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 says

Hmm.

wonder if

sorts of people start

playing music

of girls brought giant platters of food from a local Mexican restaurant and everyone starts

dancing to the music with giant smiles on their faces and I can't stop

in those short denim shorts and the tight

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

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

gaze never leaving her even when I feel someone

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

anything else in

takes a sip from

believe you gave up Stanford for

it was a hardship,” I

Ryan rolls his eyes.

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

always

once what I wanted

would follow

I figured

step closer to me, his

it up just for Harper?" It started the end of my junior year—the realization

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

coming to work for my father

like a

didn't want to disappoint my father or cause a fight, so I kept my

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

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

I finally answer, my gaze still on her as

the decision easier

strength to fight for what I

my parents didn't give me too much shit

Eventually"

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

no room to talk, considering you're going to the same college

knew I wanted to go there.” Ryan