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 ...

with Blake?

continues and tries to step back, but

"I—I.

you were

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

the worst

scene isn't as bad

Still, it's bad enough.

are on

smeared all

are spilling down Sadie's

she cries, "I didn't

it was

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

my best friend

brother to kill

feel betrayed because

Fuck.

"Ryan .."

I start.

murder you!" But someone comes running up behind Ryan, stopping him by holding him steady, and I quickly realize Easton has joined us and

is going on?"

No one says anything.

it wasn't for Sadie crying, we'd

fucking answer me,’

go!" Ryan shouts, trying to

I know what the fuck

Harper!" Ryan

because your face is telling me you

moves away from

and—d it

“And then I—lips"

Another hiccup.

I heard y—your name and I

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

Ryan cuts him off and says, “Answering

take advantage of you?"

her hand on her forehead, her

"l don't th—think so.

I'm s—so drunk, Ryan"

best friend better than

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

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

bring you into Easton's room so you have

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

cool water and hold it against

“It's okay.

to feel better after

and I hold her hair out of her

all right,” I

I do, Harp?” She sobs between

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

me.” She turns to me, her black eyeliner

"Hate, hate, haaaaate me"