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 Blake? Oh

d—dare you," she continues and tries to step back, but he's holding

"I—I.

you

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

chosen the worst

the scene isn't as bad as it was

Still, it's bad enough.

hands are

is smeared all

are spilling down

cries, "I

it was you

in his head, his teeth grinding together as

to throw my best friend

want my brother to kill

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

Fuck.

"Ryan .."

I start.

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

going on?" Easton shouts across the

No one says anything.

wasn't for Sadie crying, we'd

answer me,’ Easton

trying to wiggle out of Easton's

what the fuck is

him, Harper!"

you saw because your face is telling me you

say anything because Sadie moves away from Blake and

me and—d it was dark—k.” She

“And then I—lips"

Another hiccup.

I

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

him off and says, “Answering the

advantage of you?"

her hand on her forehead, her skin starting to

"l don't th—think so.

I'm s—so drunk, Ryan"

know my best

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

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

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

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

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

Harper,’ she

quickly wet the cloth with cool water and hold it against her

“It's okay.

going to feel better after this.”

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

all right,”

did I do, Harp?” She sobs between

I do with Blake?" “Don't worry about

to

"Hate, hate, haaaaate me"