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.

exists and you live in it because on those good days, the really good

breathing one more second without that person holding your

really love each other, you'll get through

hands. “He's dead to

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

when I was sick, and I feel

still feel like a true crime

"Blake seemed extra friendly today. Wanna

"He was

everyone else was pairing up while

"Was he nice?"

fingernails. "For Blake, I mean, since all

was. We had

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

"I still

"Yeah."

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 talk

"Blake?"

then rush to my laptop and open it. "Let

sounds at my door.

beautiful, mind if I borrow you

kisses Sadie on the

wait, you're

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

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

fill my

“Anytime.”

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

take a deep breath

And then I type.

we need to

just letting life kick my ass, but I miss you. I don't

and how things got so complicated so fast, but... can't text you, so I at least thought I could email and let you know that no matter

And I'm still yours.