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.

for joining us."I

for having

gifts,’ Harper says, taking out the items from the

her dad isn't

me and they'te not going

"So ...ahhh,"

to think

“Where's Ryan and Sadie?"

kitchen, listening for noises

tells me.She winces."They should be here

her dad's eyes

avoid his stare with every bit of

second I make eye contact, I immediately regret

me something is

I'm only proven right when he says, "Why don't we go have a

“Out there."

quickly glancing at Harper whose eyes are sending apologies and

I could take the glass from her mom's hand and down

I follow her dad outside and take a seat next

beat around the bush,’

a man, you're doing manly things, therefore I want to know you have

have to lay my truth on the table.I just want to tell him I love his daughter and things are going to be

can I say

have good intentions,

but I'm happy

great deal to

her

sweating, my stomach

feel like I'm standing in front of our whole school,

our relationship is

“Are you being careful?"

I clear my throat.

"Careful?"

old.She's going to college next year.The last thing I need—the last thing the both of

I

feels like

I shake my head.

“No buns, sir.

Definitely no buns."

“You're sure about that?"

audience just grew to our entire fucking city and now I'm standing buckass naked

my parents are pushing for pre—law, so!

of the responsible ones,

and I watch it go

girl.I have to

happen to her