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

center of every controversy that’s come through our school lately where Ryan and

make things much better?” I

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

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

to be there

“Everyone,” Sadie replies.

to your house and saw a ton of stories

an audience.”

there, the more of a distraction it's going to

going to be painted on one of Blake’s mirrors? Seems like everywhere I go, I’m

can’t fucking blame

the most

in the rearview mirror, making sure Ryan and Sadie see me,

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

joint, glancing over

passes it to Ryan, I

look gorgeous,” I say

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

that good, I don't know if 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

it’s a sound and sight I want

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

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

before I ring his doorbell,

“Remember ...

fun.” She nods.

we’re going

on as I

I need my mystery

need that

opens the door, grinning while he says, “My party people!”

I step inside,

long, glittery tails

holding cups, dancing,

fun

Harper and