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 ...

made out with Blake? Oh

you," she continues and tries to step back, but he's holding

"I—I.

thought you were

the doorway directly next to me, his empty hand telling me he'd come in here

the worst

isn't as bad as it was

Still, it's bad enough.

hands are on Sadie's

is smeared all over

are spilling

cries, "I didn't

it was you

as it all seems to click in his head, his teeth grinding together as he roars, "Sadie, what the fuck am

want to throw my best

don't want my brother to kill Blake in Easton's

because

Fuck.

"Ryan .."

I start.

“I'm going to fucking murder you!" But someone comes running up behind Ryan, stopping him by holding him steady, and

is going on?" Easton shouts

No one says anything.

crying, we'd be

fucking answer

trying to wiggle out of Easton's

until I know what the

him, Harper!" Ryan

saw because your face is telling me you fucking saw

Sadie moves away from Blake and closes the distance

and—d it was dark—k.”

“And then I—lips"

Another hiccup.

name and I was sure it

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

and

advantage of you?"

hand on her forehead, her

"l don't th—think so.

I'm s—so drunk, Ryan"

know my best friend better than

know when she's reached her alcohol limit and we're there

tell everyone, and I move past the boys and grab

me, I'm going to bring you into

carefully guiding her up the stairs into

and just as I'm grabbing a washcloth to wet,

Harper,’

the cloth with cool water

“It's okay.

better after this.” “Everything is

hold her hair out of her face, rubbing soft circles over

right,”

do, Harp?” She

I do with Blake?" “Don't

going to hate me.” She turns to me, her black eyeliner

"Hate, hate, haaaaate me"