You’re Mine by Penny Brooks

Harper 

I don't feel...right.

After my epic, over the top hissy fit about my grades at school, Easton took me straight home, quiet the entire drive while I sobbed as if someone had gutted our family dog and left him on the front porch for us to find.

He tried to reassure me, but his softly spoken words only made me wail harder.

Once I got home and composed myself, I emailed my history teacher and luckily enough, he responded quickly.

I reminded him about my extra credit work, he apologized for forgetting to include it and my grade moved to a solid B+.

Not the A I wished for, but good enough.

I FaceTime Easton a few hours later, after I've taken a nap and feel like a rested, semi—well—adjusted human.

“You better?” he greets me once his handsome face fills the screen.

Nodding, I smile at him.

“I took a nap.” “So did I.” “I emailed my teacher and he added the extra credit assignments.

Now I have a B+.” He grins, running a hand through his hair.

Did I mention he’s shirtless? And his biceps are bulging? Heart eyes all day for Easton, I swear.

“That's great, babe.

I bet you're happy.” “So happy.” “And less stressed.” Not all the way.

For some reason, something is still hanging over me.

Something I can’t quite put my finger on.

“Sure,” I tell him, not wanting to delve into something I can't really explain.

“What are you doing tonight?” “I thought I’d take my favorite girl out,” he says casually.

“We could grab some food.

Check out the Christmas lights around town.” Butterflies flutter in my stomach at him calling me his favorite girl.

I will never grow tired of that.

“That sounds fun.” “You want me to come pick you up in about an hour?” He hides a yawn with his hand.

“Will your parents let you out of the house?” “Yes,” I say firmly.

“Because they're not here.

aunt Jenny at

lives on her own and is mostly toothless, but she’s also living

is bringing her a giant tin of cookies as an early

loves sweets.” “That's probably why she’s toothless,” he

I burst out laughing.

surprised they didn’t drag you and Ryan along with them,”

“Aunt Jenny hates children.

around when

told us that a few years ago.” I laugh

So does Easton.

Easton asks me once

heart trips over

do you mean?”

can see you being a good mom someday,” he says with a

hard, wondering how the conversation deviated to

time from

“You having kids.

Maybe even—us having kids.

conversation with your dad, I'm not allowed to think like that, you know?

No babies.

on the pill.” “Right,”

I’m on the pill.” “I'll come get you

have the windows down and I'll blast Christmas music for the

my parents used to do when I was a

“Sounds fun.

call and I stumble off my bed in a haze, going to my dresser to grab some clothes to wear before I head

bedroom door, stopping short when I

have you

pressing

the volunteer thing go at school?”

stayed for a while after Easton got you out of there,

“It's like, five o’clock.

the last four hours?” I lift my

like a

don’t want

to the clothes I’m clutching in

to?” “Taking a quick shower before Easton

going to drive around and look at the

full body shudder seems

bathroom and shut

use the bathroom,

Kids.

Birth control.

Period.