You’re Mine by Penny Brooks

Chapter 134

Chapter 134
Harper
Easton and Dad return from the patio and Easton looks like he's seen a ghost.

Or an entire colony or paranormal creatures.

He's pale and sweaty and I feel terrible for him.

I can't believe Dad hauled him outside.

Well, I can, but I can't imagine what he said to him.

Part of me wants to ask Easton when we get a minute alone, and part of me would rather never know to save myself the embarrassment.

“Are you all right?"

I whisper the moment he's at my side.

"No."

He wipes his forehead.

"I'll never recover from that conversation.

Ever."

I glance at my dad who's now standing next to my mom as she adds dressing to the salad.

The two of them smiling at each other, like they just checked the final item off their list.

"Was it that bad?"

“Let's put it this way ..."

He glances toward the oven.

“If there are buns in there, baking, don't serve me one."

He adjusts his shirt and I see the sweat marks under his arms.

"In fact, I don't know if I'll ever eat another bun again."

Oh God.

It was THAT bad.

"I'm going to go add ice to the water glasses,"

I declare, and quickly fill a large bowl with cubes and carry it into the dining room, Easton on my heels.

When I get us out of ear range, I say softly, "What did he say to you?"

He holds onto the back of a chair.

"Oh, he covered it all—birth control, pregnancy, not being allowed in your room or touching you under his roof, you going to college, dropping out of college because of me."

He pauses.

"I think I've covered most of it."

"I think I'm going to be sick."

He shakes his head.

"That makes two of us."

I drop the ice into the glasses and move over to him.

He immediately takes a step back.

And then another.

“Easton?"

"I don't want him to think anything is happening in here."

"Seriously?"

the bowl

like that?*

out there

you have no idea."

"Ugh."

kill my

can't come

Except ...

I really mean

will be off

I will be, too.

aren't anywhere near each

can

calls

put in the glasses and no longer

is already getting

"Be right back,"

into the kitchen, grabbing the mitts

is cutting and plating

“Mom?"

glances up, the knife still

“Mmm—hmm?"

know how to say this, but I need

gotten the

Can we...

I don't know ...

nod toward

down, the noise making a

you're in a position to

puts her hands on her

got off

have your

breathing down your neck every time you leave

it, you

that back, I don’t care where we

I answer, giving her a

Ryan shouts from the front door,

suddenly floods

standing, he mouths, “Thank fucking God,’ telling

“You're late,"

the arm as he

Sadie, she was

“Ryan!"

her face

"He's lying!"

Mom and she's smiling, hugging Ryan hello, not an ounce

course, she doesn't get upset by what Ryan

He's a son.

tree shenanigans don't

Ugh.

Again.

“How's it going?"

as she hugs

he's about to raid

surprised he

"That good, huh?"

you didn't show up soon, I was going to have to fake an illness

pulls out of our hug,

"I'm glad you didn't.

a horrible liar and not exactly a professional

end up grounding you for life and the next time you'd see Easton, you'd be his neighbor in some

start laughing at

So does Sadie.

whole build—up of tonight and all the anxiousness I've

“What's so funny?"

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