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 when it comes to this

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

would make things much better?” I

got you,” Ryan says, and I instantly smell

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

know who's going to be

“Everyone,” Sadie replies.

came over to your house and saw a ton of stories of all the girls getting

an audience.” “Um, no,”

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

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

I can’t fucking blame

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

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

Harper the joint, glancing over to see

to

gorgeous,” I

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

we’re even going to make it to the party.” “Uh, can you drop us off first? You might be my boy, but she’s my sister, let's not forget

sound and sight I

house and we join

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

I say before I ring his doorbell, waiting for her

“Remember ...

fun.” She nods.

all we’re going to have

the responsibility I’m taking on as I

my

need that more than

bell and Blake opens the door, grinning while he says, “My party people!” He pounds each of our

As I step

glittery tails

is holding cups, dancing,

definitely fun happening

and my