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 says

Hmm.

wonder if

they arrive, all sorts of

starts playing music and

food from a local Mexican

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

shorts and the tight shirt that shows

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

me staring and flashes one of those shy smiles that make

sip from my beer, my gaze never leaving her even when I

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

else in

takes a sip from his

believe you gave up Stanford

was a hardship,” I

Ryan rolls his eyes.

excellent school.” "Your parents cool with you changing

was always my

never asked me once what I wanted

just assumed I would follow in his

my life, I figured I'd do

takes a step closer to me, his voice

truth—did you switch it up just for Harper?" It started the

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

father and eventually take over

sounded like a

I didn't want to disappoint my father or

with my father sitting right beside me, going on and on about my chances and

idea of disappointing my parents about my future choices—specifically my father —freaked

I finally answer, my gaze still

the decision

gave me the strength to fight for what I

parents didn't give me too much

Eventually"

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

no room to talk, considering you're going to the same college as Sadie,’

applied to Chico State only because she knew