: Chapter 25

Variable_vers: The way Backwardz_Cap looks at Not_Your_Baby… my heart can’t cope <3

Gary425: Couple goals

This team banquet is huge, and extravagant.

It’s being held in one of the convention rooms in the stadium, and the whole place is decked out with lights and opulent decor. Tables are draped in white cloths, with red rose centerpieces sprayed with gold glitter to reflect the BC colors. There’s a dance floor, and a stage set up where the band will play a few songs. Outside of that, a DJ is currently spinning soft music while people file in, dressed in their fanciest attire.

My teammates, staff, some faculty and family members are all here to celebrate the Eagles’s achievements this season. And give us one final night of praise before we leave for California.

A send-off party, before the most important game we’ve ever played.

My dad and Hannah texted that they’ll be here soon. I’m wearing my best Tom Ford suit. My hair is perfectly slicked back the way it needs to be, and there’s a small smile resting on my lips for each and every person who comes up to shake my hand, congratulating me on an incredible season. To wish me luck… not that you need it.

That’s what they all say. And I appreciate it, their votes of confidence. I certainly don’t intend on losing the Rose Bowl, but truthfully, the game is only the second thing on my mind right now.

The first still hasn’t shown up.

Caterers walk around with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, and I manage to sneak an Old Fashioned to calm my nerves. Coach is looking the other way tonight about us drinking. As long as we don’t get sloppy and embarrass him, he doesn’t care.

And honestly, I sort of need it right now. Every time a new person walks through the double-doors, my heart hurdles up into my throat.

Calm down. He’ll be here… I’m sure he will.

I’ve just finished chatting with our assistant coach and his wife when Guty strides over, looking very cartel capo in his white suit.

“Yo, did you hear??” he whispers, and my brows knit.

“Hear what?”

He ushers me off to the side, away from anyone who could overhear us. “Avi got suspended.”

Every muscle in my body goes stiff. “What?!”

“Yea… I guess he started an OnlyFans, and somehow the dean found out.”

I’m sure I’ve never been paler. I’m just gawking at him with bulging eyes while my entire life flashes before them.

“If she can prove it was definitely him, and he was doing it on campus, he’s gonna get expelled.” Guty shakes his head.

“R-really…?” It feels like I’m swallowing a mouthful of gravel. I can’t even move. I’m racked with so much fear and unease, my feet are weighted to the floor. “How… Who… Who ratted on him??”

“Get this.” Guty’s eyes flick. “Ash Holloway… is Dean Perkins’s nephew.”

My fist curls at my side. “Are you fucking serious??”

He nods. “Yea, bro. I guarantee he has something to do with this.”

“But why would he fuck Avi over??” I shake my head. “It makes no sense.”

Guty shrugs. “I don’t know, maybe he’s butthurt that Avi rejected him or something.”

“But they were… kissing last night.” I gulp over the way the words feel like bile rising in my throat.

“Yea, until you pulled him off.” He grins. “Don’t be surprised if he’s gunning for your ass now too, Nueve.”

This is fucking insane.

I can’t even process it.

Avi is suspended. The dean knows about the OnlyFans. Ash Holloway is a prick of epic proportions…

What if he knows I was the one in those videos with Avi?? What if he tells the dean??

Theo stomps over to us, interrupting my inner meltdown. “Bro, everyone’s talking about your stepbrother.” He chuckles in fascination. “He’s like this OnlyFans superstar. I didn’t even know he was gay…”

“He’s bi,” I grumble, then purse my lips. “I guess. I mean, that’s what he told me…”

“Did you know about the stuff he was doing?” Theo asks, excitedly. He seems thrilled by all this, and I can’t tell if he just loves the drama or if he actually thinks it’s awesome that Avi’s been fucking dudes online for money.

Not dudes. Just one dude… Me.

God, this is fucked.

“Excuse me…” Ignoring him, I spin away and pull my phone from my pocket, typing out a fast text.

Me: Where are you? Are you coming?? I need to see you…

Only a minute goes by before he responds.

Avi: I’m outside…

Avi: I saw Dean Perkins go in and I don’t want her to see me

Me: What the fuck is going on?? You’re suspended?????

