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.

if

sorts of people

music and

girls brought giant platters of food

to the music with giant smiles on their

in those short denim shorts and the tight shirt

getting in her face and she keeps batting it away,

me staring and flashes one of those shy smiles

beer, my gaze never leaving her even when I

glance over at Ryan who's standing directly

else in this

sip from

gave

was a

Ryan rolls his eyes.

with you changing your plan?" “It was

always

asked me once what

just assumed I would follow in his

figured I'd

closer to me, his

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

or eight years of my life going to college and law

my father and eventually

sounded like a

disappoint my father or cause a

sitting right beside me, going on

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

go to UCLA only because of your sister,” I finally answer, my gaze

helped make the decision easier for

strength to fight for what I want,

give me

Eventually"

whipped.” Ryan tips his head back, draining the

considering you're going to the same college as Sadie,’

only because she knew I wanted to