Timeless • A Kyle Kuzma Fanfiction

xv

kyle

I can't help the slight change in my step as I walk into the park with Astin on my arm. It was like one of my secret fantasies actually coming true. I hadn't seen Astin for the first time at the game and it damn sure wasn't the first time I'd heard her name. I guess because I wasn't some big star she wouldn't have remembered or most likely even cared, but back at Utah, during one of my post game interviews, I'd called her my celebrity crush.

It was a one stop moment in time a year ago, but the moment she'd looked up and I saw her eyes that's the only thing I could think of. The reporter, a brunette from some sports blog I'd probably heard of but can't remember, saying she wanted to build a profile on me. She'd fired off questions and I had answered them ease. Towards the end of the game she'd asked who my celebrity crush is and it took all of a second for Astin's name to roll off my tongue.

Astin wasn't a regular celebrity. She came from a long line of Hollywood and sports royalty; it was basically in her bloodline to be the face of something. I'd seen her for years; in movies, in TV shows, in catalogues, on posters, and billboards. The list went on. A couple of guys at Utah coined her their WCW multiple times and I'd agree she was attractive, but it hardly went past that.

Until Josh hit her with that damn ball.

No Lonzo.

I wasn't paying attention to anyone in the arena. I was locked in and focused on the game so I hardly even registered what had happened until Josh made an "oh shit" face and moved to where Jordan and Julius were. The amount of people crowded around her made me think it was Beyoncé or something and by the time I'd made it to her, her face was completely covered.

For some reason when she said Mr. Parker was her dad I didn't even think about Astin, or even her sisters. I just wanted to reverse what had happened and caught the ball because I'd caused the daughter of Ashton Parker, one of the most legendary big man to play the game, to get hit in the face. With a basketball.

Can you say blowed?

My only intent was to apologize and try to move on, but her eyes. They're wild, and beautiful, and everything I wanted.

Blake? Blake was an unexpected plus. Though I had seen Astin around I never went out of my way to follow her on social media and Blake wasn't exactly publicized like you'd think. When I saw her it was surprising as hell, but I was never scared off by her.

"Kyle! Kyle!"

I'm snapped out of my thoughts by my little princess calling my name. I blink a couple times before smiling and grabbing her from B.I.

"Damn dawg, you got her hooked on you already?"

I glance down at a now calm Blake who seems comfortable enough in my arms, cheesing at her surroundings.

"Something like that. I think she knows Astin and I are together."

Brandon raises an eyebrow and I feel my smile grow.

"Together? Officially? That was quick."

"Not...officially, but we agree we like each other," I shrug. "And what's up with y'all and this quick shit? Every time I try to get closer she says we moving too fast and now you saying it too?"

He takes off his shirt and shakes his head. "I've known Astin for a year plus, bro. She doesn't move this quick unless she's getting a check."

"Well I'm not her sugar daddy so I guess she does move this quick."

"What are you two talking about?" I glance down at the curly haired girl in front of me and squint my eyes.

"Y'all take that twin shit to next level. If you had both dimples I would think you're Astin."

Austin shrugs and reaches for Blake who goes into her arms easily.

"You figured that out fast. You must stare at her face a lot."

When she says it like that, it seems creepy. I'm almost afraid to answer when I feel arms slither around my waist. Her fruity smell hits me before I even look and I relax at her touch.

She only does it for a second before stepping back and I'm confused until I see her glancing at Blake.

Right.

I let out a small puff and move closer to hold her hand.

"Austin and B! Why don't y'all take Blake to the lazy river? We'll be right behind y'all." She basically screams.

They walk off but Austin turns around at winks at us.

"I think your sister is on to us." I smile childishly.

"What happened to not showing us in front of her?" Astin groans, lightly punching my stomach.

"I just held your hand. She's probably seen you do it a thousand times with Brandon."

She raises an eyebrow and folds her arms over her chest. "So this is about Brandon? There are no feelings there."

I rub a hand over my face and sigh. "Maybe it's about the fact that you're making a big deal out of us holding hands like it's something she's never seen you do with someone."

"But she knows I don't have feelings like that for-"

"Does she know you don't have feelings like that for Blake?"

Astin's mouth opens and closes without saying anything. She blows some air out her nose and takes a deep breath before walking away from me. I don't know why I said it; I knew she'd put Blake behind her for the most part. I just couldn't shake how uncomfortable he made me feel even from the grave.

There were pictures of him virtually everywhere around her and her parent's house and I guess I may have been, just the littlest bit jealous.

I'm human. Sue me.

I jog to catch up with her and grab her at the elbow.

"You know, I thought you of all people would understand. After everything I- whatever. Bye." She tries to go around me and I grab her again.

"I didn't mean it, Astin."

She scoffs and rolls her eyes. "What didn't you mean? The part where you insinuated I'm not over him? Or the part where you thew him back in my face just because I don't want to have to tell my daughter you're not her dad repeatedly! You always do this! We'll have a good time together and I'll be feeling like you're all I want and you do something that goes directly against what I asked you to!" She sighs and loops her arms around my waist. "Kyle, we can work up to showing her us, but right now, I just want her to see you as mommy's friends. I haven't been romantically linked with anyone since she was born and I don't want to just spring this on her."

I glance around us before covering her lips with mine.

"I'm sorry, baby." I mutter. I grin at the feeling of goosebumps on her skin and chuckle before stepping away.

"Baby got me goosebumps. Hm. I'll keep that in mind."