Collide Into Ruin

Chapter 32 Shots Fired

Lily and Roxanne lounged in Roxanne's usual booth, cocktails in hand, the warm glow of the bar's dim lighting making everything feel just the right amount of cozy. The music thrummed low in the background, drowned out by their laughter.

"I'm just saying," Roxanne said, swirling her drink. "Men are so dramatic."

Lily smirked, raising a brow. "Oh, 100%. They act like they have it all together, but the second something doesn't go their way? Full. On. Meltdown."

Roxanne pointed her straw at her. "Right?! And the hovering? Like, sir, I am a grown woman. I can pour my own drink, and I can make my own bad decisions."

"Exactly!" Lily clinked her glass against hers in solidarity. "At this rate, we should start billing them for the emotional labor."

Roxanne sighed dramatically. "If we did, I'd have retired by now."

Lily was about to agree when her phone buzzed on the table. The second she saw the name, she grinned.

Jason Kingsley.

She picked up her phone and read the message.

Jason: "Oi, Lils. Sorry I'm late. Was scoping out a place. Also already in trouble for ditching family brunch. Classic me."

Lily's grin widened as she typed back.

Lily: "Ah yes, the Jason Kingsley special: Avoidance, reckless behavior, and making an entrance on your own time."

Jason: "You forgot 'looking damn good while doing it.'"

Lily: "I was trying to spare your ego, but sure, let's go with that. How's the Kingsley fam? Any dramatic table-flipping moments?"

Jason: "Shockingly, no. But I made the mistake of showing up late, so I got the 'we're disappointed but not surprised' speech. You'd have loved it. I almost fell asleep mid-lecture."

Lily: "Damn, should've recorded it for me. You know how much I live for your suffering."

Jason: "Trust me, I know. You've been enjoying it since middle school."

Lily snorted, shaking her head.

Across from her, Roxanne narrowed her eyes. "Alright, spill. Who's got you smiling like that?"

Lily smirked. "Jason."

Roxanne blinked. "Jason who?"

Lily barely glanced up. "Jason Kingsley."

Silence.

Then—

"I'm sorry, WHAT?!" Roxanne choked on her drink, slamming it down hard enough to make the table shake. "Jason Kingsley is your best friend?"

Lily blinked innocently. "Yeah?"

Roxanne gawked at her like she had just confessed to being a secret agent. "THE Jason Kingsley? The 'I look like I bite people for fun' Jason Kingsley? The man who gives off 'touch me and perish' energy? That Jason Kingsley?!"

Lily shrugged. "Yep. That one."

"And you're alive?!"

Lily rolled her eyes. "Oh, come on. He's not that bad."

"Not that bad?" Roxanne stared. "Lily, grown men fear him. I once saw him make a guy leave a room with a look."

Lily snickered. "Yeah, he does have that whole 'feral street cat' thing going on." She took a sip of her drink. "But I just poked him until he got used to me."

Roxanne shook her head in disbelief. "And you've never—like, not even for a second—fallen for him?"

Lily made a face like she'd been personally offended. "Ew. That would be like falling for my brother."

Roxanne exhaled. "Huh. I... respect it. But I'm also deeply unsettled."

Lily just laughed and turned back to her phone. Another message had popped up.

Jason: "Remember when I tried to ditch you in 7th grade and you retaliated by stealing my hoodie and wearing it for a whole week?"

Lily: "Remember when you tried to steal it back and I screamed 'STRANGER DANGER' in the middle of the hallway?"

Jason: "Remember when I had to write a three-page essay as punishment for 'causing an unnecessary panic'?"

Lily: "Remember when I didn't feel bad even a little?"

Jason: "Yeah, that checks out."

Roxanne, who had been reading over her shoulder, burst out laughing. "Oh my god, you really are his worst nightmare, aren't you?"

"Pretty much." Lily grinned.

Another text popped up.

