You’re Mine by Penny Brooks novel Chapter 133

Chapter 133
Easton
"Hi,’ Harper says as she opens the door for me, throwing her arms around my neck.

I take a quick glance around us, making sure her parents aren't in sight.

The last thing I need is for them to oversee any kind of PDA and come running at me.

With fucking knives.

But the coast is clear, so I wrap an arm around her waist and bury my face into her neck.

"Fuck, you smell good."

"Don't get any ideas."

"I have zero ideas.

Tonight, tomorrow morning—you might as well be my sister with how far apart we're going to be."

I lean back, looking at her face.

"All right, maybe not a sister, that would make the thoughts that are in my head right now really fucking gross."

She laughs and holds out her hands.

"Is this for the fam?"

I nod as she takes the bag from my grip.

“It's wine.I told my parents I was coming over and Mom insisted.I think there's something else in there, too—some oil or vinegar, or some shit like that."

"That's so nice of them, I'm sure my parents will really appreciate the gesture."

She takes my overnight duffle from my arm and says, "Come on."I follow her, knowing within a few steps, I'm going to come face to face with my biggest fear.

Her father, my worst fucking nightmare.

And, just like I anticipated, he's there when I round the corner to the kitchen, holding a glass of wine as he leans over the island, talking to Harper's mom.

They both turn completely silent the moment I enter.

"Dad, Mom,’ Harper initiates, “Easton's here."Every moment under the fucking Christmas tree flashes through my head, followed by the look on her mom's face when she kicked my ass out.

Fuck.

“Easton, her mom says, “it's nice to see you again."

I can't tell if she really means it or it's the wine talking—the glass that's so fixed in her hand, it looks like it's glued there.

“Easton ..."

her dad says, and he steps closer, his hand going to my shoulder, which he squeezes.

Harder than I'm expecting.

“Thanks for joining us."I nod.

"Thank you for having me."

"His parents sent gifts,’ Harper says, taking out the items from the bag, making sure her parents see.

But her dad isn't interested.

His eyes are on me and they'te not going anywhere.

"So ...ahhh,"

I pause, trying to think of something to say.

“Where's Ryan and Sadie?"

I look around the kitchen, listening for noises upstairs.

"They're not here yet,"Harper tells me.She winces."They should be here any second."

I can still feel her dad's eyes on me.

I'm trying to avoid his stare with every bit of resistance I have, but I can't any longer.

The second I make eye contact, I immediately regret it.

Because his stare tells me something is about to go down.

And I'm only proven right when he says, "Why don't we go have a little chat, son."My fucking stomach drops.Especially when he nods to the porch.

“Out there."

“All right,’ I reply, quickly glancing at Harper whose eyes are sending apologies and horror.

I wish, more than anything, I could take the glass from her mom's hand and down the red that's in there.

That feeling only intensifies as I follow her dad outside and take a seat next to him.

"I'm not going to beat around the bush,’ he says.

"You're a man, you're doing manly things, therefore I want to know you have good intentions with my daughter."

I want to fucking die.I didn't prepare for this.I didn't expect to be hauled outside and have to lay my truth on the table.I just want to tell him I love his daughter and things are going to be all good.

But can I say that?

“Lonly have good intentions, sir."

The sir surprises me, but I'm happy I added it.