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

to step back, but

"I—I.

you were

the doorway directly next to me, his empty hand

the worst timing

as bad

Still, it's bad enough.

hands are on

lipstick is smeared

spilling

cries, "I didn't

it was

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

to throw my best friend under

brother to kill Blake in

because his girlfriend was just making out with

Fuck.

"Ryan .."

I start.

But someone comes running up behind Ryan, stopping him by

on?" Easton shouts across

No one says anything.

Sadie crying, we'd be standing

better fucking answer me,’ Easton

trying to

know what the

Harper!"

face is

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

on me and—d it

“And then I—lips"

Another hiccup.

heard y—your name and I was sure it was

when he says to her, "Did he take

him off and says, “Answering

advantage of

her forehead, her skin starting

"l don't th—think so.

I'm s—so drunk, Ryan"

best friend better

reached her alcohol limit and we're there

and I move past the boys and grab

I'm going to bring you into Easton's

the stairs into Easton's room and close the door behind

and just as I'm grabbing a washcloth to wet, she leans

God, Harper,’

cloth with cool water and hold

“It's okay.

feel better

I hold her hair out of her face,

right,” I

do, Harp?”

I do with Blake?" “Don't worry

to hate me.” She turns to

"Hate, hate, haaaaate me"