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

Hmm.

if that's

all sorts of people start to show

starts playing music

platters of food from a local Mexican restaurant and everyone starts

Sadie are hanging out, dancing to the music with giant

in those short denim shorts and the tight shirt that

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

and flashes one of those shy smiles that

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

I glance over at

than anything else in this

sip from his

believe you gave up

was

Ryan rolls his eyes.

excellent school.” "Your parents cool with you changing your

always

once what I wanted

I would follow

my life, I figured I'd do the same,’

step closer to me, his voice

you switch it up just for Harper?" It started the end of my junior year—the realization that law school

years of

for my father and

like

disappoint my father or cause a fight, so I kept my

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

I want, but for whatever reason, the idea of disappointing my parents

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

she helped make the decision

for what I

parents didn't give me too

Eventually"

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

no room to talk, considering you're going to

because she knew I wanted to go there.” Ryan