Page 275 of For the Fans
“Surprise!”
We all jump up, screaming and cheering, people blowing those noisemakers I left everywhere.
Kyran stumbles backward in shock. But I don’t even have time to swoon over the flush in his cheeks from what he unwittingly just said in front of forty guests plus an entire restaurant staff…
Because I’m gasping in horror and rushing over to him.
“Kyran! What happened to yourface?!”
He has a nasty black eye. His left eye is surrounded by black and blue, and now I feel awful because all these people are staring at him like this.
“Aww… angel,” he sighs, grinning and running his hands up my chest while I’m fussing over his eye. “You did this for me??”
“Yea, yea… But what happened to you?” I whimper.
He ignores me, smiling excitedly as he kisses my lips, then looks over my shoulder. “This is amazing, you guys! I had no idea… You scared the shit out of me.”
Everyone laughs, and Kyran grabs me by the hand. Someone turns the music back on, and the party resumes, but I’m still focused on the state of his eye.
“Baby brother!” Bridget shrieks, hugging him, though Kyran doesn’t let go of my hand. “Happy birthday!”
“Brooklyn Bridge!” He beams at her. “I can’t believe you came all the way from Cali!”
“Well, Avi sent a private plane for me on the Eagles’s dime.” She smirks. His face drops, and she laughs out loud. “I’m just kidding, Ky jelly!”
He breathes out a relieved laugh, shaking his head.
“Nueve!” Guty launches himself at Kyran, hugging him hard. “I’m so glad to see you, papi. Happy freaking birthday.”
“Thanks for being here,” Kyran hums, peeking at me. “You got my best friend here?! I love you so much.”
“Hey, killa,” Theo hugs him, frowning as he pulls back. “What the hell happened to your eye?”
“You get in a bar fight or something?” Guty asks, but Kyran waves him off.
“No, no. It’s nothing. I’m fine.” He smiles, giving hugs and cheek kisses to all of our friends.
“Was this a hate crime??” Zeb asks, touching his face while Kyran backs up.
“No! Guys, I’mfine. Just a little… occupational hazard.” He grins.
“So… beer, bath, and dick, huh?” Frankie smirks.
Kyran rolls his eyes, but then he clasps my jaw, kissing my mouth three times in a row. “I love you so much for this. I’ve never had a surprise party before…”
“I’m glad you love it,” I sigh, frowning. Lowering my voice, I ask, “Baby, seriously. What happened?”
His smile wavers a bit as his Adam’s apple bobs. He glances left and right, maybe to make sure none of his teammates are within earshot before he whispers, “It was Payne.”
“Payne did this to you?!” I gasp, and he glares at me to keep it down.
“Wait, hold on… The Eagles quarterback…Jalen Paynepunched you in the face??” Theo crowds us, obviously having overheard.
Kyran scowls at me before answering, “He didn’t punch me in the face. It was anaccident.”
“How do you accidentally give someone a black eye??” Bea squeaks.
“It happens in football.” Guty shrugs.
