Page 55 of Should Our Stars Collide

The pause is ominous, twisting Ash’s stomach into knots.He’scooked.

“Wait, did you…” The slowly sinking realization in Kieran’s eyes, before they fill with anger and hurt, has Ash questioning his whole existence. He should probably start a book called:How to fuck up in a thousand and one ways.

“Kieran—”

Too late; Kieran’s already out of the lounger.

“Are you fucking kidding me?! You don’t get your way, so you resort to manipulation?!”

Wide-eyed, the waitress scurries away.

Ash gets to his feet, making the mistake of taking a step towards him.

“Kieran, that’s not?—”

“Fuck you!”

The contents of the glass end up in Ash’s face.

“And don’t you dare come near me. Once we’re out of here, I don’t wanna see your face ever again, you piece of shit.”

His eyes burning like they’ve been set on fire, Ash can only listen to him trudge away. His heart sinks with each step Kieran takes away from him, like a chasm opening up between them.

Well done, Cleaver. Even with mind-reading abilities, you’re still a total moron.

Back to square one.

12

Ash lasts less than an hour before reluctantly making his way back to their suite. The curtains are drawn, making it hard to see inside. He has a key, in case Kieran has locked the door, but he still hesitates going in. Kieran hadn’t been fucking around when he said he didn’t want to see Ash. He’s a stubborn little shit. One of the many things Ash has always found so endearing about him.

Maybe not right now, though.

Okay, even now. As inconvenient as it is.

Chuckling to himself involuntarily, Ash knocks on the door three times. Gently. Unobtrusively.

“Go fuck yourself.”

Well, then…

“Kieran, can we talk?” He just wants to explain himself. Not to make excuses, but to prevent Kieran from spiraling into whatever dark abyss he’s headed towards.

“No, we fucking can’t. Just get lost and leave me alone.”

Shit. Kieran’s voice definitely cracked on the last word, like it often does when he’s overwhelmed and two seconds away from crying.

This is torture. Ash is always the one who calms him down. Comforts him. Makes sure Kieran knows he’s not alone, no matter how much he might insist that’s what he wants.

He’s feeling alone because of you, idiot.

Fuck.

“Okay,sw— Okay.” That was a close one. “I’m gonna let you be, but I won’t leave you alone. I’ll never leave you.”

A risky move. If Kieran doesn’t already think Ash is a psychopath, this might do it. A psychopathanda stalker.

But…