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.

great aunt Jenny at

her own and is mostly toothless,

is bringing her a giant tin

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

I burst out laughing.

didn’t drag you and Ryan along

“Aunt Jenny hates children.

can come around when I’m

us that a few years ago.” I laugh

So does Easton.

asks me

heart trips over

do you mean?”

being a good mom someday,” he says

hard, wondering how the

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.

the pill.” “Right,” I say,

come get you in about an hour,

the windows down and I'll blast

parents used to do when I was a kid,” he

“Sounds fun.

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

when I spot

have you been?”

I admit, pressing my lips

volunteer thing go at school?”

Easton got you out of

“It's like, five o’clock.

for the last four hours?” I lift

grins like

don’t want any details,

to the clothes I’m clutching in

to?” “Taking a quick shower before Easton picks me

and look

full body shudder seems

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

use

Kids.

Birth control.

Period.