You’re Mine by Penny Brooks

Chapter 170

Easton

I didn't mention the elephant in the room with Harper.

Talking about money always felt weird, and after our champagne, I figured it would be smarter to just Uber her home and then have her come pick up her car later.

She left her keys with me, and I realized I could just drive the car back to her house tomorrow and see her at the same time.

Besides, I had news to tell her.

I got into UCLA too.

Basically, miracles do happen, and I was pumped as shit to get to her house and tell her.

I go down to the kitchen to grab something for breakfast and chug some coffee when my mom stops me and gives me the look every mom gives their kids when they want to have a talk.

“Something on your mind?" I ask, nervous that she already knows about UCLA and is going to try to steer me away from what I've already decided.

She hesitates, rubbing her fingers down her coffee cup like she’s nervous before blurting.

"Are you being safe?" So not what I expected her to say.

I trip a bit then grab an apple from the fruit basket even though my plan was to grab a breakfast sandwich from the freezer or at least a cold brew from the fridge.

"Hmm?" "Safe," she repeats.

"With...Harper.” "Safe as in I make her put her seatbelt on?" I awkwardly bite into the apple and chew.

"Yeah, Mom, we're safe.’ "Okay"

She nods.

"Okay, I just.."

She sets the coffee cup down on the counter.

"It’s important that you go to college—both of you.

And I don't want any surprises like a pregnancy or—" "—Gonna stop you right there.” Guilt creeps in.

"She's not pregnant, and we're being smart, not stupid, and Mom...” I pull her in for a side hug.

So now she wants to be a helicopter parent? Really? Only when it comes to college? It kind of burns, but I try not to focus on it as I hold her close and breathe in her Chanel perfume.

"I love you," I say simply.

“We're together now, and I love her.

We're taking one day at a time"

Mom exhales softly.

the top

for worrying though.” She looks up at me

"I always worry"

since High School started, but I don't want to remind her because, for some reason, I'm suddenly seeing her differently, like maybe she just didn't want to interfere and felt weird

She

know.’

to feel

caring.” "We

and

huge gulp

today!" And there

The fakeness.

maybe it's not being fake—maybe it's more about a shield she feels she needs

a bit more as she

in the trash, and go grab Ryan's car, the one

to her house, and by the time I'm there, I

Of course.

these days, not like I actually had a leg

myself into their house and right away hear yelling and the

are in the kitchen

his head while

Her dad's laughing.

mom's rolling

the bacon

watching them, and realize

Is college important? Yes.

it important to follow your

what's more

Love.

Laughter.

This.

and toss Ryan's keys in the air twice before dropping them onto the

like I'm

grins while their dad nods his head, and then

and scrambles around the kitchen

“Gotta go!" he says.

luck!" They're flying by me before I can even

the hell?" I

wraps her arms around

your parents find

three hours.” "I suddenly feel

I grip her ass.

curses under

while getting high and touching my dick every few seconds

bro, of course I took care of your

His eyes narrow.

was also weirdly

it the entire drive here just to make you piss yourself.” “Fuck you,’ he