Page 7 of Should Our Stars Collide

Kieran barks out a laugh.

“—but don’t you think you overreacted? He likes to get a rise out of me too. It’s how he operates. Just don’t let it get to you.”

Typical. Kieran was just responding to someone else’s bullshit but ends up with all the blame. It’s like his childhood revisited.

“Don’t worry, we won’t be seeing each other again.”

Dawson sighs, not saying anything else. Good. Now Kieran can finally enjoy the movie.

Kieran does not enjoy the movie, his blood boiling every time he’sreminded of Ash’s presence. And Ash works very hard to remind him of it, laughing at every other scene, even those that aren’t funny. Fuck. What a waste of time and money.

By the time they exit the theatre, Kieran’s more than ready to go home. Maybe have a drink, or two.

Outside, Gabe turns to him and Dawson with a smile. It’s a relieved smile, as if he, too, has had it up to here with his cousin. God, Kieran can’t believe they’re related.

“Well, it was nice bumping into you guys,” Gabe says. “See you tomorrow?”

Kieran doesn’t reply. Unlike Dawson, he pops into Gabe’s café only when the mood hits him.

“Probably not,” Dawson says. “I have to be at the shelter earlier than usual. But Tuesday, maybe.”

“Alrighty. Say hi to Cal for me.”

“Will do.” Dawson looks at Ash. “I’ll see you Friday.”

Right. Another ‘therapy’ session.

Ash smirks. “Looking forward to ourchat.” Then the fucker winks, his smirk growing when he gets a glimpse of Kieran’s murderous glare.

God, Kieran wants to punch him, wants to knock out his perfect pearly white teeth so he never has to see that stupid smirk again.

Suddenly, Ash jerks like someone touched him with a live wire, a noise of surprise escaping him. His attention snaps to Gabe, and he glares.

“You okay there, Ash?” Dawson asks with concern.

“I’m fine. Just a cramp,” Ash says without taking his eyes off Gabe, who juts his chin out defiantly.

What is that about? Whatever. Not like Kieran gives a shit. He’s about to suggest to Dawson they get the fuck out of here, but Dawson beats him to it.

“Okay, well…we better go,” he says, sounding a little off and frowning at his phone. “I just noticed I have, like, twenty missed calls from my obsessive sister. I should call her back before she sends out the cavalry.”

“Of course,” Ash says, smiling again. But it’s a different smile, almost nice—if nice is a word that could even be associated with him. “From what I’ve heard of her, she actually might.”

Dawson’s eyes grow a little wide. “She totally might. Anyways, see you!”

“Have a good night,” Ash says, then looks at Kieran with an expression that’s hard to read, but gives him a full-body shiver. “You too, Kieran.”

The. Fucker. “Kiss my ass.”

“Kieran!” Dawson chastises, even though it’s glaringly obvious Ash was taunting him.

Ash grins predatorily. “Only if you ask nicely.”

Kieran stills, feeling the blood drain from his face before it changes direction and turns him bright red.

For whatever deranged reason, his brain decides to supply him with an image of Ash and the very same predatory grin, but in a completely different situation. A situation where Kieran is more horizontal than vertical, where he’s more undressed than dressed, and Ash’s hands are on him and?—

What in the actual fuck?! How hard-up are you?!