Page 61 of Should Our Stars Collide

Kieran’s stomach spasms. Cramps. He whimpers, burrowing himself all the way under the covers.

He must be hungry again. That’s it. It can’t be anything else.

15

The sun has started setting by the time Kieran stops sulking. Ash is on his feet at the first creak of the door. This didn’t take nearly as long as he’d anticipated. He was bracing himself for the silent treatment until their departure, ready to sleep on the patio, or the beach. Seems he doesn’t have to worry about that.

“Hey,” he croaks when Kieran reemerges, disheveled and gloomy. There’s an indent from a pillow on his left cheek, making him look like a cute, grumpy cat. With sharp claws. Honestly, Ash wouldn’t mind getting scratched at all.

“Hey,” Kieran returns, voice low and raspy as if he’s just woken up. He’s totally oblivious to Ash practically vibrating on his feet. Winning Kieran over, whatever that might look like, always gives him such a rush. After the crap he pulled this morning, getting Kieran to talk to him again is basically serotonin overload. “Just…come in.”

Ash doesn’t have to be told twice. He takes a chair while Kieran takes the bed.

“So…” Kieran starts, grumpy as ever. “We need to survive just one more day here, is that it?”

“That’s not the word I’d choose…” One look from Kieran has Ash shutting up. He gives what’s hopefully a comforting smile. “We don’t have to. I can try and have our flights rescheduled for tomorrow, if that’s what you want.”

Kieran blinks. Stares. As if he’s not used to being asked what hewants. How ridiculous. Every decision Ash makes is aligned with what Kieran wants. It’s always been like that.

“What I want…” Kieran says. It’s mostly a whisper, likely not meant for Ash’s ears.

He licks his lips, his gaze challenging as he aims it at Ash. “I want you to apologize to me.”

Ash exhales, relieved. He wasn’t sure Kieran would even be interested in an apology.

“I shouldn’t have gone behind your back, that was a shitty thing to do. And I know it must’ve triggered you badly. I’m sorry, Kieran. Truly.”

More blinking. More staring. Kieran’s practically a statue at this point. As if someone apologizing to him, without a fight, is so unexpected it fried his brain.

Ash resists the temptation to look inside his mind. He knows that if he tried, there would be no resistance, but for some reason he wants to do this the old-fashioned way. He needs to trust that he can understand what Kieran needs even without cheating.

“That’s it?” Kieran asks.

Ash falters, uncertain. Damn, this shit is hard without using his powers. “Should I…kneel?” he suggests, then smiles at the idea, instantly liking it. “I can kneel, if you want.”

“That’s not—Jesus. You’re a freak,” Kieran groans, smacking his forehead. Then clarifies, “You’re not gonna explain yourself?”

“I figured that whatever I said would sound like an excuse and would invalidate the purpose of the apology.”

“You sound like a robot, you know that? Don’t make excuses, just tell the truth.”

Yeah, easier said than done. There’s only so much Ash can say before he sends Kieran running for the hills.

“The truth is…that whatever I do, I do for you. With your best interests at heart.” He cringes instantly. “See? I sound like your parents.”

At the mention of his parents, Kieran recoils, as if Ash’s words werea physical blow. “What do you know about my parents?”

“Everything. I know everything about you.”

“And yet I didn’t tell you this was going to happen. Guess you don’t know everything.” It’s an intentional jab, meant to sting, to hurt.

It doesn’t quite land.

“You’re still your own person. You are allowed to keep secrets, you know?” Ash tells him.

The sincerity throws Kieran off, he can tell. He can almost see the inner battle going on behind Kieran’s eyes as he’s trying to stay angry and defiant. Fighting not to give in, but losing steam because Ash isn’t reacting the way he anticipated. He’s not fueling the indignation, isn’t fighting back.

Even without using his powers, Ash can see his thoughts play out clearly.