You’re Mine by Penny Brooks

Chapter 170

Easton

I didn't mention the elephant in the room with Harper.

Talking about money always felt weird, and after our champagne, I figured it would be smarter to just Uber her home and then have her come pick up her car later.

She left her keys with me, and I realized I could just drive the car back to her house tomorrow and see her at the same time.

Besides, I had news to tell her.

I got into UCLA too.

Basically, miracles do happen, and I was pumped as shit to get to her house and tell her.

I go down to the kitchen to grab something for breakfast and chug some coffee when my mom stops me and gives me the look every mom gives their kids when they want to have a talk. "Something on your mind?" I ask, nervous that she already knows about UCLA and is going to try to steer me away from what I've already decided.

She hesitates, rubbing her fingers down her coffee cup like she's nervous before blurting.

"Are you being safe?" So not what I expected her to say.

I trip a bit then grab an apple from the fruit basket even though my plan was to grab a breakfast sandwich from the freezer or at least a cold brew from the fridge.

"Hmm?" "Safe," she repeats.

"With...Harper." "Safe as in I make her put her seatbelt on?" I awkwardly bite into the apple and chew.

"Yeah, Mom, we're safe.' "Okay"

She nods.

"Okay, I just.."

She sets the coffee cup down on the counter.

"It's important that you go to college both of you.

And I don't want any surprises like a pregnancy or ""-Gonna stop you right there." Guilt creeps in.

"She's not pregnant, and we're being smart, not stupid, and Mom..." I pull her in for a side hug.

So now she wants to be a helicopter parent? Really? Only when it comes to college? It kind of burns, but I try not to focus on it as I hold her close and breathe in her Chanel perfume.

"I love you," I say simply.

"We're together now, and I love her.

We're taking one day at a time"

Mom exhales softly.

"Okay." I kiss the top of her head.

"Thanks for worrying though." She looks up at me in confusion.

"I always worry"

She's always been distant though, ever since High School started, but I don't want to remind her because, for some reason, I'm suddenly seeing her differently, like maybe she just didn't want to interfere and felt weird as I got old.

"I do." She pulls away.

"Worry, you know.' "Thanks mom"

I start to feel emotional.

"For caring." "We both care"

She looks away, grabs her coffee, and then shows me her megawatt fake smile.

"Anyway!" She takes a huge gulp out of her mug.

"Have fun today!" And there it is.

The fakeness.

But maybe it's not being fake-maybe it's more about a shield she feels she needs to wear because of what my dad does and because of the money we have.

I think I start to understand her a bit more as she basically bolts from the kitchen.

I shake my head, put the rest of my apple in the trash, and go grab Ryan's car, the one she borrowed last night to get here.

It doesn't take me long to get to her house, and by the time I'm there, I see Sadie's car outside parked on the curb.

Of course.

They're inseparable these days, not like I actually had a leg to stand on.

I let myself into their house and right away hear yelling and the sound of dishes.

Both of Harper's parents are in the kitchen making pancakes.

Ryan's holding one over his head while Harper yells and jumps to grab it.

Her dad's laughing.

Her mom's rolling her eyes.

And Sadie is busy digging into the bacon like she hasnt eaten in years.

I pause, just watching them, and realize something in that moment.

Is college important? Yes.

Is it important to follow your dreams? Absolutely.

But what's more important? Relationships.

Love.

Laughter.

This.

I smile and toss Ryan's keys in the air twice before dropping them onto the counter.

"Looks like I'm right on time"

Their mom grins while their dad nods his head, and then an alarm from someone's phone goes off.

"Oh no!" Their mom pulls off her apron and scrambles around the kitchen while their dad quickly grabs his keys and kisses Harper's head.

"Gotta go!" he says.

"Wish us luck!" They're flying by me before I can even say bye.

"What the hell?" I ask.

Harper comes over and wraps her arms around me.

"This is what happens when your parents find a Groupon for golf lessons." She sighs.

"They'll be gone for three hours." "I suddenly feel the need to thank Groupon"

I grip her ass.

Ryan curses under his breath.

"Bring my car back in good shape?" "Nah, I jerked off on every seat then made sure to watch some porn in the front seat while getting high and touching my dick every few seconds just to make sure the entire place smells like me and sex so you can never get it up again." I deadpan.

"Fuck bro, of course I took care of your bitch"

His eyes narrow.

"Right, but that was also weirdly detailed." I shrug.

"Planned it the entire drive here just to make you piss yourself." "Fuck you,' he growls, grabbing a piece of bacon and sitting next to Sadie.

She puts her hand on his thigh, then leans in and kisses his cheek.

He bites into his bacon like he's a predator.

And Sadie bites into his lower lip the minute he's done chewing like he's her snack.

Gross.

I look away and shudder.

"Right?" Harper whispers.

"Hey, I had a thought..." "Hmmm?" I hold her close, and the smell of bacon and syrup fills the air.

"What kind of thought?" She goes up on her tiptoes and whispers in my ear, had I been chewing, swallowing, or just doing anything but breathing, I would have choked to death.

"Are you sure?" She nods.

"Yeah, I mean, they're gone." "Right,;' I whisper under my breath.

"But don't you think that's crossing a line?" She looks over her shoulder.

Ryan and Sadie are already making out.

"Well, first off, they won't even notice.

Second, we can lock the door, and third, don't you want to do something...forbidden"

The way she says it has my dick straining already against my fly.

Let's be honest I'd probably follow her into a warzone at this point as I nod my head and rasp, "Lead the way"

"Knew you'd cave"

"It's sex.

Guys always cave when it's sex, plus you said forbidden." "True"

She laughs over her shoulder.

"Hey Ryan, don't come into Mom and Dad's room, all right? It's occupied." Ryan stops kissing Sadie, looks between us then scowls.

"Son of a bitch, why do you ruin everything?" "Don't be pissed you didn't think of it first," I call that ass out.

He glares.

"Cool, just keep desecrating everything"

"One minute,' I whisper just as we're nearing the door.

"I have some news that might help said desecration..." "What?" She laughs.

"What could possibly make this better, hmm?" "I got into UCLA"

I blurt it out, and suddenly everything feels right like the universe is finally on our side.

She stills in my arms.

"Wait, does this mean-" "Strip, baby." I shove her inside the room.

"It's time to celebrate."