You’re Mine by Penny Brooks

Chapter 169

Harper

He's acting weirder than normal.

My eyes narrow as Easton stares into his spaghetti then looks up at me like he's trying to figure something out.

I frown.

"So, Harper his dad says, "what are your plans next year?" Easton shifts in his seat while I reach across and put my hand on his thigh.

“Honestly, I'm not sure.

I got accepted into San Jose State, so I'll probably go there.” "Ah, congrats"

His dad raises his wine glass.

"Might be hard being away from Easton, huh?" Talk about stating the obvious.

He drinks his red wine, tossing it back in two sips before setting his empty glass back down and looking between us.

"If it's supposed to work.

It will"

That's it.

That's all he says before getting up; even Easton's mom is grinning at us like her smile is either frozen, or she's trying to look encouraging.

Nothing about their expressions are helpful, nor do they make me feel better about my life right now.

"Easton.."

His mom stands and spreads her hands wide across her black designer skirt.

Even her makeup is perfect, her lipstick still somehow on after eating dinner, her smile white, and her dark hair pulled back into a low bun that just manages to look both pretty and classy at the same time.

"Why dont you and Harper watch a movie or something? Use the last few months you have together before school.” Her smile is genuine, but my gut still sinks to my feet as Easton stands and holds out his hand.

We walk toward the living room, and then he tugs me down the hall into the theater room, and we walk inside.

He says nothing as he grabs the remote and turns on Netflix.

He presses play on Red Notice and snatches a blanket from the little basket next to the wet bar, then curses under his breath and goes back, grabbing a bottle of expensive whiskey and slumping into a seat holding his arms out like he wants me to sit on his lap.

I do.

I sit there.

feel how hard he

I feel

whiskey bottle is

hand it back; we do this for at least five minutes, each of

hilarious, but neither of

world is one that exists without us together in it, at

He can't leave.

I cant leave.

a fight and break my heart in order to stop the

I would let him because of

tongue and wonder what it would be like years from now, remembering his name, saying

dont want to imagine that sort

my heart tries

aren't tangled, our bodies aren't pressed against one another,

bleeding out—this

and then told that there's nothing you can do to stop the wound; that's what it feels like sitting on his lap and imagining a world where

being dramatic, and then he rests

can't do it.” My eyes

to do?" He

you no matter

you-" I smile to myself "—isn't measured

size of

some reason, I want to

phone buzzes next to me on the

grab it really

parents are

Typical.

For some reason.

check my email, then nearly fall

"SHIT!" I yell.

SHIT!" I stumble away from him and start to jump

you okay? What's going on? What?"

I'm yelling and jumping.

got in!”

"Right!" He laughs.

little

He freezes.

keep jumping

pulled

against mine, and I'm once again wondering why I would ever want to be in a place

me hard “—amazing!" Tears

"My dream college"

dream,’ he repeats, his eyes locked on mine in a way that says, follow them but know that I wish I was there with you as if my dream could ever include something he wasnt a part

he was my