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.

I kiss the top of

She looks up

"I always worry"

remind her because, for some reason, I'm suddenly seeing her differently,

She pulls

you know.’ “Thanks

start to

caring.” "We both

and then shows

a huge gulp out

today!" And there it

The fakeness.

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

a bit more as she

head, put the rest of my apple in the trash, and go grab Ryan's car, the one she borrowed

doesn't take me long to get to her house, and by the time I'm there, I see

Of course.

inseparable these days, not like I actually had a leg to stand

house and right away

Harper's parents are in the kitchen making

holding one over his head while Harper yells and jumps to

Her dad's laughing.

mom's rolling her

digging into the

pause, just watching them, and realize something

Is college important? Yes.

to

what's more

Love.

Laughter.

This.

and toss Ryan's keys in the air

I'm right

their dad nods his head, and then an

the

“Gotta go!" he says.

They're flying by me before I

the hell?" I

and wraps her arms

when your parents find

gone for three hours.” "I suddenly feel

I grip her ass.

curses under his

in good shape?" "Nah, I jerked off on every seat then made sure to watch some porn in the front seat while getting high and touching my dick every few seconds just to make sure the entire place smells

of course I

His eyes narrow.

that was also weirdly

yourself.” “Fuck you,’ he growls, grabbing a piece of bacon