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

looks

"I always worry"

to remind her because, for some reason, I'm suddenly seeing her differently, like maybe she just

She pulls

you know.’ “Thanks

to

"We

coffee, and then shows me

huge gulp out of

today!" And there it

The fakeness.

a shield she feels she needs to wear because of what my

understand her a bit more as she

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

house, and by the

Of course.

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

house and right away hear yelling and the sound of

of Harper's parents are in the kitchen

his head while Harper

Her dad's laughing.

mom's rolling

into the bacon like she hasnt

watching them, and realize something in that

Is college important? Yes.

important to follow

more important?

Love.

Laughter.

This.

keys in the air twice before dropping

like I'm right

nods his head, and then an alarm from someone's phone

pulls off her apron and scrambles around the kitchen while their dad

“Gotta go!" he says.

flying by me before

hell?" I

over and wraps her arms

parents find a Groupon for golf

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

I grip her ass.

under his

front seat while getting high and

bro, of course I took care of

His eyes narrow.

but that was also weirdly detailed.”

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