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

that’s because my girl and our relationship have been the center of every controversy that’s come through our school lately where Ryan and Sadie seem

what would make things much better?” I

and I

my fingers

to be there

“Everyone,” Sadie replies.

house and saw a ton of stories of all the girls getting ready.” “Great,”

of an audience.”

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

mirrors? Seems like everywhere I go, I’m hit with those wonderful words.”

can’t fucking

WHGOSSIP is going to snap a pic of me in the most unflattering way and air it across every social media site with

to have fun tonight.” I glance in the rearview mirror, making sure Ryan and Sadie see me, letting them know

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

Harper the joint, glancing over

passes it to

look gorgeous,” I

her fingers to trace mine across her collarbone and

“Uh, can

and it’s a sound and sight

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

fingers up to my mouth

ring his doorbell, waiting

“Remember ...

fun.” She nods.

that’s all we’re going

I know the responsibility I’m taking on as I say those words and what

my

need that more

while

here.” As I step inside, the music

tails giving the

holding cups,

definitely fun

Harper and my