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.

Right Ryan?" "Sure, Ryan says automatically.

Hmm.

I wonder if that's true.

Soon after they arrive, all sorts of people start to show up.

Someone starts playing music and it's fucking loud.

A couple of girls brought giant platters of food from a local Mexican restaurant and everyone starts eating.

Harper and Sadie are hanging out, dancing to the music with giant smiles on their faces and I can't stop staring at my girlfriend.

She looks extra hot tonight in those short denim shorts and the tight shirt that shows off her tits.

Her hair keeps getting in her face and she keeps batting it away, laughing at whatever Sadie says as she keeps shaking her ass. Harper catches me staring and flashes one of those shy smiles that make my dick hard.

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

"You really love my sister, don't you?" I glance over at Ryan who's standing directly beside him.

"More than anything else in this world"

He takes a sip from his beer.

"I cant believe you gave up Stanford for her"

"Not like it was a hardship," I drawl.

Ryan rolls his eyes.

"Besides, UCLA is an excellent school." "Your parents cool with you changing your plan?" "It was never my plan.

It was always my dad's.

He never asked me once what I wanted to do.

He just assumed I would follow in his footsteps.

For most of my life, I figured I'd do the same,' I explain.

Ryan takes a step closer to me, his voice lowering.

"Tell 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 all.

I couldnt imagine spending the next seven or eight years of my life going to college and law school.

Of coming to work for my father and eventually take over the business.

That sounded like a nightmare.

Deep down, I didn't want to disappoint my father or cause a fight, so I kept my mouth shut.

The next thing I know, I'm applying to Stanford with my father sitting right beside me, going on and on about my chances and how I would be a legacy, carrying the family tradition on.

I usually do whatever the fuck I want, but for whatever reason, the idea of disappointing my parents about my future choices-specifically my father-freaked me out.

"I didn't choose to go to UCLA only because of your sister," I finally answer, my gaze still on her as she continues to dance with Sadie.

"But she helped make the decision easier for me.

She gave me the strength to fight for what I want, and stand up to my father.

And thank God my parents didn't give me too much shit over it.

Eventually"

"You're so fucking whipped." Ryan tips his head back, draining the last of his beer.

"You have no room to talk, considering you're going to the same college as Sadie,' I remind him.

"She applied to Chico State only because she knew I wanted to go there." Ryan shakes his head.

"I love that girl.

She's crazy.

But sometimes I don't think she gives me a choice"

I frown.

"What do you mean by that?" "I don't know"

Ryan shrugs.

"I didn't choose her.

More like she chose me.

She set her sights on me and honed in like a woman with a mission"

"That might've been the case at first, but I can tell you're happy.

You two are good for each other.' "You really think so?" I nod.

"I didn't think you noticed shit like that." Damn, I normally don't.

Guess Harper's got me all in my feelings.

His attention snags on his girlfriend, who is drinking straight from a tequila bottle.

"She's going to be so fucking drunk." "Better watch it"

I turn to look at him.

"She's fine." Ryan makes a dismissive gesture with his hand, like it's no big deal his girlfriend is already shit faced.

"Just make sure she doesn't throw up in my house." That is the last fucking thing I want to deal with.

"I'll take care of her. Don't worry." Ryan's quiet for a moment before he points at our girls.

"But you should probably go interrupt that conversation.' I glance over at Harper to find she's in an intense conversation with...

Blake.

They're standing extra close, his head bent as she glances up at him.

He could easily reach out and touch her.

I clench my hands into fists, the anger rising.

Looks like I have to go claim my girl.