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.

wonder if that's

arrive, all sorts of people start to show

playing music

couple of girls brought giant platters of food from a local

out, dancing to the music with giant

hot tonight in those short denim shorts and the tight shirt that shows

hair keeps getting in her face and she keeps batting it away,

staring and flashes one of those shy

my gaze never leaving her even when I feel someone

glance

than anything else

a sip

cant believe you gave

was a hardship,” I

Ryan rolls his eyes.

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

was always my

asked me once what I wanted

just assumed I would follow

most of my life, I figured

a step closer

It started the end of my junior year—the realization that law school didn't interest me

imagine spending the next seven or eight years of my life

to work for my father and eventually take

sounded like a

to disappoint my father or cause a fight,

father sitting right beside me, going on

but for whatever reason, the idea of disappointing my parents about my future choices—specifically my father —freaked me

choose to go to UCLA only because of your sister,” I finally answer,

helped make the decision easier for

me the strength to fight for what

give me too

Eventually"

so fucking whipped.” Ryan tips his head back, draining the last

going to the same college as Sadie,’ I remind

applied to Chico State only because she knew I wanted to go there.”