Page 19 of Break the Rule
“Except Theo,” Charlie points out, thinking of Jason’s childhood best friend. For over two decades, they’ve been attached at the hip, so his not being here is a little weird. Over the years, Charlie’s gotten used to the fact that where Jason goes, so does Theo. Then again, ever since Theo started dating their youngest brother Alec last year, Theo’s attention has been divided.
“Theo is really nice,” Emerson says softly.
“You’ve met Theo?” Andrew asks, giving voice to the question before Charlie can. This is new information and changes things. A lot of things. Here Charlie thought this was some little baby bi-awakening because Emerson is pretty, but if he’s met Theo then the situation is far different than he thought. Theo is the most important person in Jason’s life which means Emerson meeting him ishuge.
“Yeah,” Emerson confirms. “He and Alec came over to Jason’s for pizza night last week.”
It’s all Charlie can do not to pout. Alec knew about this? Alec met Emerson and didn’t tell Charlie. This is absolutely unacceptable. Alec usually tells Charlie everything, especially family gossip. Why didn’t he tell Charlie about this? He turns to look at Andrew, hoping to convey some of his confusion and frustration. Whatever shot of dopamine he got from teasing Jason is long gone, sucked dry by the implications that there are things he doesn’t know that his youngest brother does.
“If you’ll excuse me,” Charlie blurts, turning away from Emerson and his brothers to speed walk down the sidewalk for a bit of privacy. He’s pretty sure Andrew will know what he’s doing, but he doesn’t wanna deal with Jason overhearing him call their youngest brother.
He can’t believe his baby brother—the person who claims Charlie is his favorite brother—held out on him. Absolutely outrageous. Charlie needs all of the details, stat.
Waiting until he’s a suitable distance away, he pulls his phone out of his pocket and dials Alec’s number, his frown growing when it goes to voicemail. It’s possible that Alec is busy studying or something, but it’s equally possible he simply lost his phone somewhere. If Charlie really wants to talk to him right now he needs to call Theo.
Unwanted emotions churn in Charlie’s gut just thinking about it. He’s worked really fucking hard to get over what Theo did to Alec because his baby brother means everything to him, and it’s clear as fucking day that Theo is it for Alec. Somehow, despite everything, Alec forgave Theo and is blissfully in love. Charlie is doing his damnedest to do the same. Most of the time, he thinks he’s fine with Theo, but one-on-one the desire to kick him still resurfaces occasionally. Charlie might be more than a decade older than Alec but he’s never claimed to be more mature, and he’s truthfully not sure the memory of almost losing Alec will ever fade.
Not at all in the mood to confront his issues with holding a grudge, Charlie decides not to call Theo and settles for shooting Alec a quick text to return his call. Leaving him a voicemail would be futile since the damn kid never checks them.
Accepting that he’s not going to get any more useful information, at least for now, Charlie makes his way back towards Denise’s shop. He stops to watch through the window, laughing at the picture Andrew and Jason make sitting on thecouch. Andrew’s expression is pinched and awkward, and Jason is once again blushing like a tomato. Charlie’s mood improves dramatically. This will be fun.
“What are we talking about?” Charlie asks loudly as he steps into the shop.
“Emerson,” Andrew answers immediately.
“Nothing,” Jason says at the same time.
Between the two of them it’s always clear who is telling the truth. Jason is a shit liar and Andrew is painfully honest.
“Oh, are we talking about Jason’s massive fucking crush on Emerson? He is really pretty.”
“Stop calling him pretty,” Jason demands, his expression shifting rapidly. “Wait,what?”
“Your crush,” Charlie repeats, ignoring the sting when Andrew slaps the back of his head. Someone needed to bite the bullet and tell Jason what was up, and it clearly wasn’t going to be Andrew.
“We talked about tact, Charlie.”
Sometimes when Andrew talks to him like that he has the irrational urge to stick his tongue out at him, despite being a fully fledged grown-up.
“Fuck tact,” Charlie shrugs. “Jason is our brother, and I can’t sit around watching him moon like a puppy without saying something. Unless he doesn’t want to ask Emerson on a date, at which point I’d be happy to do the honors. Maybe he’d let me wine and dine him in that new suit he’s getting and?—”
“Don’t you dare ask him out,” Jason says, the intensity in his tone taking even Charlie by surprise. Whatever is going on between Jason and Emerson is clearly way more than just a physical attraction.
“Why, because you want to?” Charlie grins, flooded with endorphins. He loves Jason, really he does, but he also loves getting a rise out of him. He’s just soeasy. “Because you’ve had athing for redheads since you were a kid? Or is it because you look at Emerson like you simultaneously want to wrap him a hug and talk about feelings while also devouring him?”
“Charlie,” Andrew hisses.
“I’m just being honest,” Charlie defends. “Besides I’m not going to ask him out, he's too—sweet for me.”
Sweet is an understatement. Emerson looks like something made out of spun sugar—fragile as glass. He seems perfectly lovely but far too delicate for Charlie. For Jason though? Oh, he’s absolutely fucking perfect for his gentle giant of a brother.
“Emerson is perfect,” Jason asserts with a frown. “You would be so lucky.”
“Do you see this?” Charlie gapes at Andrew before returning his attention to Jason. “Listen, you should ask him out, before someone else does.”
For a second, Charlie thinks he’s gone too far. It wouldn’t be the first time. Sometimes, the only thing that keeps his mouth in check is Andrew, and even then it’s not a guarantee.
“Oh shit,” Jason whispers, sounding very small. He twists his large hands in his lap, hunched in on himself in a way that makes Charlie feel a little guilty for all the teasing. “I have a crush on Emerson.”
