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.

I definitely don't have Ryan's positivity when it comes to this

every controversy that’s come through our school lately where Ryan and Sadie seem to

would make things

got you,” Ryan says, and I instantly smell the smoke as

I squeeze the paper between my fingers and take a

know who's going to be there tonight?” Harper

“Everyone,” Sadie replies.

came over to your house and saw a

of an audience.” “Um,

a distraction it's going to be,

to be painted on one of Blake’s mirrors? Seems like everywhere I go, I’m hit with those wonderful words.” Fuck me, it’s

can’t fucking

the most unflattering way and air it

to have fun tonight.” I glance in the rearview mirror, making sure Ryan and Sadie see me, letting them know we all need to watch out for our girl

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

over

it to Ryan, I grab her

gorgeous,” I say

trace mine across her collarbone and down her side, feeling

the party.” “Uh, can you drop us off first? You might be my boy, but she’s my sister,

laughs and it’s a sound and

spot about a block from Blake’s house and we join hands the moment we're

toward his mansion, I bring her fingers up to my mouth and kiss across her knuckles,

I ring his doorbell, waiting for her to

“Remember ...

fun.” She nods.

that’s all we’re going to have

the responsibility I’m taking on as I say those words

my mystery

need that more

and Blake opens the door, grinning while he

you're finally here.” As I step

tails giving the room

is holding cups,

definitely fun

hugs Harper and my