You’re Mine by Penny Brooks
Chapter 73

Chapter 73

Harper

Easton is forgiven.

I know that apology wasn't easy for him-he’s not the type to ever sayI'm sorry-and neither was accepting the fact that he needs tocommunicate. But I'm pretty sure I got my point across and that wasmy hope.

My other hope is that he doesn't kill Blake and I'm doing everything Ican to make sure he doesn't

Except the moment I come out of my fourth period class, I fail.

Blake is standing directly outside the door, waiting for me to join him. Ican tell he wants to chat, that shouldn't be that big of a deal. We arefriends — aren't we? Or we were before the chaos erupted. Maybe wecan be friends again once things cool down and the

guys realize it wasn't Blake who spray painted our garage.

But, at this very moment, Blake is fire.

And the best thing I can do is stay far, far away from him.

Except he's making that impossible, moving beside me the moment Istep into the hallway. I dart to the right, trying to avoid him, and heslides in the same direction. A simple shift to the left and it happensagain.

“I'm a much better dancer when there's music playing,” he jokes.

I smile, I can't help it. He's goofy, but sweet at the same time. “Hey,Blake.” I take a deep breath, thinking of what to say. “I have to run, Ihave to talk to my teacher about an assignment before class.”

“I'm headed in the same direction, I'll walk you there.” He gentlytouches my shoulder, leaving his fingers there as we take our first steps.“I've been wanting to talk to you about your house and the spray paint.That's why I came over that morning the second I heard the news, Iwanted to make sure you were okay, but Ryan said you were atEaston's.”

I recount the moment he's talking about, knowing very well I was home,and Easton was with me, and Ryan shooed Blake away so Easton didn'tkill him.

“There's so many rumors going around school about it,” he continues.“I want you to know I'm sorry. I hate that this is happening to you, youdon't deserve it."

There's sincerity in his voice, his eyes so soft and sympathetic.

I don't understand why the guys think he’s the guilty one. Because hehad some silly, so called evidence in his trunk that could have beenused for anything?

The memory of Whore still stings as I reply. “It sucks, Blake. Someone istrying to hurt me, and I don't understand why ... but it's working.”

“You can't let it.” He squeezes my shoulder, making me realize his handis still there. “You're stronger than that.”

Iglance in his direction after weaving around a few students. “Thankyou.”

He analyzes my face. “You look tired today, is Easton being a dick, andkeeping you from getting a good night's sleep?” He leans in andwhispers, “I saw you guys fighting this morning.”

Even though Easton took us into the doorway of the classroom, tryingto prevent us from having onlookers, I was worried we still did. I'm sureAisha was somewhere in that crowd too. Wherever Easton is, she neverseems to be too far away

“Everything's fine,” I assure him

“I just hope he has good intentions, you know? I don't want him totreat you like he treats everyone else. You're better than all those othergirls he's been with, you're like a princess, not someone who should belied to.”

Lied to?

An awful feeling thumps in my stomach.

“Do you know something I don't, Blake?”

He runs his hand through his hair. “Man, I don't know ..." He glancesdown, like looking at me is almost too much. “I just see him talking toAisha all the time.”

“All the time?”

He nods. “Is that something you're okay with? I mean, I know if roleswere reversed, I wouldn't want my girl talking to her ex all day.”

All day?

My heart suddenly aches from this news, my stomach churning. What ifBlake is right, what if Easton does talk to Aisha all day and that's howshe knew I was a virgin?

“Need proof?” Blake asks and he points toward the left. “There's somefor you right there.”

I follow his finger, my stare moving across the hallway until it meetsEaston. He's standing outside his locker, Aisha directly next to him, thetwo in deep conversation

Everything in my body starts hurting, tears threatening to rise into myeyes.

He knows how much I hate her, how she’s to blame for everythingthat's happened to me.

And he’s still talking to her?

All day?

At his damn locker, nonetheless.

“I told you,” Blake says in my ear. “If you were my girl, I wouldn't needto talk to anyone else. You would be more than enough.”

I slowly glance at Blake, his eyes backing up everything he's saying, andthen my gaze returns to Easton. He shuts his locker and turns around,our stares connecting.

His jaws clench when he sees I'm with Blake.

His hands turn into fists.

I know what he's thinking, what he wants to do, and it's not going tohappen.

“Don't you dare,” I mouth to him, making sure he understands what Imean.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Aisha, and the smug look on her face.Ugh, I can’t fucking stand her.

And I can't stand that she’s enjoying every second of this.

As the seconds pass, Blake still not leaving my side, Easton's expressiontells me he’s on the verge of murder.

I need to stop him before he does something stupid.

“Blake, I have to go,” I say, and I rush over to Easton, ignoring Aisha'spresence. “Ready to head to class?” I ask my boyfriend, linking ourfingers together.

“Harper ... what the fuck.”

I can say the same to him about Aisha, but it isn’t the right moment forthat. Not when his eyes aren't even on me, they're on Blake, glaring athis prey like he's about to hunt at any second.

I need Easton's attention.

I dig my nails into his hand. “Class — now!"

“That guy has some fucking balls,” he roars.

Aisha moves closer, her face inches from mine, where she whispers inmy ear, “Don’t you love it when Easton gets all animalistic.” She licksher lips. “You should see him act that way when he’s naked. Mmm-mmm."

My skin feels like it's been scorched.

I can't take another second of this.

“You're such a bitch,” I spit at her, and then I pull Easton's fingers,dragging him in the opposite direction. “Why the hell were you talkingto her?” I ask when we're far enough away. I can't hold back the anger,everything about today is eating at me.

He stops walking and I can tell he feels the same way, his mouth tense,his tone growly when he says, “Why don't you tell me what the fuck youwere doing with Blake.”