You’re Mine by Penny Brooks novel Chapter 103

 

Chapter 103

Easton Oh shit.

Between Harper tossing Blake and Aisha out— something I'd already done and they hadn't listened—and Sadie asking Ryan if he fucked Aisha, I don't know which is more wild.

Maybe it's the possibility that my best friend hadn't fucked anyone before Sadie.

That little player made his way around school, the same way I did.

But he hadn't slept with any of the girls he hooked up with? Now that's mind—blowing.

"Sadie ... '

Ryan starts.

"Don't fucking Sadie me, '

she responds.

I look at my girl who's taken a seat on the couch, staying far away from this argument.

Hell, I don't blame her, it's her brother and his sex life.

That's ano touch zone.

"L need an answer, Ryan.

I need to know the truth if you want this relationship to last a second longer. '

He moves across the room and tries to put his hands on her waist, but she pulls away.

“Answer me, '

she snarls.

His face drops, no longer making eye contact with her.

Oh damn.

I can feel Sadie's anger building from all the way over here.

“You know what kills me the most? '

Ryan says.

"That you're questioning whether I told you the truth or not.

That you listened to her and doubted me. '

"You're turning this around on me? How dare you- '

"You're furious that Aisha made you look like a lunatic outside, chasing after her with a knife when it wasn't true.

Meanwhile, she stuck a knife in my back and you're kicking me while I'm down. '

My eyes are bouncing between Sadie and Ryan, taking in both of their expressions, feeling both sides.

“I need to hear you Say it, '

she whispers.

"I need it, Ryan. '

"I didn't fuck her. '

Sadie puts her hands over her face, bending forward, like she's just finished running and she's trying to catch her breath.

But I know she's just trying to hide her emotion.

She feels emotionally beaten.

We all do at this point.

I walk over to the couch and sit next to Harper, pulling her against me.

She doesn't move as easily as I want her to.

In fact, her body is stiff, almost frozen.

“What's going on, baby? '

"That was ... '

She shakes her head.

“I can't, Easton.

I just can't. '

"Can't what? '

I turn her face, so she looks at me.

“Breathe. '

She gets up and rushes down the hallway to our room and I glance back at Ryan and Sadie, Sadie now hurrying after , leaving Ryan and I staring at each other.

“What in the literal fuck, '

I say to him.

He puts his hands in the air like I'm pointing a gun at him.

"I have no fucking idea what just happened.

It's like the goddamn Twilight Zone just exploded in here. '

I smile, remembering the highlights, and the one I want to bring up.

"So, V—card, huh? At the lake house out of all places— '

"Shut it, '

he warns.

"Seriously, not a fucking word about it. '

I didn't know my boy was a virgin, I certainly didn't think he'd be losing it this weekend.

As much as I want to give him shit, I don't, I sit on the couch and run my hands through my hair, moving on to a more pressing matter.

Like the girls.

How am I going to fix this? How am I going to get everyone talking again? We can't leave the lake with two pissed off girls, not muttering a word during the drive home.

I glance up at my friend who's pacing between the living room and kitchen, feeling as fucked up as me—lI can tell.

“Listen, man, we still have a few hours until we have to leave, '

I tell Ryan.

“Why not make the most of it? '

He pauses by the back of the couch.

"What are you suggesting? You have to drive, so that leaves just me drinking my face off. '

"Nah, for once, I'm not suggesting booze.

How about some fun on the water? I'll put Harper on the back of my jet ski, Sadie on yours.

We can ride some wake and forget about the last few hours of hell. '

“Do you honestly think you can make that happen? '

He nods toward the hallway where both girls disappeared.

"I'll let you do the honors, I'm not stepping foot in that bedroom. '

I can make this right.

Somehow, I have to believe that.

I push myself off the couch.

"Give me five minutes, '

I say over my shoulder and stop at the closed door, my hand hovering over the wood before I knock on it.

I don't wait for a response, I just open it and peek my head in.

"I've come with an idea. '

“You'd be much better off if you were coming in, bearing gifts, '

Harper says.

“Or a death sentence for Aisha and Blake, '

Sadie responds.

Tears are streaming down both girls faces, the snot is running, there are tissues all over the bed where they're sitting.

I join them on the other side of the mattress, keeping my distance—because I know better—but getting close enough so they can really hear me.

“We can't let them ruin the end of our trip.

We still have time left before we have to leave, I think we should spend it having fun, not lying in bed, hating two people who don't deserve a second of our attention. '

My baby looks at Sadie, and back to me.

"What do you have in mind? '

I want to cup her cheek and tell her how badly I need her to grin for me.

But I don't.

Again, because I Know better.

So, I bite my lower lip and offer, “Some jet skiing? '

I nod toward the window.

"The storm that's coming has set off some sick waves.

It would be a real shame if we didn't go take advantage of the wake. '

"I don't know ... '

This time, I don't stop myself from reaching forward, holding Harper's neck steady.

"You don't know what? '

I brush my thumb across her cheek.

"Because I know how much fun we can have in the water, and I know it'll take our minds off the train wreck we just witnessed and it'll be the best ending to an amazing vacation. '

Harper's eyes start to soften as she stares at me.

Just so she doesn't think it, I add, "Nothing excuses what that bitch said and how she acted.

But I'm not going to let her lame ass—or Blake's— ruin my time at the lake.

Fuck that and fuck them. '

Harper glances at Sadie and says, "What do you say? Do you want to change into our bikinis and go jet skiing for a bit before we head home? '

“On one condition, '

Sadie replies.

"What's that? '

I ask.

“I get to drive. '

I laugh, even louder as I think of Ryan's face when Sadie tells him he's about to ride bitch.

"You can take that up with Ryan, '

I tell her.

"Oh, I plan on it, '

she snaps.

"Along with a few other details that I need to get off my chest. '

I chuckle.

"Be easy on my boy. '

It's a good thing Ryan can handle pain because he's about to get a verbal beating.