Page 2 of Break the Rule
“Any chance I have to consume without contributing to capitalism makes me happy. Besides, canapés taste better when they’re free. I don't make the rules. For example, caviar tastes like shit, but free caviar is a fucking delight.”
“If someone paid for it at all, it’s still capitalism,” Andrew points out, slowly moving into Charlie’s personal space. His shoulder presses against Charlie’s and something in Charlie relaxes. Andrew might be the oldest, but Charlie has always felt an overwhelming need to protect him. The only brother he doesn’t feel this with is his younger brother Jason, and that’s only because Jason has incredible boundaries and always had Theo, his best friend, at his side. Andrew and his youngest brother Alec, for all their bravado and strength, are the most likely to be lonely—or get hurt.
Charlie would rather die than see anyone he loves get hurt. Especially Andrew. Growing up, people joked about their twin bond, but as they’ve grown into adulthood Charlie knows there’s nothing funny about it. Andrew is quite literally his other half. It’s a large reason—the main reason, if he’s being honest, and he always is—that he sticks to casual sex. Most people aren’t comfortable sharing Charlie, and he is never going to make room for someone new in his life by pushing Andrew out.
“You’ve been stressed lately, are you not liking the new job?”
“I’ve been there for a few months. I'm not sure it still counts as new.”
“That is an evasive answer.”
Andrew hums, staring at the mug of coffee Charlie hands him. “You gave me the whore mug again.”
“I did not.”
“Yes, you did.”
“No, I didn’t,” Charlie objects, staring into his own mug full of coffee. This set of mugs is one of his favorite things in the kitchen, which is maybe not saying much since he doesn’t use his kitchen unless it’s to reheat leftovers. Still, they’re fucking awesome mugs he bought at a Maker’s Market. Being hand thrown means each one is technically slightly different, but the shape and glazing is so similar that Charlie honestly can’t tell them apart. The only difference in the set is that on the bottom inside of each mug is a stamped phrase ranging fromcoffee sluttodon’t be a fuckfaceand Charlie’s personal favoriteshut your whore mouth.
“Yes, you did,” Andrew insists.
“I’m too tired to argue,” Charlie groans, setting his mug on the counter and dropping his face into his hands.
“Maybe if you slept instead of staying up all night entertaining company, you wouldn’t be so tired. You’re in your thirties now, you know.”
“You’re the same age as me, and you don’t get enough sleep either. Besides,” Charlie smirks, “Emma did the entertaining.”
Andrew sighs. “I did not need to know that.”
“I didn’t say anything about sex,” Charlie points out. “Speaking of sex though, there was this guy last night?—”
“Wow, two in one night that’s a record for you.”
“I didn’t fuck two people, only one. Although I’m flattered you think I’m capable. Thank you, Annie.”
“Fucker,” Andrew laughs.
“Seriously though, Annie. This guy was sex on legs. I mean holy shit, he was fucking gorgeous. Easily one of the top three most beautiful people I’ve ever seen in my life. He had thesefull, pink lips, and his eye makeup was all smudged but on purpose so the eyeliner and glitter brought out his eyes. I’ve never seen anyone with such bright blue eyes. I could fucking paint those eyes. And his face, my god—literally the face of a fucking angel.” Charlie pauses, watching Andrew’s unmasked expressions rapidly shift. “What?”
“I’m trying to figure out how you brought home someone else when you’re talking about this guy like that.”
“Oh that,” Charlie scoffs, reaching for his coffee. “I didn’t actually ask him out or anything. He brushed me off since he was busy and I don’t know…I couldn’t think of anything to say.”
“Wow.”
“What do you meanwow?”
“I mean wow,” Andrew repeats.
“I’m going to see him again tonight, assuming he’s working again. He was one of the waiters and—now what?”
“I didn’t say anything.”
“Your face did,” Charlie accuses.
“Would you like me to stare at the wall while you finish talking so you don’t have to look at me?”
“Smart ass,” Charlie grumbles, lightly smacking the back of Andrew’s head. “Anyways, I’m—what?”
