You’re Mine by Penny Brooks
Chapter 57

Chapter 57

Harper

In huge ugly letters, the word whore is spray-painted in black, coveringthe entire garage door for the subdivision to see.

This is so much worse than my locker.

I cover my mouth with my hands as tears form. I stumble out, “Whowould do this?”

“We asked the same thing.” Dad kicks at the grass in frustration andlooks across the street. “For all his neighbor stalking, Mr. Mann had hisRing camera turned down so that the damn cat across the street wouldstop setting it off when it shits in his yard.”

“He hates that cat” I say lamely.

“Yup.” Dad nods then cranes his neck toward me. “Harper. is somethinggoing on? Really.” The way he looks at me kills a part of my soul. I'vealways been the good twin, the one who never got into trouble, theone people never suspected.

Now I had enough drama in the last few weeks to keep me occupiedfor life.

I'm also very aware that the look my mom keeps giving me means she’sso disappointed in me. I pray she hasn't seen Easton's Jeep. I mean, heparked further down the street but still... Hopefully, she hasn't noticedRyan's not here, but his best friend is. Have they checked around thehouse? I didn't hear the stairs creak, so I can only hope they just gothome.

I feel sick to my stomach, this is so bad. So bad. And just when I think itcan't get worse, I hear Ryan's truck start barreling down the street atexactly the same time Easton comes strolling out the front door.

What the heck is Easton doing?

I can only guess he saw Ryan's car from upstairs and ran down, hopingto intercept him.

Easton completely freezes when he sees both parents still outside, hiseyes widen even further when Ryan pulls up into the driveway. Ryan'seyes are trained on Easton. As he

follows where Easton's looking, a look of pure rage crosses his features.My brain does the calculations as fast as it can.

Smart one, remember?

I'll be grounded for life if Mom and Dad replace out.

“Hey Easton!” I say loudly as Ryan hops out of his car, clearly ready tokick Easton's ass. “See, I told you Ryan wouldn't take long grabbing hisassignment from Sadie.”

Easton slightly frowns while my parents watch us in curiosity. “Right. Iwas worried...so, very “Worried that she'd keep him all day. You neverknow how long...” He puts special emphasis on the word long. “-.thesethings can last, hours or —seconds.”

“Ha, ha.” Ryan slaps Easton on the back. Hard, then grabs him by theback of his neck and squeezes. “And leave my best friend alone with mysister? The one I trust most in this world? The guy who swore to be myright-hand man during the zombie apocalypse? Never.”

I've never seen Easton so pale and feel a little bad that my brother isbeing so ridiculous, then again, we're all screwed if my parents replace outwhat went down last night.

After all, I may have been home losing my virginity, but something tellsme that Ryan wasn't at Sadie’s house watching a movie while sitting ona separate end of the couch eating popcorn.

“Yeah.” Easton manages to wrap an arm around Ryan, pulling him evencloser. “You know me when I love someone, it goes beyondfriendship...”

“Funny you should use the L-word.” Ryan spits. At this point, they'rejoined in this weird angry bro hug, both of them have a grip on eachother's necks too.

It's weird as hell.

There's no way my parents are going to buy it.

“Ryan,” Dad barks. “You know we don't care if you have Easton over."“Yeah honey.” Mom smiles at Easton. He's lucky his charm works oneveryone. “We love Easton. You're always welcome, sweetie.”

Easton smirks.

I start making funeral preparations for him. I take one look at Ryan'sface and decide it will need to be a closed casket.

“But...” Dad takes a step toward them, his eyes darting between theguys. “How didn’t you hear someone outside last night? What the heckwere you boys doing last night. Do you even know who would do this?"“Games.” Ryan blurts while Easton smirks and follows it with. “Twister.”I inwardly groan.

Must he poke the bear?

Ryan's face turns a funny shade of red, like he's almost embarrassed.Easton turns to release Ryan, and his eyebrows shoot up as if he'sseeing what I'm seeing.

"Apparently, Ryan wanted more than a few rounds, maybe next time,buddy.” He shoves him away and smartly walks over to Dad and standsbehind him.

Well, at least an idiot didn't take my virginity, right?

Ryan can't attack him with my dad that close by.

Ryan hangs his head. “Sorry Dad, I'll get some of the old paint. Eastoncan help me since he should have also been-more alert.”

Easton opens his mouth.

I'm afraid of what's going to come out, so I yell, “GREAT IDEA!"“Honey.—" Mom covers one of her ears. “There's no need to scream.”“Sorry, I just really like painting,” I mumble, suddenly remembering howmuch I screamed last night. What if the person who spray-painted thegarage heard us? Or saw Easton's car?

Easton snickers behind his hand and gives me a heated look that hasme forgetting everything I should be worried about and wanting tojump into his arms.

Ryan charges toward him and gives him a light shove toward thegarage. “Let's go.”

Dad looks on. “It's good they're so close.”

“Yeah.” Guilt slams into me. “It is.”