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 ...

made out with

to step

"I—I.

you were

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

just chosen the

as bad

Still, it's bad enough.

are on Sadie's

smeared all

are spilling down Sadie's

cries, "I didn't

thought it was

just as it all seems to click in his head, his teeth grinding together as he roars, "Sadie, what the fuck am I looking at right now?" I don't know

throw my best friend under

to

want my brother to feel betrayed because

Fuck.

"Ryan .."

I start.

up behind Ryan, stopping him by holding him steady, and I quickly realize Easton has joined us

fuck is going on?"

No one says anything.

Sadie crying, we'd

better fucking answer

me go!" Ryan shouts, trying

what the fuck is happening,” Easton

him, Harper!" Ryan

face is telling me you

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

hands—s on me and—d

“And then I—lips"

Another hiccup.

and I was sure it was y—you,

to her, "Did he take advantage of you?" “Come on, man," Blake

and says, “Answering the question,

Blake take advantage of

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 right

move past the boys and grab Sadie's arm, leading

bring you into Easton's room so

the stairs into Easton's room and close the

I'm grabbing a washcloth

God, Harper,’

cloth with cool water and hold it against

“It's okay.

better after

again and I hold her hair out of her face, rubbing soft

right,”

Harp?” She sobs between

with Blake?" “Don't worry about that

me.” She turns to me, her black eyeliner

"Hate, hate, haaaaate me"