Page 75 of Should Our Stars Collide

“You fucking did, you scammer!” Kieran yells.

“Technically, this makes himnota scammer,” Ash notes.

He hasn’t let go of Kieran, arms wrapped strong and steady around him. When he speaks, his breath caresses Kieran’s neck, making him shiver.

It’s nearly a copy-paste situation of what happened in Fiji. Back then, they were standing just like this, with Kieran unable to move because Ash was too damn strong, and his voice was too close and too deep, making Kieran imagine all kinds of weird stuff. Weird,wrongstuff that left him confused and scared. And with a semi.

Nonono, it’s not happening this time. There are fucking people around, and Kieran is supposed to be furious!

“You wanna be next?” he growls, the threat probably less intimidating when he’s immobilized and glaring at Ash from upside down.

The fucker just gazes down at him like Kieran said something cute. For a second, it almost looks like he’s about to dip his head down and kiss him, but catches himself at the last moment.

Then he’s letting Kieran go, leaving him with a thundering heart and wondering what the fuck just happened.

“Maybe we should sit down for this?” Gabe suggests with a nervous smile. “Cookie, anyone? I just made a fresh batch.”

This isclearlya serious situation?—

“I’ll have a cookie,” Ash says.

“Me too,” Ellis adds.

Zeke doesn’t dare say anything, but his eyes light right up.

“I hate you. All of you,” Kieran declares. Dammit, now he kinda wants a cookie too.

“Aww. I know that’s not true,” Zeke says.

“It’s a little bit true right now,” Gabe contradicts.

Jesus Christ, what kind of gang is this?!

19

Ten minutes and four cookies later—Kieran did not have one—they’re seated at a table, staring at each other silently. Zeke has strategically taken the furthest seat from Kieran.

Gabe speaks first, switching through three different expressions in under five seconds. “Have we all calmed down yet? No? Nevermind.”

“Should I be here?” Ellis mutters from his corner, half-fused with the wall. The ra—the dog is in his lap, trying to reach its short tongue towards the crumbs on Ellis’ plate.

Gabe clings to his arm. “Don’t leave me.”

“You twoareattached at the hip,” Kieran mutters, recalling his future self’s comments. He’s almost surprised they’re not wearing one of those couple t-shirts, like:If lost, return to babeandI’m babe.

Lame. And gross. But mainly lame.

Gabe’s grin is so lewd it could rival Ash’s. “Technically, we’re usually attached at the?—”

Ellis claps a hand over his mouth with the speed of someone who’s done this many, many times.

Unimpressed, Kieran looks at Ash. “The pervert gene runs in the family, huh?”

“Gabe’s worse.”

“Excuse me?!”

“Enough. I can’t do this shit today,” Kieran snaps, rubbing his temples. This whole exchange made him lose about a million braincells.