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 up at me in

"I always worry"

always been distant though, ever 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

She

know.’ “Thanks

start to feel

"We both

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

a huge gulp

And there

The fakeness.

she feels she needs to wear because of what my dad does

start to understand her a bit more as she basically bolts

apple in the trash, and go grab Ryan's car, the one she borrowed last night

house, and by the

Of course.

not like I actually had a leg

right away hear yelling and

of Harper's parents are in the

while Harper yells and jumps

Her dad's laughing.

mom's rolling

the bacon like she hasnt eaten in

just watching them, and realize

Is college important? Yes.

it important to follow your

what's more

Love.

Laughter.

This.

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

like I'm

his head, and then an

the kitchen while their dad quickly grabs his keys

“Gotta go!" he says.

They're flying by me

hell?"

and wraps

is what happens when your parents find

"I suddenly feel the need to

I grip her ass.

under

made sure to watch some porn in the front seat while getting high and touching

course I took care

His eyes narrow.

also weirdly detailed.” I

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