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

Hmm.

wonder if that's

after they arrive, all sorts of

music and

giant platters of food from a local

giant

those short denim shorts and the tight shirt that shows off her

batting it away, laughing at whatever Sadie says as she keeps

catches me staring and flashes one of those shy smiles that make

from my beer, my gaze never leaving her even when

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

than anything else in this

takes a sip from his

you gave up Stanford for

like it was a hardship,” I

Ryan rolls his eyes.

school.” "Your parents cool with you changing

was always my

asked me once what I wanted

would follow in

life, I figured I'd do

closer to me, his voice

switch it up just for Harper?" It started the end of my junior

spending the next seven or eight years of my

my father and eventually take over

like

my father or cause a fight, so I kept my

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

the fuck I want, but for whatever reason, the idea of disappointing my parents about my future choices—specifically my father

because of your sister,” I finally answer,

helped make the

what I want,

my parents didn't give me too much

Eventually"

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

you're going to the same college as

because she knew I wanted to go there.” Ryan