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.

visiting my great aunt Jenny at

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

is bringing her a giant tin

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

I burst out laughing.

they didn’t drag you and Ryan along

“Aunt Jenny hates children.

around when I’m

us that a few years ago.”

So does Easton.

asks me once

heart trips

do you mean?” “I don't

can see you being a good mom someday,” he

wondering how the conversation deviated to

that’s a long time

“You having kids.

Maybe even—us having kids.

your dad, I'm not allowed to think like that, you know? No buns in

No babies.

pill.” “Right,” I say, my

I’m on the pill.” “I'll come get you

windows down and I'll blast Christmas

my parents used to do when I was a

“Sounds fun.

bed in a haze, going to my dresser to grab

stopping short when I spot Ryan standing there, his gaze snagging

you

admit, pressing my lips

did the volunteer thing

after Easton got you out of

“It's like, five o’clock.

lunch for the last four hours?” I lift

like

don’t want

gaze drops to the clothes I’m clutching in my

you up to?” “Taking a quick shower before Easton

and look at

“Having dinner with Aunt Jenny.” A full body

slide into the bathroom and shut the door, dropping my clothes on the

I start the water, I use the

Kids.

Birth control.

Period.