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

all sorts of

starts playing music and

couple of girls brought giant platters of food from a local

Sadie are hanging out, dancing to the music with giant smiles on their

shorts and the tight shirt that shows off

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

and flashes one of those shy

take a sip from my beer, my gaze never

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

anything else in

sip from his

cant believe you gave up Stanford for

like it was

Ryan rolls his eyes.

excellent school.” "Your parents cool with you changing your

was always

me once what

assumed I would

figured I'd

a step closer to me, his

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

spending the next seven or eight years of my life going to college and law

my father and eventually

like

or cause a

on and on about my chances and how I would be a legacy, carrying

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

I finally answer, my gaze still on her as she continues

helped make the

fight for what I want, and stand

parents didn't give me too much shit

Eventually"

Ryan tips his head back,

to talk, considering you're going to the same college

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