Page 135 of Should Our Stars Collide

“Why do you care what they think?”

“I don’t. I care what I think. I care about what I see when I look in the mirror.”

Kieran rolls his eyes. The picture is coming together. “That damned pride of yours.”

“Look who’s talking.”

“Don’t deflect.” Although Ash does have a point. Kieran’s ego has always been a little too big for his own good. “Speaking of, what do you know about my parents? I know you said everything, but…does that meaneverything?”

Ash’s gaze softens, and he pulls Kieran so close there’s not a millimeter of space between them.

“I know you grew up in Melbourne. That you worked your ass off during high school, so you could leave and support yourself once you graduated. I know why you hate therapy.”

His eyes go stormy for a moment, like he’s outraged on Kieran’s behalf. It’s pretty validating. And a little hot.

“I know you only went to see your dad when he was almost on his deathbed because you still haven’t forgiven him for leaving. I know you dread whenever your mum calls you, because you know she’ll try to guilt-trip you into visiting her and you can’t handle being alone with her.”

Well, shit. He does know everything.

“You don’t have to worry about that part anymore, by the way.”

“Huh?”

“It’s been taken care of.”

Taken care of? What has? His mum? “Why are you talking like you hired an assassin?”

“So dramatic,” Ash says with a chuckle. “I meant, you won’t get any unsolicited calls from her anymore.” He explains when Kieran only stares at him uncomprehendingly. “She has to go through me first, and you only see each other when I’m there, and only when you agree to see her.”

“Dude,” Kieran chokes out. “Did you put arestraining orderon my mum?”

Ash smiles. It’s not a nice smile. As in, Kieran is glad he’s in Ash’s good books.

“Unofficially. But we had a nice talk, and I’m positive she got the message I was trying to send.”

Nice talk. Right.

“I…don’t even know what to say.” That assassination comment before was a joke, but now he’s starting to wonder if Ash is secretly a member of the mafia. And then, there’s another disturbing thing… “You’ve met my mum?”

“Uh-huh. Interesting lady. Lots of baggage. Could use therapy.”

Kieran snorts. “Did you offer?”

“I left her contact details for some good therapists in Melbourne. I don’t think she made use of them, though.”

Naturally. In her mind, it’s always been Kieran who needed therapy. Which, okay, not untrue, but also very hypocritical.

“You know, it’s almost like you’re my personal bodyguard.”

Ash hums, fingers dancing over Kieran’s back. “I’ll use my body to guard you anytime.”

“Pervert.” He’s not complaining, though. “So, do I get to go with you to the lunch?”

“No.”

Kieran stills. “What?”

“I won’t have you witness that shitshow.”