You’re Mine by Penny Brooks

Chapter 16

Easton

*...s0 then I was like, girl, you could literally blow me right here and now and I'd still -" Blake punches me in the shoulder. “Are you even listening?”

“Huh? What?" I drop the fry back onto my plate and shove it away. “Sorry, I was just thinking about...” I gulp. “History.”

Blake snorts out a laugh. “You're not even in a history class this year.” “No, no, not that sort of history.” I used to be great at lying. What the hell is wrong with me? “Wars and things.”

“Wars?” Blake repeats. “Things?” He leans in and whispers, “Did you smoke a bit before you came in or something?”

“No.” I shove him away. “I'm not stupid.”

“And, yet, here you are, thinking about wars and things.” He laughs again, then turns when Ryan slams his tray onto the table and starts shooting murderous glares across the cafeteria. “You good?”

“No.” Ryan snaps. “I'm not good.”

“Couldn't tell by the way you're

beating the shit out of your lunch...” Blake whistles under his breath. “Girl problems? Sadie problems?”

My ears immediately perk up. Sadie. She's been with Harper most of the day, and every time see her, I convince myself I'm actually going crazy.

Sadie looks nothing like my mystery girl.

She's too tall.

Too thin, model thin, not the type of curves my hands are addicted to, not the type of mouth my lips keep fixating on.

A vision of Harper licking her lips

floods my mind

Damn it!

I shove my own tray away, ready to break it over Blake's head.

“So, one of you is thinking about war, and the other looks like he’s going to be in one.” He follows Ryan's gaze. “Ohhhhhh, is this about Harper looking hot as hell today?”

“Say that again and I'm shoving this tray down your throat.” Ryan pounds the table with his fist, making_the silverware and trays

jump.

See? She's nothing but trouble!

I tell myself not to look over my shoulder.

I also tell myself it would be a horrible idea to make eye contact, because then I'll probably end up staring at her mouth again, which would make me look at her outfit, which would then, for whatever sick reason, make it harder not to think about it in the future.

Maybe I need sex

Yeah, that's it.

That's all this is!

My imagination conjures up visions of Harper because my body is lacking the contact with mystery girl.

Damn it, I should have thought of that sooner.

Feeling better, I do finally turn and look.

I instantly have more regrets than 1 can count.

When I'd been walking down the hall earlier, I'd tried not to stare too hard, so I hadn't really seen her face. I'd only noticed she'd worn clothes that weren't made out of tent material and that for some reason my dick liked it.

I sat through my English class wondering if it was that vision of Harper that had me so hard. Or was it the fact that Aisha kept

turning around, asking me questions, trying to distract me with her super low cut shirt that showed off her tits?

Well, at least now I know.

As always my dick has perfect timing. Not. Especially since I was sitting right next to Blake and

Ryan.

Really. Just, great timing.

The anger from before came back full force. What the hell is Harper even thinking? So, she puts on some makeup and better clothes and now she thinks she’s as popular as Ryan? Now she can hang? Now guys can date her?

It changes nothing.

Some punk sophomore looks ready to pass out as he saunters up to the table and tries to sit with her and Sadie.

Ryan's instantly on his feet.

Shit.

Me and Blake have no choice but to follow him as we weave through the tables and finally make it to theirs.

The kid has made the awful choice of sitting next to Harper and when he looks up at us, I'm surprised he hasn't already shit himself.

He instantly pales, then jumps to

his feet. “H-hey, Ryan. I just had a math question.”

“Maths hard,” Ryan says through clenched teeth. “Deal with it and while you're at it, go before I beat your ass.” He points at the door. The cafeteria goes silent as Ryan and Harper have a twin stare off. “Why'd you do that?” Sadie pops a fruit snack into her mouth, like that sophomore boy isn't going to die later today if Ryan finds him. “He was sorta cute, right Harper?”

My eyes drill into Harper right along with Ryan's, surprised when Blake sits next to Sadie and steals her fruit snacks, then gives Harper

Soon enough, the noise is back and I'm staring at the doors.

And, then, my feet are somehow carrying me toward them.

Whatever they're doing, it's their business.

Not mine.

But I don’t stop walking until I'm through the doors, standing outside where Ryan is currently pacing in front of Harper while she crosses her arms like his protective brother speech is the most boring thing she’s ever

heard.

I don't realize I snort out a disgusted laugh until they both

look my way. Harper tilts her chin in just enough of a challenge that I want to mock her bravery. Really? This girl just keeps getting bolder and bolder.

I ignore the way my chest tightens with something like pride.

“Don't waste your time, Ryan.” The words come out before I can stop them. “A little costume doesn't hide the fact that it's Harper, it also can't hide the horrible personality either. Let's go shoot some hoops.” I grab his arm and don’t look back.

I do, however, feel her glare the entire time I walk away and

stupidly wonder if she can feel my heart pound in my chest the way! feel her icy stare obliterate my every step.