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

though.” She looks up at

"I always worry"

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

you know.’

to feel

caring.” "We

looks away, grabs her coffee, and then

huge gulp out of her

And there

The fakeness.

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

to understand her a bit more as she basically bolts from the

shake my head, put the rest of my apple in the trash, and go grab Ryan's car, the one she borrowed last night to

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

Of course.

these days, not like I actually had a leg

let myself into their house and right away hear

of Harper's parents are

his head while Harper yells and jumps

Her dad's laughing.

mom's rolling her

digging into the bacon

and realize something in that

Is college important? Yes.

it important to follow

more important?

Love.

Laughter.

This.

Ryan's keys in the air twice before dropping

like I'm right on

nods his head, and then an alarm from

off her apron and scrambles around the kitchen while their dad quickly grabs his keys

“Gotta go!" he says.

me before

the hell?"

wraps her arms

find a Groupon for golf

"I suddenly

I grip her ass.

curses under his

I 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

of course I took care of

His eyes narrow.

that was also weirdly detailed.” I

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