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,

Hmm.

wonder if that's

after they arrive, all sorts of people start to

starts playing music and it's fucking

girls brought giant platters of food from

the music with giant smiles on their

looks extra hot tonight in those short denim shorts

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

staring and flashes one of those shy smiles

gaze never leaving her even when I feel someone

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

than anything else

a sip from his

you gave up Stanford for

was a hardship,”

Ryan rolls his eyes.

with you

was always my

asked me once what I wanted to

I would follow in

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

closer

for Harper?" It started the end of my junior year—the realization that law

next seven or eight years of my life going to college

my father and

sounded like

my father or cause a fight,

right beside me, going on and on about my chances

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

UCLA only because of your sister,” I finally answer,

make the decision easier for

the strength to fight for what I want, and stand

my parents didn't give me too much shit over

Eventually"

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

you're going to the same college as

State only because she knew I wanted to go