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.

wonder if

all sorts of people start to

playing music and it's fucking

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

giant smiles on their

those short denim shorts and the tight

getting in her face and she keeps batting it

me staring and flashes one of

my beer, my gaze

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

anything else in

a sip

believe you gave up Stanford

like it was a

Ryan rolls his eyes.

UCLA is an excellent school.” "Your parents cool with you

was always my

once what I

just assumed I would follow in his

figured I'd do the same,’ I

a step closer

you switch it up just for Harper?" It started the end

imagine spending the next seven or eight years of

work for my father and eventually

like

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

beside me, going on and on about my chances and how I would be

want, but for whatever reason, the idea of disappointing

choose to go to UCLA only because of your sister,” I finally

make the decision easier for

me the strength to fight for what I want, and stand

God my parents didn't give me too much shit over

Eventually"

Ryan tips his head back, draining the last

going to the same college

Chico State only because she knew I wanted to go there.” Ryan shakes his