You’re Mine by Penny Brooks

Chapter 133
Easton
"Hi,’ Harper says as she opens the door for me, throwing her arms around my neck.

I take a quick glance around us, making sure her parents aren't in sight.

The last thing I need is for them to oversee any kind of PDA and come running at me.

With fucking knives.

But the coast is clear, so I wrap an arm around her waist and bury my face into her neck.

"Fuck, you smell good."

"Don't get any ideas."

"I have zero ideas.

Tonight, tomorrow morning—you might as well be my sister with how far apart we're going to be."

I lean back, looking at her face.

"All right, maybe not a sister, that would make the thoughts that are in my head right now really fucking gross."

She laughs and holds out her hands.

"Is this for the fam?"

I nod as she takes the bag from my grip.

“It's wine.I told my parents I was coming over and Mom insisted.I think there's something else in there, too—some oil or vinegar, or some shit like that."

"That's so nice of them, I'm sure my parents will really appreciate the gesture."

She takes my overnight duffle from my arm and says, "Come on."I follow her, knowing within a few steps, I'm going to come face to face with my biggest fear.

Her father, my worst fucking nightmare.

And, just like I anticipated, he's there when I round the corner to the kitchen, holding a glass of wine as he leans over the island, talking to Harper's mom.

They both turn completely silent the moment I enter.

"Dad, Mom,’ Harper initiates, “Easton's here."Every moment under the fucking Christmas tree flashes through my head, followed by the look on her mom's face when she kicked my ass out.

Fuck.

“Easton, her mom says, “it's nice to see you again."

I can't tell if she really means it or it's the wine talking—the glass that's so fixed in her hand, it looks like it's glued there.

“Easton ..."

her dad says, and he steps closer, his hand going to my shoulder, which he squeezes.

Harder than I'm expecting.

joining

you for having

sent gifts,’ Harper says, taking out the items from the bag, making sure her

dad

eyes are on me

"So ...ahhh,"

trying to think of

“Where's Ryan and Sadie?"

look around the kitchen, listening for

not here yet,"Harper tells me.She winces."They should be here

still feel her dad's eyes

every bit

make eye contact, I immediately

me something

go have a little chat, son."My fucking stomach drops.Especially

“Out there."

quickly glancing at Harper whose eyes

glass from her mom's hand and

intensifies as I follow her dad outside and

going to beat around the bush,’ he

man, you're doing manly things, therefore I want to know you have good intentions with my

didn't prepare for this.I didn't expect to be hauled outside and have to lay my truth on the table.I just want to tell him I love

I say

have good

but I'm

a great deal

about her so much and

sweating, my

of our whole

is very important to

“Are you being careful?"

I clear my throat.

"Careful?"

is seventeen years old.She's going to college next year.The last thing I need—the last thing

topic I didn't

feels like a slap across the

I shake my head.

“No buns, sir.

Definitely no buns."

“You're sure about that?"

pill.Fuck, I feel like the audience just grew to our entire

have our whole future ahead of us—I'm going to college too, my parents are pushing for pre—law,

one of the

drink of his wine and I watch it go down his throat, envious when he

have to watch

sir.I always have her back.Nothing will ever happen to her