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 says

Hmm.

wonder if that's

after they arrive, all sorts of people start to show

music and it's fucking

of girls brought giant platters of food from a local Mexican restaurant

are hanging out, dancing to the music with giant smiles

denim shorts and

getting in her face and she keeps batting it away, laughing at

and flashes one of

beer, my gaze

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

anything else in

sip from

believe you gave

it was

Ryan rolls his eyes.

UCLA is an excellent school.” "Your parents cool with you changing

always

never asked me once what I wanted

I would

my life, I figured I'd do the

takes a step closer to

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

couldnt imagine spending the next seven or eight years of

work for my father and

sounded like a

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

I'm applying to Stanford with my father sitting right beside me, going on and on about my chances and how I would

for whatever reason, the idea of disappointing my parents about my future choices—specifically my

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

make the decision easier for

strength to fight for what I want, and stand up

God my parents didn't give me too much shit over

Eventually"

head back, draining the last of

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

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