Avi: Don’t worry. I’m handling it.

Me: How? How the hell are you going to handle this, Avi?? Everyone knows

He doesn’t respond, and my heart is jumping frantically inside my chest.

Stalking toward the door, I’m all set to sneak outside to go find him. But I bump into my father and stepmother instead.

“Son!” My dad smiles wide, grabbing my shoulder. “Great to see you.”

I’m distracted from giving him a bewildered look when Hannah pulls me in for a tight hug. “This is so exciting, Kyran! The Rose Bowl, my God…” She releases me, holding me at arm’s length and grinning. “I can’t believe my stepson is a famous football star!”

“I’m hardly famous…” I rub the back of my neck. “Hey, did you see—”

My words are cut off when I spot Frankie and Zeb slinking past us into the room, their bodies huddled together to form a shield in front of my stepbrother, who’s crouched and shuffling in behind them.

“Avi,” I whisper, leaving Dad and Hannah to follow them.

“Shhh!” Zeb gasps at me. “We’re trying to sneak him past the dean.”

“It doesn’t matter,” I grunt, my eyes stuck on Avi while he hides behind his friends. “Everyone is talking about him. He won’t be in here for two seconds before someone spots him and makes a scene.”

Avi’s gaze flits up to mine and he blinks. There’s so much in that one look, it’s like an entire conversation. One I’m dying to have with him. But now I can’t, because there’s too much heat…

I just wanted to see him, but not like this. Not with all these prying eyes watching our every move. It’s too much pressure.

“Members of the band are required backstage to set up!” someone yelps at Frankie and Zeb, grabbing them and ushering them away.

“Goddamnit…” Zeb huffs, following the guy while shooting Avi an apologetic look.

“Good luck, bae.” Frankie shrugs as they’re whisked off.

And now Avi is just standing out in the open, his head sloping left and right as people immediately begin to notice him.

My nervous gaze slides over his frame, and for a second, I completely forget about all the bullshit going on… Because he looks incredible.

He’s wearing a three-piece suit, and a very dapper one, I might add. Slim, black, and sort of shimmery, with a gray dress shirt underneath and a vest. His tie is skinny and hot pink, because this is Avi we’re talking about… He’s also wearing Chucks, not dress shoes, and his nails are painted black, hair mussed up in his signature look that fits him so well.

He looks every bit like the emo kid forced to put on a suit, and God, it’s really working for him. I can picture him on stage singing some My Chemical Romance song I’m sure he knows all the words to.

My lips part, because I want to tell him all these things… Or even just say hi, because I haven’t stopped thinking about him for one second since last night.

With the craziest wave of need crashing over me, I’m reaching out like I want to hold his hand. I’ve completely forgotten that we’re surrounded by people and drama and impending doom.

I’m just staring at him, and he’s staring at me like he wants the same thing I do…

To dance with me.

I just want to slow dance with him… Because he never got to in high school.

Of all the firsts we’ve had together, it feels like one I’m desperate to have with him.

But it doesn’t happen that way. Because reality comes bursting through our bubble as the hushed murmurs of my teammates, cheerleaders, and onlookers attack my ears.

“He’s the one… with the OnlyFans,” someone whispers.

“That’s Backwardz_Cap!” another person quietly exclaims.

“I heard he did it all on campus…” The words are surrounding us, just like the group that’s now forming.

“But who’s Not_Your_Baby??”

I’m quaking from head to toe, my gut clenching up like a fist.

It’s all over… I can feel it.

This will be the end of everything.

“Avi, my darling boy!” Hannah strides over in her black dress, hugging her son, fully unaware that we’re standing in the eye of the storm.

“Looking sharp.” My father grins and slaps him on the back.

“Oh, boy…” Avi rubs the back of his neck, his eyes pinging between our parents and the rest of the party, most of whom are staring at him. “I was really hoping you guys wouldn’t be here for this…”

Hannah’s forehead lines in concern. “Here for what?”

“Mr. Vega.” Dean Perkins saunters over, folding her arms over her chest. “I’m sorry to have to do this, but being suspended means you’re prohibited from attending school functions.”

