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

arrive, all sorts of people start to show

music and

platters of food from

to the music with giant

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

getting in her face and she keeps batting it away, laughing at whatever

catches me staring and flashes one of those shy smiles

beer, my gaze

love my sister, don't you?" I glance over at Ryan

than anything else

sip

gave up Stanford

like it was

Ryan rolls his eyes.

parents cool with you changing your plan?" “It was never

always

never asked me once

I would follow in his

my life, I figured I'd

step closer to

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

spending the next seven or eight years of my life going to college

coming to work for my father and

like a

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

going on and on about my chances and how I

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

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

she helped make the decision easier for

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

God my parents didn't give me

Eventually"

his head back, draining

considering you're going

because she knew I