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 that's

sorts of people start to

music and it's fucking

of food from a local Mexican

and Sadie are hanging out, dancing to the music with giant smiles on their faces and I can't stop staring at

extra hot tonight in those short denim shorts and

batting it away, laughing at whatever Sadie says as she

staring and flashes one of those shy smiles that make my

my gaze never leaving her even when I

glance over at Ryan

else

sip

gave up Stanford for

it was a hardship,” I

Ryan rolls his eyes.

excellent school.” "Your parents cool with

always my

me once what I wanted

assumed I would follow in his

of my life, I figured I'd

takes a step closer to me, his voice

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

years of my

for my father and eventually take over the

like

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

my father sitting right beside me, going on and on about my chances and

idea of disappointing

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

the

fight for what

my parents didn't give

Eventually"

fucking whipped.” Ryan tips his head back,

talk, considering you're going to the same

State only because she knew I wanted