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,

Hmm.

if

after they arrive, all sorts of people start to

starts playing music and

of girls brought giant platters of food from

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

hot tonight in those short denim shorts and the tight

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

me staring and flashes one of those shy smiles

gaze

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

anything else in

sip from

cant believe you gave up Stanford for

like it was

Ryan rolls his eyes.

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

was always my

me once what

I would

life, I figured I'd do

step closer

just for Harper?" It started the end of my junior year—the realization that law school didn't interest

eight years of my life going to college

my father

like

my father or

me, going on and on about my chances and how I would be a legacy,

reason, the idea

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

make the decision easier for

for what I want, and stand up

my parents didn't give me too much shit over

Eventually"

Ryan tips his head back,

going to the same college as

only because she knew I wanted to