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

they arrive, all sorts of people start to

playing music and

of food from a local Mexican

giant smiles on their

those short denim shorts and the tight shirt that shows off

it away, laughing

me staring and flashes one of those shy

from my beer, my gaze never leaving her

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

than anything else in this

a sip

you gave up

it was

Ryan rolls his eyes.

is an excellent school.” "Your parents cool with you changing your plan?" “It was

always

asked me once what I

I would follow in

I figured I'd do the same,’

step closer

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

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

coming to work for my father and eventually take

like

or cause a fight, so I kept my mouth

to Stanford with my father sitting right beside me, going on and on

I want, but for whatever reason, the idea of

sister,” I finally answer,

make the

fight for what I want, and stand up to

God my parents didn't give me

Eventually"

fucking whipped.” Ryan tips his head back, draining the last

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

applied to Chico State only because she knew I wanted to