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 up

without that person

this all sucks, I know if you really love each other, you'll

claps her hands.

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

sick, and I feel so much pressure over finals and

a true crime story ready to unravel

Sadie tilts her head. "Blake

shrug. "He was

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

"Was he nice?"

Blake, I mean, since all

was. We

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

"I still think something's off

"Yeah."

exactly is off because I can't put my finger on it. "Maybe. I

"Blake?"

laptop and open it. "Let me just send

sounds at my

beautiful, mind

Sadie on

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

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

you. He would never cheat on you.

fill my

“Anytime.”

my room, leaving

a deep breath

And then I type.

we need

my ass, but I miss you. I don't want to break up, I

know what 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

And I'm still yours.