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, the really good fucking days, you

that

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

hands. “He's dead

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

hate that I missed school when I was sick, and I feel so much pressure over finals and getting into

feel like a true crime story

myself. Sadie tilts her head. "Blake seemed extra

"He was

else was

"Was he nice?"

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

We had

and it at least distracted me

still think something's

"Yeah."

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

"Blake?"

say, then rush to my laptop and open it. "Let me just send this

sounds at

himself in. "Hey, beautiful, mind

Sadie

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

blah, blah, blah,

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

fill my eyes.

“Anytime.”

out of my room, leaving me alone with my laptop and all my dark

breath and get

And then I type.

know we need to

if I overreacted or if I'm just letting life kick my ass, but I miss you. I don't want to break up, I just need some time...but I also

what to do and how things got so complicated so fast, but... can't text you, so I at least thought I could

And I'm still yours.