“Suspended?!” Hannah gasps.

“Avi, what is she talking about?” my dad barks.

Avi glances at me. My mouth is still hanging open, but I have absolutely no idea what to say. I don’t even think I could form words right now if I tried.

“Dean, what’s going on?” Coach Matthews stomps over.

“Avi’s been suspended,” she whispers to him. “He shouldn’t be here.”

“I don’t think that’s necessary,” Coach says. “Avi’s a member of our team. Just let him stay for the banquet.”

“I’m afraid I can’t allow that.” She stands her ground. “Not with allegations like these…”

“What allegations??” my father hisses.

“Avi, what’s going on?” Hannah takes Avi by the arm, her face dripping with unease.

“Mom, let’s go outside and talk,” Avi murmurs, then looks to Coach and the dean. “Thanks, Coach, but it’s alright. I’ll leave.”

“Don’t make him leave!” Guty shouts out.

“Let the pornstar stay!” someone else hollers.

The crowd erupts in gasps and some laughter.

Avi’s eyes have never been wider, but he honestly doesn’t look mortified.

But I am.

I’m fucking shaking right now. This is all too close for comfort.

How do these people know everything?? Is it all because of Ash fucking Holloway?

And if so, that asshole better watch his back.

“Did they just say pornstar??” Hannah croaks, yanking Avi hard by the arm until he stumbles. “Why are they calling you a pornstar, Aviel?!”

Avi actually chuckles, fingers digging into his eyes as he shakes his head like he just doesn’t know what to say or do.

“This is not the time or place for any of this,” Dean Perkins grumbles, motioning toward the door. “Why don’t we all step outside…”

“Avi, where’s Not_Your_Baby?!” someone shouts out from the crowd. “We wanna know!”

I’m gnawing on my bottom lip so hard, I taste blood.

“Alright, that’s enough,” Avi grunts, running his hands through his hair. “Dean Perkins, I admit it, okay?? It was me. I made the OnlyFans and I did it on school property.”

A bunch of people gasp, and a few actually cheer.

“Avi… Don’t,” I whisper to him with fear and guilt weaving through my chest.

I don’t want him to take the fall for all of this. He shouldn’t have to suffer the consequences alone when we’re both responsible.

But he just peeks at me and murmurs, “It’s okay. I’ve got this. It’s fine.” He clears his throat, returning to the dean. “It was my account.”

Dean Perkins’s jaw tightens visibly. “And the… other parties?”

“Just random human beings,” he says firmly. “Not students of this school. And all well over the age of consent, which is seventeen in Massachusetts.” He smirks.

“You realize you’ll be expelled…” Dean Perkins says, tilting her head. “Permanently.”

Avi nods. “That’s fine. Because I don’t regret it.” His eyes shift to mine, and he whispers, “Best thing I’ve ever done.”

My heart thumps, a warm heat enveloping my heart while I just stand still and stare at him.

I can’t believe he’s doing this for me.

He’s getting himself expelled… Taking all this heat. For me.

“What the hell is going on here??” my father barks.

“Avi… what did you do?” Hannah scolds quietly.

“Alright, Mr. Vega…” the dean sighs, ushering him out of the room. “Let’s go.”

And the strangest thing happens. People start cheering.

As Avi is walked out of the banquet, theoretically dejected and disgraced for what he’s done, the entire team, the cheerleaders, fellow students, everyone is clapping and whistling for our resident pornstar.

The faculty and staff all look beyond baffled by what’s going on. And Avi is just grinning, his usual blasé attitude intact as he waves goodbye. Before Hannah smacks him on the arm.

I’m about to follow them. Because I’m part of the family, so it’s not unreasonable for me to go after him in this case… Right?

But I’m stopped by people swarming me. My teammates and other students, all berating me with questions about my stepbrother.

“Did you know??”

“Have you seen his videos??”

“Will he bring back the account?”

“Have you met Not_Your_Baby??”

“Is that his real-life boyfriend??”

I’m fucking shocked at how many of them actually know about this. There’s no way this is all a result of Ash Holloway’s flapping lips.

They seem like… fans.

Fans of Backwardz_Cap and Not_Your_Baby.

