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.

eat right now? I’m too nervous.” “Oh, I'm nervous,” I admit, just

Fuck, it’s delicious.

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

steals over her and

“I can’t.

barf.” Not a

and tired

girl is

I

making her that

to be so

think about my parents and how

on a rampage, telling me how I ruined

if I'm going down and

up,” I tell her, waving at the glass

test.” She chugs water while I consume my burrito, and I’m glad to see her munch on a few

looking thin

And pale.

just chalked it up to

maybe it was

grabs one of the tests

going in.” “Want me to come with?” I ask, my mouth

I pee,” she

for you.” Within minutes, she’s calling my name and I head for the

next few minutes should determine the course

heart starts beating wildly in my chest,

is dry, and I sort of feel

Fuck.

the counter and when she hears me approach, she lifts her

going to wait for you, but...” “But what?” I ask, my

smile is a glorious

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

Negative.

the other one,” I

comes up positive?”

kitchen and I finish my burrito while Harper eats one of her

She seems lighter.

Happier.

So aml.

guzzles the water and I crack open a beer because,

clear yet, but

Really close.

really take the other one?” she asks once she’s finished her second

“Yeah.

say with