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.

Ryan?" "Sure,

Hmm.

if that's

all sorts of people start

starts playing music and it's

giant platters of food from a

to the music with giant

extra hot tonight in those short denim shorts and the tight

keeps batting it away, laughing

of those shy smiles that

my gaze never leaving

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

than anything else

a sip from

cant believe you gave up

like it was a

Ryan rolls his eyes.

parents cool with you changing your plan?" “It was

always my

never asked me once

I would follow in his

of my life, I figured I'd do the same,’ I

a step closer to me,

it up just for Harper?" It started the end of my junior year—the realization that law school didn't interest me at

or eight years of my life going to college and

work for my father and eventually take

sounded like

disappoint my father or cause a fight, so I kept my

Stanford with my father sitting right beside me, going on

the idea of disappointing my parents about my future choices—specifically

only because of your sister,” I finally answer, my gaze still on her as she

helped make the decision easier for

what I want, and

didn't give me too

Eventually"

whipped.” Ryan tips his head

going to the same college as Sadie,’ I

to Chico State only because she knew I wanted to go