You’re Mine by Penny Brooks

Chapter 177

 Harper 

"Do you need a drink?" I ask Easton.

He takes a look at his glass and says, “Wouldn't mind a refill, babe"

He hands me the tumbler.

"How about you?" I ask Ryan.

He checks his bottle of beer.

"Still got a half, I'm good for right now, but do me a favor, check on my girlfriend, I haven't seen her in like ten minutes or something.” Now that I think of it, he's right.

It feels like it's been a century since Sadie disappeared to the bathroom.

“I'm on it," I tell both of them and I carry Easton's glass into the kitchen, making him another vodka soda and deliver it to him before I go to the downstairs bathroom.

There's a small line outside the door and I ask the person in the front, "Is Sadie in there?" He shrugs and replies, "I think it's Michael, but I'm kinda too drunk to remember"

Sadie isn't in line.

There's a chance she went upstairs to use Easton's bathroom.

That's where I'm going to check, but I'm going to get myself a beer first.

I go to his dad's private garage to grab one from his secret stash and open the door, flipping on the light.

"Turn off the light,’ I hear someone say the moment I look inside.

I immediately notice someone leaning against the wall halfway between the fridge and me.

That someone is my best friend.

And there's a guy pinning her to the wall, his lips all over hers, his hands moving up and down her sides.

“What the fuck?” I shout, my hands instantly shaking, my heart freezing.

They stop kissing and look at me.

My stomach churns when I see who it is.

"Blake?" I gasp and look at Sadie.

"Sadie, what the hell are you doing with him?" “Blake,” she slurs and her eyes widen, like she's just now realizing it's him.

Her hand flattens against his chest and she pushes him away from her.

At least she attempts to, but he doesn't move.

"H—how dare y—you.” She's a mess.

Drunker than I thought.

I never should have let her go to the bathroom by herself.

But it's too late.

And now ...

out with

continues and tries to

"I—I.

thought you

directly next to me, his empty

chosen the

isn't as bad as it was a few seconds

Still, it's bad enough.

hands are on Sadie's

smeared all over Blake's

are spilling down Sadie's

she cries, "I

thought it was you

head, his teeth grinding together as he roars, "Sadie, what the fuck am I looking

to throw my

my brother to kill Blake

brother to feel betrayed because his girlfriend

Fuck.

"Ryan .."

I start.

and launches for Blake, saying, “I'm going to fucking murder you!" But someone comes running up behind Ryan, stopping him by holding him steady, and I quickly realize Easton has

is going on?" Easton shouts across

No one says anything.

wasn't for Sadie crying, we'd be standing

better fucking answer

Ryan shouts, trying to

until I know what the fuck is

him, Harper!" Ryan

saw because your face is telling me you

because Sadie moves away

felt hands—s on me and—d it was

“And then I—lips"

Another hiccup.

name and I was sure

like he's about to explode when he says to her, "Did he take advantage of you?" “Come on, man," Blake

and

advantage of you?"

her hand on her forehead, her skin starting

"l don't th—think so.

I'm s—so drunk, Ryan"

know my best friend better than

I know when she's reached her alcohol limit

I move past the boys and grab Sadie's

going to bring you into

weight, carefully guiding her up the stairs

and just as I'm grabbing a washcloth to

Harper,’

quickly wet the cloth with cool water

“It's okay.

feel better after this.” “Everything

her hair out of her face, rubbing

all right,” I

did I do, Harp?” She sobs

Blake?" “Don't worry

to me, her black eyeliner

"Hate, hate, haaaaate me"