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.

I definitely don't have Ryan's positivity when

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

know what would make things much

I instantly

paper between my fingers and take a hit, holding in

who's going to be there tonight?”

“Everyone,” Sadie replies.

saw a ton of stories

an audience.” “Um, no,” Sadie

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

mirrors? Seems like everywhere I go, I’m hit

can’t fucking

the most unflattering way and air it across every social media site with some headline that makes me want to die.” “Baby,” I

in the rearview mirror, making sure Ryan and Sadie see me, letting them know we all need to watch out for our girl this

use some, don’t you?” “Hell

give Harper the joint, glancing over to

to Ryan, I grab her

look gorgeous,” I

release her fingers to trace mine across her collarbone and down her

party.” “Uh, can you drop us off first? You might be my boy, but she’s my sister, let's

it’s a sound and sight

block from Blake’s house and we

mouth and kiss across

before I ring his doorbell, waiting for her to

“Remember ...

fun.” She nods.

all we’re going to

responsibility I’m taking on as I say those words and what will happen

my

that more than

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

here.” As I step inside,

tails giving the room

holding cups,

fun happening

Harper and my