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

to step back, but

"I—I.

thought you

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

the worst

as bad as it was a

Still, it's bad enough.

are on

is smeared all

spilling

she cries, "I didn't

thought it

his teeth grinding together as he roars, "Sadie,

want to throw my best friend

don't want my brother to kill Blake

brother to feel betrayed because his girlfriend

Fuck.

"Ryan .."

I start.

up behind Ryan, stopping

going on?" Easton shouts across

No one says anything.

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

fucking answer me,’ Easton

go!" Ryan shouts, trying to wiggle

I know what the fuck

him, Harper!"

your face is telling me

say anything because Sadie moves away from Blake and closes the distance between

and—d

“And then I—lips"

Another hiccup.

and I was sure it

about to explode when he says to her, "Did he take advantage of

and says, “Answering the question,

take advantage of you?"

on her forehead, her skin starting

"l don't th—think so.

I'm s—so drunk, Ryan"

my best friend better

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

to be sick," I tell everyone, and I move past the boys and grab Sadie's arm, leading her out of the

I'm going to bring you into Easton's room so

the stairs into Easton's room and close the

I'm grabbing a washcloth to wet, she leans over the toilet and

Harper,’ she

quickly wet the cloth with cool water and hold

“It's okay.

feel better after this.”

again and I hold her hair out of her face, rubbing soft circles over her

right,”

I do, Harp?”

Blake?" “Don't

to hate me.” She turns to

"Hate, hate, haaaaate me"