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 ...

with Blake? Oh

and tries to step back, but

"I—I.

thought you were

was Ryan?" my brother says from the doorway directly next to me, his empty hand telling me he'd come

just chosen the

as bad

Still, it's bad enough.

are

is smeared

spilling down Sadie's

cries, "I didn't

thought it was you

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

throw my

brother to kill Blake in Easton's

my brother to feel betrayed because his

Fuck.

"Ryan .."

I start.

behind Ryan, stopping him by holding him steady,

is going on?" Easton

No one says anything.

for Sadie crying, we'd be standing in

better fucking answer me,’ Easton

Ryan shouts, trying to wiggle

the fuck is happening,” Easton

him, Harper!" Ryan

what you saw because your face is telling

get a chance to say anything because Sadie moves away from Blake and closes the distance between her and

and—d it was dark—k.”

“And then I—lips"

Another hiccup.

I heard y—your name and I was

to explode when he says to her,

Ryan cuts him off and says, “Answering

advantage of you?"

her forehead, her skin

"l don't th—think so.

I'm s—so drunk, Ryan"

my best friend

she's reached her alcohol limit and we're

tell everyone, and I move past the boys and

on to me, I'm going to bring you into

guiding her up the stairs into Easton's room and close the door

a washcloth to wet, she leans over

Harper,’ she

wet the cloth with cool water

“It's okay.

going to feel better

hair out

right,”

Harp?” She sobs

Blake?" “Don't worry about that

She turns to me, her black eyeliner running down her

"Hate, hate, haaaaate me"