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.

if

sorts of people start

starts playing music and

couple of girls brought giant platters of food from a local Mexican restaurant and everyone starts

are hanging out, dancing to the music with giant smiles

hot tonight in those short denim shorts and the tight shirt that shows off her

batting it away,

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

my gaze never leaving her even when I feel

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

else in this

a sip

believe you gave up Stanford

it was

Ryan rolls his eyes.

UCLA is an excellent school.” "Your parents cool with you

was always

once what

just assumed I would

my life, I figured

takes a step closer to me,

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

imagine spending the next seven or eight years of my

my father and eventually take

like

father or cause

right beside me, going on and on about my chances and how I

the idea of disappointing my parents about my future choices—specifically

to go to UCLA only because of your sister,” I finally answer, my

she helped make the

the strength to fight for what I want, and stand

parents didn't give me too much

Eventually"

his head back, draining

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

applied to Chico State only because she knew I