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

for worrying though.” She looks

"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

do.” She pulls

know.’

to feel

caring.” "We both

coffee, and then shows

huge gulp out of

And

The fakeness.

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

bit more

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

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

Of course.

not like I actually had a

myself into their house and right

Harper's parents are in the kitchen

holding one over his head while Harper yells and jumps

Her dad's laughing.

rolling her

is busy digging into the bacon like she hasnt eaten in

them, and

Is college important? Yes.

important to follow your

what's more

Love.

Laughter.

This.

in the air twice before dropping them onto the

I'm right on

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

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

“Gotta go!" he says.

flying by me before

the hell?"

over and wraps her

when your parents find a Groupon for golf lessons.” She

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

I grip her ass.

under

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

of course I took

His eyes narrow.

but that was also weirdly

drive here just to make you piss yourself.” “Fuck you,’ he growls, grabbing a piece of bacon and sitting next