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

Hmm.

if

arrive, all sorts of people start to

playing music and it's fucking

of girls brought giant platters of food from a

to the music with giant smiles on their

extra hot tonight in those short denim shorts

she keeps batting it

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

gaze never

glance over

than anything else in this

sip from

you gave up Stanford

it was a

Ryan rolls his eyes.

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

was always

asked me once what I

just assumed I would follow

of my life, I figured I'd do the

closer to

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

seven or eight years

to work for my father and eventually take over

like a

or cause a

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 tradition

whatever reason, the idea of disappointing my parents about my future

only because of your sister,” I finally answer, my gaze still on her

she helped make the decision easier

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

my parents didn't give me

Eventually"

whipped.” Ryan tips his head

going

applied to Chico State only because she knew