my laptop and

sounds at my

himself in. "Hey, beautiful, mind if I

Sadie

shoves him. "Nope, wait, you're friends with the devil.“ He rolls his

both need to listen to the reason. Yes, I knew, blah, blah, blah, you all want to murder

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

my

“Anytime.”

of my room,

a deep breath

And then I type.

I know we

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

so I at least thought I could email and let you know that

And I'm still yours.