You’re Mine by Penny Brooks novel Chapter 116

 

Chapter 116

Easton

“Let's hang out, '

Ryan says to me at lunch the next day. Harper is still at home sick. I think she’s even worse today. The fever is gone but she's coughing like crazy and can’t stop blowing her nose. It was risky, kissing her yesterday. Spending time with her, but damn it, a cold is worth being able to see my girlfriend, even if it’s just for a little while. “What are you thinking? '

I ask him. The cafeteria is packed with people since it’s raining outside, and the aroma in this place is kind of awful. Smells like a combo of greasy food and smelly feet. Makes me a little queasy. “Let’s go grab a pizza when school’s over. Maybe go to your house and play some pool. Catch up without the girls always around? '

“Sounds go— '

“What are you whores planning? '

We both glance up to find Blake standing by our table, his expression easy going. As if he hasn't just screwed us over in an endless amount of ways over the last couple of months. Yes, he’s one of my oldest friends. No, I still don’t trust him. Anyone who willingly spends time with Aisha has to be given serious side eye. But how does that old saying go? Keep your friends close and your enemies closer? Yeah, that’s what I'm trying to do. “Nothing, '

Ryan answers too quickly, his expression guilty as hell. “We're gonna go grab some pizza after school, '

I say, leaning back in my chair. As casual as ever. “Want to come with? '

Blake shrugs, ignoring Ryan. “Sure. Sounds good. '

“Probably head to my house after we're done and play some pool. Or just hang out, '

I continue. “All right. '

Blake nods. “Meet you in the parking lot after seventh period? '

“Perfect. '

We slap hands in a complicated ritual we made up when we were fifteen and stupid and then he’ s out. “What the fuck, Easton? Why did you invite that asshole? '

Ryan asks me, his voice rising. “Because that asshole used to be our friend, '

I remind him. “Yeah and now you think he’s a complete dickwad who's planning our demise with Aisha. '

Ryan makes a face. “You don’t trust him. '

“Nope, I don't. '

“So why would you invite him to hang out with us? '

“I want to pick his brain. Figure out what his motives are and where his loyalty lies. I don’t understand him. '

“Me either. I don’t want to understand him. '

Ryan’s eyes narrow. “Fuck that guy. '

“Look, I don't disagree. Just...go along with me. Okay? '

After school Blake meets us in the parking lot and we go to a nearby restaurant that has some of the best pizza in town. Once we make our orders, we get our drinks and find a booth to sit in. “I haven't been here in a long time, '

Ryan says once we're settled in. “Me either, '

Blake says. “Wish we could've ordered a pitcher of beer. '

He sneers at his glass full of Pepsi like it’s full of poison. “I got beer back at my house, '

I say. “We can have a few. '

“I'm glad you guys invited me, '

Blake says, his expression oddly sincere. “I've missed you both. '

“Really? '

Ryan leans forward, his brows shooting up. “I figured you were too busy with Aisha to miss us much. '

Blake frowns. “Look, I know she was kind of nasty at the lake house— '

“Kind of? '

I interrupt. Blake sighs. “Fine. She was fucking awful. But she’ s damaged goods, man. And that storm fucked her up but good. Made her think of her brother and when she goes there... '

Blake shakes his head, making a tsking noise. “I don't want to talk about him, '

I say, hating the misery coursing through my blood. Those memories are best left behind me. “And I really don't want to talk about Aisha either. '

“He's the dickhead who brought her up in the first place. '

Blake waves a hand at Ryan. “Only because I'm trying to figure out if you're still a friend to us, or are you planning on digging up information from us and reporting to that snake you're fucking? '

Ryan throws back at him. “Guys. '

I blow out an irritated breath, already regretting my choice to invite Blake. “Shut the fuck up, okay? '

“Hey boys. '

I go completely still when I hear the too familiar female voice. Fucking Aisha. We all lift our heads to watch her, Julia by her side. The smug looks on their faces make me think they already knew we'd be here. “The fuck? Did you follow us? '

Ryan yells. Aisha visibly flinches. “As if I would follow you. Get over yourself. '

My gaze shifts to Blake. “Did you tell her we'd be here? '

Blake shakes his head. “No way. Uh uh. I wouldn’ t do that. '

I stare at him, not saying a word. Ryan goes quiet too. ‘You have room for two more? '

Julia asks flirtatiously. “No, '

I say, not even looking at her. The girls stand at the head of our table for a few more seconds before they both flounce away, visibly pissed. I don’t give a shit. “You told her, '

I say to Blake once the girls are out of earshot. “Swear to God I didn’t say a word to her. I don't know how she knew we were here. '

Blake’s eyes are wide, his tone insistent. “I mean it when I say I miss you guys. I wouldn't want her to here to fuck up our bro afternoon. '

“Uh huh. '

Ryan shakes his head, nudging me in the ribs. “I told you this wasn’t a good idea. '

Blake rears back as if Ryan’s words shocked him. Fucking Ryan, opening his big mouth. “What exactly are you doing? '

Blake asks me, his gaze narrowed. “Testing me? Seeing if you can trust me? Fuck this. I don’t need friends like you two. '

“We don't need a friend like you either. Get the fuck out of here, '

I snarl. Blake jumps to his feet and grabs his drink. “Fuck off. The both of you. '

We watch him go to Aisha and Julia’s table, where he’s happily welcomed. Of course. “He's up to no good, '

Ryan mutters as he watches them. “Yeah, he is, '

I say as I watch them too. He most definitely is. But what exactly is he up to?