Page 20 of All the way home

Warily, Zach nods.

“You’re currently a heart attack waiting to happen.”

Zach would object if he felt like it would be fruitful in any way.

“And I am anticipating an early death due to boredom,” Kieran says.

“Okay . . .” Zach is not certain he likes where this is going.

“So may I suggest a two-birds-one-stone situation?”

You can suggest it, Zach thinks. Out loud, he asks, “What’s your suggestion?”

“I go exploring,” Kieran says, gesturing out toward the airport. “And you come with me.”

Chapter Six

Rena

It’s like watching a train wreck. Rena can’t look away from Kieran where he’s sitting several rows of seats over next to Not-Josiah.

Lucas follows her gaze, and amusement twists the edge of his mouth. “Already found his mark, eh? That didn’t take long.”

Rena realizes she’s holding her breath and releases it in a huff. “I wish he wouldn’t do this.”

By the way Lucas’s smile fades, she knows he’s thinking about this summer too.

At least Not-Josiah seems cautious. That’s probably a good thing.

“Maybe it will be fine,” she says, mostly to convince herself.

Lucas leans forward, elbows on his knees, staring at Kieran. “I mean, you don’t think he’ll actually pull it off, do you?”

“Depends what you think he’s trying to pull off.”

“Even Kieran doesn’t have enough game to pick up a stranger at an airport.”

“Unfortunately”—Rena rubs at her temples—“I think we both know better than to underestimate him. I mean, how long did it take with Josiah?”

Lucas tilts his head and hums his concession.

When Kieran stands up, looking down at Not-Josiah, every inch of him radiates confidence.

“He shoots.” Lucas pauses, watching intently. Then, when Not-Josiah stands, too, he laughs, incredulous. “He scores!”

“Told you.”

When Lucas grins at her, she allows herself a tight smile.

“Don’t you think he looks a bit like Josiah?” he muses.

Okay. Momentary relief floods her system. It’s not just her. But the fact that Lucas is thinking it too bodes poorly.

The relief pools in her gut and goes sour.

Kieran’s found somebody who looks like his ex. The fallout is already playing out in her head. Will Kieran ice her out about this stranger too?

“It’s weird, right?” Slumping back in her chair, Rena tugs her favorite scrunchie off her wrist and puts her hair up.