You’re Mine by Penny Brooks
Chapter 78

Chapter 78EastonI'm shit.Like actual shit on shit, the worst shit, fuckkkkkkkk.My palms are actually sweating as I grip the steering wheel and headover to Leigh's house.She didn't just send me horrible text threats, she called seven times,which is the last thing you want when you're trying to open up to yourgirlfriend basically saying, “hey no worries I've changed,” only to leaveher and go to the guidance counselor slash admin you used to fuck andrepeat history. Originally she said she needed a favor, code word forshe wants the high school senior to bend her over against her officechair until she’s hoarse from screaming.I snort, yeah, a favor, she said the same thing in her texts tonight, heycan you do me a favor?Code yet again.I know what Leigh wants.I know she’s going to use any information she has on us.And I want to actually run my Jeep into the next brick building I see.I don't want her anymore. Funny how the minute you have somethinggood, the universe is like yeah just wait for it, I'll fuck with you. You're inlove? Cool, let's bring in some hate or competition, or even better, let'smake sure your entire life is over if you don't do xyz.I'm sick the entire drive to her house.I almost turn around a dozen times, maybe if Harper questioned me Iwould have, instead my phone is silent, my car is like death as rainstarts to pound against my windshield.It takes me maybe fifteen minutes to get to her house, it's in a nicesubdivision five blocks over from Harper's house. The white and blacksplit level house stares me down as I park.I suddenly hate doors that are white and have fall decorations.I hate them.I know what's behind that door, maybe that's why.Or maybe I suddenly have a conscience, either way, I'm not happy to behere and in the past the only reason I even came here was to get goodgrades or because it was taboo.Not feeling that way right now, no. I'm feeling cheap and disgusted andlike a total liar.I stare down the door and take a deep breath. It opens, because ofcourse it does. Leigh is holding it open with a glass of wine in hand,she’s wearing a crop top that leaves nothing to the imagination and apair of low slung black sweats.Tused to think she was hot, the type of mom or cougar you fuck overand over again because you get bragging rights, but now? I notice theaggressiveness, the manipulation, and the exhaustion.Slowly, I get out of my jeep and look behind me just in case, not thatanyone was following me but I'm suddenly extremely paranoid forsome reason as I walk toward Leigh.She takes a sip of her wine, meanwhile I want to throw up.“You came.” She holds her door open.I swallow and shove my hands into my jeans. “Yeah well, I didn't reallyhave a choice.”03“How's the girlfriend?” She winks.Again, I want to vomit. “Good, thanks for asking.” I force a smile “Gonnainvite me in?""Of course.” She opens the door wider.She has candles lit around her small living room. The fire roars in thefireplace and two bottles of wine are set on the kitchen table with anempty glass I'm assuming is mine.I walk numbly toward the kitchen counter and grab the wine, pouring itinto my glass untilI'm sure it's going to spill over, then take a long, hard sip. Fuck, I wouldmurder someone for weed right now.Fuck, I'd probably rob someone for it with the way she’s looking at me.The sound of her front door closing feels like a gunshot to the head as Itry to keep my cool."So ." She leans against the countertop and all I can focus on is herbelly ring. I literally want to yell midlife crisis, instead I look away anddrink more wine. “You wanna go into the bedroom or stay here?”Images of me and Harper in the hot tub assault me to the point whereit's hard to breathe. I wasn't just saying shit-I love her.I trulyReally.Love.Her.Not this crazy person using her authority as a way to play me and myfriends. The more I think about it, the more pissed I get as she walkstoward me and takes my wine glass out of my hand, setting it on thecounter.“Kiss me,” Leigh says.glare. “I kiss you and this all goes away?"She shrugs, fucking shugs. “Sure, why not?”“You're the worst.” I let out a bitter laugh. “How many guys in ourschool do you do this with, huh? Do you need me to make you feelyoung again, Leigh?” I draw out her name and am basically in her face.“Or is this about men your age not getting you off, say where is thathusband of yours anyway? Drunk off his ass at some bar because he'safraid to come home after his shift at the Police station?”

* “Well ..." I've clearly lost my mind as I peer around her and shrug.

“Looks like your ass

has gotten huge so maybe that's why you need to own mine?She shoves me again. “Easton, I'm serious.”“So. Am. I.” I grin. “Maybe I'm not man enough for you, maybe I shouldjust go.”“Stop playing games.” She grabs my shirt and rips it on the sleeve. “Kissme."I stare at her.I see a painful future.I see a constant loop of me fucking her in order to get out of shit.And I see Harper's broken face.Her tears.It hurts more than being expelled.It hurts more, I imagine, than being ran over by my own Jeep.What the fuck am I even doing?I stumble back. “This won't ever end, will it?”“What?” She bats her eyelashes and starts to take off her top, thentosses it to theground, her breasts on full display. “Do you mean this?"She starts touching her nipples and I'm out.I'm done.I can't.I just can’t anymore.I shake my head. “Do your worst, Leigh, but I'm done.”“You'll fucking regret this, you shit!” she yells, still topless.I grab my phone out of my pocket and snap a quick picture of herbefore she can say anything, then whisper, “So will you.”"Delete that!" she roars.I shrug. “Now we each have shit. And now you know, I will expose you.”“Expose this!” She flips me off.I turn around and leave despite her yelling.I don't care anymore.I just want my girl.And I need her.