You’re Mine by Penny Brooks

Chapter 188

Easton

The ride to Disneyland is long, a little over four hours, but at least the high school rented plush buses for us to travel in.

Harper and I sit together, with Ryan and Sadie in front of us, and the girls have kept up their conversation ever since we left campus, Sadie going on and on about her favorite rides and snacks at the park. "and we have to get the Dole Whip, Ryan. It's so good. I know you don't like pineapple, but you must try it." Sadie nudges Ryan in the tubs, and he grunts in reply.

I glance over at Harper, noting how her gaze is at half-mast.

My girl looks sleepy and I reach out, briefly settling my hand on her thigh.

"Tired?" She nods, her eyes falling closed for a moment.

"Maybe I should nap before we get there." "You can use my shoulder as a pillow, I suggest, because I've become that guy.

The one who's so completely into his girl, he'd do anything to make her happy.

Harper's eyes pop open and she smiles.

"I'd love that." "Harp, are you seriously going to take a nap right now? I was just going to tell you about Splash Mountain." Sadie turns in her seat, rising up onto her knees so she can look directly at us as she grips her headrest with both hands.

"Ryan's no fun. He's only talking to me in grunts, like I'm an annoyance to him. And now you're about to fall asleep too. What is wrong with you people?"

"Let them sleep so they can actually enjoy Disneyland later; I tell Sadie, wishing she'd calm down.

I like Harper's best friend, but sometimes she's way too hype.

"We're in for a long night, Harper says as she rests her head on my shoulder.

"I need rest." "So do I, Ryan says from his seat in front of me.

Sadie purses her lips into a pout.

"I'm too excited to sleep." "Try.

Ryan grabs Sadie's hand and tugs, causing her to tumble into his lap with a giggle.

He gives her a deep kiss before pushing her out of his lap and back into her seat.

"Close your eyes, baby.

Relax for a minute." If she could relax for as many minutes as possible, I definitely wouldn't protest.

Leaning in, I press my lips to Harper's temple, breathing in her sweet, tropical scent.

"You should definitely try to take a nap.

We're going to be up all night long." "I can't wait to see everything.

Like, I don't even know what ride to get on first" "I'll help you,' Sadie calls from seat.

'I've got your back, bestie." "I know you do bestie," Harper says to her before she returns to our conversation. "But yeah, I'm so tired.

I've been anxious all day, excited about the trip." "It's going to be fun." I grab her hand, interlacing our fingers.

"I haven't been there in years." "Right."

She's quiet for a moment, her fingers curling around mine, and I wish I knew what was going on in that pretty head of hers. "These last few weeks have been so wild." "What do you mean?" "Getting into my dream college.

The party and the whole Blake and Sadie thing at your house-"

"I heard that," Sadie interrupts.

Harper's laughter is soft.

"Sorry friend." I squeeze her hand.

"Continue." "Prom night.

My dress and how much you loved it.

Winning prom king and queen with you.

Knowing that you're coming to UCLA with me.

That we have a future together" She lifts her head from my shoulder.

"I feel on top of the world." That's all she says, and I sense there's a "but" following her statement.

Yet she remains quiet.

"Harper, I urge. "If you're feeling unsure about any of this, about me, just know you've got nothing to worry about.

You've got me on lock.

You couldn't shake me if you tried." She turns her head to look at me, her eyes glowing, though I spot the tiniest hint of worry clouding them.

"I know. I don't worry about you. Or us. I just..." "What?" "The spray paint.

The message that night on the limo,' she admits, biting her lower lip.

I really hate it when she does that.

Only because I want to bite that plump lip myself.

"We don't know who did it.

Who wrote that." Anger makes my blood simmer and I try my best not to get too worked up.

"When I find out who did, there's going to be hell to pay.

Mark my words." "Oh, I know," she says on a sigh.

"But what if we never find out who did it. Or why. What then?" I frown.

"You told me you weren't going to worry about it." "I wasn't, not that night.

I didn't want to let some petty, stupid message make me feel like shit on what turned into the best night of my life.

But now I'm curious.

Who is doing this? And why? What do they care about me and what I'm doing? I have no known enemies." "Except Aisha," I remind her. "Except Aisha,' she repeats, slowly shaking her head, her gaze going to the window to study the scenery passing by.

"She didn't do this." "You don't know that for sure-"

"No." She whips her head around, her gaze finding mine.

"I'm positive it wasn't her.

Not after what happened and how we exposed her.

She's been keeping to herself ever since, Easton.

And yes, while she was there at your house the night of prom, I still don't think she's the one who left the message.

It's got to be someone else." Idon't agree with her, but I'm not about to argue.

Not on the bus while headed to Disneyland.

Talk about making everything worse.

"Okay. So who is it?" "I don't know, she admits, catching her lower lip between her teeth.

"But I'm hoping we figure it out. Soon"