You’re Mine by Penny Brooks novel Chapter 192

Chapter 192

Easton

Me: Just a few more hours and we're graduated, dude, that's fucking crazy.

Harper: Right? These last few weeks have flown by.

It's what I wished for and now it's here and gah! Me: That graduation practice was a total joke today, but are you comfortable with it all, do you know what you're doing? Harper: Wait, you're asking ME if I know what I'M doing? I'm the one who was paying attention to where we're supposed to line up and all that.

You're the one who was high as hell with my brother, laughing non-stop.

Me: lol truth ...

I'm just always worried about you, baby.

Harper: I love you for that, but I'm all good.

I'll see you there very soon.

I smile at her last message and put my phone down.

Then, I take my black tie out of my closet and wrap it around my neck.

Once the knot is where I want it, I carefully place the graduation gown over me and I put the cap on my head.

I take a final look at myself in the mirror, knowing the minute I get downstairs, my family is going to want pictures.

They're all here—my brothers and their girls, aunts and uncles, everyone coming to the auditorium to watch me walk across the stage.

Being the youngest, I know this is a big deal for my parents, so that's why I don't lose my patience when I join them downstairs and pose in every fucking direction while they snap a million pictures of me.

And since some of my family hasn't seen me since I decided to go to UCLA, I accept the small digs they shoot in my direction for being the rebel of the family and not going to Stanford like the others.

Whatever, I can handle it.

In fact, bring it on.

I don't want to be like my brothers.

I don't want to get into law.

I want to be my own person and go my own direction and kick ass ina way that isn't expected of me.

And by some fucking miracle, the people I was most worried about— Mom and Dad—didn't kill me over my decision.

Sure, they wanted Stanford.

Sure, they're a bit salty about it.

But they accepted UCLA and they’re even hooking me up with something huge for my first year there—something I haven't told Harper yet, but I'm going to surprise her with it later.

Damn it, I can't wait to see her face when I tell her the news.

That's what has me smiling as I take some final pictures with my brothers.

Once the photoshoot is over, my parents approach me just as I'm getting ready to leave.

“We're so proud of you, honey,” my mother says, kissing my cheek.

“We know you worked so incredibly hard this year and your grades couldn't have made us happier."

This definitely isn't the moment where I bring up Leigh and her help with that.

Nah, that secret is going to my grave.

But I pulled my shit together and I got the grades I needed to and that's all that matters.

"Thanks, Mom—and thanks for being cool with my decision over UCLA’ She adjusts my tie as my father says, "Are you sure I can't convince you to go to Stanford?"

He's holding his phone and shakes it in his hand.

"A quick email is all it'll take and I can tell them you've changed your mind and—"

"No, Dad.” I know this is the lawyer in him.

He doesn't stop until he wins.

But he's not going to win this and his eyes tell me he's accepting that fact.

"I'm happy with where I'm going.” He nods.

“I understand, son.

But I had to try one last time.” “I'll see you both at graduation,” I tell them, and I say good—bye to the rest of my family and hurry outside to my Jeep.

When I get to the auditorium, minutes before we line up, I find Harper in the crowd.

I've been thinking about when I want to give her this gift and knowing we're not anywhere near each other in line, this feels like the right time.

Her hair is down and curled and her lips are glossy, just like I love.

I'm not sure what she's wearing underneath, but she looks gorgeous in her gown.

“Hi,’ she whispers, clasping her hands with mine.

"] was hoping you'd come find me before we walk across the stage.” She takes a deep breath.

“I'm so nervous.” “Nervous? Why, baby?"

She shrugs.

“It's just a huge deal and my family is here and it feels like the whole world is watching and—you know, all the things.” I give her a kiss, holding our faces together before I reach into my pocket and pull away.

“Don't worry about it, it's gonna go great."

“I know ...

I'm just a wreck.” "Maybe this'll make you feel better.” I place the small box on her palm.

Her eyes widen as she looks at it.

“You got me a gift? But I didn't get you anything and—"

“It's not like that.

Just open it.” She lifts the flap of the hack wrapping job I'd done and pulls the rest of the paper off, slowly opening the lid of the box.

I can see confusion on her face as she takes out the key and holds it in her hand.

"My parents rented me an apartment off campus."

I smile.

"That's your key.” The confusion is gone and is now replaced with excitement, especially as she throws her arms around my neck.

"Oh my God, Easton.

Your own place.” “Our own place.

Where we won't have to sneak around.

Where we can be as loud as we want.” I hold her tighter.

She releases a quiet moan.

"Oh.

Hell.

Yes.” I laugh.

"I know you're going to be in the dorms, but I want you to stay with me as much as you can.

I want you to think of the apartment as home.” She bites her lip.

"You're my home.” God, I'm in love with her.

There isn't anyone who's more perfect for me.

“And you're mine, Harper.” The moment is interrupted as one of the teachers yells, "Line up, everyone, we're starting.” I slap her ass and say, “Go.

I'll see you after.” She giggles and gives me one last kiss and hurries to the front of the line where her and Ryan have been positioned.

Being farther back, I'm able to watch her enter the front of the stage, waiting by the stairs to be called.

The moment the principal announces Harper Quinn, she climbs up the few steps and walks across the stage.

She hugs the teachers who are standing there before she approaches our principal and accepts her diploma.

For a quick photo—op, she poses in the center of the stage.

A smile covers her beautiful face and there's relief in her eyes.

I see so much love flooding through that girl.

Love that she gives me.

Love that I can't live without.

As she's walking down the steps to find her seat, our eyes lock and I mouth, "I love you, baby.” She grins in response.

And it's more than enough.