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 says

Hmm.

wonder if that's

after they arrive, all sorts of

playing music

food from a local Mexican restaurant and everyone starts

giant smiles on their faces and

shorts and the tight shirt

and she keeps batting it away,

staring and flashes one of

my gaze never leaving her

my sister, don't you?" I glance over at Ryan who's standing directly beside

else in

takes a sip from

cant believe you gave

was a

Ryan rolls his eyes.

school.” "Your parents cool with you

was always

once what I wanted to

would follow in

my life, I figured I'd do the same,’ I

a step closer to me,

up just for Harper?" It started the end

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

work for my father and eventually take

like

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

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

but for whatever reason, the idea of disappointing my parents about

your sister,” I finally answer, my gaze still on

the decision easier

gave me the strength to fight for what I want, and

God my parents didn't give me too much shit

Eventually"

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

have no room to talk, considering you're going

only because she knew I wanted to go there.”