Page 177 of For the Fans

“Holy shit,” he whispers, face lighting up. “It’syou! Hey!”

My eyebrow arches, and I give him a look like he might be a li’l loco. “Uh… I’m sorry. Have we met?”

“No, no.” He chuckles, keeping his voice down as he leans in closer. “I subscribe to your OnlyFans.”

All the color drains from my face. I feel it happening as I stand there, frozen, clutching a bag of takeout.

“I’m obsessed with your content,” he goes on, having a little fanboy moment. And I’m freaking the fuck out inside. “I love you andNot_Your_Babytogether.” He glances around the room. “Are you with him right now??”

Something snaps me back into focus, and I shake my head, forcing the most polite smile I can manage while I back away from him slowly. “Um… yea. I mean, no! No, I’m… Hey, thanks for the food. It’s always great to… meet a… fan.”

The words are barely out of my mouth before I’m turning and high-tailing it out of there. I almost make it to the elevator, but a familiar female voice stops me.

“Avi!”

Whipping around, my eyes bug out of my head at Frankie, who’s clomping over to me in her black furry boots.

“Shhh!” I look to the door where myfanis leaving, throwing another excited grin my way.

“What’s your problem?” Frankie huffs.

“Jesus fucking Christ, my name… You said myname.” I rub my eyes. “He probably heard you. Now he’s gonna tell everyone. Oh God, fuck me.”

“Whoheard me? Why are you freaking out…” She pushes the button for the elevator. “Did you already talk to Zeb??”

I give her a puzzled look. “No. Why… What happened to Zeb?”

“Nothing happened to him,” she whispers, looking around before she says, “Look, I came here to talk to you. Shit might be hitting the fan a little…”

There’s a very sickening feeling of unease slinking around my gut as the elevator pings and I step inside, pressing the button for my floor. “I really wish you would’ve called first…”

“I tried texting you.” She follows me inside. “You didn’t answer.” She leans up against the wall while the doors slowlyclose. “Why did you leave before midnight last night?? Were you going to meet up with Kyran?”

I don’t even have the energy to lie or make up some story right now, sighing, “Yea. He came over. And he’s still here, so you can’t stay.”

Frankie gasps, her mouth stretching into an elated smile as she does this little hop. “Oh myGod, are you two in love?!”

“What?! No!” I hiss. “Shut up, okay?? Don’t pull that shit in front of him. He’ll totally freak out.”

“Sorry, sorry.” She nods, visibly collecting herself, though she’s still shimmying around while the elevator comes to a stop. “But he spent the night! That has to mean something, Avi. You guys aren’t just fucking anymore.”

“I can’t do this right now,” I grumble, barely waiting for the doors to open all the way before I’m lunging through and power-walking up the hall. “Stay here for one sec.”

Slipping inside my dorm, I close the door in her face before she can try to push her way inside. Kyran is still sitting on the couch, his knee bouncing while he stares at the TV.

Gnawing nervously on my lip, I wander over with his food. “Hey, so, uh… Frankie’s here.”

He stands up fast. “She’shere??” I nod. “Can’t you tell her to leave?”

I shake my head, nodding toward the door. “She’s right outside.”

“What the fuck…” he grunts under his breath, stalking quickly into the bedroom, I’m assuming to get dressed.

“So I’ll just leave your food… here?” I drop the bag onto the coffee table, wringing my hands over and over.

I have to tell him about the delivery guy who recognized me. And I’msurehe won’t be pleased. But I guess I should deal with Frankie first, and whatever shitstorm she decided to bring over, unannounced.

“Babe…” I call to Kyran, wandering over to the bedroom. “Are you dressed?”