You’re Mine by Penny Brooks novel Chapter 57

Chapter 57

Harper

In huge ugly letters, the word whore is spray-painted in black, covering the 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, “Who would do this?”

“We asked the same thing.” Dad kicks at the grass in frustration and looks across the street. “For all his neighbor stalking, Mr. Mann had his Ring camera turned down so that the damn cat across the street would stop 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 something going on? Really.” The way he looks at me kills a part of my soul. I’ve always been the good twin, the one who never got into trouble, the one people never suspected.

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

I’m also very aware that the look my mom keeps giving me means she’s so disappointed in me. I pray she hasn’t seen Easton’s Jeep. I mean, he parked further down the street but still… Hopefully, she hasn’t noticed Ryan’s not here, but his best friend is. Have they checked around the house? I didn’t hear the stairs creak, so I can only hope they just got home.

I feel sick to my stomach, this is so bad. So bad. And just when I think it can’t get worse, I hear Ryan’s truck start barreling down the street at exactly 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, hoping to intercept him.

Easton completely freezes when he sees both parents still outside, his eyes widen even further when Ryan pulls up into the driveway. Ryan’s eyes 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 find out.

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

Easton slightly frowns while my parents watch us in curiosity. “Right. I was worried…so, very –Worried that she’d keep him all day. You never know how long…” He puts special emphasis on the word long. “-.these things can last, hours or –seconds.”

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

I’ve never seen Easton so pale and feel a little bad that my brother is being so ridiculous, then again, we‘re all screwed if my parents find out what went down last night.

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

“Yeah.” Easton manages to wrap an arm around Ryan, pulling him even closer. “You know me when I love someone, it goes beyond friendship…”

“Funny you should use the L-word.” Ryan spits. At this point, they’re joined in this weird angry bro hug, both of them have a grip on each other’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 on everyone. “We love Easton. You’re always welcome, sweetie.”

Easton smirks..

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

“But…” Dad takes a step toward them, his eyes darting between the guys. “How didn’t you hear someone outside last night? What the heck were 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’s seeing 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 stands behind 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. Easton can 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 how much I screamed last night. What if the person who spray-painted the garage heard us? Or saw Easton’s car?

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

Ryan charges toward him and gives him a light shove toward the garage. “Let’s go.”

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

“Yeah.” Guilt slams into me. “It is.”