Page 100 of Break the Rule
“Cheesy fucking idiot,” Eden grumbles, kissing Charlie to shut him up and not because he’s desperate for him, because he can’t get enough of him, because leaving every morning is harder than it has any right to be.
“Youridiot.” Charlie hums into the kiss, slipping his hands into Eden’s hair again, as if he can’t help himself. “Will you come?”
There’s no doubt in Eden’s mind this is a terrible idea. He’s not cut out for meeting friends and family. They’re all going to take one look at him and wonder what the fuck someone like Charlie is doing with him. He’s not polite or friendly, and he sure as fuck has never been invited to a Friendsgiving, probably because anyone with an ounce of sanity would know Eden isn’t the kind of guy you bring home.
The only safe answer would be a no.
Once again proving that Eden’s self-preservation skills have gone to shit, he says the exact opposite of what he should.
“I guess I could come.”
18CHARLIE
“Come with me.”
“Absolutely not.” Andrew continues to stack dishes on the kitchen island, more than Charlie knew he owned. He strongly suspects Andrew might’ve brought some of their parents’ dishes over for this weekend because there’s no way Charlie had this many plates. Then again, Andrew is the one who bought them, so what would he know?
“Please, Annie.”
“No.”
Charlie frowns. Andrew tells him no a lot, but he doesn’t usually mean it.
“But you love grocery shopping,” Charlie protests.
The look Andrew turns to give him is positively scathing. “I enjoy it at eight in the morning on a weekend when it’s empty. Not at seven at night the day after Thanksgiving. I’d literally rather drive into oncoming traffic.”
Personally, Charlie would also rather die, not because of the crowds but because he never does grocery shopping. Alec was over earlier, bringing some of the desserts and dishes he’d prepared. While Charlie had promised himself he’d tell Alecabout Eden, all he’d done was offer to get his last minute groceries instead.
“It seemed like a good idea at the time,” Charlie bemoans, draping himself across the kitchen island and garnering no sympathy from his brother. “Besides, Alec is doing all the cooking. It's the least we can do.”
“It’s the least you can do,” Andrew corrects. “I’ve already coordinated table and chair rentals for the backyard, invited everyone, helped Alec make his menu and organized various activities.”
“We don’t need activities. People are coming to eat.”
“A lot of people are coming. Alec invited Riley and Hunter, and while I have only met Hunter once at the hospital after Alec’s accident, I know that Alec and Riley together have enough energy to put the Energizer Bunny to shame. Also, Jason invited his assistant coach Eddie and his wife Amy, and they’re bringing the twins, who will absolutely get bored. Jason also invited Mabel, and he’s bringing both dogs because he said they spend enough time alone during the week, and he can’t leave them. Denise and Amanda are coming—obviously—and then everyone has to meet Eden. Do you have any idea how many things could go wrong with this many people, some of whom have never met each other?”
“Alternatively, imagine how many things can go right?” Charlie tries, sensing Andrew is spiraling and wishing he knew how to take some of his worries away. “Seriously, it’s just a casual Friendsgiving, nothing to stress about.”
“Says the man who stresses aboutnothing.”
“I’m stressed about grocery shopping,” Charlie points out. “You could take pity on me and come.”
“No.” His tone leaves absolutely no room for argument, even for someone like Charlie. “I’m going to finish making sure youhave the serveware ready for tomorrow, then I’m going to go home and take the world’s longest hot shower and read.”
“Fuck you,” Charlie groans.
“Mhmm, have a snack before you go, and don’t be surprised if they’re out of stuff.”
“It’s the day after Thanksgiving; everything will be restocked.” At Andrew’s laughter, Charlie frowns. “Won’t it?”
“I’ll let you find out for yourself. Also, don’t call Alec if you’re confused.”
“Why?” Charlie questions, not wanting to admit that he absolutely planned to do just that.
“Theo texted me right before I got here. Apparently, Alec has been in the kitchen for hours trying to make gnocchi from scratch, and it’s not going well. In fact, add that to the list Alec gave you just in case.”
“Yes, list,” Charlie repeats, wondering where he put that.
