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 fun as hell.” I definitely

center of every controversy that’s come through our school

what would make things much better?” I

Ryan says, and I instantly smell the smoke as he

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

we know who's going to

“Everyone,” Sadie replies.

over to your house and saw a ton of stories of all

an audience.” “Um,

more of a distraction it's going to be, so less peeps paying

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

can’t fucking blame

“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 across every social media site with some headline that makes me want to die.” “Baby,” I

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 watch

some, don’t you?” “Hell

give Harper the joint, glancing over to see her

passes it to Ryan,

look gorgeous,”

her collarbone and down

don't know if we’re even going to make it to the party.” “Uh, can you drop us off first? You

it’s a sound and sight I want more

Blake’s house and we join

mansion, I bring her fingers up to my mouth and kiss across her knuckles, keeping an eye on

I say before I ring his doorbell, waiting for her

“Remember ...

fun.” She nods.

we’re going to

know the responsibility I’m taking on as I say those words and what will happen if some

I need my mystery girl

that more than

press the bell and Blake opens the door, grinning while he says, “My party

you're finally here.” As I step inside,

long, glittery tails giving the

is holding cups,

definitely fun

Harper and my entire body