Page 126 of For the Fans

“Your stepbrother is pretty amazing, huh?” she says on a swoony breath, eyes following Kyran as he scoops lasagna onto a plate, smiling and joking around with Guty and Theo. “If we win this year, he could be looking at a draft to the NFL.”

My forehead lines at her before my gaze slinks to Kyran. I don’t know why this thought never occurred to me… But she’s totally right. Kyran isthatgood. When the scouts come around next year, I’m sure they’ll have their eyes on him.

Discomfort jabs at my chest from the inside, like a hand poking fingers between my ribs.What if Kyran got drafted? He could end up anywhere in the country… Somewhere far away from here.

I’ve always known the OnlyFans was temporary, but for some reason, this fact just smacked me in the face.He might not even need money for two more years of school…

And then this whole thing would be nothing but a secret memory.

I’m sure it’s Kyran’s dream to go to the NFL. That’s what all football players strive for, isn’t it? Getting to the top? Signing to a national team… Going to the Super Bowl.

They’re achievable goals for superstar Kyran Harbor. He’s already a success, and it won’t be long before he leaves all of this, and his worthless stoner stepbrother behind.

“Yea, look… this has been fun, but I think I’m gonna—”

My words are cut off when Lexi starts waving and squealing, “Guys, over here!”

Guty and Theo stalk over to our table with their plates, while Kyran lingers behind them, glaring like he doesn’t want to sit anywhere near me. But it’s too late. His friends are already taking their seats.

“I was just catching up withBaldwin,” Lexi sneers at me, then shoots a flirtatious smirk at Kyran as he hesitantly wanders over. There’s a seat next to me, and one next to her, and I can see him weighing his options before he sinks down beside Lexi.

Rolling my eyes, I sigh, “You know that’s not my actual name, right?”

“I do.” Her chin lifts in my direction. “But I don’t remember what your actual name is.”

My fingers dig aggressively into my thighs as my jaw tightens. “It’s—”

“I was just talking to your stepbrother about your NFL prospects,” Lexi interrupts me again, turning to flutter her fake lashes at Kyran.

Kyran’s eyes flit nervously to mine before dropping to his plate, where he’s poking at food with his fork. “Even if that did come up, it wouldn’t be until next season…”

“What are you talking about, bro?!” Theo gasps excitedly. “There’s no way the scouts won’t be looking at you!”

“Yea, Nueve,” Guty agrees in between shoveling food into his mouth. “They’ll probably be at the Rose Bowl too. Watching your sexy ass.”

Guty grins teasingly at Kyran, then winks. And now I can’t stop imagining the two of them together… hooking up in secret in their shared dorm room, the way Kyran and I do in mine.

He’s just joking around, idiot. Guty is straight…

And I guess so is Kyran…?

Ugh. This is annoying.

Kyran chuckles, but his amusement falls off his face when our eyes meet. As if my presence physically repels his happiness.

Fuck this shit. I need to leave. I hate it here.

“Hey, Avi…” Guty says my name, distracting me from my exit strategy. “Why don’t you come to the away games?” He glances up from his plate and smirks. “We could use some of your hype during the rest of the playoffs.”

I can’t tell if he’s fucking with me or not, which seems to be a signature for him. He’s loud and jokes around a lot, so it’s hard to tell when he’s being serious.

“Yea, man! I love when you do the robot,” Theo cackles, and Guty nods in agreement, both of them launching into robot moves while seated.

Normally, I would be laughing it off with them, but I’m really not feeling it right now. I’m finding it difficult to even force one of my usual carefree grins, and I think it’s because Kyran’s look of suffocated chagrin is making me twitchy.

“We don’t need him at the away games,” Kyran mumbles, still playing with his food. “He’s too distracting, anyway.”

Uh… Excuse me??