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.

my great aunt Jenny at her

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

a giant tin of cookies as an early

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

I burst out laughing.

you and Ryan along with them,” Easton

“Aunt Jenny hates children.

come around

us that a few years

So does Easton.

like children?” Easton asks me once our laughter has

heart trips over

mean?”

good mom someday,” he says with

how the conversation deviated to

long time

“You having kids.

Maybe even—us having kids.

allowed to think

No babies.

pill.”

I’m on the pill.” “I'll come get you in about an hour,

windows down and I'll blast

do when

“Sounds fun.

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

open my bedroom door, stopping short when I

you been?” he

admit, pressing my

did the volunteer thing go

you out of there,

“It's like, five o’clock.

last

like

don’t want any

to the clothes I’m clutching in my

a quick

and look at the Christmas lights,”

dinner with Aunt Jenny.” A full body shudder seems to take over my brother at

slide into the bathroom and shut the door, dropping my

I start the water, I use the

Kids.

Birth control.

Period.