You’re Mine by Penny Brooks

Chapter 173

Harper

We all jump in Easton's Jeep and end up at a restaurant not too far from our house.

After we order our food at the counter, Sadie and I make our way over to an empty booth, the guys getting our drinks before they come join us.

The moment we're seated, Sadie leans across the table, her voice lowering to a near whisper.

"Your brother is pissing me off"

I frown.

"What did he do now?" "He got into a couple of colleges, but he hasnt made his decision yet.

He got into Chico State, and so did I.

That's literally the only college I got into.

The only one I ever wanted to go to.” Sadie glances in their direction, making sure they're not close.

"He won't tell me where he's going.

Did he tell you?" I slowly shake my head.

"Ryan and I haven't really talked about college at all"

Which is odd, because Ryan and I usually talk a lot, especially about school, homework, all that stuff.

But we're both so busy lately.

We spend a lot of time together, but never one on one.

“You don't talk about college with him at all?" Sadie leans back against the booth, her shoulders falling.

"I dont know what's going on with him, and it's so frustrating.” “Why don't you just ask him?" She drops her head, gazing at the table for a moment before she finally lifts her gaze to mine.

“I don't know.

I guess I'm just...scared.” I gape at her.

Sadie’s not scared of anything.

She's definitely not scared of my stupid brother and all of his antics.

"Oh come on.” "I'm serious.

What if he tells me he doesn't want to go to college with me? I'd be devastated.

And what would that mean for our relationship?" She thunks the back of her head against the booth once.

Twice.

"He's so frustrating.” "I'll say"

He's one of the most frustrating boys I know.

my very own

should talk to

should,"

talked before things

always mentioned he wanted to

was his

So...I applied there"

please tell me you actually wanted to go there versus just

did it for Ryan, but I also did

to do,

our lives when were

"It's okay.

You'll figure it out.

State is a good school,’ I say, trying to comfort

really think so?"

to go, I'm sure he'll

written

if he says he's going somewhere else?" “Then you'll deal

it.” They really are a

my brother

snappy as he

as

a

We all have.

hate the doubt in

doing this

I admit, my voice soft, my thoughts filled with

coming

my dream school and so

that, he’s going to

can't get much

getting everything I could ever

a catch somewhere and

bottom going to fall out? What if I can't afford to

a

look, hoping she

the perfect opportunity for her to mention college

nothing,’ she

grabs the soda Ryan bought for her and

"Just about school"

"School? Like...college?" Easton asks.

Easton,

just brought it up for

go wide, and they're full of

"Yeah, I say.

going to Chico

Chico State,’ Ryan says, his focus solely on

I glare at him.

So does Sadie.

going there?” Easton

My brother shrugs.