And for the first time since we took down the account, I actually regret it.

It turns out Avi was right all along. These people aren’t just in it for the sex. They’re fans of us as a couple.

And I think I can definitely relate.

“Alright, alright.” Coach bursts into the swarm around me, forcing everyone to disperse. “I never thought I’d have to say this at a football banquet, but that’s enough talk of porn for one evening,” he scoffs, shaking his head. “Let’s get back to the football, please, people.”

Everyone wanders off, whispering amongst themselves. Guty and Theo stay by my side, until Coach shoots Theo a look that has him following the man.

My eyes linger on him for a moment, before Guty distracts me by shaking my shoulders. “Dude, your stepbrother is loco, and I’m living for it!”

I have to chuckle while we walk over to get more drinks, my gaze flitting back to the doors. “I didn’t know you were so into gay OnlyFans…”

“Hey, I didn’t subscribe or anything.” He grins. “You know who I think did, though…?”

I peer at him. “Who??”

He nods in Theo’s direction. Looking back over to Theo, I watch as he stands next to Coach, the two of them sharing some sort of hushed conversation. Then Coach’s wife walks over, pulling his attention to her while Theo shifts on his feet, lingering and gulping back a drink.

Why would Theo watch Avi’s videos…?

It’s interesting, and I’m thinking about what I’m seeing for a moment, but more than anything, my eyes won’t stop returning to the door. Hoping like hell Avi will come back in here, even though I know he won’t.

The band sets up to play, and food is being passed around, but I’m not interested in any of it. I just want to go find Avi.

I still need to talk to him. I can’t let it end like this…

With him taking the blame and just leaving, thinking I don’t… Without knowing that I…

Huffing out of stress and nerves and some tingling thrill, I hold my phone down on my lap, and type out a text to him.

Me: Please tell me you didn’t leave…

Minutes go by, but finally he responds.

Avi: Just talking my mom off a ledge

I chuckle.

Me: I need to see you again…

Me: We didn’t get to talk

Avi: I know. Maybe you can come by Frankie’s after?

Shaking my head, I chew on my lip while my mind runs. I can’t let him go.

Not this time… All dressed up and in need of a dance.

I look around the room. Everyone is paying attention to the food, and to Coach as he strides up onto the stage.

They might not even notice if I slipped away…

“I want to thank you all for being here tonight,” Coach speaks into the microphone, and I type out a final text. “This is a monumental moment for our team. And I just have to say how proud I am of these guys.”

Me: Meet me in the back by the locker rooms in ten minutes

“Making it this far takes guts. Talent and determination, yes,” Coach goes on. “But most of all, it takes endurance. You boys have displayed more strength, teamwork, and tenacity than any team I’ve ever had the pleasure of coaching.”

We all gaze up at the stage, at our coach commending us with his powerful words.

“And I know you’re not done yet. Not even close.” He grins and lifts his glass. “So let’s all raise a glass… To the BC Eagles, and our championship.”

Everyone shouts here here! And we drink, bursts of applause ringing out through the room. I peek at Guty, who’s looking up at the stage, and Theo, who’s draining his glass.

I love playing alongside these guys; my friends. I love the game and I love being able to win for them.

But right now, football is still second in my mind.

I need to go find who’s first.

What a freaking shitshow, man.

I finally managed to calm my mother and Tom down enough to get them to go back inside and get something to eat. That was a challenge.

Mom is pissed, understandably. I mean, I’m expelled from a respectable college for making porn. Not exactly every mother’s dream for her son.

But I just told her the truth… I don’t really care about school.

I never have. I’ve never been a good student, or enjoyed learning about things that don’t interest me. And that doesn’t mean I’m uneducated. It just means my interests lie in other things. But more importantly, I just don’t feel like I fit in here, which really leads me to reflect on why exactly I thought BC was a good idea in the first place.

Of course Tom didn’t get it, but whatever. It’s not really his place to, especially now that I’m paying for my own education.

And that was the other part that almost gave my mother a coronary…

The Fans.

