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

Hmm.

if

they arrive, all sorts of people

playing music and it's fucking

couple of girls brought giant platters of food

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

shorts and the tight shirt that shows off her

face and she keeps batting it

flashes one of

my beer, my gaze never leaving her even when I

you?" I glance over at Ryan who's standing directly beside

else in this

sip from his

cant believe you gave up Stanford

was

Ryan rolls his eyes.

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

was always my

once what

would follow in his

figured I'd do the same,’

closer to

started the end of

or eight years of my life

to work for my father and

like a

my father or

next thing I know, I'm applying 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 —freaked

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

helped make the

to fight for what I want, and

parents didn't give me

Eventually"

fucking whipped.” Ryan tips his head back,

room to talk, considering you're going to the same college as Sadie,’ I

knew I