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

arrive, all sorts of people start

starts playing music and

of food from a local

are hanging out, dancing to the music with giant smiles on their faces and I

shorts and the tight shirt that

hair keeps getting in her face and she keeps batting it

me staring and flashes one of those shy smiles that make

take a sip from my beer, my gaze never leaving her

really love my sister, don't you?" I glance

than anything else

a sip

gave up Stanford for

it was a hardship,”

Ryan rolls his eyes.

cool with you changing your plan?" “It was

was always my

once what I wanted to

just assumed I would follow

figured I'd do the same,’

step closer to me, his voice

me the truth—did you switch it up just for Harper?" It started the end of my junior

spending the next seven or eight years

coming to work for my father and eventually

like

my father or cause a fight, so I kept my mouth

thing I know, I'm applying to Stanford with my father sitting right beside me, going on and on about my

for whatever reason, the idea of disappointing my parents about my

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

helped make the decision easier for

for what I want, and

God my parents didn't give me

Eventually"

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

no room to talk, considering you're going to the same college as Sadie,’ I

State only because she knew I