You’re Mine by Penny Brooks

 Easton 

We grab some food to—go at a local Mexican restaurant, and then head back to my house.

The minute we're in the kitchen, I’m pouring Harper a giant glass of water to prepare for her peeing on the stick after dinner.

She’s pulling all of the food containers out of the bag, setting them up on the kitchen counter where we’ re going to sit and eat.

“You bought a lot of food,” she says as she cracks open one container, revealing a pile of tortilla chips and a small container of salsa.

“I’m starving,” I admit as I grab a couple of chips and stuff them in my mouth.

“And I wanted to be prepared since you might be eating for two.” She rolls her eyes and socks me in the arm.

Her gaze goes to the cup of water I set in front of her.

“You expect me to drink all that?” “Probably enough for two tests.” “Yeah.” She swallows hard and pushes the container with her food inside away from her.

“I’m freaking out, Easton.

Our lives could change tonight.” “Or it could be no big deal,” I say with a shrug.

“No matter what, we'll figure it out.” “You really think we will? Because I’m scared,” she says, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Like—really scared.” I turn to her and pull her off the stool she’s sitting on.

Until she’s standing in between my spread legs and my arms are around her waist.

She wraps her arms loosely around my neck, our gazes never straying.

“I’m scared too.

But you need to know something before we take that damn test, okay?” “What is it?” “I'm in this with you.

For real.” I squeeze her even closer.

“I’m not going anywhere.

I love you, Harper.

And no matter what, we're going to get through this together.” Her eyes are shiny as she stares down at me and I hope to hell she doesn't start crying again.

Her tears do me in every single time.

“I love you too.

You say the best things.” “I mean every fucking word I say.” I grip her nape tighter and pull her down so our lips meet for a brief kiss.

“I’m starving.

Let's eat.” She laughs as she pulls away from me, settling on the barstool she just vacated.

“Oh, I'm nervous,” I admit, just before I take a giant bite of

Fuck, it’s delicious.

still gotta eat.” Harper shakes her head and pops open the lid of her container, staring at the two tacos she ordered that are nestled

over her and

“I can’t.

Not a

throwing up and tired all

girl is

I

responsible for making her

to be so

can't even think about my parents and how

will go on a rampage, telling me how I ruined my life all over a

so if I'm going down and

tell her, waving at

go take the test.” She chugs water while I consume my burrito, and I’m

been looking

And pale.

chalked it

it was something

monster burrito when she grabs one of the

“Want me to come with?” I ask, my mouth half

I pee,” she

and I head for the bathroom, my steps heavy the

few minutes should determine the course of my

heart starts beating wildly in my chest, causing

and I sort of feel like I could throw

Fuck.

staring at the test device as it sits on the counter and when she hears me approach, she lifts her head, glancing over her

was going to wait for you, but...” “But

smile is a

next to her, staring down at the test, seeing the

Negative.

other

it comes up positive?” “It

finish my burrito while Harper eats one of her

She seems lighter.

Happier.

So aml.

and I crack open a beer because, holy fuck, I need it to calm my frazzled

in the clear yet, but we're

Really close.

really take the other one?” she

“Yeah.

say with