You’re Mine by Penny Brooks

Chapter 168

Easton

It's a rare day where I'm at home with just Dad, texting Harper and begging her to come visit so I can fuck her in my pool.

I'm not even ashamed to admit my actual text was — come to my house so I can fuck you in my pool.

She has to study for a test, so I upped it and said, pool and hot tub.

I have an hour before she can even attempt to get here, and I'm bored out of my mind, not because I'm not fucking, but because all I can think about is her and college, which stresses me out so much I'm useless when it comes to anything else.

Somehow, I find myself downstairs in the kitchen staring into the fridge like it's going to magically shit out food for me when my dad's voice sounds.

I jump a foot.

"Seriously? At least announce yourself.

"So, my hard footsteps against the marble floors weren't enough?" I shut the fridge and shoot him a glare.

“Or my heavy breathing? Or the fact that I said your name at least three times while you stared into the fridge like it was Heaven and you were a few seconds away from following the tiny light?" "Very funny.” I run my hands down my face.

"Sorry, it's been a long day.’ "Same"

Dad pulls out a barstool and sits.

I can tell he’s not joking as he tugs on his black tie then pulls it off all the way only to shrug out of his suit jacket.

"I had to defend an innocent person who's now going to jail all because sometimes even the law can't save you.

He has two kids under four, and his wife's all on her own now.."

Dad shakes his head.

"Son, sometimes life isnt fair.” "No"

I agree.

"It isn't.” He leans onto the countertop.

"Want to talk about it?” "My feelings?” I state.

"No, not really.

everything out then start

in the parenting handbook they gave us when

Dad deadpans.

again, very funny.” Dad pulls out

admit the fact that I've consistently been having parties and raiding your liquor cabinet for at least three years?" "I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that just like I'm going to pretend you arent underage and I'm not handing you alcohol, and you didn't just send a text to your girlfriend about fucking in the hot

make eye

the cloud son, bad things

"Noted"

"Anyway.."

shit goes to the fridge, grabs two beers, hands me one, and says, "Let's go sit

the part where

again? Am I going to be scarred for life? Or

I mean.

Fuck.

we sit down

his beer, I open mine, and sip it while giving him side—eye that says, spit it out before we awkwardly start talking

me an eternity,

on your mind?”

go in for the rest of my existence” I hide my grimace behind

"I'm going to Stanford"

I couldn't be more

you're nervous? Hell, I

about all his accomplishments, the clubs he was a part of; it's intimidating,

graduate with honors, take over the law firm he

all set out for you, son, like the smoothest

I sit there, it

It feels wrong.

taking a left when I should

like this

hate that I don't feel like I can tell him that I'm apprehensive, that

plan and my trajectory because of a girl, but not

Fucking, MINE.

"Yeah.."

My voice sounds uncertain.

pressure, you know?" "Yup, sure do.” He finishes his beer in a few

to tell me the real reason now or keep lying out of your ass?" "Son

"Language"

empty can

"I love her” I