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

and is

her a giant tin of cookies as

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

I burst out laughing.

surprised they didn’t drag you

“Aunt Jenny hates children.

around when I’m

us that a few years

So does Easton.

you like children?” Easton asks me

trips

do you mean?” “I don't

good mom someday,” he

hard, wondering how the

that’s a long time from

“You having kids.

Maybe even—us having kids.

not allowed to think like that,

No babies.

God you're on the pill.” “Right,” I say,

pill.” “I'll come get you

the windows down and I'll

to do when I was a

“Sounds fun.

soon.” We end the call and I stumble off my bed in a haze, going to my dresser to grab some clothes to wear before I

bedroom door, stopping short when I spot Ryan standing

have you

pressing

thing go

got you out of there,

“It's like, five o’clock.

had lunch for the last

like

don’t want any

the clothes I’m clutching

are you up to?” “Taking a

to drive around and look at the Christmas lights,” I

with Aunt Jenny.” A full body shudder seems to

dodged that bullet.” I slide into the bathroom and shut the door, dropping my clothes on

water, I use the bathroom, realization dawning slowly but

Kids.

Birth control.

Period.