Filed to story: You’re Mine Read Online Free
I watch her drive away, glancing up at the last second when I think I spot someone I recognize.
A flash of blonde hair is there, then gone.
Easton
Harper: Where are you?
We’re already at the movie theater and it’s about to start! I climb into my car and just sit there, staring at the message from my girlfriend.
I should tell her who I ran into. I should. It would be the right thing to do. The honest thing to do. We need to keep up open communication.
I need to tell her everything. Running into Leigh is major.
I don’t need to go into the specifics, but I should tell her. Yeah, I definitely should. But damn it, I’m full of doubt. About everything.
Me: Had to get gas. It’s busy but I’ll be there soon. Promise. Harper: Hurry! I’ll save you a seat.
Only if you bring me popcorn. 🙂 I smile despite everything, regretting my decision to stop and get gas.
If I’d only waited, I never would’ve run into Leigh. But I can’t tell Harper via text that I talked to Leigh.
Can’t tell her at the movie theater either. I’m not about to ruin our date.
The longer I wait to tell her, the less inclined I’ll be to say anything, and then I won’t tell her at all and look like a giant ass liar who’s got something to hide.
Fuck. I punch the steering wheel once. Twice. It doesn’t make me feel better.
All I’m left with is a throbbing hand and a messed up head because I don’t know what the hell I should do.
Reaching for my phone, I go to my text thread with Ryan and start typing.
Me: I ran into Leigh just now at the gas station.
Ryan: No fucking way.
Me: Yeah, and she said some fucked up shit too.
Ryan: She was always a complete bitch.
Damn, I love my best friend. He’s forever in my corner.
Me: Yeah, she was. She still is. Guess her husband kicked her out and she’s leaving town.
Ryan: Good riddance.
You can breathe a little easier without her around. Hesitating for only a moment, I decide to ask him for a little advice.
Me: Should I tell Harper I ran into Leigh?
He takes a while to respond, and I get antsy. So do the people who are waiting to use the pump I’m sitting next to.
They start honking at me and I pull away from the pump, parking in one of the spots as I wait for Ryan’s response.
I’m gonna be really late to the movies at the rate I’m going, but fuck it.
I need advice from my best friend first.
Finally, I get a response. Ryan: I don’t think you should mention your run in with Leigh to Harper. It’ll only upset her and she finally feels good.
Today is the happiest I’ve seen her in a long time, and I don’t think you want to ruin her mood.
Me: I don’t, but I need to be honest with her. I love your sister, Ryan. I don’t want to hide things from her. When I do that, it gives her reason to distrust me and think I’m up to no good.
Ryan: Well you’re not, right?
I mean, fuck that bitch.
You haven’t been with Leigh in a while. Me: You’re right, but still. I hate keeping things from her. Ryan: Think of it as keeping the peace. And hey, if she finds out, blame me. It’s my fault.
I told you not to tell her. Me: Fucking deal, dude. You said it, not me.
Ryan: Cool.
Whatever. Now get your ass over here. The previews are about to start. By the time I’m walking into the theater ten minutes later, the place is pitch black dark and the previews are definitely running.
The seats are mostly full, but I spot my girlfriend smiling at me in the darkness.
I make my way up the stairs and down the row where they’re sitting, plopping into the empty seat beside Harper and flashing a grin in her direction.
“Hey, babe.”
She pokes me in the ribs.
“You’re late. And you said you would buy me popcorn.”
I’m about to leap out of the seat and do just that but she holds me back, keeping me in my seat.
“I’m kidding. I made Ryan buy popcorn for us.”
Ryan leans over to whisper shout,
“You owe me big, bro. That shit ain’t cheap and she always wants the biggest size.”
“I really love popcorn, Harper says innocently as she takes our popcorn bucket from Sadie and puts it in between us.
“There you go.”
I lean in and deliver a kiss to her lips, discovering that they’re buttery delicious.
“Thanks, babe. You’re the best.”
We share popcorn and watch the movie, our fingers brushing each time we grab more.
The movie kind of sucks and I’m distracted by Harper’s scent, especially when she leans her head on my shoulder and scoots in closer, like she’s trying to snuggle.
I lift the armrest, so there’s nothing separating us and she’s practically in my lap.
“No funny business over there,”
Ryan says, earning a few shushes for his warning.
I just smile at him, my arm around Harper’s shoulders, her lush body snug against mine.
No way am I feeling Harper up in a movie theater with her brother sitting right there.
I’ll save the feeling up in a theater for another time, when we’re alone. Besides, I’m too damn distracted thinking about Leigh and the shitty things she said.
That bitch knows how to carve someone up with words, that’s for damn sure. Maybe it’s because she’s as mean as a snake and twice as fucking deadly.
