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

d—dare you," she continues and tries to step back, but he's holding

"I—I.

thought you

says from the doorway directly next to me, his empty hand telling

chosen the

as bad as it was

Still, it's bad enough.

are

is smeared all over

are spilling down Sadie's

she cries,

it

head, his teeth grinding together as he roars, "Sadie, what the fuck am

want to throw my best

to

want my brother to feel betrayed because his girlfriend was just making out with

Fuck.

"Ryan .."

I start.

cuts me off and launches for Blake, saying, “I'm going to fucking murder you!" But someone comes running up behind Ryan, stopping him by holding him steady,

the fuck is going on?" Easton shouts across the

No one says anything.

wasn't for Sadie crying, we'd

answer

me go!" Ryan shouts, trying to wiggle out

the

Harper!"

saw because your face is telling

anything because Sadie moves away from Blake

on me and—d it was

“And then I—lips"

Another hiccup.

heard y—your name and I was sure it was

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

him off and says, “Answering the

advantage of you?"

puts her hand on her forehead, her skin

"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 we're there right

I move past the boys

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

up the stairs into Easton's room and

her into the bathroom and just as I'm grabbing a washcloth to wet,

Harper,’

quickly wet the cloth with cool water and hold it against

“It's okay.

to feel better after this.”

and I hold her hair out of her face, rubbing soft circles over her

right,” I

Harp?” She sobs between

with Blake?" “Don't

to hate me.” She turns to me, her black eyeliner running down her

"Hate, hate, haaaaate me"