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

Hmm.

wonder if that's

all sorts of

music and it's

platters of food from a

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 the tight shirt that shows off her

face and she keeps batting it away, laughing at whatever

staring and flashes one of

my beer, my gaze never leaving her even

sister, don't you?" I glance over at Ryan who's standing directly beside

else in

takes a sip from

cant believe you gave up Stanford

it was

Ryan rolls his eyes.

excellent school.” "Your parents cool with you changing your

always my

me once what I wanted to

assumed I would

I figured I'd do

takes a step closer to me, his voice

me the truth—did you switch it up just for Harper?" It started the end of my junior year—the realization that law school didn't interest me at

imagine spending the next seven or eight years

work for my father and

like a

my father or

my father sitting right beside me, going on and on about my chances and how I would be a legacy,

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

of your sister,” I finally

make the

fight for what I want, and stand up to

God my parents didn't give me too

Eventually"

tips his head back,

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

knew I wanted to