By the Playbook

By the Playbook (2)

Kasey's shriek when she saw me was so loud I was surprised the windows didn't shatter. Swept up the stairs by the crowd of football players, my hand in Ryder's, tugging me along, I was giggling and trying not to get stepped on in the chaos.

They piled into the dining room, where the other Greens were already seated, places already set for all of the boys. They separated, and I noticed Gavin pushing another boy out of the way to sit next to Cassie, and when I caught Kasey's eye, she shrieked so loud Kailey clapped her hands over her ears.

"Addie!"

"Hi," I giggled as Kasey rushed around the table, shouldering others out of the way as Cassie followed around the other side. They met in the middle, squealing as they pulled me into a group hug.

"Girls," Olivia scolded gently, laughing. "Let her breathe."

"I can't believe you didn't tell me you were here!" Kasey scolded. "I wanted to show you your closet-"

"Beat you to it," Caleb called. Kasey turned and glared at her twin, hand on her hip. "Excuse me?"

"Caleb!" Cassie wailed, her wide brown eyes indignant. "How could you?"

"It was quite easy," Caleb chuckled. "I took her for a tour and her closet was part of her room."

"You asshołe," Kasey muttered under her breath, flicking her platinum blonde hair over her shoulder as she grabbed my hand, pulling me around the table to sit next to her. Before she could force me into a chair, Ryder grabbed my waist and pulled me into the chair next to him, making Kasey yelp as she stumbled backwards. "Dude!"

"Sorry," he said unapologetically, Cassie giggling as she dove into her seat next to me. Kasey's blue eyes, identical to her brother's, sparked in annoyance and Caleb tugged lightly on a piece of her hair, teasing. Cassie rolled her eyes at their bickering before turning to me, back to Gavin, who scowled lightly. "When did you get here?"

"Like, 1:30-ish," I guessed.

"You are the worst best friend I've ever had," she sulked, shaking her head at me. "Three hours and you haven't said hello?"

"Leave her alone, Cass," Olivia called, chuckling at her daughter. She was at the head of the table, four seats down from me, and smiled gently at me. "It's good to see you again, AJ. Do you like your room?"

"Oh, I love it," I gushed. "Thank you so much for the closet and the roundabout, I can't believe you remembered!"

The girls all laughed. "Only the best," Olivia smiled at me, then looked over her shoulder. "Elise? I think we're ready."

Kailey, who was sitting on a stack of books on her chair across from me, smiled adorably at me, revealing the gap in her mouth. "I mithed you," she lisped, her wild red hair tamed into two ponytails. I beamed back at her.

"You're so adorable, Kailey." I cooed, making her blush.

"No, she's not," Ryder grumbled. "She's the devil with pigtails."

I smacked his arm lightly. "Not even," I smiled at Kailey, who was looking like a kicked puppy. "Don't worry, Kay, he's just sad because he's not as cute as you."

Ryder rolled his eyes at me as everyone laughed, Kailey looking proud. The kitchen staff were bringing out plate after plate loaded high with food, setting them in the middle of the table. One, a tall blonde with sparkling green eyes, couldn't have been more than twenty two, and rested one hand on Caleb's shoulder as she set the plate down in front of him.

He smiled up at her. "Thanks, Gabby."

She shot him a glowing smile. "Always a pleasure, Caleb."