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

tries to step back, but he's holding

"I—I.

you

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

the worst

isn't as bad as it was a few seconds

Still, it's bad enough.

are

lipstick is smeared

spilling

she cries, "I didn't

thought it

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

my best friend under the

don't want my brother to

want my brother to feel betrayed because

Fuck.

"Ryan .."

I start.

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

on?"

No one says anything.

Sadie crying, we'd be standing

fucking answer me,’

go!" Ryan shouts, trying to wiggle out

until I know what the fuck

Harper!" Ryan

what you saw because your face is telling me you fucking

moves away from Blake and closes the distance

on me and—d it

“And then I—lips"

Another hiccup.

and I was sure it

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

off and says,

Blake take advantage of you?"

hand on her forehead, her skin

"l don't th—think so.

I'm s—so drunk, Ryan"

best

when she's reached her alcohol limit

tell everyone, and I move past the boys and grab

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

take most of her weight, carefully guiding her up the

a

Harper,’

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

“It's okay.

going to feel better

hair out of her face,

all right,” I

Harp?”

Blake?" “Don't worry about that

She turns to me, her black eyeliner running down her

"Hate, hate, haaaaate me"