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.

the top of

She looks up at me

"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

do.” She pulls

you know.’

start to feel

caring.” "We both

away, grabs her coffee, and

takes a huge

fun today!" And

The fakeness.

needs to wear because

start to understand her a bit more as

in the trash, and

the time I'm

Of course.

inseparable these days, not like I

and right away

of Harper's parents are in

head while Harper yells and jumps to grab

Her dad's laughing.

mom's rolling

the bacon like

and realize something in that

Is college important? Yes.

to follow your

more important?

Love.

Laughter.

This.

keys in the air twice before dropping them

like I'm right

mom grins while their dad nods his head, and

no!” Their mom pulls off her apron and scrambles around the kitchen

“Gotta go!" he says.

me before I can

the hell?"

and wraps her arms around

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

hours.” "I suddenly feel the

I grip her ass.

under his

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

bro, of course I took care of your

His eyes narrow.

also

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