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.

if

they arrive, all sorts

playing music

of food from a local Mexican restaurant and

music with giant smiles

shorts and the tight shirt that shows

it away, laughing at whatever Sadie

and flashes one of those shy smiles

my beer, my gaze never leaving her even when I

don't you?" I glance over at Ryan

anything else in this

sip

cant believe you gave

like it was a

Ryan rolls his eyes.

parents cool with you changing your plan?" “It was

always

me once

would follow

life, I figured I'd do the same,’

closer to me, his

just for Harper?" It started the end of my junior year—the realization that law

spending the next seven or eight years

my father and eventually

like a

my father or cause a fight, so

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

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

because of your sister,” I finally answer, my gaze

she helped make the decision easier

strength to fight for what I

God my parents didn't give me too

Eventually"

head

talk, considering you're going to the same college

because she knew I wanted