I hate her. Worse?
I hate how that little confrontation with her made me feel.
Stupid.
Dirty. Like I’m a liar. Glancing down, I drop a kiss on Harper’s forehead and tell myself it’s going to be okay. Really.
Harper Easton: Are you sure about this?
Me: Sure about you coming over tonight?
Umm, yes. It has to happen, Easton. You have to spend time with my family or this is going to be awkward forever.
Easton: But your mom … she’s going to look at me … and remember.
I cringe as I stare at his last text. I’m sure he’s right, but there’s nothing I can do about it. Despite every warning that’s humming through my body, I know it’s time that the love of my life finally faces my parents. With a face that’s not covered in me.
Oh God. I don’t think I’ll ever recover from the Christmas tree incident. But if things are going to progress with Easton—and I want them to more than anything—then my family has to move on. They have to accept him. They have to get to know him on a level that isn’t just Ryan’s best friend, but as the boy I’m dating.
The boy I’m positively in love with. And, now, they will, because after a long conversation with my parents, my punishment finally over, they’ve decided they’re ready to welcome Easton.
So, they’ve invited him over for dinner, followed by a sleepover, which is something Ryan had asked for. I’m positive Easton will be sequestered to my brother’s room with probably a padlock and chains wrapped around the door. Sadie will be in mine, and Mom said she’s going to make us breakfast in the morning.
One of the perks of being off from school for winter break. Me: I’ll encourage Dad to pour her some wine and after half a glass at dinner, she won’t even remember. Easton: Or that’s all she’ll think about.
I hope he isn’t right, but there’s a good chance he is. Fuck. Me: Does that mean you’re not going to come?
Easton: You know I’ll be there. At 5, right?
Me: Yup. Sadie and Ryan should be here at that time, too, giving my parents plenty of distractions so the attention won’t just be on us. Easton: You mean, ME. Me: Stocooop. Let’s focus on something amazing, like you staying for breakfast tomorrow morning. Easton: I’d rather be devouring you, but I have a feeling the days of hooking up at your house are long gone. Me: Don’t be so sure, I may just be able to surprise you. See you soon. Don’t be late. Easton: And piss your mom off even more?
I know better … I find Sadie’s number and press it, holding the phone to my ear.
“Hey,”
I say when she answers.
“What are you doing?”
She laughs and I can tell it’s not at me, especially when she adds,
“Ryaaaaaaan, stop, your sister is on the phone.”
She pauses.
“Sorry, your brother is being all kinds of cray. What’s up?”
“I’m calling to make sure you guys are still coming for dinner.”
I move over to my closet, trying to look for something to wear for tonight.
“And that you’re definitely staying the night?”
“And miss a sleepover with my girl, come on, Harp. Like I’d ever forget.”
I sigh, shutting the door to my closet, nothing inside looking cute enough.
“Sadie, I’m so fucking nervous.”
I fall onto my bed, covering my face with my arm, the worry I didn’t mention to Easton now really hitting me.
“This is the first time my parents are meeting him as my boyfriend—I mean, they’ve met him plenty of times as Ryan’s BFF. But boyfriend status changes everything.”
“It’s going to go perfectly, Ryan and I will be there to take the heat if things start to get fishy. And, don’t worry, I’ll say something super sassy if that happens, enough so that your mom won’t even remember that she busted his ass—ya know, eating you out.”
“SADIE.”
I groan.
“Oh God. I can’t.”
I stuff my face into my pillow.
“Easton keeps bringing it up and I just want to forget it.”
“Okay, no more stressing. The food is going to be great because your mom’s a hell of a good cook.
Ryan and I are bringing dessert, and your parents are going to fall for Easton’s charm and we’re all going to live happily ever after.”
I snort.
“I love your confidence.”
“Oh … and if you feel the need to take a few hits from one of the joints in Ryan’s nightstand, that might not be a bad idea either.”
My eyes go wide.
“What are you saying?
Do you think I need to?
Because shit is going to hit the fan—”
“Relax, it’ll all be fab.”
I hear my brother say something in the background.
“I’ve got to go. We’ll be there soon.”
The phone goes dead, and I push myself off my bed and out of my bedroom, scents from the kitchen hitting my nose before I even reach the bottom of the stairs.
“Need help with anything?”
I ask, standing by the counter.
Mom is cutting up vegetables for what looks to be a huge salad. She glances up at me, and then at the microwave.
“No one will be arriving for another hour, I think I’m fine, I have plenty of time.”
I can’t tell if she’s feeling as anxious as me. Mom always has a cool demeanor unless she’s screaming at one of us and most of the time that’s aimed at Ryan.
“What are you making?”
I walk over to the stove.
“It smells delicious.”
She laughs.
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