You’re Mine by Penny Brooks

 Easton

 There’s only one way I want to spend New Year’s Eve and that’s with my girl, her lips locked on mine at midnight, and zero drama, especially now that I know we're in the kid—free zone.

Holy fuck, that was close.

Too close.

But the overflowing amount of drama that’s surrounded us lately is why I wasn’t sure that I was going to head to Blake’s New Year’ S party, even though Harper and I had been invited.

Blake still isn’t my favorite person in this world.

Where he travels, Aisha is never far behind, and she’s nothing but trouble.

I just don’t want to deal with their bullshit.

But when I told Ryan that, he lost his shit and said I have no choice, I was going—that we're all going, him, Sadie, Harper, and me.

So now, I’m driving to Harper's house to pick up the three of them for the party.

Fortunately, they all come out as I pull into the driveaway, saving me from having to go inside and see her parents.

Thank fuck.

“Hi,” Harper says, leaning across the front seat to kiss me.

The diamond necklace I bought her for Christmas is sitting on her neck and I’m wearing the boxers and button—down she got me.

“Mmm, you taste delicious,” she adds.

“I taste like ...

me.” “Exactly.” I laugh, resting my hand on her thigh as Sadie and Ryan get into the back.

“Are you guys ready for this?” “I don’t know,” Harper replies, her voice now full of anxiety.

“I know Aisha is going to be there and that doesn't get me excited to go.” “But you know I'll cut a bitch if she tries to fuck with you,” Sadie chirps in.

“And I love you for that,” Harper adds.

“But I’m still ugh about it.” “Listen, if there’s drama tonight, we're all going down together,” Ryan says.

be, tonight's going to be fun as hell.” I definitely don't have Ryan's positivity when it comes to

and our relationship have been the center of every controversy that’s come through

make things much better?”

I instantly smell the

it to me, I squeeze the paper between my fingers and take a hit, holding in the

going to be there tonight?”

“Everyone,” Sadie replies.

came over to your house and saw a ton of

an audience.”

going to be, so less peeps paying attention to you and Easton.”

on one of Blake’s mirrors? Seems like everywhere I go, I’m hit

can’t fucking

Sadie says, “Harp ...” “And I better be all smiles or WHGOSSIP is going to snap a pic of me in the most unflattering way and air

it, Easton.” “That's why we're going to have fun tonight.” I glance in the rearview mirror, making sure Ryan and Sadie see me, letting them know we all need to

use some, don’t you?” “Hell yes,” Sadie

give Harper the joint, glancing over to see her

passes it to Ryan,

look gorgeous,” I

trace mine across her collarbone and down her side, feeling the tightness of the dress hug her

can you drop us off first? You might be my boy, but she’s my sister, let's not

laughs and it’s a sound and sight I want

block from Blake’s house and we

her fingers up to my mouth and kiss across

I say before I ring his doorbell, waiting for her to look

“Remember ...

fun.” She nods.

that’s all we’re going to have

responsibility I’m taking on as I say those words and what will happen

my mystery

need that

Blake opens the door, grinning while he says, “My

here.” As I step inside, the music is

ceiling, their long, glittery tails giving the room almost a psychedelic

holding cups, dancing,

fun happening

and my entire