Page 4 of Break the Rule
“S’too early for this, take pity on me.”
“It’s literally nighttime,” Andrew corrects. “And you’re the one who told me you needed to wear a suit tonight.”
“I was bitching, not looking for a keeper.” Charlie rolls away from Andrew, closing his eyes. His attempts at falling back asleep are thwarted when his pillow is yanked from beneath his head. Fucking Andrew.
“The gallery doesn’t even open until eight, Annie. Let me sleep.”
“I let you sleep all day. I brought over your groceries at one, cleaned your kitchen, then went home and read an entire book before I showered, changed and came back. I’m bored, and you need to get up to get ready.”
“You can’t make me,” Charlie grumbles, rolling onto his back before throwing an arm over his eyes.
“I can and I will,” Andrew retorts in a tone that leaves no question about how serious he is. “Time to wake up, princess.”
“If either of us is a princess, it’s y—” his stolen pillow slams into his face with unexpected force, cutting off the rest of what he was going to say and reminding him why, despite Andrew’s mild-mannered appearance and personality, he’s the last King man you should tease.
“Shit,” Charlie curses, rolling off the bed and onto the floor. His knees hit the rug with a thud at the same time the pillow smacks him in the back of the head a second time. “I’m fucking awake, calm down. Did you read a fucking action book or something earlier?”
“It was a fantasy novel about—well,” Andrew pauses, clearing his throat. “It was a romance.”
Romance, Andrew code for one of his spicy books. If Charlie wasn’t slightly terrified of being hit with the pillow a third time he might tease him, but it’s clear Andrew isn’t going to put up with Charlie’s bullshit tonight, and the truth is he needs Andrew’s help getting into that god forsaken suit. He also really wants Andrew with him tonight. The gallery opening last night wasboring.
Most of the time Charlie loves showcasing his art, but he does better at the smaller galleries. This weekend’s showcase is at one of the premiere galleries in Santa Leon, and while Charlie is fully aware of the prestige of this and the potential income he can generate, he absolutely fucking hates having to wine and dine with rich people who want a piece of him before buying his art. The first night is manageable, the second becomes torture.
What Charlie needs tonight is his twin, and maybe that hot blonde’s phone number. Getting that would definitely make tonight better.
“Are you going to get up?” Andrew asks.
“Eventually,” Charlie replies, spreading his legs wide and lowering himself into a deep stretch to wake up his muscles. “The carpet is itchy on my balls.”
“You could fix that by sleeping in clothing. They make these novel things called pajamas.”
“I hate pajamas. They’re stifling,” Charlie says, arching his feet while grabbing his toes. It stretches his calves in the most delicious way. “You know I need to be free when I sleep, and that includes my dick and ass.”
“Your dick and ass could be free in boxers.”
“They need to breathe.”
“I don’t know if you’re aware, but cotton is a breathable fabric.”
“Oh shut the fuck up,” Charlie hisses, too cranky to be witty. “I’m hungry. Did you bring me food?”
“I told you, I filled your kitchen with groceries.”
“Groceries aren’t food. I don’t want to cook. I want toeat.”
“Useless fucker,” Andrew grumbles.
“Aw, you love me,” Charlie smirks. He tilts his head up, pleased to see fond exasperation on Andrew’s face. There’s something comforting about someone who knows everything about you, accepting you, that’s always made Charlie feel settled. “You brought me food, didn’t you? Didn’t you, Annie?”
Charlie knows a lot of what Andrew does for him he could do himself, but he often forgets or doesn’t prioritize it, and he likes having Andrew around all the time to help and remind him. That and he knows Andrew loves to micromanage him. They’re maybe slightly codependent, but they literally shared a womb; it's not Charlie’s fault he’s attached to his twin, and he’s literally Charlie’s favorite person in the world.
“Yes, I brought you food.” Andrew walks around Charlie to straighten the bedding. “You think I was gonna try to get you in a suit on an empty stomach? I’m stubborn, not stupid. I stopped on the way here and got youarroz con mole.”
“From Juanita’s in the strip mall?” Charlie perks up. “Also stop making my bed, it looks too neat.”
“Of course from Juanita’s. It’s the bestmolein town.”
At the mention of his favorite food, Charlie’s mouth waters. Everything Juanita makes is delicious but themoleis Charlie’s favorite–the savory, sweet sauce balanced perfectly by its earthiness. It’s also got a heat that builds in your throat fromGuajillochiles which Charlie loves.
