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

so, I feel

is

a sip, then hand it back; we do this for at

neither

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

He can't leave.

I cant leave.

fight and break my heart in order

breaking it, and I would

name; I taste it on my tongue and wonder what it would be like years from now, remembering his

dont want to imagine

yet, my heart

aren't mixed, our hands aren't tangled, our bodies aren't pressed against one another, and where our heartbeats aren't

like bleeding out—this

stop the wound;

being dramatic, and then he rests his

do it.” My

going to do?"

you no

for you-" I smile

by the size

my dick?" "Very funny.” For some reason, I want

next to me

grab it

are

Typical.

For some reason.

pain and check my email, then nearly

"SHIT!" I yell.

him and start to

What's

I'm yelling and jumping.

in!” I

"Right!" He laughs.

San Jose, you little badass—" "=TO UCLA!"

He freezes.

jumping

pulled into

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

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

"My dream college"

that says, follow them but know that I wish I was there with you as if my dream could ever include

he was