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

and tries to step back, but he's

"I—I.

you were

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

chosen the worst timing

least the scene isn't as bad as it

Still, it's bad enough.

are on Sadie's

lipstick is smeared

spilling

she cries,

thought it was you

together as he roars,

want to throw my best friend under the

brother to kill Blake in

don't want my brother to feel betrayed because his girlfriend was just making out

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?" Easton shouts across the

No one says anything.

for Sadie crying, we'd

answer

me go!" Ryan shouts, trying to wiggle

the fuck is happening,” Easton

him, Harper!" Ryan

what you saw because your face is telling me

because Sadie moves away from Blake and closes the distance between

and—d it

“And then I—lips"

Another hiccup.

heard y—your name and I was sure

about to explode when he says to her,

him off and says, “Answering the question,

take advantage of

puts her hand on her forehead,

"l don't th—think so.

I'm s—so drunk, Ryan"

know my best friend

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

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

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

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

a washcloth to wet, she leans over the toilet

God, Harper,’ she

cloth with cool

“It's okay.

going to feel better after this.”

hair out of her face, rubbing soft circles

right,”

do, Harp?” She sobs between

did I do with Blake?" “Don't

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

"Hate, hate, haaaaate me"