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

to

"I—I.

you were

was Ryan?" my brother says from the doorway directly next to me, his

chosen the worst

bad as it was a few seconds

Still, it's bad enough.

hands are on Sadie's

lipstick is smeared all over

spilling

cries,

thought it was you

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

my

to kill Blake in

betrayed because his girlfriend was just making

Fuck.

"Ryan .."

I start.

cuts me off and launches for Blake, saying, “I'm going to fucking murder you!" But someone comes running up behind Ryan, stopping him by holding him

fuck is going on?"

No one says anything.

crying,

answer me,’

trying to

until I know what the

Harper!" Ryan

saw because your face

moves away

on me and—d

“And then I—lips"

Another hiccup.

and I was sure it

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

him off and

advantage of you?"

hand on her forehead, her skin

"l don't th—think so.

I'm s—so drunk, Ryan"

know my best friend

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

sick," I tell everyone, and I move past the boys and grab

I'm going to bring you into

of her weight, carefully guiding her up the stairs into Easton's room

her into the bathroom and just as I'm grabbing a washcloth to wet, she

Harper,’ she

the cloth with cool water and

“It's okay.

feel better after this.” “Everything is

hair out of

right,” I

Harp?”

do with Blake?" “Don't

me.” She turns to me, her black eyeliner

"Hate, hate, haaaaate me"