Jason: "Also, kinda bummed I didn't get to meet the new sister-in-law. Everyone's been dying to meet her, and Mom's already in love."

Lily smirked.

Lily: "Aw, look at you, actually wanting to meet someone. Who are you, and what have you done with Jason Kingsley?"

Jason: "Shut up. It's just weird, you know? Whole family's obsessed, and I wasn't there. Felt like I missed something big."

Lily softened a little at that.

Lily: "Okay, that's actually kind of sweet. You getting sentimental on me, J?"

Jason: "One more word and I'm blocking you."

Lily: "I'd just show up at your house, and we both know it."

Jason: "...Yeah, you would. Freaking menace."

Lily grinned triumphantly.

Roxanne shook her head in amazement. "I can't believe this is your life. Your best friend is Jason Kingsley. The Jason Kingsley. And instead of fearing him like a normal person, you bully him."

Lily shrugged. "Well, someone's gotta keep him humble."

Roxanne raised her glass. "To Jason Kingsley—forever doomed to suffer your existence."

Lily clinked her glass against hers. "May he never escape."

And with that, they both took a drink, enjoying the chaos that was their lives.

___________________________________

Jason drummed his fingers against the steering wheel as he weaved through the streets, his mind preoccupied with two things: how to get back in his parents' good graces and who the hell Emilia actually was.

Because whatever spell she had Henry under? It was next level.

Henry had never been like this. Not even with Zoey.

Not even close.

Sure, Henry had loved Zoey in his own steady, predictable way. But he hadn't changed for her. He still ran the Kingsley Group like a well-oiled machine, still operated on logic over emotion, still had a life outside of her.

But now? Henry was whipped.

Like, whipped-whipped.

Like, borderline-simp levels of whipped.

Jason could not stress this enough: Henry Fucking Kingsley did not simp.

And yet, here they were. Henry was walking around like some rom-com leading man, making heart eyes at this mysterious Emilia like she hung the damn moon. Hell, Mom was obsessed with her too. The entire family was. And Jason? Hadn't even met her yet.

Which was a problem.

One that could be solved if he actually showed up to family events.

Jason sighed, running a hand through his hair. He needed a plan. Something big. Something redeeming.

Brunch was out, but what about dinner?

Maybe he could host something at one of the family's restaurants. An extravagant, Kingsley-level welcome for Emilia. Henry would be too distracted by Emilia to be mad, and their parents would see the effort.

Yeah. That could work.

Jason nodded to himself just as he pulled up to the Tipsy Tortoise, the local hotspot where Lily had dragged him more times than he could count. He barely had time to step inside before he was swarmed.

A mix of socialites, influencers, and Hollywood hopefuls immediately latched onto him like he was the last lifeboat on the Titanic.

Hallie and Sabrina led the charge.

Hallie, as usual, acted like she had full ownership over his personal space. He didn't even acknowledge her presence—he knew exactly what she was about. She'd been with at least two of his friends, and not in any meaningful way. Just long enough to get ahead. Jason didn't judge people for doing what they had to do, but he found it pathetic when they disguised it as something else.

Sabrina, though? He tolerated her.

Because she was hot.

But God, was she dull.

She had all the personality of a plain rice cake. Of a wall in an empty room. Of unseasoned chicken at a rich person's dinner party.

Basically? She was boring as shit.

"Jason," she purred, running a hand down his arm. "You look good tonight."

He barely resisted the urge to sigh. "I always do."

Sabrina pouted. "You never text me back."

"That's not an accident," he deadpanned.

Hallie giggled like that was the funniest thing she'd ever heard.

Jason mentally rolled his eyes. Enough of this.

"Ladies," he said, stepping back, "I'd love to stay and chat, but I'm busy."

Sabrina pouted. "Too busy for me?"

Jason smirked. "Definitely."

And with that, he left them standing there, looking both annoyed and intrigued—exactly how he liked them to be.

But then, he saw her.

And he damn near lost his mind.

