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

all sorts of people

music and it's

of food from a local Mexican restaurant and

to the music with giant smiles

those short denim shorts and the

keeps getting in her face and she keeps batting it away, laughing

of those shy smiles that

take a sip from my beer, my gaze never leaving her even when I feel

glance over at Ryan who's standing directly beside

than anything else

sip from his

you gave up Stanford for

was a hardship,” I

Ryan rolls his eyes.

excellent school.” "Your parents cool with you changing your plan?" “It was never my

was always

me once what I wanted

assumed I would follow in his

most of my life, I figured

step closer to me,

the end

or eight years of my life going to

father and eventually

like

disappoint my father or cause a fight,

beside me, going on and on about my chances and how I

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

UCLA only because of your sister,” I finally

she helped make the decision easier for

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

God my parents didn't give me too much shit over

Eventually"

head back, draining

no room to talk, considering you're going to the same college as Sadie,’ I remind

knew I wanted to go there.” Ryan shakes his