Thankfully, they don’t know the details of the account, because I’m not totally comfortable coming out to my mother in front of Tom. He’s, like… so Catholic. I’d rather tell my mom that I’m bisexual when it’s just the two of us, saving my stepdad’s man shall not lie with another man speech for another time. Or never.

So I just told them that it was only one person, which is true, sparing any gender questions. And that we were safe, and everything is fine.

And then I shooed them away, insisting that they were going to miss the food, and Frankie and Zeb playing music, and that I’m fine and I’ll talk to them later. It was a minor miracle that they agreed to leave it for now, and I think a lot of it had to do with them wanting to support Kyran, because it’s a big night for him.

But I guess Kyran doesn’t care all that much about his big night…

Because he just texted me to meet him alone.

Waiting until the coast is clear, I stealthily creep back into the building through the entrance by the locker rooms. I follow the long hall, peeking into rooms here and there to see if I can find Kyran. I figured he might be in the locker room, where we kissed that time while I was in my Baldwin suit… But he’s not there. Still, the memory brings a flutter to my belly, remembering how much he used to push me away, and how much I’m fucking pleading with any force that will listen that maybe he’s done doing that.

The further in I get, the louder the music becomes, and at this point, I think I’m pretty much right on the other side of a dividing wall between the banquet and the rest of the convention area. Stepping up to a set of double-doors, I push one open and my jaw drops.

It’s just a big, open space; a room used to keep sports equipment and whatnot. But there are lights strung up around the outer edges, draped over furniture, giving the space a dull glow to make up for the lack of overhead lighting.

Wandering inside the dimly lit room, I’m spinning around, searching for Kyran while marveling at whatever the heck this is. I hear something rustling, and I turn to find him walking over from a corner, a soft smile on his lips and something in his hand.

“Hey…” My voice comes out sort of breathy, and his grin widens.

“Hi.” He reaches me, but doesn’t stop until he’s in my space and he’s taking my hand. “I made you something.”

My mouth curves while I gape at him, restless nerves bouncing inside me as he fastens something to my jacket. I squint at it, forehead lined in perplexity.

“Is that a… flower?” I mumble, and he laughs softly.

“I made you a boutonniere out of a napkin,” Kyran says, almost timidly. Then he hands me another one. “This one’s mine.” I’m just gawking at him, totally stunned, as he whispers, “You have to pin it on me, baby.”

My lashes flutter for another few seconds before I snap into movement and do it, pinning a rumpled little napkin flower to his jacket while I ask, “What… What is this?”

He leans in close to my ear, squeezing my shivering hand in his. “Thank you for coming to prom with me, Avi.”

I think I might literally be falling down if he wasn’t standing close enough to hold me up. He’s… asking me to prom? My first prom…

He made a prom for me??

“You did this…?” I glance around at the lights.

“I know… pretty corny,” he huffs.

“Uh-uh.” I shake my head firmly, and he peeks at me. “It’s fucking perfect, Kyran.”

His hazel eyes twinkle like the lights around us, smile beaming with elation. He tugs my hand to rest on his chest, sealing our bodies together while his other hand rests on my lower back.

And he hums, “Dance with me.”

The band is playing some song I vaguely recognize on the other side of the wall; a slow song that reminds me of people dancing beneath the moonlight in the movies.

Without even thinking, I’m holding his chest while he holds my waist, and starts to move.

But I’m still stiff, because I have no idea what I’m doing. “Ky… I don’t slow dance. I’ve never done it before…”

“I know.” He chuckles. “I don’t care. I just wanna be close to you.”

My fucking heart… It’s floating weightlessly inside me like a balloon as I lean into him, resting my body on his strength and his size. My face tucks into the crook of his neck so he doesn’t see how badly I’m blushing like a lovestruck fool.

My first slow dance… My own prom… With the quarterback of the football team as my date.

Jeez, I’m like every nerdy girl in every high school movie right now.

But I love it. I don’t even care, I’m in fucking love with it, because I’m in love with him, and fuck, I can’t believe I ever thought I could stop it from happening.

Kyran moves us slowly to the music, barely stepping, more like rocking us together, his fingers trailing up and down my back.

“You look so gorgeous…” he whispers in between sniffing me, and I can’t stop smiling. “When I saw you tonight, my heart stopped.”

