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, Ryan

Hmm.

if that's

after they arrive, all sorts of people

music and it's

of food from a

with giant smiles on their faces and I can't

in those short denim shorts and

and she keeps batting it away, laughing at whatever

flashes one of those shy smiles

my gaze never leaving her even when I

my sister, don't you?" I glance

else in

a sip

cant believe you gave up Stanford

like it was a

Ryan rolls his eyes.

parents cool with you changing your plan?" “It was never

always

never asked me once what I wanted

I would follow in

life, I figured I'd do the same,’

step closer to me, his

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

the next seven or eight years of

to work for my father

sounded like a

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

with my father sitting right beside me, going on and on about my chances and how I would be a legacy, carrying

fuck I want, but for whatever reason, the idea

to go to UCLA only because of your sister,” I finally answer, my gaze still on her

helped make the decision easier

what I want, and stand up to my

God my parents didn't give me

Eventually"

head back, draining

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

applied to Chico State only because she knew I wanted to