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 Blake?

and tries to

"I—I.

thought you

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

the

isn't as bad as

Still, it's bad enough.

hands are on Sadie's

is smeared all over

spilling down

she cries, "I didn't

it was you

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

to throw my best friend

don't want my brother to kill

don't want my brother to feel betrayed because his girlfriend

Fuck.

"Ryan .."

I start.

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

fuck is going on?" Easton shouts across

No one says anything.

for Sadie crying, we'd be

answer me,’ Easton

Ryan shouts, trying to wiggle out of Easton's

what the fuck

Harper!"

you saw because your face is telling me you fucking saw

to say anything because Sadie moves away from Blake and closes

on me and—d

“And then I—lips"

Another hiccup.

heard y—your name and I

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

him off and says,

take advantage of you?"

puts her hand on her forehead, her

"l don't th—think so.

I'm s—so drunk, Ryan"

know my best friend better

I know when she's reached her alcohol limit and

past the

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

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

grabbing a washcloth to wet, she leans over the toilet and throws

God, Harper,’ she

wet the cloth with cool

“It's okay.

feel better after

her hair out of her face, rubbing soft circles

all right,” I

Harp?” She sobs between

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

me.” She turns to me, her

"Hate, hate, haaaaate me"