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

to step back, but he's holding

"I—I.

thought you were

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

just chosen the

scene isn't as bad as it was a few seconds

Still, it's bad enough.

are on

is smeared all over

are spilling

she cries,

thought it was

as it all seems to click in his head, his teeth grinding together as he

throw my best friend under the

brother to kill Blake

want my brother to feel betrayed because his girlfriend was just making

Fuck.

"Ryan .."

I start.

Blake, saying, “I'm going to fucking murder you!" But someone comes running up behind Ryan, stopping him by holding him steady, and I quickly realize Easton has joined us and

the fuck is going on?" Easton shouts

No one says anything.

for Sadie crying, we'd

better fucking answer

shouts, trying to wiggle

what the fuck is happening,” Easton

him, Harper!"

you saw because your face is telling me

because Sadie moves away from Blake and closes the distance between

felt hands—s on me and—d it was dark—k.”

“And then I—lips"

Another hiccup.

name and I was sure it was y—you,

looks like he's about to explode when he says to her, "Did he take advantage

Ryan cuts him off and says, “Answering the

take advantage of you?"

her hand on her forehead, her skin

"l don't th—think so.

I'm s—so drunk, Ryan"

best

know when she's reached her

move past

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

most of her weight, carefully guiding her up the stairs into

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

Harper,’

with cool water and

“It's okay.

going to feel better after this.” “Everything is

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

all right,” I

do, Harp?” She sobs between

I do with Blake?"

me.” She turns to

"Hate, hate, haaaaate me"