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

though.” She looks up at me

"I always worry"

don't want to remind her because, for some reason, I'm suddenly seeing her differently, like maybe she just didn't

She pulls

know.’

start to

caring.” "We both

grabs her coffee, and then shows me her megawatt fake

She takes a huge gulp

And

The fakeness.

shield she feels she needs to wear because of what my dad does and

bit more as

shake my head, put the rest of my apple in the trash, and go grab

the time I'm there, I see Sadie's car outside parked on the

Of course.

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

into their house and right away hear yelling and the

Harper's parents are in the

his head while Harper yells and jumps to

Her dad's laughing.

rolling

digging into the bacon like she hasnt eaten

watching them, and

Is college important? Yes.

important to follow your dreams?

more important?

Love.

Laughter.

This.

toss Ryan's keys in the air twice

like I'm

nods his head, and then

mom pulls off her apron and scrambles around the kitchen while their dad quickly grabs his keys and kisses Harper's

“Gotta go!" he says.

by me

hell?" I

comes over and wraps her arms

when your parents find

gone for three hours.” "I suddenly feel the need to thank

I grip her ass.

curses under

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 like me and sex so you can never get it

course I

His eyes narrow.

but that was also weirdly

here just to make you piss yourself.” “Fuck you,’ he growls,