You’re Mine by Penny Brooks

Chapter 44

Easton

Her dark eyes, which were full of anger only seconds ago, are now filled with shock. Confusion.

“You didn't kiss her?” Her voice is a squeak. My scared little mouse. Slowly I shake my head, staring at her lips. There are too many people around-and there's hardly anybody out here-but I'm not risking kissing Harper in front of an audience.

No matter how badly I want to.

Harper stands taller. “I don't believe you.”

“It's true.” I take a step back and throw out my arms, my palms pointed at the sky. “I shoved Aisha away at the last second and she got pissed.” What else is new?

“And then I catch you kissing Blake.” 1 grin, like I'm having the time of my life, when I'm not. Fuck, I'm furious just thinking of her mouth under his. “How was it? I've heard he has sloppy technique. Uses too much tongue.”

“Better than you, that's for sure,” she spits out, her aim true.

A direct hit to my ego.

And heart.

Leaning my head back, I stare up at the cloudless sky, my brain scrambling to come up with something. Anything. I always have a ready insult to throw at her, but right now, my mind's a blank.

Finally, I turn my attention to her, wondering why she hasn't left yet. If she didn’t

give a shit about me, she'd be gone already. Right?

“So I guess you like it sloppy and with too much tongue. Noted. Maybe next time that's what I'll give you.” I snag her hand and pull her in close, her body colliding with mine. Just like that, my skin tingles, wanting more.

Wanting her.

“There will be no next time,” she says between clenched teeth. “Because you're Blake's now? Wonder what your brother would say when he finds out you've gone from one of his best friends to the next.” I smirk. “If you go through enough of us, maybe we could all get together one night and run a train on you. I'd bet you'd like,”

The slap comes out of nowhere, right across my face. She's already jerked her hand out of my grip and there are tears streaming down her cheeks. Angry ones. Her gaze blazes with fury and I've never seen her look so beautiful.

“You're disgusting,” she whispers harshly before she turns and marches away.

Away from me.

I watch her go, my gaze dropping to her ass. Even knowing how mad she is, I can't help but check her out. Or find her attractive.

Like Id run a train on her with my friends. Please. I wouldn't let any of those fucks so much as look at her.

Harper's mine.

She belongs to me.

“Come over to my house later,” Ryan proposes as we walk out to the parking lot after school.

"Why?" I ask warily, not wanting to see Harper. It's probably best if I keep my distance for a couple hours.

Couple days.

Whatever.

“I scored a few fine ass blunts, that why.” Ryan grins. “And you wouldn't believe where I found them.”

“Where?”

“On the roof of the school. I was up there in the middle of seventh period and found them hidden behind an air conditioning unit. Wrapped up all nice and neat.” Ryan laughs.

"You probably stole someone's stash.” I shake my head. “They're going to be real pissed when they discover it's gone.”

“Who cares? They're the dumbasses who left it up there.” Ryan is still laughing, pleased as hell with himself.

“And what were you doing on the roof anyway?”

He comes to a stop and I do too, watching him carefully. He's been acting more mysterious lately, and I have no idea what he's been up to. “Sneaking out of class. I can't stand school anymore.” He shakes his head. “I just want to graduate and get out of here.”

“We've still got a long way to go,” I say as we resume walking

“Don't remind me,” he mutters. “We on for tonight or what?”

“Where are your parents?” I don't think they'd approve of us getting together and having a blunt sesh at their house.

Ryan glances around, as if he doesn't want anyone else to hear us. “They're out of town for the next few days and into the weekend. My dad is on a business trip and Mom went with him. And since they found out about our last get together at the house, they gave Harp and I a bunch of shit about having no one over. The lecture was fuckin’ torture.”

Interesting.

“But you're still having a bunch of people over.”

“Not a bunch,” Ryan clarifies. “Only a choice few. I'm inviting a couple of the guys. You know, the usual.”

“Like Blake?” I'll want to tear that fucker's man bun right off his head the first chance I get.

Ryan frowns. “I already talked to him and he said he had to pass. Said something else came up last minute, though he also promised he'd try to stop by later.”

Huh. Wonder what the hell that's about.

“And where will your sister be?” My voice is casual. My entire demeanor nonchalant. I don’t want to look like I care about Harper's whereabouts. But I do care. I care a lot.

“Studying in her room? She said she has an essay due and doesn't want us to disturb her.” Ryan laughs. “We can just smoke outside, you know?"

“Sure,” I say. “I'll be there. What time?”

“Seven? Whenever, man. My door is always open to you.”

We both glance to our left when we see Harper approach, Sadie right next to her. They watch us with wary gazes and I feel like we're doing the same thing to them

“What are you boys planning tonight, hmm?” The devilish smile on Sadie’s face tells me she's on to us.

Hmm, and how would she know? Can't help but wonder if Ryan's fucking around with her on the side.

“None of your damn business,” Ryan calls out to her with a smile, making her laugh. “You ready to go, Harper?”

She nods, murmuring something to Sadie before she brushes right past me and

climbs into the passenger seat of her brother's car.

I watch her as she pulls the door shut, shoving my hands in my front pockets as Ryan reminds me to come by around seven and then jogs over to the driver's side of his car. She glances out the window, her gaze locking with mine, her eyes narrowing.

I lift the corner of my mouth in a one-sided smile, thinking of all the fun we could have tonight if she'd let me sneak into her room. I'm sure I could convince her to let me inside. I'd even bet on it.