Page 104 of Break the Rule
As expected Andrew’s expression morphs into one ripe with confusion. “Who?”
“Uh—”
Before he can think of a suitable answer without flat out lying, the front door rings several times in annoying succession.
“That’s got to be Alec,” Charlie says, all but running to the front door. His relief at escaping the conversation is short lived because the moment he opens the door and sees Alec’s beaming face, he realizes he might be the reason it falls.
“Take something, I’m dying,” Alec groans, hidden under several casserole dishes atop which are piled various plastic containers.
“Where’s Theo?” Charlie asks, half-expecting to see him attached to Alec.
“He’s on the phone with Jason,” Alec rolls his eyes. “I swear to god you’d think they didn’t hang out last night and won’t see each other in an hour.”
“He’s a loyal guy, that Theo.”
Alec’s eyebrows knit together, clear suspicion in his eyes. “Are you drunk?”
“No,” Charlie splutters. “I’m being nice.”
“What did you have for breakfast?” Alec asks, shouldering past Charlie and into the living room. “A heaping serving of bullshit?”
“I am offended.”
“No, you’re not,” Alec grins, lowering his arm full of casserole dishes onto the entryway table so he can throw his arms around Charlie.
“I’m not,” Charlie concedes, wrapping Alec into a hug. He’s so much smaller than Charlie it’s easy to forget how much he’s grown up, how much he’s endured in the last year. Charlie is so fucking proud of him. Something he maybe doesn’t tell him enough. “Hey, Ally?”
“Hmm?”
“You know you’re amazing, right?”
“Obviously,” Alec smirks, stepping out of the embrace to retrieve his dishes. “I’m surprised anyone can function when I’m not around.”
“It’s truly a wonder,” Andrew remarks, dropping a kiss on the top of Alec’s head as he saunters by.
Andrew’s gaze meets Charlie, and the unspoken words are loud.
“I know,” Charlie hisses.
“You know what?” Alec asks, already preheating the oven and moving around the kitchen. He’s putting away a container of some kind of mixed green salad in the fridge, turning back around with a can of Coke in hand and a smile on his face. “That’s a lot of butter, you could’ve just called me.”
“I didn’t wanna bother you.”
“Since when?” Alec asks, shutting the fridge with his hip.
Since it was easier not to talk to him if he was going to lie.
“Did Jason bring the extra pies we didn’t finish at Mom’s? He said he was going to, but I wasn’t sure if he’d remember. He’s been very wrapped up in Emerson.”
“How do you feel about that?”
“Fine,” Alec shrugs, moving to the stove and flipping on a burner before retrieving the pan Charlie stores in the oven and lowering it onto the lit burner. “It’s good to see Jason happy. I mean he’s Jason, so he was always happy, but this is different. He’s…happier. He looks content in a way I’ve never seen him. Emerson makes him really happy. Love makes him happy.”
“Not everyone needs love to be settled.”
The words leave a bitter taste in Charlie’s mouth. He’s always been happy too, but thinking about Eden, about the kind of happiness he’s felt when he’s around, it’s hard not to acknowledge the difference. He suddenly wishes Eden were here, wishes he could breathe him in and taste those sweet lips.He wishes Eden were sitting in the kitchen with him, watching Alec cook.
“Yeah, yeah I know Mr. Anti-Romance,” Alec laughs, drizzling a hefty amount of olive oil into the pan before grabbing one of the smaller plastic margarine containers he brought and dumping it in. It’s not long before the aroma of frying onions, carrots, and celery fill the kitchen.
