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.

kiss the top of

She looks up

"I always worry"

been distant though, ever 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

She pulls

know.’ “Thanks

start to feel

"We both

coffee, and then shows

She takes a huge gulp out of her

And there

The fakeness.

needs to wear because of what my dad does and because

to understand her a bit more as she basically bolts from the

apple in the trash, and go grab Ryan's car, the one she borrowed last

get to her house, and by the

Of course.

I

their house and right away

are in

holding one over his head while Harper yells and jumps to grab

Her dad's laughing.

rolling her

Sadie is busy digging into the bacon

and realize something in

Is college important? Yes.

it important to

more

Love.

Laughter.

This.

in the air twice before dropping them

like I'm

head, and

around the kitchen while

“Gotta go!" he says.

flying by me before I can even say

the hell?" I

over and wraps her arms around

is what happens when your parents find a Groupon

hours.” "I suddenly feel the need to

I grip her ass.

under his

shape?" "Nah, I jerked off on every seat then made sure to watch some porn in the front seat while getting high and

of course I took care of

His eyes narrow.

but that was also weirdly

entire drive here just to make you piss yourself.” “Fuck you,’ he growls, grabbing a piece