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

She looks up at me in

"I always worry"

don't want to remind her because, for some reason, I'm suddenly

do.” She

you know.’

to feel

"We

and then

a huge gulp out of

today!" And there it

The fakeness.

it's not being fake—maybe it's more about a shield she feels she needs

understand her a bit more as she basically bolts

trash, and go

and by the

Of course.

days, not like I actually had a leg to

right away hear

Harper's parents are in the kitchen making

head while

Her dad's laughing.

mom's rolling

into the bacon

and realize something

Is college important? Yes.

important to follow

what's more important?

Love.

Laughter.

This.

the air twice before dropping them

like I'm

mom grins while their dad nods his head, and then an alarm from someone's phone

pulls off her apron and scrambles around the kitchen

“Gotta go!" he says.

flying by me

hell?"

over and wraps her arms

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

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

I grip her ass.

under his

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

of course I

His eyes narrow.

was also weirdly detailed.”

yourself.” “Fuck you,’ he growls, grabbing a piece of bacon and sitting next to