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,

"I—I.

you were

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

chosen the

least the scene isn't as bad as it was

Still, it's bad enough.

are on Sadie's

smeared all over Blake's

spilling down Sadie's

cries,

it was

it all seems to click in his head, his teeth grinding together as he roars, "Sadie, what the fuck

to throw my best friend

my brother to kill Blake in

to feel betrayed because his girlfriend

Fuck.

"Ryan .."

I start.

going to fucking murder you!" But someone comes running up behind Ryan, stopping him by holding him steady, and I

fuck is going on?" Easton

No one says anything.

for Sadie crying, we'd be standing

answer me,’ Easton

shouts, trying

the fuck is happening,”

Harper!"

face is telling me you

a chance to say anything because Sadie moves away from Blake and closes the distance

on me and—d it was

“And then I—lips"

Another hiccup.

name and I was sure it was y—you,

to her, "Did he take advantage of

off and says,

take advantage of you?"

her hand on her forehead,

"l don't th—think so.

I'm s—so drunk, Ryan"

my best friend

reached her alcohol limit

and I move past the

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

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

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

Harper,’ she

with cool

“It's okay.

going to feel better

out of her face, rubbing soft

right,”

I do, Harp?” She sobs

do with Blake?" “Don't worry about that

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

"Hate, hate, haaaaate me"