Because sitting next to Lily was none other than his childhood TV crush.

Roxanne.

Roxanne-fucking-Rivera.

The woman who had singlehandedly jump-started his hormonal awakening when he was thirteen. The woman whose posters he may or may not have had in his childhood bedroom. The woman who—holy shit—was sitting there, laughing, completely unaware that Jason Kingsley was about to ruin her night.

Lily caught his expression and immediately looked alarmed. "No."

Jason grinned, already moving toward them. "Oh, yes."

"Jason," Lily warned.

He slid into the booth, slinging an arm over the back of the seat like he belonged there. "Lillian."

Lily groaned. "Don't call me that."

Jason ignored her, turning to Roxanne with an easy smirk. "You know, I had a poster of you when I was thirteen."

Roxanne blinked. "I—what?"

"Yeah." He nodded, pleased with her reaction. "Taped it right next to my bed."

Lily looked horrified. "Jason, what the hell?"

"What?" He shrugged. "I'm just saying. Thirteen-year-old me would be losing his mind right now."

Roxanne, to his delight, actually laughed. "Well, I'm honored?"

Jason grinned. "Oh, you should be. I had options."

Lily groaned, rubbing her temples. "Why are you like this?"

"Born this way, sweetheart." He turned back to Roxanne. "So, what's someone like you doing with someone like her?" He gestured to Lily.

"Excuse me?" Lily scoffed.

Roxanne smirked. "She keeps things interesting."

Jason grinned. "That, I believe."

Lily huffed. "Are you done harassing my friend?"

"Not even close."

Jason settled in, ready to enjoy the night. After all, who wouldn't want to drink with their childhood crush and their best pain in the ass?

This? This was going to be fun.

Roxanne arched an eyebrow, clearly amused. "So, Jason, are you always this charming, or is tonight a special occasion?"

"Oh, sweetheart," Jason drawled, resting his chin on his hand. "I don't turn it off."

Lily groaned. "Unfortunately, he really doesn't."

Roxanne chuckled, stirring her drink. "Well, I have to say, I'm flattered. Not every day I meet a man bold enough to admit he once drooled over my poster."

Jason smirked. "Oh, I never drooled. Thirteen-year-old me had standards."

Lily shot him a look. "Unlike now."

"Excuse you," Jason said, feigning offense. "My standards remain sky high."

"Right," Lily deadpanned. "That's why you were entertaining the human wallpaper over there." She jerked a thumb toward Sabrina, who was still glaring at him from across the bar.

Jason grinned. "Hey, sometimes a man appreciates a little peace and quiet."

Roxanne laughed, shaking her head. "You two have quite the dynamic."

"Oh, you have no idea," Lily muttered, taking a sip of her drink. "He's been a pain in my ass since we were kids."

"And yet, here we are," Jason said, nudging her playfully. "Still can't get rid of me."

"Believe me, I've tried."

Roxanne watched the two of them with an amused smile. "You know, I was expecting a quiet night out, but this? This is much more entertaining."

Jason leaned in slightly, his grin lazy and confident. "Stick with me, Roxanne. I promise, it only gets better."

Lily made a gagging noise. "Oh my God, are you flirting?"

Jason shot her a look. "Please, this isn't flirting. This is... banter."

"Uh-huh," Lily said, unimpressed. "Next, you're gonna offer to buy her a drink."

Jason gasped. "Lily! You wound me. I am a gentleman." He turned back to Roxanne. "Would you like another drink?"

Roxanne smirked. "Sure. Surprise me."

Jason winked and slid out of the booth, heading for the bar with a self-satisfied strut.

The second he was out of earshot, Lily turned to Roxanne, eyes narrowed. "Don't encourage him."

Roxanne just laughed, swirling the last of her drink in her glass. "Oh, but it's so much fun."

Lily groaned. "I regret everything."

_________________________________________

Meanwhile, at the bar, Jason leaned against the counter, smirking to himself. Oh yeah. This night? It was just getting started.

