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 that's

they arrive, all sorts of people start to

playing music and

couple of girls brought giant platters of food from a

music with giant

those short denim shorts and the tight shirt

keeps getting in her face and she keeps batting it away,

catches me staring and flashes one of those shy smiles that make my

my gaze never leaving her even when I feel

glance over at Ryan who's standing directly

anything else in

a sip

gave up

it was a hardship,”

Ryan rolls his eyes.

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

always

me once what I wanted

would

life, I figured I'd do the same,’ I

step closer to me, his voice

for Harper?" It started the end of my junior

or eight years of my life going to

coming to work for my father and eventually take over the

like a

my father or cause a fight, so I

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

idea of disappointing my

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

helped make the decision

for what I want, and stand

thank God my parents didn't give me

Eventually"

his head back, draining the last of

talk, considering you're going to the

she knew I wanted