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.

wonder if that's

sorts

music and it's

of food

out, dancing to the music with giant smiles on their faces and I

those short denim shorts and the tight shirt that shows off

and she keeps batting it away,

staring and flashes one of those shy smiles that make my

gaze never leaving her even when

glance over at Ryan

than anything else in

a sip from his

cant believe you gave up

it was a hardship,” I

Ryan rolls his eyes.

with you changing your

was always

never asked me once what

I would follow

my life, I figured I'd do

step closer to me, his

me the truth—did you switch it up just for Harper?" It started the end of my

seven or eight years of

for my father and eventually take over the

sounded like a

or cause a

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

do whatever the fuck I want, but for whatever reason, the idea of disappointing my parents about my future

didn't choose to go to UCLA only because of your sister,” I finally answer, my gaze still on her

she helped make the decision easier for

what

didn't give me too much

Eventually"

head back,

considering you're going to the

knew I wanted to go there.”