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 her

though.” She looks up

"I always worry"

remind her because, for some reason, I'm suddenly seeing her differently, like maybe she just didn't want to interfere and felt weird as I got

do.” She

you know.’ “Thanks

start to

"We both

coffee, and

huge gulp out of her

And there

The fakeness.

shield she feels she needs to wear because

understand her a bit more as she basically bolts from

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

me long to get to her house, and by the time I'm there, I see Sadie's car outside

Of course.

inseparable these days, not like I actually

into their house and right

are in the kitchen

over his head while Harper yells and jumps to grab

Her dad's laughing.

rolling

Sadie is busy digging into the bacon like

just watching them, and realize something in

Is college important? Yes.

it important to

more

Love.

Laughter.

This.

keys in the air twice before dropping them onto the

like I'm right

dad nods his head, and then

off her apron and scrambles around the kitchen while their dad

“Gotta go!" he says.

luck!" They're flying by me before I can even

the hell?"

wraps her arms around

find a Groupon for golf lessons.”

three hours.” "I suddenly

I grip her ass.

curses under his

watch some porn in the front seat while getting high and touching my dick every few seconds just to make sure the entire place

of course I

His eyes narrow.

also

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