Before Jason could return with Roxanne's drink, the door to the Tipsy Tortoise swung open, letting in a rush of cool night air—and her.

Emilia.

She hesitated at the entrance, scanning the bar like she wasn't entirely sure she was in the right place. Her fingers toyed with the strap of her purse; her nerves barely concealed beneath the flicker of excitement in her eyes. Spotting Roxanne, she visibly relaxed and made her way over, her posture still a little stiff but her expression warm.

Roxanne, meanwhile, lit up like a damn Christmas tree. "EM!" she squealed, practically launching out of her seat and pulling Emilia into a hug. "You made it! I was starting to think Henry locked you in some billionaire tower and threw away the key."

Emilia laughed, hugging her back. "He tried, but I bribed the guards."

Lily, watching the exchange, smirked. "So, you're the infamous Emilia. I swear, Henry has turned into a romance novel hero over you."

Emilia flushed, but she grinned. "I mean... I'd say I have that effect on people, but really, I think he's just running a fever."

Lily snorted. "God, I like her already."

"Wait... how do you know about Henry?" Em asked confused, but Lily just grins and goes, "I'm besties with the youngest Kingsley; the Kingsley boys are a bunch of gossiping old ladies."

That made Em laugh, honestly believing it.

Emilia settled into the booth, stealing a sip of Roxanne's drink. "So, what embarrassing stories have you told about me so far?"

"Oh, none yet," Roxanne said innocently. "But the night's young."

Before Emilia could protest, Jason returned, holding Roxanne's drink and his own. He slid into the booth, barely sparing Emilia a glance as he handed the glass over. "Here you go, Rox. Only the best for my favorite childhood crush."

Roxanne preened while Lily gagged dramatically. But before she could fire off another insult, Roxanne suddenly sat up straighter, eyes twinkling with mischief. "Oh! Jason, this is my best friend, Emilia."

Jason turned lazily, ready to deliver some half-assed charming remark—

And then he saw her.

And his entire body stiffened.

Emilia blinked at him, confused. Jason's eyes widened in pure, unfiltered horror as he pointed at her like she was an apparition. "It's you—?!"

Roxanne and Lily immediately burst into laughter.

"Yes, Jason," Lily wheezed. "Meet Emilia. Otherwise known as the woman responsible for turning your brother into a simp."

Emilia, catching on, gasped dramatically, smacking the table. "Oh my God." She pointed at Jason, eyes alight with wicked amusement. "You're the Jason? The one who dodges brunch like it's the draft?"

Jason groaned, rubbing his temples. "Jesus. He really tells you everything, huh?"

"Oh, sweetie," Emilia said with mock sympathy, patting his hand. "He tells me everything."

Roxanne giggled. "Don't worry, Em. You'll learn that Jason thrives on being a menace. It's in his DNA."

Jason huffed, but a reluctant smirk played on his lips. "Yeah, yeah, keep roasting me. At least I actually show up to drinks."

The table laughed, the conversation flowing easily after that. Emilia and Lily bonded over their shared suffering at the hands of the Kingsley brothers, while Roxanne encouraged every chaotic tangent Jason tried to start.

For a while, the night was perfect.

And then—

"Jason!"

The air dropped ten degrees.

Jason didn't even need to turn around to know who it was. But sure enough, when he did, Hallie and Sabrina were already sliding into the booth, completely uninvited.

Sabrina leaned against Jason's shoulder, purring, "We were wondering where you ran off to."

Hallie, meanwhile, was giving Emilia and Lily the kind of once-over that made it clear she was already plotting ways to make them irrelevant. "And who are these two?"

Jason sighed, looking longingly at his drink like it could save him.

Emilia, catching his expression, bit back a laugh and turned to Lily. "So... how fast do you think I can drink this before I need another?"

Lily smirked. "Oh, honey. You're gonna need at least three."

