You’re Mine by Penny Brooks

Easton

We grab some food to-go at a local Mexican restaurant, and then head back to my house.

The minute we're in the kitchen, I'm pouring Harper a giant glass of water to prepare for her peeing on the stick after dinner. She's pulling all of the food containers out of the bag, setting them up on the kitchen counter where we're going to sit and eat. "You bought a lot of food," she says as she cracks open one container, revealing a pile of tortilla chips and a small container of salsa.

"I'm starving," I admit as I grab a couple of chips and stuff them in my mouth.

"And I wanted to be prepared since you might be eating for two." She rolls her eyes and socks me in the arm.

Her gaze goes to the cup of water I set in front of her.

"You expect me to drink all that?" "Probably enough for two tests." "Yeah." She swallows hard and pushes the container with her food inside away from her. "I'm freaking out, Easton.

Our lives could change tonight." "Or it could be no big deal," I say with a shrug.

"No matter what, we'll figure it out." "You really think we will? Because I'm scared," she says, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Like really scared." I turn to her and pull her off the stool she's sitting on.

Until she's standing in between my spread legs and my arms are around her waist.

She wraps her arms loosely around my neck, our gazes never straying.

"I'm scared too.

But you need to know something before we take that damn test, okay?" "What is it?" "I'm in this with you.

For real." I squeeze her even closer.

"I'm not going anywhere.

I love you, Harper.

And no matter what, we're going to get through this together." Her eyes are shiny as she stares down at me and I hope to hell she doesn't start crying again. Her tears do me in every single time.

"I love you too.

You say the best things." "I mean every fucking word I say." I grip her nape tighter and pull her down so our lips meet for a brief kiss.

"I'm starving.

Let's eat." She laughs as she pulls away from me, settling on the barstool she just vacated.

"How can you eat right now? I'm too nervous." "Oh, I'm nervous," I admit, just before I take a giant bite of my burrito.

Fuck, it's delicious.

"But a man's still gotta eat." Harper shakes her head and pops open the lid of her container, staring at the two tacos she ordered that are nestled inside.

A shiver steals over her and she slams the lid shut.

"I can't.

I'll barf." Not a good sign.

If she's throwing up and tired all the time and horny...

My girl is probably pregnant.

As in, I knocked her up.

I'm responsible for making her that way.

Fuck, her parents are going to be so disappointed in me.

And I can't even think about my parents and how they'll react.

My dad will go on a rampage, telling me how I ruined my life all over a girl.

Well, she's the most important person in my life, so if I'm going down and ruining my life, at least I'm doing it with the girl I love.

"Drink up," I tell her, waving at the glass of water.

"Then, go take the test." She chugs water while I consume my burrito, and I'm glad to see her munch on a few chips.

She's been looking thin lately.

And pale.

I just chalked it up to stress.

But maybe it was something else.

I'm about halfway through my monster burrito when she grabs one of the tests and heads for the guest bathroom that's next to the kitchen.

"I'm going in." "Want me to come with?" I ask, my mouth half full.

"After I pee," she says.

"I'll call for you." Within minutes, she's calling my name and I head for the bathroom, my steps heavy the closer I get to her.

These next few minutes should determine the course of my life.

My heart starts beating wildly in my chest, causing a dull roar in my ears.

Swallowing hard, my mouth is dry, and I sort of feel like I could throw up.

Fuck.

She's at the sink, staring at the test device as it sits on the counter and when she hears me approach, she lifts her head, glancing over her shoulder at me.

"I was going to wait for you, but..." "But what?" I ask, my heart in my throat.

Her smile is a glorious sight to see.

"It's negative." "No way." I stand next to her, staring down at the test, seeing the best word ever appear.

Negative.

"Take the other one," I suggest.

"What if it comes up positive?" "It won't," I say with confidence.

We go back to the kitchen and I finish my burrito while Harper eats one of her tacos.

She seems lighter.

Happier.

So aml.

She guzzles the water and I crack open a beer because, holy fuck, I need it to calm my frazzled nerves.

We're not in the clear yet, but we're close.

Really close.

"Should I really take the other one?" she asks once she's finished her second taco.

"Yeah.

Definitely," I say with a nod.

She heads for the bathroom and I check my phone to see I have a text from my best friend.

Ryan: Where are you guys? Me: At my house.

Ryan: Fucker.

You should've invited us.

Harper gave me some bullshit about you guys looking at Christmas lights.

Me: We were going to do that, but we changed our minds.

Ran into Aisha at a Walgreens.

Ryan: Why were you at Walgreens? Damn it.

I don't want to explain myself.

Me: Harper wanted candy.

Ryan: Figures.

Can we come over? Sadie and I are bored.

Now is not the time, but how do I tell that to Ryan? Me: I don't think so.

Harper is stressed out.

Ryan: She was born stressed out.

Me: She's been worse lately.

You've noticed it.

Ryan: You're right.

She has.

Work your magic over her and calm her down.

Maybe we could get together tomorrow.

Me: Maybe.

"Easton!" Harper shrieks from the bathroom.

My phone tumbles from my hands and lands on the floor with a plop, but I don't even care.

I'm rushing toward the bathroom, stopping in the doorway when I spot Harper standing there, the test clutched in her fingers, her cheeks dripping with tears.

Oh fuck.

"What does it say?" I ask, bracing myself.

She bursts out laughing.

"Negative, motherfucker.

You're not my baby daddy!"