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.

how

feel how

whiskey bottle is handed to

do this for at least five

neither

that exists without us together in it, at least that's how it

He can't leave.

I cant leave.

a fight and break my heart in order to stop the pain from

I would let him because of his

my tongue and wonder what it would be like years from now, remembering his name, saying it, worshipping it, without having him

imagine

my heart tries

to imagine a world where our breaths aren't mixed, our hands aren't tangled, our

bleeding

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

I'm being dramatic, and then he

it.”

going to do?" He

you no

smile to myself "—isn't

by the size of

"Very funny.” For some reason, I want to burst into

next to

it

parents are checking

Typical.

For some reason.

and check my email, then

"SHIT!" I yell.

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

What's going on? What?" He's

I'm yelling and jumping.

in!”

"Right!" He laughs.

you little badass—" "=TO

He freezes.

jumping

pulled into

I would ever want to be in a place

is—" he kisses me hard “—amazing!" Tears stream

"My dream college"

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

was my