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

they arrive, all sorts of people start to

playing music and it's fucking

couple of girls brought giant platters of food from a local Mexican

giant smiles on their faces and I can't stop staring at

in those short denim shorts and the tight shirt that shows

in her face and she keeps batting it away, laughing at whatever Sadie says

catches me staring and flashes one of those shy smiles that

my gaze never leaving her even when I feel

sister, don't you?" I glance

anything else in this

a sip from his

believe you gave up

it was a hardship,”

Ryan rolls his eyes.

excellent school.” "Your parents cool with

was always

never asked me once what I wanted to

would

life, I figured I'd do the

takes a step closer to me, his voice

me the truth—did you switch it up just for Harper?" It started the end of my junior year—the realization that law school didn't interest

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

my father and eventually take

sounded like a

or cause a fight, so I kept my mouth

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

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

I finally answer, my gaze still on her as she continues to dance with

helped make the decision

fight for what I want, and stand up to my

give

Eventually"

head back,

considering you're going to

to Chico State only because she knew I wanted to