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.

wonder if that's

all sorts of

starts playing music and

giant platters of food from a local Mexican restaurant

giant smiles

short denim shorts and the tight shirt that

in her face and she keeps batting it

me staring and flashes one of those shy smiles that make

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

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

than anything else in this

sip from

you gave up

it was

Ryan rolls his eyes.

with

was always my

me once

just assumed I would follow in his

life, I figured I'd do the same,’

takes a step closer to me,

for Harper?" It started the

or eight years of

my father and eventually take over the

sounded like

my father or cause a fight, so I kept

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

for whatever reason, the idea of disappointing my parents about my future choices—specifically my father —freaked

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

she helped make the

the strength to fight for what I

give me too much shit

Eventually"

his head back, draining the last of his

you're going to

to Chico State only because she knew I