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

arrive, all sorts of people start to

playing music and

platters of food from a local Mexican restaurant and everyone

hanging out, dancing to the music with giant smiles on their faces and I can't stop

short denim shorts and the

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

and flashes one of those shy smiles that make my

beer, my gaze never leaving her even when

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

anything else

takes a sip from his

you gave

it was a

Ryan rolls his eyes.

parents cool with you changing your

always my

never asked me once what I

assumed I would follow in

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

a step closer to me,

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

the next seven or eight years of my

to work for my father and eventually take over the

like a

down, I didn't want to disappoint my father or

thing I know, I'm applying 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

idea of

finally answer, my gaze still on her as she

helped make the decision easier for

to fight for what I want, and

give me too much shit

Eventually"

his head back, draining

to talk, considering you're going to the

applied to Chico State only because she knew I wanted to go there.”