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

tries to step back,

"I—I.

thought you were

doorway directly next to me, his empty hand telling

just chosen the worst timing

bad as it was a

Still, it's bad enough.

are on Sadie's

is smeared all

are spilling down Sadie's

she cries, "I didn't

thought it was you

click in his head, his teeth grinding together as

my best

brother to kill Blake in Easton's

to feel betrayed because his girlfriend was

Fuck.

"Ryan .."

I start.

running up behind Ryan, stopping him by holding him steady, and I quickly

on?" Easton shouts across the

No one says anything.

wasn't for Sadie crying,

better fucking answer

Ryan shouts, trying to wiggle out

know what the fuck is happening,”

him, Harper!" Ryan

him what you saw because your face is

anything because Sadie moves away from Blake and closes the distance

on me and—d it was

“And then I—lips"

Another hiccup.

and I was sure it was

he says to her, "Did he take advantage of you?"

him off and says, “Answering the question,

take advantage of

on her forehead, her skin starting to turn

"l don't th—think so.

I'm s—so drunk, Ryan"

best friend better

her

I tell everyone, and I move past the boys and grab Sadie's arm, leading

hold on to me, I'm going to bring you into Easton's room so you have some

up the stairs into Easton's room and close

just as I'm grabbing a washcloth

God, Harper,’

quickly wet the cloth with cool water and hold it against her

“It's okay.

to feel better after

out of her face, rubbing

right,” I

I do, Harp?” She sobs

do with Blake?"

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

"Hate, hate, haaaaate me"