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 says

Hmm.

if that's

they arrive, all sorts of people

starts playing music

of food from a local Mexican restaurant

to the music with giant smiles on their faces and I

extra hot tonight in those short denim shorts and the

it away, laughing at whatever

me staring and flashes one of those shy smiles that make my

beer, my gaze never leaving her even when I feel someone

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

than anything else

sip from his

believe you gave up

was a hardship,”

Ryan rolls his eyes.

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

always

never asked me once what

assumed I would

figured I'd

a step closer

me the truth—did you switch it up just for Harper?" It started the end of my junior year—the realization that law school didn't interest me

couldnt imagine spending the next seven or eight years of my life going

father and

like

father or

father sitting right beside me, going on and on about my

usually do whatever the fuck I want, but for whatever reason, the idea of disappointing my

I finally answer, my gaze still on her as she continues to

helped make the decision easier

the strength to fight for what I want,

parents didn't give

Eventually"

his head

room to talk, considering you're going to

applied to Chico State only because she knew I