You’re Mine by Penny Brooks

Chapter 133

Easton

"Hi,' Harper says as she opens the door for me, throwing her arms around my neck.

I take a quick glance around us, making sure her parents aren't in sight.

The last thing I need is for them to oversee any kind of PDA and come running at me.

With fucking knives.

But the coast is clear, so I wrap an arm around her waist and bury my face into her neck.

"Fuck, you smell good."

"Don't get any ideas."

"I have zero ideas.

Tonight, tomorrow morning-you might as well be my sister with how far apart we're going to be."

I lean back, looking at her face.

"All right, maybe not a sister, that would make the thoughts that are in my head right now really fucking gross."

She laughs and holds out her hands.

"Is this for the fam?"

I nod as she takes the bag from my grip.

"It's wine.I told my parents I was coming over and Mom insisted.I think there's something else in there, too-some oil or vinegar, or some shit like that." "That's so nice of them, I'm sure my parents will really appreciate the gesture."

She takes my overnight duffle from my arm and says, "Come on."I follow her, knowing within a few steps, I'm going to come face to face with my biggest fear. Her father, my worst fucking nightmare.

And, just like I anticipated, he's there when I round the corner to the kitchen, holding a glass of wine as he leans over the island, talking to Harper's mom. They both turn completely silent the moment I enter.

"Dad, Mom,' Harper initiates, "Easton's here."Every moment under the fucking Christmas tree flashes through my head, followed by the look on her mom's face when she kicked my ass out.

Fuck.

"Easton, her mom says, "it's nice to see you again."

I can't tell if she really means it or it's the wine talking-the glass that's so fixed in her hand, it looks like it's glued there.

"Easton ..."

her dad says, and he steps closer, his hand going to my shoulder, which he squeezes.

Harder than I'm expecting.

"Thanks for joining us."I nod.

"Thank you for having me."

"His parents sent gifts,' Harper says, taking out the items from the bag, making sure her parents see.

But her dad isn't interested.

His eyes are on me and they'te not going anywhere.

"So...ahhh,"

I pause, trying to think of something to say.

"Where's Ryan and Sadie?"

I look around the kitchen, listening for noises upstairs.

"They're not here yet,"Harper tells me. She winces."They should be here any second."

I can still feel her dad's eyes on me.

I'm trying to avoid his stare with every bit of resistance I have, but I can't any longer.

The second I make eye contact, I immediately regret it.

Because his stare tells me something is about to go down.

And I'm only proven right when he says, "Why don't we go have a little chat, son."My fucking stomach drops. Especially when he nods to the porch. "Out there."

"All right,' I reply, quickly glancing at Harper whose eyes are sending apologies and horror.

I wish, more than anything, I could take the glass from her mom's hand and down the red that's in there.

That feeling only intensifies as I follow her dad outside and take a seat next to him.

"I'm not going to beat around the bush,' he says.

"You're a man, you're doing manly things, therefore I want to know you have good intentions with my daughter."

I want to fucking die.I didn't prepare for this.I didn't expect to be hauled outside and have to lay my truth on the table.I just want to tell him I love his daughter and things are going to be all good. But can I say that?

"Lonly have good intentions, sir."

The sir surprises me, but I'm happy I added it.

"Harper means a great deal to me.

I care about her so much and ..."

My hands are sweating, my stomach queasy.

I feel like I'm standing in front of our whole school, naked, with my hand covering my junk.

"And our relationship is very important to me."

"Are you being careful?"

I clear my throat.

"Careful?"

"Yes, son. Careful. Harper is seventeen years old. She's going to college next year. The last thing I need-the last thing the both of you need is a bun in the oven."

Another topic I didn't expect.

And one that feels like a slap across the dick.

I shake my head.

"No buns, sir.

Definitely no buns."

"You're sure about that?"

I swallow. Do I come inside her?Yes. But she's on the pill. Fuck, I feel like the audience just grew to our entire fucking city and now I'm standing buckass naked in front of them, too.

"I'm sure. We have our whole future ahead of us-I'm going to college too, my parents are pushing for pre-law, so! can follow in my brother's footsteps and work at Dad's firm."

"I know you're one of the responsible ones, Easton."

He takes a drink of his wine and I watch it go down his throat, envious when he swallows.

"But Harper is my baby girl.I have to watch out for her, no one else will."

"I will, sir.I always have her back. Nothing will ever happen to her when she's with me.I promise you that."

"Then that leads to my next question."

I shift in my seat, the interrogation making this chair extremely uncomfortable.

"You say you're going off to college and so is Harper, what's going to happen if you go to different schools?

Do I have to worry about Harper dropping out so she can be closer to you?"

He leans his elbows onto his knees, moving even closer to me.

"Because my daughter will graduate, and she will get her degree, and she will be everything she's ever dreamed of, mark my words.

You or anyone-won't be stopping her from making that happen."

I shake my head.

"I want all those things for Harper as well.

I'm only here to make your daughter's life better, I'm not here to hold her back from anything."

He stares at me.

Like he's ready to toss me inside a ring.

But within a few breaths, his glare calms, and he takes a drink.

"Good.It sounds like we're both on the same page, then."I nod.

"Definitely."

"There are rules in this house, son."

He points to the window that overlooks the backyard-a window, I know, is in Harper's room.

"You will never step foot in that bedroom, do you hear me?"I'm halding down the bile in my throat when I say, "Yep.Got it"

He continues to eye me down.

"I can't control what happens outside this house, but I'll be damned if you touch my daughter while you're under my roof.

So, not a single needle on that tree better shake.

Have I made myself clear?"

"Loud and clear."

"Good."

He takes another drink.

"Then, it's settled. You'll have manners while youre in this house, Harper is going to college, and there won't be any grandchildren in my near future.I think I've covered everything."

"Sir?"

His eyes widen.

"Yes."

"I just want to say...thank you."For not fucking killing me. And for making this the most awkward and uncomfortable conversation I've ever had in my goddamn life.