Life with the Ryan Boys

Chapter 6

As Channing and I made our way down the hallway, lit was like my eardrums were about to burst. We got to the top of the stairs and the whole first floor was completely packed. I turned around to say something to Channing but he wasn't there and that's when I saw him high-five Cole as he was going down. I hadn't seen Cole in forever and he had definitely gotten hotter; if that was possible. 

    "Payton Reeves. When did you grow up?" He said leaning on the banister and smiling.

"I've been grown up unlike you," I replied.

    "Oh now you've done it, " Cole said coming at me.

"No! Cole- " I protested but he already had me over his shoulder, walking down the stairs.

     I propped myself up on my elbows and waved to random people who looked at us weirdly. I didn't know where Cole was going until he put me down in front of the stereo. Then he turned the music down and pulled me up onto the dining room table for everyone to see. I gave him a confused look.

    "Hey! If I could have everybody's attention. Can my brothers come up here and join me. I have a few words to say, "Cole said smiling at me again as Steven, Channing, Eion, and Caleb climbed up on the table with me.

   "So tonight's party was supposed to be for Steven and I as a welcome home party. And don't get me wrong I love my brothers and all my friends, but something awesome happened a couple days ago. I was at work in my office when I got a call from my mom. You all know my mom Jamie. Well she called me saying we had a new member to the family," Cole said.

   "Your mom had a baby?" And obviously drunk guy yelled.

Cole ignored him like everyone else, put his arm around my shoulder and continued talking, "Everyone this is Payton. And just the other day when my mom told me that we had a new member I really did think she had gotten knocked up again."  Everyone laughed at that and I grinned. "But what really happened was she adopted this beautiful girl right here. I used to baby sit this kid sometimes. And you know me, living in a house with all boys, I wanted a sister. And I finally got one. And she is absolutely the most amazing sister ever. So this party isn't a welcome home for Steven and I...it's a welcome home for Payton."

  Everyone clapped after what Cole said and I could feel some more tears slipping down my cheeks. I turned and gave Cole a hug and then he whispered, "It wasn't my idea. Go thank Steven."

  So I let go of Cole and gave Steven a big hug. The rest of the guys patted my back, and this time it was Steven who spoke, "I missed a lot from where I travel for work. The one thing I didn't want to miss...was getting to see my little sister smile."

   I laughed and pulled him into a hug again before Cole turned the music back up to ear shattering level, and Cole helped me down. I looked at both of these amazing guys and smiled.

  "Thank you guys so much. I needed that," I said.

Steven smiled, "You also need this." He nodded his head to someone behind me and then Channing came  and grabbed under my arms. I had no clue what was going on until Eion came around from behind Cole and Steven  and grabbed my feet;  I fought against the boys while they took me outside.

  "Guys don't!" I yelled before they swung me into the pool. It's a good thing my make up is water proof. I came above the surface and watched as Cole, Steven, Channing, Eion, Caleb, and all their football friends took a running leap into the pool with me. I laughed as a lot of other people from the party jumped into the pool too.

  I was treading water having a splash fight with Caleb when someone came up behind me. I turned to face Eion.

  "Hey, " I said looking at him.