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,

Hmm.

wonder if that's

after they arrive, all sorts of people

music and it's fucking

of food from

to the music with giant smiles on their faces

hot tonight in those short denim shorts

it away, laughing at whatever Sadie says as she keeps

me staring and flashes one of those shy smiles that

beer, my gaze never leaving her even

glance

anything else in this

a sip

believe you gave up

it was a

Ryan rolls his eyes.

with you changing your plan?" “It was never my

was always my

asked me once

I would

I figured I'd

step closer to me, his voice

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

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

my father and eventually take over

sounded like a

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

applying to Stanford with my father sitting right beside me, going on and on

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

to go to UCLA only because of your sister,” I finally answer, my gaze still on her as she continues to dance with

the decision easier

what I want, and stand

didn't give me

Eventually"

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

room to talk, considering you're going to the same college as

Chico State only because she knew I wanted to