You’re Mine by Penny Brooks

Chapter 129

Harper

I'm in a shit mood for the rest of the day, barely able to concentrate on my final exams, which freaks me out. Yeah, just add another thing to my freak out list.

Like the fact that someone is still writing shitty messages about me at school.

That I think I've skipped my period—what the hell?

That I feel like shit still thanks to lack of sleep and everything else that's going on. I'm so over this year.

I swear the minute it's winter break, I'm going straight home and falling into bed. Maybe I'll sleep my way through the rest of the year, I don't know.

All I know is, I need some down time. Some drama free time too.

Don't know if that last one is possible, but a girl can dream.

We're out of school earlier than normal thanks to our finals schedule and I'm heading for the parking lot when I hear a deep male voice say my name. I turn to find Easton behind me, his gaze lifting at the last second, like he might've been checking out my butt. Knowing him, he probably was.

“What are you doing?"

I ask, trying to go for a flirty tone. He smiles, but his eyes are full of concern. For me. "Waiting for you. Want to come over to my place?"

I press my lips together, wishing I could say yes. "I should probably go straight home with Ryan. My parents are still unhappy with me thanks to the tree—"

Easton holds up both hands, silencing me. "Yeah, yeah. The tree incident. Don't say anything else."

My cheeks grow warm. It's still a touchy subject in my house, which is no surprise. “I wish I could go home with you.”

“Why can't you?"

soft. "Where

“At work."

they going to know where you're

my phone. She's

pause for

fucking hate

his head. "Let me take you

“What do you mean?"

frown. “Instead of riding home with Ryan, I'll drive you home. They won't check on you right

make it look like you got a ride

"She'll be with Ryan.”

I can tell she's into the idea. “Just—let me take you home. We need a little

me help you forget all your troubles for a

"What's that

out grins.

Sadie to go somewhere else for a while, I climb into Easton's Jeep and

way, driving slow, which is incredibly unlike him, my hand in his and resting on his thigh as he cranks up the

of my lungs along with

once I got involved with Easton, I

a good time with Easton, it's also been really hard.

I

we're pulling into my driveway, I've stopped singing along

puts the Jeep in park, but doesn't shut off the engine. Instead, he turns toward me, his gaze warm as he studies me.

frown. "How

home and

Seemed therapeutic.”

realize that it was. My shoulders are relaxed. And I didn't think about finals

his seat. "Good.