Page 53 of The Love Playbook

“So, who is it you’re trying to impress?” Brandon asks, ignoring us.

“Charlotte Baker,” Jace explains.

“My dream girl: Small, brown hair, eyes like melted chocolate,” I add with a wistful expression. “Kind of looks like Nina Dobrev but less goody-two-shoes and more sass.”

“So, like the off-the-rails, vampire version of Elena Gilbert. I’ve never thought of the comparison before, but fuck, it fits,” Brandon says.

“Right?” I motion toward him, because this dude gets it.

“So, what’s this grand plan of yours?” Damon asks.

“Oh, he’s got a whole book of grand plans to make her fall, all ideas provided by yours truly and my boys back home,” Jace says with a laugh.

“A whole book?” Brandon gawks while Jace nods.

“It’s a fucking love playbook, okay?” I say, rising to my feet just as Coach enters the locker room, ready to give us our pep talk before the game. “Everyone knows you can’t win a game without a plan, right Coach?” I ask, half shouting.

Coach points at me with his clipboard. “Damn straight, Collins!”

I pump a fist in the air in victory as Jace mutters, “Kiss ass.”

“So, what grand plan do you have now?” Damon asks as Coach brushes past us for his office.

“A little public display of affection,” I say, wiggling my brows.

“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Brandon asks with a frown. “Some chicks don’t like that.”

“Especially chicks that hate your guts,” Jace adds.

“She no longer hates my guts,” I protest. “We made progress the other night.”

“You just told us how she rejected you.”

“Rejection is a harsh word.”

“But an accurate one.”

“Oh, ye of little faith,” I say as I rise to my feet just as Coach reappears for our pregame huddle. “After tonight, I’ll have Charlotte wrapped around my finger. Watch and learn, brothers, watch and learn.”

Chapter 11

CHARLOTTE

“How did Samantha get out of going to the game?” I grumble.

“Because Samantha has a date with Bar Dude,” Brynn says as we walk toward Griffin Stadium. “Besides,”?she bumps my shoulder as we join the crowd of people waiting to get in?“we all know you’re secretly dying to see Chris in his uniform.”

“Right. Just having a mini-stroke over here at the mere thought,” I say dryly.

“You know he tried to kiss her, right?” Brynn tells Liz.

“Really?” Her eyes brighten, the corners of her lips curving with a grin.

“Really,” I say with a grin. “But ask me if I let him.”

“Did you let him?” Liz asks, smile broadening.

“Nope.” We all laugh.