You’re Mine by Penny Brooks

Chapter 195

Harper

"I feel like this is enough food to feed our entire senior class,’ Sadie snorts as she drives away from McDonald's, our final stop for the boys.

That's after we already picked up the pizzas and added several large fries and a few more burgers to the order, knowing they're probably drunk and most definitely high and will eat more than they've asked for.

“You know our men, they're endless pits of hunger.” “Ain't that the truth.” She turns at the light, heading for Blake's neighborhood, one that's just as nice as Easton's.

“When does Blake leave again, like a few days, right?” “Girl, he's leaving tomorrow, that's why they need to get it all done today.

Once he's packed, the boys are going to load it all into Blake's car, and we're going to party tonight, and then Blake will take off in the moming.” “Damn.” She shakes her head.

"This is all happening so fast.” “You're telling me,’ I say as she begins to slow for the stop sign.

I glance at her.

"You know ...

we're next.” “Don't go there, we still need to shop and pack and have fun this summer.

We have some time before we take off."

She's right.

We have the whole summer, Blake is just going early to San Diego.

But I'm glad we're not heading to UCLA until freshman orientation, which is in a couple months.

I need more time with Sadie and I need more time with Ryan.

And I need time to unwind from the last few months of school and prepare my brain for all the hard work I have ahead of me.

How I'm going to balance Dean's List—something my scholarship requires me to maintain—with Easton and partying and college fun.

I know I can do it.

of focus when I suddenly have

the best things about

onto Blake's

"What's that?"

have

“Whaaaat?” I smile.

was a surprise to

told me tonight when you picked

with Dad and they decided not to give me

taken off, I don't want

in three seconds.”

She pulls into

share,’ I say and climb out of the car, balancing

hands—‘“give me something, you don't have to carry it all.” I

door, I'm fine.” We go up the walkway and up the front steps, knocking on Blake's

“Are his parents’ home?"

I ask Sadie.

She shrugs.

"No idea.

their cars, but they have an eight— car garage or something, I doubt they park in the driveway.” “Try ringing the bell,” I say after another

we can hear the bell go off inside, the double chimes that echo through the

“Where are the boys?” I look toward the

to be here.” “I'm sure they are, but the house is so big, they probably can't hear the doorbell.” She reaches for the handle, pressing down on the top latch, and

we just go in?” I've only been to Blake's house a few times, each occasion he answered the

definitely never just let myself

so, I tell

order, so it should be fine.” She

them or leave it down here and we'll eat in

remember correctly, there's a bar up there where

out of my hands, leading us to the massive staircase that wraps around the entire living

past the first few steps,

ton to drink.” “Oh God, I didn't even

toward Blake's wing, where he has

rounding the corner toward his sitting room and that's when we hear the