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 says

Hmm.

wonder if

they arrive, all sorts of people start to

music and it's fucking

giant platters of food from a local Mexican restaurant

Sadie are hanging out, dancing to the music with giant smiles

extra hot tonight in those short denim shorts and the tight shirt that shows

batting it away, laughing at whatever Sadie says as

staring and flashes one of those

beer, my gaze never leaving her even when I

you?" I glance over at Ryan who's standing directly beside

than anything else

sip from his

you gave up Stanford

it was a

Ryan rolls his eyes.

with you changing

always my

once what I wanted

just assumed I would follow in his

most of my life, I figured I'd do the same,’ I

a step closer to me, his voice

started the end of my junior year—the realization that

eight years

coming to work for my father and eventually take over

like a

disappoint my father or cause a fight, so I

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 family

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

sister,” I finally answer, my gaze still on her as she

helped make the

me the strength to fight for what I want, and

parents didn't give

Eventually"

Ryan tips his head back, draining the

have no room to talk, considering you're going to

because she knew