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.

very

talk

totally should," I

before things got serious

wanted to go

was

So...I applied there"

to go there versus just

also did it because I

to do,

of our

"It's okay.

You'll figure it out.

is a good school,’ I say,

really think so?" I

wanted to go, I'm sure

distress is written all over

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

make it.” They really are a

balances my brother

not as snappy as

as

come a

We all have.

I hate the doubt in

imagine doing

my voice soft,

is coming together

got accepted to my dream school and

that, he’s going to

can't get much better than

getting everything I could

there's a catch somewhere and

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

few scholarships, but will they be enough to make a difference? “What are

a meaningful look, hoping she gets what I'm

the perfect opportunity for her to mention college and if they're

she answers,

grabs the soda Ryan bought for her and she takes

"Just about school"

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

you Easton,

it up

and they're

"Yeah, I say.

going to

State,’ Ryan says, his

I glare at him.

So does Sadie.

going there?”

My brother shrugs.