You’re Mine by Penny Brooks novel Chapter 86

Easton I

t's finally the last period of the day—a day that hasn't wanted to fucking end—and the teacher is writing on the board, giving me a chance to slip out my phone and shoot off some texts.

For hours I've been thinking about how I should talk to the guys about this, how I should bring us all together, and only one way makes sense.

To be straight up with them.

I check to make sure the coast is still clear, the teacher rattling off about some shit, and I start typing.

Me: Come to my house after school.

Blake: Should I bring my boxing gloves? Me: Unless you plan on mouthing off and not listening to a goddamn thing I have to say.

Blake: What do you have to say? I already know how much of an asshole you are.

Me: Just be there, dickhead.

I open the last text Ryan sent me and I type out a message to him.

Me: After school, my house.

Be there.

Ryan: I should knock your ass out for that stunt you pulled in the hallway.

That conversation we were having is far from over.

Me: It'll continue after school.

Ryan: I know.

I put my phone away and try to focus on the teacher, but I don't hear a word she's saying.

That's how the whole day has gone—waiting to get called into the office, zoning out as I think of my talk with Harper, relieved as hell that I didn't lose her, ignoring every motherfucker in the hallway who has a smart remark about my situation with Leigh.

None of the Mrs.

Scott pettiness the students are barking at me really bothers me.

They can say whatever they want, I slept with a married woman who's more than twenty years older than me, and I would have slept with her again if she hadn't cut things off.

It's definitely not the worst thing I've done.

I just don't like that the students assume I fucked her while I've been with Harper.

Out of all this, that’s the only thing that eats at me and the reason it hurts is because I know how much it kills Harper.

It makes her feel betrayed and that's the last thing I want.

The sound of the bell pulls me out of my thoughts, and I rush up from my desk.

There are two situations I need to focus on, and both happen to be parked in my driveaway the second I pull up to my house.

“Surprised you invited him,"

Ryan says, nodding toward Blake.

Ryan's just as angry at the cocksucker, but for an entirely different reason—a reason I'm going to address today.

I stand between them, glancing at both of their faces.

"I'm tired of this shit and none of us are leaving this house until everything is hashed out."

I hold the door open and each of them walk in.

I follow behind and stop at the bar.

"Beer?"

"Sure,” Blake answers, and catches the one I toss at him.

"think I'm going to need vodka for this,"

Ryan replies, and I hand him a bottle that we'll share.

"So, you didn't do it?"

Ryan says the second we're all sitting on the couch.

I shake my head.

"No, man, I swear I didn't."

I rehash the same story I told Harper and I explain everything that went down.

“I haven't fucked her since last year.

I wouldn't do that to Harper.” I stare at Ryan.

“And I wouldn't do that to you."

"Mrs.

Scott has a lot of shit on all of us."

Ryan nods at me, and then Blake.

"Is any of that going to come out?” My connection to Leigh has benefited the guys the same way it's helped me.

Whenever I've needed something for them, I drop a tip under her fingers, and it's gotten them out of trouble.

“I don't know,” I admit.

"No one has reached out to me yet, I have no idea what she’s told them.

I'm sure it's coming my way very soon.” "That's an in I'll certainly miss,"

Blake says.

My head whips in his direction.

“And an in you used against me when you were talking shit about me to Harper.” Ryan takes a sip and hands me the bottle, chugging a few gulps before I say, "We've been friends for a long time, Blake.

I want this shit settled.

Today.

I can't keep fighting you every time I lay eyes on you."

Blake pushes his back into the couch and crosses his legs.

"What do you want from me, Easton?” "All this bullshit with Harper, appearing next to her every time I turn my back, trying to be her fucking knight in shining armor—I want it to stop.” "Harper and I are just friends,"

Blake replies.

My fingers clench.

"Stop with the lies.

I know you want her, I know you're fucking crazy about her.

I'm going to give you my word that I won't try to fight you anymore, but you have to promise me you're going to lay off.” "It sounds like you're asking me to stop being her friend— something that’s pretty fucked up of you to do."

He Pauses to take a drink, the motherfucker not even able to admit the truth when it's staring him right in the face.

"But I'll do my best."

"What about my garage, did you do your best there?"

Oh shit, Ryan isn't fucking around today.

Blake's eyes almost bug out.

"What the fuck? Are you accusing me of spray painting it?"

I show Blake the photos I took of his trunk.

“You want to explain why you have black spray paint in your trunk?” He laughs and looks away.

“There's some spray paint cans in my car, and you think you have proof? Come on, fellas, you can do better than that."

He shakes his head.

“I was helping my dad refinish our outdoor furniture and that's how we painted the metal frames.” "So, you're saying you didn't do it?"

I press.

“Nah, it wasn't me."

“And you swear to that?"

Ryan asks.

"On my life."

"We got our answer, he's innocent,” Ryan says to me.

"Time to back off and bury the hatchet.” I'll back off, but I'm not sold on his innocence.

Blake's parents are loaded, they wouldn't restore furniture, they'd buy new, just like my parents would.

But I know the truth always comes out in the end and if Blake is guilty, Ryan, myself, and everyone will eventually find out.

"I'll bury it,” I tell them, and I take a drink.

The bays are quiet for a few moments until Ryan says, “I don't like this Mrs.

Scott shit.

I have this feeling that everything is about to crash.” "You and me—both,"

I admit, even though I have that topless picture of her in her house that I can always use as a bargaining chip.

"Except my dick was in her, unlike yours.” "Are you going to admit that to the school board?"

Ryan asks.

"Hell fucking no.” I glance over at Blake and he's staying silent, like the motherfucker is scheming something in his head.

He likes Harper, that's not going to change, and that tells me this isn't going to be the last time he messes up.

Which can only mean one thing ...