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

they arrive, all sorts of

starts playing music and it's fucking

couple of girls brought giant platters of food from a local Mexican restaurant and

to the music with giant smiles on their faces and I

in those short denim shorts and the tight shirt

she keeps batting it away, laughing at whatever Sadie says as she keeps shaking

and flashes one of those

gaze

glance over at Ryan who's standing directly

than anything else in

a sip from

cant believe you gave

like it was a hardship,”

Ryan rolls his eyes.

school.” "Your parents cool with you changing your

always my

me once what

would follow in his

figured I'd do the same,’

takes a step closer to me,

me the truth—did you switch it up just for Harper?" It started the end of my junior year—the realization that law school didn't interest me at

years of my life going

to work for my father

like

want to disappoint my father or cause a fight, so I

my father sitting right beside me, going on and on about my chances and how I would be a legacy, carrying the

want, but for whatever reason, the idea of

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

make the decision

gave me the strength to fight for what I

parents didn't give me too

Eventually"

Ryan tips his head back, draining the

you're going to the same

Chico State only because she knew I wanted to go there.” Ryan