You’re Mine by Penny Brooks

Chapter 174

Easton

It's the weekend and my parents are out of town so that calls fora celebration.

What exactly we're celebrating, I'm not sure.

But do we need to have a reason to party? I dont think so.

I'm dragging a cooler out on the back patio when my first guests show up, all three of them strolling into my back yard.

Harper, Sadie and Ryan.

“Hope you have lots of booze tonight!" Sadie does a little shimmy, hip checking my girlfriend and nearly sending her toppling over.

"Plenty for you Sadie,’ I tell her, extending my arm toward Harper and pulling her to me, delivering a quick kiss to her lips.

"Hey beautiful"

She smiles, her hand resting on my chest.

"I will never get tired of hearing you say that"

“Gag.” This comes from Ryan, who's watching us with a scowl on his face.

"You two disgust me"

"Stop being such a grouch"

Sadie lightly slaps Ryan's arm.

"You should be happy right now"

"Is there a specific reason why he should be happy?" Harper asks, her gaze questioning.

"We discussed it a couple of nights ago and...Ryan and I are going to college together!" Sadie throws both arms up in the air, her expression triumphant.

“Oh my God!” Harper pulls away from me to wrap her best friend up ina hug.

"I'm so excited for you!” "I'm excited too.” Sadie hugs her back.

"And so is Ryan.

"Sure, Ryan says

Hmm.

if

arrive, all sorts of people

playing music and it's fucking

of girls brought giant platters of food from a local Mexican restaurant and everyone starts

out, dancing to the music with giant smiles on

looks extra hot tonight in those short denim shorts and the tight shirt that shows off her

keeps getting in her face and she keeps batting it away, laughing at whatever Sadie says as she

staring and flashes one of those shy smiles that make

gaze never leaving her even when I feel someone

love my sister, don't you?" I glance over at Ryan who's

else in

sip from

believe you gave up Stanford for

it was a

Ryan rolls his eyes.

an excellent school.” "Your parents cool with you changing your plan?" “It was never my

was always

asked me once what I wanted to

would

my life, I figured

a step closer to

me the truth—did you switch it up just for Harper?" It started the end of my junior year—the realization that law

imagine spending the next seven or eight years of my life going to

coming to work for my father

sounded like

my father or cause a fight, so I

right beside me, going on and on about my chances and

whatever reason, the idea of disappointing my parents about

I finally answer, my gaze still on her

make the decision easier

strength to fight for what I want, and stand

parents didn't give

Eventually"

head back,

room to talk, considering you're going to the same college as Sadie,’ I

knew I wanted to go there.”