Page 50 of Should Our Stars Collide

Ash sighs. It stings, not just because he can’t help but take it personally, but especially because he’s reminded of how self-deprecating Kieran used to be.

On the other hand,Ash realizes with glee.I get to show him how wrong he is all over again.

That’s definitely something to look forward to.

“First of all, you were already insecure to begin with,” he tells Kieranmatter-of-factly.

“Hey—!”

“Secondly, I doubt anyone could make you do anything.”

Kieran’s teeth snap together, his protest dying.

“And thirdly, unless you want to have your very delicious ass spanked bright red, I suggest you never speak of yourself negatively in front of me ever again.”

“Y-you…” Kieran sputters, his hands protectively coming down to cover his butt as he takes a wobbly step back.So. Freaking. Adorable.“Stay away from my ass.”

“Then don’t tempt me.”

Shifting on his feet nervously, Kieran clears his throat. “Okay, so…if you’re not the one pushing me to do it, why did I start exercising?”

“I never said I wasn’t involved,” Ash says mysteriously. Explaining it now would only freak Kieran out further.

“I knew it!”

What a drama queen. God, Ash loves him, every version of him.

He’s also high-key getting horny watching Kieran throw a tantrum.

“I just gave you the right motivation.”

“Yeah, well, it smells fishy. If you weren’t ashamed of me, why did you care anyway?”

“Might’ve had something to do with your abysmal cholesterol results the last time you had your blood tests done.”

Kieran’s silence only confirms he’s well aware of the problem.

“I could’ve just cut down on the bacon,” he grumbles, not very convincingly. “Well, just so you know, I’m not doing that shit now.” He crosses his arms on his chest. It makes his muscles pop out even more, and Ash has to start thinking some very gross things. “My future self is welcome to torture himself again when he’s back, but I’m going on hiatus.” He sniffs. “So…”

“Yes?”

“You promised me drinks.”

“I don’t believe that’s what I said, but okay.”

“It was implied!”

“Okay, okay.” Ash holds his hands up. “But don’t you think it’s alittle early for that? Also, you drank last night.”

“Never too early, especially on a vacation. And that wasn’t me.”

“It wasthisbody.”

“Not my tastebuds, though.”

“Right.” Stubborn little shit. He’s lucky he’s cute.

Well, at least he’s not threatening to hop on a plane and leave right away. You win some, you lose some. Ash will take whatever he can get at this point.