Page 125 of For the Fans

I’m not trying to actively seek out Kyran, but of course my eyes find him right away. He’s standing in a group of his teammates, chatting and laughing. And he must feel me staring at him, because he looks up, our eyes meeting for a split second that tightens my chest until his break away and return to his friends.

Shaking my head to myself, I find a seat and plop down into it. This is going to suck major ass.And not in the good way.

The chatter amongst the groups of people goes on for minutes, during which I just fidget in my seat, peering around the room in search of booze. Of course there isn’t any… Because more than half the people in here aren’t twenty-one. Not that I’m a huge drinker. I mean, I like to get lit at parties, mainly to help me loosen up and fight that never-ending feeling that I don’t belong anywhere. But now, more than ever, I wish I’d snuck a water bottle filled with Schnapps into my coat pocket.

“Thank you all for coming,” Coach Matthews finally says.Let’s get this show on the road so I can get out of here…“If you would all take a seat, I’ll make this quick. We’re just here to talk about the Rose Bowl, and then you can enjoy some dinner.”

Sighing, I watch Kyran out of the corner of my eye as he walks closer to where I’m seated. There’s an empty chair right next to me, and I see him glance at it. My face tilts in his direction, and he swallows before turning and pulling out a chair at the next table over, sitting down next to Guty and Theo.

Figures. Did you really expect him to sit with you??

“The Eagles have been playing an immaculate season,” Coach starts, his voice booming. “And every person in this room is partly responsible. As a unit, we’ve managed one of the best records this team has ever had, and the best record in the NCAA this season.” He claps. “Give yourselves a round of applause. You deserve it.”

Everyone cheers and hoots, the players bellowing out their enthusiasm louder than everyone else, while I just clap unenthusiastically, feeling beyond awkward even being here.

I’m not a part of this… The stoner art nerd, stranded in a sea of jocks.

“We have two more games to win before we make it to the Rose Bowl,” Coach says as the noise fades. “And I’m fully confident that we’ll be playing in California. So I want to take a moment to single out our captain…” He gestures to Kyran. “Number Nine, Kyran Harbor. Let’s hear it for our quarterback, with the most passing yards in the division!”

The room erupts in cheers, whistles, and applause for Kyran, who’s sitting there, smiling politely. His cheeks are flushed, and I hate the way it flutters my stomach. It’s just soobnoxioushow good he looks… Sandy hair always perfectly brushed back by his fingers… Hazel eyes glittering. His sharp jaw and full lips. That body…

I mean, come on. Can he not be hot as fuck for two seconds??

“Kyran, we’re all beyond proud of where you’ve taken our team this season.” Coach grins.

“It’s a group effort,” Kyran murmurs, almost politically.He sounds like he’s running for office.“We got here, together.”

His gaze slides around the room, landing on me for a second, smile wavering just a bit as he looks away. I have to fight not to roll my eyes.

“But I have to give a shout-out to one person… who’s been there for me time and time again,” Kyran says. And for some idiotic reason, my gut starts crawling up my esophagus. He shifts and smiles. “My main man, Samson Gutierrez.”

Everyone whoops as Guty smirks at Kyran, slapping him on the shoulder. My stomach retreats, twisting and turning in this yucky sensation, like I’ve eaten something bad. There’s no plausible reason for me to be jealous right now… It’s not like Kyran and Guty are hooking up. They’re just teammates and best friends.

Right??

I blink hard.No, they’re not hooking up. That’s ridiculous.

And why do you care??

“The two of you, along with the rest of our incredible players, will get us to the Rose Bowl,” Coach says with confidence. “Who’s ready to bring that trophy home to Boston?!”

Everyone jumps up, shouting their excitement. Everyone but me. I may as well be the chair I’m sitting in, I’m so invisible here.

“Alright!” Coach smacks his hands together. “Let’s get ready to kick some Spartan ass! And don’t forget about the team banquet next month. If all goes accordingly, the next time we sit down to dinner together will be the night before the championship game!”

Some more claps and cheers ring out as the assistant coach tells us all to help ourselves to food. People get up and mull around the buffet tables while I wonder how many more minutes I need to sit here before I can casually slip away.

Fuck it. No one would notice if I left.

I’m about to stand up and bolt when a different annoying blonde plops down in the seat next to me.

“Hi, Baldwin!” Lexi Erikson chirps, giggling and flipping her hair over her shoulder. “Are you excited?”

My face should answer that question for her, but I mumble, “Oh yea… I’m so giddy, I might pee myself.”

She shoots me a look, though still beaming with a sparkly white smile. I guess she’s pretty… In your standard, bleach-blonde size-two kind of way.Not my type, but whatever.

I guess I like my blondes taller… with broader shoulders and a permanent scowl.