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 that's

all sorts of people start to

playing music and

giant platters of food from a local Mexican restaurant and everyone starts

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

in those short denim shorts and the tight shirt that shows

face and she keeps batting it away, laughing at whatever Sadie says

staring and flashes one of those shy

from my beer, my gaze never leaving her even when I feel

really love my sister, don't you?" I glance over at Ryan who's standing

than anything else in

sip

cant believe you gave up

it was a hardship,”

Ryan rolls his eyes.

is an excellent school.” "Your parents cool with you changing your plan?" “It was never my

always

never asked me once what I wanted

just assumed I would follow in

I figured I'd do the same,’ I

closer to

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

years of my life going to college and law

coming to work for my father and eventually take over the

sounded like

want to disappoint my father or cause a fight, so I

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

idea of disappointing my parents

sister,” I finally answer, my

she helped make the decision

strength to fight for what

didn't give me too much

Eventually"

Ryan tips his head back, draining the last

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

State only because she knew I wanted to go there.”