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

is mostly toothless, but she’s also living her

bringing her a giant tin of cookies as an early Christmas

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

I burst out laughing.

you

“Aunt Jenny hates children.

around when

that a few years ago.”

So does Easton.

like children?” Easton asks me

heart trips

do you mean?” “I

a good mom someday,” he

hard, wondering how the conversation deviated to

long time from

“You having kids.

Maybe even—us having kids.

allowed to think like that, you know? No buns

No babies.

on the pill.” “Right,” I say, my voice

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

and I'll blast Christmas music for

what my parents used to do when I was

“Sounds fun.

We end the call and I stumble off my bed in a haze, going

when I spot Ryan standing there,

have you been?”

pressing my

the volunteer thing

a while after Easton got you out of there, but we eventually left and went to lunch,” he

“It's like, five o’clock.

last

grins like a

want

me.” His gaze drops to the

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

to drive around and look at the Christmas lights,”

Mom and Dad?” “Having dinner with Aunt Jenny.” A full body shudder

the bathroom and shut the

the water, I use the bathroom, realization dawning slowly

Kids.

Birth control.

Period.