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 her

worrying though.” She looks up at me in

"I always worry"

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 as I

do.” She

know.’ “Thanks

start to feel

"We both

looks away, grabs her coffee, and then shows me her

She takes a huge

fun today!" And there it

The fakeness.

it's not being fake—maybe it's more about a shield she feels she needs to wear because of what my dad does and because of the money

a bit more as she basically

and go grab Ryan's car, the one she borrowed

her house, and by the time I'm there, I see Sadie's car outside parked on the

Of course.

I actually

and right

are in the kitchen making

over his head while Harper yells and jumps to

Her dad's laughing.

rolling her

the bacon like she hasnt eaten in

watching them, and realize

Is college important? Yes.

important to follow your

what's more

Love.

Laughter.

This.

smile and toss Ryan's keys in the air twice before dropping them onto

I'm right

his head, and then an alarm from

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

“Gotta go!" he says.

flying by me

the hell?" I

over and wraps

is what happens when your parents find a

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

I grip her ass.

curses under his

and touching my dick every few seconds just

bro, of course I took care of

His eyes narrow.

also weirdly detailed.” I

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