You’re Mine by Penny Brooks

Chapter 9

Harper

The nerve of him.

Ugh, I'm so mad I'm shaking.

And it's been six days since Easton said I'm not allowed to come to his party, and I'm still as furious as when he'd first told me.

Who cares if I'm Ryan's sister? My brother flirts with girls in front of me, he’s stringing along my best friend, but all of that's okay because he's a boy?

Well, it's not okay. It's a double standard.

What makes it worse is that Easton is the one who uninvited me. It couldn't have been Ryan or Blake, it had to be the guy I have the biggest crush on. The guy whose mouth I can't stop fantasizing about. The costume ! ordered online with Easton in mind just in case I ran into him at a party.

Now, I won't even be leaving my bed tonight.

And that's exactly what I plan to tell Sadie when she pops her head into my doorway and says, “Get dressed, we're going.”

I shake my head. “Nope. I'm not. You are.”

Chit

“Do you honestly think I'm going to let you sit home tonight?” She moves over to my chair where I'd placed the box my costume is in. “Or that Easton was really serious about what he said?”

I cross my arms to stop my hands from shaking. “Oh, he was serious, all right.”

“Remember when Ryan was having a heart attack over your bikini?” She reaches into the box and takes out the costume. “I'm positive that's why Easton said that to you. He's looking out for his best friend, who prefers his sister dressed in a big, baggy tent.” She holds up the leotard that's supposed to make me look like a cat. It comes with thigh-high boots, a long tail, and a silicon masquerade mask that covers most of my face, the top adorned with cute little ears. “And this is definitely no tent, this is s-e-x-y, whoa!” She glances from me to the skintight leotard. “You're going to be the hottest one there.”

“You're going to be, because I'll be right here ..." I point down at my mattress. “In bed.”

She sits beside me, her hands resting over mine. “I'm going to put this as nicely as I can.” She grins. “You have exactly twenty minutes to get ready or I'm

carrying you outside and we're going whether you're in a costume or not.” She squeezes my fingers. “Understood?”

My stomach leaps at the thought of seeing Easton even if I still want to strangle him

I push my back against the wall behind my bed. “It sounds like you're giving me no choice.”

She taps my hands. “Good, my message was loud and clear, then.”

“But I need more than twenty minutes,” I squeal, and I hurry over to my chair, stripping off my clothes.

0

With the leotard in place and the tail positioned, I put on my mask and start my makeup. Most of it's black, I only fill in the few spots the silicon doesn't cover, and I add a deep red lipstick. I slick down my hair with lots of gel, securing it in a low bun.

I check every angle in my small, full-length mirror, and then I turn toward Sadie. “How do I look?”

She eyes me up and down. “Who are you?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, I know my best friend is in there somewhere, but all I see is this smoking hot, ridiculously sexy

minx."

"Oh my God,” I laugh. “Let's go.”

Sadie follows me downstairs and orders a car, and we climb into the backseat, heading to the other side of town. Although I've never been inside Easton's house, he lives only a few streets away from Sadie.

We get out of the car, my stare taking in the large, two-story entrance that's framed by white pillars. The massive brick mansion spans almost an entire block, the music so loud inside I can hear it from the walkway. “Are you ready?” Sadie asks, her

Chiper

hand reaching for the doorknob.

I take several deep breaths, preparing myself for the rejection 1 may receive the moment we get inside. Ryan won't be the one to kick me out, but I can't predict what Easton will do.

Especially if he recognizes me as the girl from the bathroom.

“As ready as I'll ever be,” I tell her.

Sadie opens the door, and the room is filled with a thick fog, decorations hanging from the tall ceiling, we're met with cutout pumpkins and cackling goblins. Everyone is dressed in costume, masks and makeup, outfits much

more revealing than mine.

I don't see Easton or Ryan anywhere.

“I have an idea,” Sadie says, pulling me past the entrance, into a large sitting area where people are making out on the couch.

“What kind of idea?"

“Ryan told me Easton's dad has a small garage off the side of the house where he keeps his Porsche and a whole fridge stocked with beer. You go grab us two beers and I'm going to find Ryan and gentle break the news that you're

here.”

“He doesn't know?"

A knot forms in my stomach. I had assumed Sadie told him she was dragging me here, and I need Ryan on my side in case Easton gets cranky again and tries to make me leave.

“I didn't exactly mention you when I told him I was coming.” She runs her finger down the air in front of me. “And he’s not going to be happy about this.”

“Sadie”

“Trust me, it'll be fine. Ill meet you in the kitchen in a few minutes.” The knots in my belly are starting to really ache. “Are you sure?”

“Go that way.” She points toward

what

the kitchen. “Take a left at the stove and it's at the end of the hallway, last door on the right.” Her hand goes to my shoulder. “If you see the guys before me, hide.”

I nod and she immediately takes off to look for them while I walk toward the kitchen, reciting her directions in my head. There are so many people here, it's hard to navigate the thick crowd and the furniture that's like a maze and the fog that's making it hard to see.

I find the door in the hallway and the light inside the garage is so dim, I'm surprised there isn't a brighter one. But the car is in the center and the fridge is in the

corner. I hurry over to it and I'm bending over to grab two bottles from the bottom shelf when I hear the squeak of the door opening behind me.

"Hey, that's my secret stash,”

Shit.

The voice tells me it's Easton

I've been caught by the one person I didn't want to find me.

“Damn, it's you,” he croons.

Me?

I put the beer back, trying to stop myself from shaking, and I

gradually straighten and turn around. I'm expecting the wrath,

corner. I hurry over to it and I'm bending over to grab two bottles from the bottom shelf when I hear the squeak of the door opening behind me.

“Hey, that's my secret stash,”

Shit.

The voice tells me it's Easton.

I've been caught by the one person I didn't want to find me.

“Damn, it's you,” he croons.

Me?

I put the beer back, trying to stop myself from shaking, and I

gradually straighten and turn around. I'm expecting the wrath,

but his expression is full of hunger.

Desire.

His eyes soak in every inch of me.

“I could never forget that ass.” His stare slowly travels up my body. “And those fucking lips I've been thinking about all week...”