____________________________

Sabrina flipped her hair and leaned in, placing a perfectly manicured hand on Jason's arm. "So, Jason, tell us about your new movie. I heard auditions are coming up."

At the mention of his movie, Jason perked up instantly. "Oh, hell yes, let me tell you—" He turned to Roxanne, eyes already gleaming with excitement. "Dude, the script? Incredible. We're talking high-stakes drama, killer cinematography potential, and this one monologue? Straight-up Oscar bait."

Roxanne's eyes widened. "No way. Who's doing cinematography?"

Jason grinned. "Got Callahan."

Her jaw practically hit the table. "Shut up. You got Ethan Callahan?"

Jason smirked. "Damn right I did. Practically sold my soul, but worth it."

Sabrina and Hallie, completely uninterested in the logistics of filmmaking, blinked in mild horror as Jason and Roxanne continued their deep dive into all things Hollywood.

"You holding open auditions or is it mostly agency?" Roxanne asked.

"A mix," Jason said. "Some roles are already locked, but there's one—" He exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "This one role, man. I need someone with presence. Someone who can hold the screen without even trying."

Roxanne, leaning forward, mirrored his intensity. "That's a nightmare to cast."

"Tell me about it." Jason shook his head. "If I don't find the right person, the whole thing falls apart."

They were completely locked in, throwing around casting ideas, discussing set logistics, talking about the industry like they were the only two people at the table.

Hallie and Sabrina? Fuming.

Lily and Emilia exchanged a slow, knowing look before Lily loudly cleared her throat. "Hey!"

Jason and Roxanne barely flinched.

Emilia sighed and banged her palm on the table. "Earth to Hollywood's Next Power Duo—come back to reality."

Jason blinked as if waking from a trance. "Huh?"

Roxanne looked equally disoriented. "Wait, what just happened?"

Lily smirked. "You two were five seconds away from exchanging friendship bracelets and forming your own director-actor cult."

Jason scoffed. "Please, if I start a cult, it'll be for a worthy cause."

Sabrina, who had been sitting in silent annoyance, took this as her cue. "You know what we should be doing? A drinking game."

Emilia, without missing a beat, pointed at Hallie. "But Hallie can't drink."

Hallie gasped, clutching her chest dramatically. "Wow. Just announce it to the whole bar, why don't you?"

Lily rolled her eyes. "Hallie, you're six months pregnant. It's not exactly a state secret."

Jason's eyebrows shot up. "Wait, what?!" He turned to Hallie, then pointed at her stomach. "You mean you're—"

"Yes, genius, I'm with child," Hallie deadpanned. "And before you ask, no, it's not yours."

Jason smirked. "Damn. There go my child support fears."

Roxanne cackled, and Emilia grinned. "Anyway, that's why she can't drink. Sorry to ruin your 'let's get reckless' plans."

Hallie huffed and pulled out her phone. "Fine. Can I get someone to substitute for me?"

Jason waved a hand. "Sure, but first, we need a prize. What's the point of a drinking game without high stakes?"

The table fell silent for a moment. Then Jason gasped dramatically and slammed a hand down. "I got it."

Everyone leaned in.

Jason gave them all a slow, wicked grin. "Whoever's the last one standing... gets a small role in my movie."

Emilia choked on her drink. "What?!"

Roxanne's jaw dropped. "Are you serious?"

Jason shrugged, leaning back. "Why not? I haven't cast one of the smaller roles yet. Might as well make it fun."

Sabrina's eyes gleamed, already picturing herself as the next big thing. "Oh, I love this idea."

Lily snorted. "This is ridiculous."

Emilia shook her head but grinned. "Oh, this is so dumb. I'm in."

Hallie clapped her hands. "Great! Let me just text someone to take my place."

Jason smirked. "Perfect. Let's get stupid."

Hallie excused herself from the table, stretching as she stood. "Well, since I physically can't participate in this self-destructive nonsense, I'll be sending in a substitute." She glanced at Emilia, her smile turning downright wicked.

