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,

Hmm.

if

after they arrive, all sorts of people start to

starts playing music and it's

food

giant smiles on their

those short denim shorts and the tight shirt

her face and she keeps batting it away, laughing at whatever Sadie says as she

staring and flashes one of those shy smiles that make

a sip from my beer, my gaze never leaving her even

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

else

a sip from his

you gave up Stanford for

it was

Ryan rolls his eyes.

cool with you changing

was always

once what I

would follow

life, I figured I'd do the same,’

step closer to me,

It started the end of my junior

next seven or eight years of my life going to college and law

work for my father

like

father or cause a fight, so I

father sitting right beside me, going on and on about

idea of disappointing my parents about my future choices—specifically my father —freaked me

because of your sister,” I finally answer,

the decision

to fight for what I want,

didn't give me too

Eventually"

head back,

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

only because she knew I wanted to go there.” Ryan