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

worrying though.” She looks up at me in

"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

do.” She pulls

you know.’ “Thanks

to feel

caring.” "We

coffee, and then shows me her megawatt fake

a huge gulp

fun today!" And

The fakeness.

not being fake—maybe it's more 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

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

the time I'm there, I see Sadie's car outside parked on

Of course.

I

into their house and right away hear yelling and

are

over his head while

Her dad's laughing.

rolling her

busy digging into the bacon like she hasnt eaten in

watching them, and

Is college important? Yes.

it important to follow your

more

Love.

Laughter.

This.

the air

like I'm right

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

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

“Gotta go!" he says.

luck!" They're flying by me before I

hell?" I

wraps her arms

parents find a

hours.” "I suddenly

I grip her ass.

under his

while getting high and touching my dick every few seconds

bro, of course I took care

His eyes narrow.

also weirdly

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