“Okay, you’re killing me with all this,” I rumble, and he chuckles. “I’m serious. Who are you, and what have you done with my grouchy stepbrother??”

A hum vibrates from his chest into mine. Then he pulls back to look at me. “Be serious with me, Avi.”

“I am…” I rasp. “I mean, I’m shocked. Surprised and… blown away that you did this for me. I just wasn’t expecting it, I guess.” I pause to gulp, and contemplate if I really want to say this. “I never know what to expect from you, Kyran.”

“I know…” he murmurs, regretfully. “And I’m sorry. About everything…”

“You don’t need to be sorry,” I tell him honestly. “I get it.”

“No. I do, and I am,” he says firmly. “I’m sorry for making it about me with the Fans. I’m sorry for not coming over to talk to you when it was killing me not to. I’m sorry for acting like an asshole last night, and I’m so fucking sorry you got expelled trying to protect me. I didn’t want that. And I barely even care about my reputation if it means you have to leave…”

“Ky, stop.” I brush my fingers through his hair. “I don’t care about being expelled.” He cocks an eyebrow, and I chuckle softly. “I mean it. I don’t. I don’t need to go to this school to do what I want to do. And honestly…” My voice trails, and I bite my lip. “Jesus, this is gonna make me sound so pathetic, but… the only reason I’m here in the first place is… because of you.”

The look on his face is twisting me up. I can’t tell if he’s stunned by what I’m saying because I am, in fact, that obsessive stalker he accused me of being for following him to BC… Or if this revelation is making him happy.

“Avi…” he whimpers, stopping his swaying to stare at me as his fingers dig into my back. “Tell me what you’re saying…”

“I’m saying…” I breathe a sigh of confession, “It was never for the money, or for BC… Or for the fans. It was for you, Kyran. For fucking you, and that’s it. Every single thing I did… I did for you. To have you.”

He swallows, eyes rounded and shining nervous delight.

“Maybe I didn’t know it at first…” I keep going. “But the truth is that it could have been anyone in those videos with me. But I wanted you. I think I have for a long time… I didn’t understand it, but you hating me just made me want to chase you. And then you started coming to me. And you’re just the best, most unexpected thing that’s ever showed up at my door.”

Kyran’s lips shiver on an anxious exhale. “I don’t think I can fight it anymore, Avi…”

My breathing shallows. “Fight what?”

“Us…” The gold and green in his eyes glow, offering me a timid sparkle. “Baby, I think I’m in love with you,” he whispers on my lips, dropping his forehead to mine, clutching onto my body for dear life. Like he’s afraid if he lets go for one second, I’ll float away.

I’m trembling all over, crumbling from his words, and his feel, and the endless aching emotion he’s giving me.

The hot grouchy blonde, whose hate for me, this whole time, was just an unavoidable chemistry.

I can’t help it… I’m tripping up, my mouth quivering on his and my hands just touching him everywhere I can reach.

Until he growls, “Say it back, Avi. Don’t be a jerk.”

I laugh, and he grins, brushing his lips with mine. “Just let me revel in this a little more…”

“Fuck off,” he hisses, teasing, though I think a part of him might be scared that I don’t…

As if there’s any fucking way I couldn’t.

“I’m in love with you,” I murmur, and his body shudders in my hands. “And I’m pretty sure I have been since the moment we met.”

He lets out a soft sound, like relief, and joy, fear and excitement all in one perfect little sigh. “But I was so mean to you…” His voice shakes. It’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever heard.

I nod. “I know… I might be a masochist.”

He laughs, and I’m standing at the edge of something terrifyingly beautiful.

“Tell me the truth…” I rasp, and his head tilts. “Did you come in your pants that night at Frankie’s because of me?”

He growls a stubborn noise, fingers sliding up my neck into my hair. But then he nods, and bites his lip. “I thought you were gonna kiss me…”

My foot slips off. And I plummet.

“I fucking knew I should have, baby,” I hum, fisting his jacket lapels and pulling his mouth to mine. I’ll never make that mistake again.

The music plays while we dance, and kiss, and breathe together…

Falling into love, with wind rushing and windows all around us.