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.

fun as hell.” I definitely don't have Ryan's positivity

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

what would make

“I've got you,” Ryan says, and I instantly

the paper between my fingers and take a hit, holding in the smoke until I

know who's going to

“Everyone,” Sadie replies.

scanned Insta before I came over to your house and saw a ton of stories of all the

of an audience.” “Um, no,”

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

isn’t going to be painted on one of Blake’s mirrors? Seems like everywhere I

I can’t

going to snap a pic of me in the most unflattering way and air it across every social media site with some headline that makes me want to die.” “Baby,” I whisper,

we're going to have fun tonight.” I glance in the rearview mirror, making sure Ryan and Sadie see me,

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

give Harper the joint, glancing over

passes it to Ryan, I

look gorgeous,” I

I release her fingers to trace mine across her collarbone and down her side, feeling the

the party.” “Uh, can you drop us off first? You might be my boy,

it’s a sound and sight I want

from Blake’s house and we join hands

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

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

“Remember ...

fun.” She nods.

all we’re going

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

my mystery

that more

the bell and Blake opens the door, grinning while he says,

here.” As I step inside, the

his ceiling, their long, glittery tails giving the room almost

holding cups,

fun happening

hugs Harper and my entire body