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,

Hmm.

wonder if that's

after they arrive, all sorts of

playing music and it's

of girls brought giant platters of food from a local Mexican restaurant and everyone

out, dancing to the music with giant smiles on their

hot tonight in those short denim shorts

in her face and she keeps batting it away, laughing

staring and flashes one of those shy smiles that make

take a sip from my beer, my gaze never leaving her even when I

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

anything else in

takes a sip from his

believe you gave up

like it was a

Ryan rolls his eyes.

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

always my

never asked me once what I

would follow in his

figured I'd do the same,’

takes a step closer to me, his

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

seven or eight years

for my father

sounded like

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

know, I'm applying to Stanford with my father sitting right beside me, going on and on about my chances and how I would be a legacy, carrying

the fuck I want, but for whatever reason, the idea of disappointing my parents about my future choices—specifically my father

finally answer, my gaze still on her as she continues to dance

make the decision

for what I want, and stand up to my

thank God my parents didn't give me too much

Eventually"

so fucking whipped.” Ryan tips his head back, draining the last

no room to talk, considering you're going

to Chico State only because she knew I