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, Ryan says

Hmm.

if that's

sorts of

music and

couple of girls brought giant platters of food from

the music with giant smiles on their

hot tonight in those short denim shorts and the tight shirt that shows off

it away, laughing at

and flashes one of those

a sip from my beer, my gaze never leaving her

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

anything else in

takes a sip from his

believe you gave

it was a hardship,”

Ryan rolls his eyes.

cool with you changing your

was always my

never asked me once

would follow in his

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

closer to

Harper?" It started the end of my

seven or eight years of my

for my father

like a

I didn't want to disappoint my father or cause

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

idea of disappointing my parents about my future choices—specifically my father —freaked me

choose to go to UCLA only because of your sister,” I finally answer, my gaze still on her as she

the decision easier

what I want, and stand up

didn't give me too much shit over

Eventually"

so fucking whipped.” Ryan tips his head back, draining

considering you're going to the same college

she knew