Page 3 of Break the Rule
Andrew holds his hands up in surrender. “I still didn’t say anything.”
“You might as well have. I can’t talk with that nosey fucking face of yours. Spit it out.”
“I’m just curious about this mystery man. You’ve never taken more than one night to shoot your shot. You just do it and then move on to someone else if they’re not interested. Does Charlie King have a crush?”
“Fuck no,” Charlie balks. It’s been over a decade since Charlie had a crush on anyone, and after how abysmally his last relationship ended when they told him to pick between themand Andrew, he won’t have another one. Casual sex is perfect. Sexually gratifying and emotionally freeing. “Besides I did move on, as evidenced by the woman here this morning. Which I’m sorry about by the way.”
“It’s your house,” Andrew says, holding his mug too tightly. “You don’t need to apologize to me for having someone here.”
“Annie.”
“So are you gonna ask out that guy tonight?” Andrew asks.
“Might as well,” Charlie shrugs, letting the not at all subtle attempt to change the subject slide. “I’ve got nothing to lose but my pride, and we know how little I care for that.”
Andrew hums while Charlie groans. “What does that mean?”
“It means nothing,” Andrew tries, slowly drinking his coffee.
Though he strongly suspects it does in fact have a deeper meaning, Charlie lets it go, content when they fall into a companionable silence. For all he and Andrew bicker, there’s no one in the world who knows him better, and Andrew always knows when Charlie needs a rare bit of quiet. He doesn’t push or ask more questions, quietly drinking his coffee. It’s only when he’s finished that he nudges Charlie.
“I told you,” Andrew announces, tipping his empty mug in Charlie’s direction to show off the bottom. Sure enough there at the bottom of the cup is the wordwhoresurrounded by droplets of coffee.
“Neurospicy bastard,” Charlie laughs, somehow still surprised by Andrew’s ability to notice even the miniscule difference.
“I love being right,” Andrew grins, a lilt to his voice that was noticeably missing when he arrived. He pushes his stool away from the kitchen island and stands. “I’m going to do the grocery shopping. I’d invite you, but you’d add too many things that aren’t on the list. Just stay here, be a good boy and don’t get into trouble.”
“But trouble is so much fun, Annie.”
“Fucker,” Andrew snorts. “I’ll be back later, alright?”
“Why are you coming back at six?”
“To bring groceries so you don’t starve, and so that we have time to get ready for tonight.”
“Tonight?”
“I’m coming to your gallery showing.” Andrew’s smile widens. “I’ve got to see this mystery man for myself.”
2CHARLIE
“Wake up.”
The far too loud and familiar pitch of Andrew’s voice drags Charlie out of sleep land. Not at all prepared to wake up, he rolls onto his stomach and buries his face in the pillow. He was having the best dream. There was definitely a blow job involved and?—
“Hey,” Charlie whines when his blankets are yanked off, leaving his bare ass exposed. Rubbing his body against the still warm sheets, he attempts to soak up the lingering warmth.
“Time to rise and shine, sleepyhead.”
Charlie grunts, flipping Andrew the middle finger.
“You have the worst manners.”
“You’re my brother, you don’t get manners,” Charlie tells him, turning his face to peer at Andrew, who is not at all unexpectedly dressed in a crisp, perfectly fitting black suit. His tie is perfect, as are the matching pocket square and his hair, which he’s styled off to the side in a swoop. He is put together and handsome. It makes Charlie cranky, realizing he’s going to have to do the same thing. The only thing he hates more than clothes are fancy clothes. He wore one of his favorite paisley silk shirts to the opening last night, but Amanda, his agent, told him in no uncertain terms a suit was expected for the second night.Something Charlie complained to Andrew in text messages, which he apparently took to heart, judging by the matching suit hanging up behind him.
“No,” is all Charlie says, aware he’s being petulant but not caring.
“Yes.”
