Page 52 of Make the Play
“Jason Matias King.”
“What?” Jason asks, startling at the use of his full name. He turns around to find both of his brothers watching him with matched expressions, as if they practiced it in a mirror.
“This explains everything,” Andrew utters.
“It really does,” Charlie replies.
“Explains what?” Jason tries.
“He’s a redhead,” Charlie and Andrew answer at the same time. Already Jason’s headache is coming on. He wasn’t prepared for both of them.
Beside him, Emerson reaches for his hair, taking a step closer to Jason, making him reel with a surge of protectiveness.
“Don’t be a dick and talk about people like they’re not here, dude.” Jason levels a look at his brothers.
“My apologies,” Charlie says with a smile. “I was rendered temporarily speechless by your friend's beauty.”
Emerson chokes on his tea. Jason chokes on his own tongue. What the fuck is Charlie doing? He’s always been an outrageous flirt, but he should know not to do that with Emerson. Sure Emerson is gay and single, but he would never date someone like Charlie. His brother is great—talented and loyal but also way too much for Emerson. He needs someone calmer, more gentle. Someone who will appreciate him. Plus Charlie doesn’t want a relationship. He could never make Emerson happy.
Not that Jason spends a lot of time thinking about people dating Emerson. He did once, and it left him feeling vaguely confused and with heartburn.
“You didn’t mention how pretty he is, baby brother.” Charlie smirks, stepping forward and holding out his hand towards Emerson. “Charlie King, pleasure to meet you.”
“Emerson,” he replies, reaching his own hand out as well. He lets Charlie shake it, and that familiar burn in Jason’s gut intensifies. Maybe he needs an antacid.
“I’m Andrew.” His brother steps forward, holding his hand out next. “It’s always lovely to meet a friend of Jason’s. He never lets us meet any of them.”
“Except Theo,” Charlie points out.
“Theo is really nice,” Emerson says.
“You’ve met Theo?” Andrew questions.
“Yeah, he and Alec came over to Jason’s for pizza night last week.”
Immediately, Andrew and Charlie turn towards each other seemingly having some kind of silent conversation. Jason gulps down his mocha, desperate for more sugar and caffeine to deal with whatever is happening.
“If you’ll excuse me,” Charlie mutters, turning to walk down the street.
“Where is he going?” Jason asks.
“Presumably calling Alec to find out why he didn’t know about pizza night,” Andrew answers, as if it were obvious. “Come on, let's head inside. I need to apologize to Denise for being late. Fucking Charlie wouldn’t pick a shirt.”
Turning to Emerson, Jason offers a smile. Emerson tries to return one, but it looks a bit more like a grimace.
“It’ll be fine, I won’t leave. Unless you want me to.”
“No.” Emerson shakes his head. “Don’t leave, please.”
“You’re stuck with me, Emmy,” Jason loops an arm around Emerson’s shoulders, walking him towards the tailor’s. When they reach the door, Andrew holds it open, his gaze lingering on where Jason has Emerson pulled close to his side.
“What?” Jason asks, feeling like a defensive teenager.
“I didn’t say anything,” Andrew says.
“Your face said something.”
“I’ll make sure and have a private meeting with my face later to discuss the issue,” Andrew deadpans.
