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.

wonder if that's

all sorts of people start to show

music and

platters of food from a local Mexican

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

short denim shorts and

it away, laughing at whatever Sadie says as she

catches me staring and flashes one of those shy

gaze never leaving her even when I feel

you?" I glance over

than anything else

sip from

believe you gave up Stanford

it was a hardship,” I

Ryan rolls his eyes.

school.” "Your parents cool with you changing your plan?" “It

always my

asked me once what

just assumed I would follow

figured I'd do the same,’

takes a step closer to

up just for Harper?" It started the end of my junior year—the realization that law school didn't

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

for my father and eventually take

like a

want to disappoint my father or cause a fight, so I kept my mouth

with my father sitting right beside me, going on

whatever the fuck I want, but for whatever reason, the idea of disappointing my parents about my future choices—specifically my father —freaked

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

helped make the decision easier

for what I want, and stand

my parents didn't give

Eventually"

head back,

talk, considering you're going to the

only because she knew I wanted to go there.” Ryan shakes his