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

all sorts of people start

playing music and it's fucking

brought giant platters of food from a local

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

looks extra hot tonight in those short denim shorts and the

face and she keeps batting it away, laughing

and flashes one of those shy

take a sip from my beer, my gaze never leaving her even

I glance over at

anything else in

takes a sip from

gave up

like it was a

Ryan rolls his eyes.

with you changing your

always

once what I wanted to

would follow

my life, I figured I'd do the same,’

a step closer to me,

for Harper?" It started the end of my junior year—the realization that

next seven or eight years

my father and eventually take over

like a

to disappoint my father or cause a fight,

on and on about my chances and how I would be a

but for whatever reason, the idea

choose to go to UCLA only because of your sister,” I finally answer, my gaze still on her as

the decision easier

the strength to fight for what I want, and stand

parents didn't give me

Eventually"

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

have no room to talk, considering you're going

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