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

you for

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

dad isn't

me and they'te

"So ...ahhh,"

trying to think of something to

“Where's Ryan and Sadie?"

the kitchen, listening for

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

her dad's eyes on

stare with every bit of

I make eye

tells me something is about to

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

“Out there."

at Harper

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

follow her dad outside

to beat around the bush,’ he

I want to know you have good intentions

have to lay my truth on the table.I

I

have good intentions,

but I'm

means a great deal

about her

are sweating, my

our whole school, naked, with my hand

our relationship is

“Are you being careful?"

I clear my throat.

"Careful?"

next year.The last thing I need—the last thing the both of

I

like a

I shake my head.

“No buns, sir.

Definitely no buns."

“You're sure about that?"

she's on the pill.Fuck, I feel like the audience just grew to our entire

my parents are pushing for pre—law, so! can follow in

of the responsible ones,

takes a drink of his wine and I watch it go down his

is my baby girl.I have to watch out for her,

will ever happen to her when she's