You’re Mine by Penny Brooks
Chapter 24

Chapter 24

Easton

I heard the rumors about Harper's vandalized locker at the beginning offirst period. How someone wrote slut on the front of it in black spraypaint-like what the fuck?

By the end of class, I'm being called into the vice principal's office. Theserious expression on Mr. Rose's face tells me he means business, andhe doesn't even hesitate with his accusation.

"Did you vandalize a locker this morning before school started?”

he asks.

I scoff, shocked he would think it's me. “Absolutely not. Why the hellwould I do that?”

The pointed look he sends me for cursing at him makes me want to saysomething else. Something ruder. “Watch your mouth. And where wereyou on campus before the first bell rang?”

“Out in front of the school, like always am. I have witnesses if you needthem to vouch for me.” I lean back in my chair, completely at ease.

“Let me look in your backpack.” Mr. Rose points at where it sits on

the floor.

“No.”

“Thave every right to search your belongings when you're on schoolproperty.” He flicks his fingers. “Give it to me. Now.”

Without a word I hand over my backpack and he settles it on top of hisdesk before he zips it open, rifling through my things. Irritation fills mebut I'm confident he won't replace shit. I don't even know what he’slooking for. A spray paint can? The person who actually did this wouldhave to be a complete idiot to walk around with the evidence still onthem.

“Looks like there's nothing.” Mr. Rose says once he's finished and givesit back over to me.

“Want to search my car? I can guarantee there's nothing incriminatingin there either,” I say.

“Not yet,” Mr. Rose says, which sets off a fresh wave of annoyance.“Why do you think I did it?”

“Your name was mentioned in the list of suspects,” Mr. Rose says.Irritation is replaced by full flown anger. Did Harper actually believe !would do something so awful to her? What kind of asshole does shethink I am?

chutz “Do you still think I did it?” I rise to my feet, slinging my backpackonto my shoulder

“I'm not sure, so be prepared to get called back in,” Mr. Rose saysbefore I leave his office,

The rest of the morning I'm in a red haze, too angry to speak, to payattention, to do anything but walk through the halls like a damn robot,my gaze constantly scanning, looking for Harper. The little bitch isnowhere to be found and by the time lunch starts, I'm infuriated.

“Hey baby, want to go off campus together?”

ch

I turn to replace Aisha standing in front of me, tempting in a cropped blackshirt and high waisted jeans. She looks good as usual, but the problemwith Aisha is she lacks substance

“No thanks,” I bite out as I push past her.

I hear her say something else but ignore her, moving through thecrowds of people like a shark whose scented his prey. I replace her in thecafeteria, sitting at a table with Sadie, the both of them hovered closeand whispering. I stop in front of the table, and my presence doesnothing. They don't even notice me.

“We need to talk.” I demand, my voice so loud they both jump.

Sadie watches me, her eyes wide. Harper contemplates me coolly, herexpression completely unreadable. “What do you want?”

“To talk to you. I pause. “In private.”

Harper shakes her head. “Not a good idea.”

“I don't give a shit what you think.” I round the table and place my handon her shoulder. Just like that, a bolt of lust shoots through me at firstcontact

So fucking annoying.

“You can't just boss me around” she retorts.

“I can when you're spreading false rumors about me and your fuckinglocker,” I throw back at her.

Without a word she slips off the bench and we're walking beside eachother, exiting the cafeteria together. Ryan watches us with narrowedeyes but he doesn't say a word or make a move toward us.

I can tell he doesn't like that I'm talking to his sister. Well tough shit.Blake watches us too, his face unreadable, his gaze blazing.

That guy can go suck a dick.

Once we're outside, I grab hold of Harper's arm and lead her towardthe parking lot, which is mostly devoid of people. The moment we'reout of sight, she’s yanking her arm out of my hand, turning on me likeshe wants to rip my head off.

I would never vandalize your locker,” I tell her before she can get aword out.

She freezes, her mouth falling open for a brief second before she snapsit shut

“I'm a dick but I would never go that far,” I continue. “I don't know whodid it, and after what's happened between us, I'm

surprised you'd think I would be so

awful.”

She crosses her arms which only plumps up her tits. It takes all I've gotnot to stare at them. “You're pretty awful, Easton.”

"Did you tell Mr. Rose you thought I did it?”

She shrugs one shoulder. More than enough confirmation. I take a steptoward her and she stiffens, her expression wary.

“Even after everything we've shared?” My voice is soft, my heartpumping wildly as I get closer. This girl-what the hell is she doing tome? I don't get it.

“We haven't shared much” she whispers. “One moment in a

closet?”

“And another in a bathroom. And at my party.” I'm so close I can smellher, that delicious scent lingering around us. “Stop pretending, Harper.It's unbecoming.”

She dips her head, her hair falling forward and covering most of herface. “Who did it then? Who wrote that on my locker?”

“It wasn't me,” I say with so much conviction she looks up, her gazemeeting mine. “I'll help you figure out who did it though.”

th

Her brows draw together. “You

will?”

I touch her cheek. Stroke along her jaw. Press my thumb against herbottom lip. “Yes. I'll rip their head off for you too, if that's what youwant. I'd do-“I clamp my lips shut.

I need to shut the hell up before say something I don’t mean.

“You'd do what?” she whispers, her gaze dropping to my lips.

Yeah. She can deny it all she wants, that she hates me. Wants nothing todo with me. But she can't deny that she wants me.

We're happening, whether we like

it or not