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

looks

"I always worry"

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

do.” She

know.’

to

caring.” "We both

coffee, and

takes a huge

today!" And there it

The fakeness.

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

think I start to understand her a bit more as she basically

rest of my apple in the trash, and

the time I'm there, I see Sadie's

Of course.

these days, not like I actually had a

and right away hear

Harper's parents are in

holding one over his head while Harper yells and jumps

Her dad's laughing.

rolling her

is busy digging into the bacon like she

just watching them, and realize something

Is college important? Yes.

it important to follow your

more important?

Love.

Laughter.

This.

keys in the air twice

like I'm right on

dad nods his head, and then an

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

“Gotta go!" he says.

luck!" They're flying by me before I can even say

the hell?" I

comes over and wraps her

your parents find a Groupon for golf lessons.”

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

I grip her ass.

under

seat while getting high and touching my

course I took care of your

His eyes narrow.

that was also weirdly detailed.” I

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