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.

if that's

all sorts of people start

starts playing music and it's

girls brought giant platters of food

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

denim shorts and the tight

it away, laughing at whatever Sadie says

me staring and flashes one of those

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

I glance over at Ryan who's standing directly beside

else in

a sip from

you gave

like it was a

Ryan rolls his eyes.

school.” "Your parents cool with you changing your

always my

never asked me once what I wanted

I would follow in

I figured I'd do the same,’

takes a step closer

the end of my junior year—the realization that

or eight years of my life

my father and

sounded like a

I didn't want to disappoint my father or cause a fight, so I

my father sitting right beside me, going on and on

do whatever the fuck I want, but for whatever reason, the idea of

UCLA only because of your sister,” I finally answer, my gaze still

make the decision easier

what I want, and stand up

thank God my parents didn't give me too much shit

Eventually"

his head back, draining the

you're going to the same college as Sadie,’ I remind

knew I wanted to go there.” Ryan