Emilia frowned. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Hallie didn't answer. Instead, she pulled out her phone and dialed, the devious smirk still in place as she turned away slightly for privacy.

Jason, catching the exchange, leaned back in his seat, intrigued. "What was that?"

Lily shrugged. "Classic Hallie. Probably calling in a favor."

Meanwhile, Hallie was already pacing near the bar as Chase Blackwood's voice came through the phone, clipped and unamused.

"I'm not doing this."

Hallie pouted immediately. "Chase, come on—"

"Nope. Not happening. I am so done with your games."

Her brows shot up. "Since when?"

"Since I stopped letting you play me like a damn fiddle," Chase muttered.

Hallie blinked, caught off guard. "Oof, someone's in a mood."

"I had a meeting with the medical board today," he snapped. "Spent hours trying to convince them Emilia shouldn't be punished for my mistakes. And now you're calling me for a freaking drinking game?"

At the mention of Emilia, Hallie tilted her head, her lips curling. "Aww. Is someone still obsessed with his ex?"

"I'm not—" Chase exhaled sharply. "I'm just trying to fix what I screwed up."

Hallie smirked. "Sounds a lot like obsession, babe."

"Hallie—"

"I mean," she drawled, inspecting her nails, "if you're really over her, why do you sound so jealous of Jason Kingsley?"

Silence. Then—

"Excuse me?"

Hallie nearly giggled. Hook, line, and sinker. "Oh, didn't you know? She's here tonight. With Jason Kingsley. You know—the town's hottest bad boy? He's literally flirt—"

"I'll be there in ten."

The line went dead.

Hallie grinned at her phone before waltzing back to the table, sliding into her seat with the grace of a cat who just knocked over a vase.

"Chase Blackwood will take my place," she announced, satisfaction dripping from every syllable.

Emilia's head snapped up so fast she nearly got whiplash. "I'm sorry—what?"

Roxanne groaned. "Oh, this is gonna be a disaster."

______________________________________

Chase groaned, staring at the ceiling of his car before slamming his fist against the steering wheel.

What the hell was he doing?

He was supposed to be laying low, keeping his head down after that brutal medical board meeting. He'd spent hours sitting in that sterile office, arguing his case, practically begging them not to punish Emilia for his own reckless decisions. And now? He was about to throw himself into a drinking game because Hallie knew exactly how to push his buttons.

He should turn around.

He should.

But the thought of Emilia laughing—flirting—with Jason Kingsley made his blood boil.

He grabbed his phone and shot off a quick text.

CHASE: Meet me at the Tipsy Tortoise. Drinking game. Bring your livers.

Liam and Travis responded within seconds.

LIAM: HELL YES.

TRAVIS: Say less.

Chase exhaled and started the car. This is a terrible idea.

But he was already on his way.

_______________________________

Emilia sat frozen, staring at Hallie like she had just announced the apocalypse. "You invited Chase?"

Hallie fluttered her lashes innocently. "It's not that big a deal."

Emilia clenched her jaw. Not that big a deal? This was Chase-freaking-Blackwood, the man who had been both the best and worst mistake of her life. And now he was on his way, fully prepared to drown himself in alcohol because Hallie had dangled the right bait.

Roxanne, ever perceptive, nudged her. "You okay?"

Emilia swallowed. "Yeah, it's just..." She hesitated, the memories creeping in. Chase wasn't a casual drinker. He was an all or nothing kind of guy. And when he drank too much? He became reckless, volatile—a walking hurricane.

Roxanne leaned in. "Do you want to leave?"

Emilia took a breath, then shook her head. "No. I want you to win this."

Roxanne grinned and pulled her into a quick side hug. "Damn right, you do."

Emilia chuckled, but it was short-lived.

Because the door swung open.

And in walked Chase Blackwood, looking like trouble incarnate, flanked by Liam and Travis, both of whom were grinning like idiots.

The storm had arrived.