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.

wonder if

arrive, all sorts

playing music and

brought giant platters of food from

the music with giant smiles

short denim shorts and the tight shirt that

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

of those

from my beer, my gaze never

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

else in

sip

gave up Stanford

it was a hardship,” I

Ryan rolls his eyes.

is an excellent school.” "Your parents cool with you changing your plan?" “It

was always my

me once what

I would follow in his

I figured

takes a step closer to me,

started the end of my junior year—the realization that law school

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

my father and eventually take over

like

father or cause a fight, so I kept my mouth

Stanford with my father sitting right beside me, going on and on

fuck I want, but for whatever reason, the idea of disappointing my parents about my

because of your sister,” I finally answer, my

make the decision easier

to fight for what I want, and stand up to my

didn't give me too

Eventually"

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

talk, considering you're going to the

she knew I wanted to go there.” Ryan shakes his