Page 108 of Collide
“Fair warning,” I say. “I will punch you in the face if you finish that sentence.”
He barks out a laugh, going back to lifting his weights.
Kian approaches. “Not to make you feel worse, but she’s going on a date,” he says gently like I’m a fragile toddler getting news that my favorite blanket has gone missing.
The flare of heat in my chest can’t be healthy. Everything in me wants to ignore him, but curiosity is a dangerous emotion.
“With whom?”
“Some accounting major.”
That’s a stake to the heart. Her five-year plan is nearing reality, now that I’m not disrupting it. Fuck, what I would do to disrupt all her complicated plans and keep her mindlessly in bed with me.
“How do you know that?”
“I overheard Amara when I was studying at her dorm,” he says.
Unlike me, Kian’s been spending time with Summer because of exams. Would it be crazy if I transferred into her class?Yes.
“What are you going to do?” This time all the guys crowd me. Even Cole and Sebastian approach, probably aware of everything because of Kian’s big mouth. Though they’re well acquainted with Summer’s presence in my bedroom over the past few weeks.
“Nothing.”
Curious faces fall, and they stare at me like I’ve gone crazy. “Your girl is going on a date with another guy, and you’re going to donothing?” Cole asks incredulously.
Kian starts, “If I were to give my two cents—”
“Don’t,” we all say. His face contorts with shock.
“I have more experience with complicated relationships than any of you,” he defends.
“Your stalker doesn’t count as a complicated relationship, Ishida. That was just complicated. Period,” says Eli.
“Okay, but what I’ve learned is—”
“Don’t duplicate house keys and give them to someone you just met?” I offer.
“Don’t leave your car in the driveway for someone to siphon gas from it?” Dylan adds.
The guys shake with laughter. I’m sure we could provide a dozen more examples of things Tabitha did to him, but he pouts. “You know what? You don’t deserve my wisdom.”
I groan when he does that wounded puppy thing with his face. “Sorry buddy, we’re joking. What did you want to say?”
“I don’t want to tell you now.”
“Fine with me.” Dylan stands and the rest of the guys agree.
“Okay, okay.” He blocks them. “Girls are like buttons—”
Coach clears his throat, cutting him off. “Ishida, what have I told you about gossiping in the weight room?”
“That it fosters healthy connections among growing boys?” He smiles, white teeth on display.
The glare Kilner sends his way is sharp enough to make everyone stand straighter. He’s got that angry vein in his forehead that usually pops when Kian’s involved. “One more word from you, and I’ll make sure you never see that ice again.”
Despite the threat, Kian opens his mouth to speak, but Eli elbows him with a sharp look.
“Coach, what would you do if the girl you want is going out with someone else?” Cole asks.
