Page 103 of Break the Rule
“I posted about it online.”
“I don’t use social media, you know that.”
“Afraid your pretty face might break the internet?” Zach grins, giving Charlie’s shoulder a squeeze.
“Naturally.” Charlie nosily eyes Zach’s handbasket, taking in the array of frozen meals. “So what brings you back? I thought you said you'd never leave New York.”
The last Charlie remembers was Zach going away to NYC for film school. He’s tried to keep in touch, but his dislike of social media and phones made it difficult. Zach was in town for their ten year high school reunion a few years ago. He and Andrew had dinner with him and a bunch of other friends, but he hasn’t kept up with his life.
“Ah, yeah. Me and Stacy got divorced, and I guess I missed home.”
“Divorced? I didn’t even know you were married.”
“Bit of a shotgun thing.” Zach clears his throat. “How’s your other half? I assume he’s still living in Santa Leon?”
“Yeah, Andrew still lives in town. Over in those new apartments on the hill.”
Zach whistles. “So he’s doing well for himself then? I thought he’d be living with you.”
“We lived together for a few years after college, but he got sick of my messy ass.”
“You sure you didn’t get sick of his nitpicking?” Zach grins.
“He keeps me on my toes,” Charlie replies, resisting the urge to frown. Zach’s always been a bit of a tease but after years away, he’d almost forgotten. He doesn’t mind being the butt of a joke but finds he doesn’t like it so much when it’s Andrew.
“So what’s the occasion?” Zach asks, eying his cart with interest. “You going to a butter convention?”
“Oh no, me and my brothers are hosting our yearly Friendsgiving tomorrow. You should come.”
“Yeah? You sure you won’t mind another mouth to feed?”
“I’m sure,” Charlie tells him, already pulling out his phone. “Alec always cooks twice as much food as we need. I’ll just text Andrew and let him know to expect one more.”
“No,” Zach says, a familiar smile on his face. “Let me surprise him tomorrow. I haven’t seen him in years.”
“Andrew doesn’t like surprises,” Charlie reminds him.
“Aw, come on. I wanna see his face when I walk in. For old times sake. It’ll be like when we were back in high school, the three amigos.”
“Yeah, alright,” Charlie concedes, wondering exactly how many surprises there are going to be tomorrow.
“If you don’t stoppacing, I’m going to scream,” Andrew’s tone is eerily calm despite his words.
“Sorry,” Charlie sighs, unused to the low grade sense of unease buzzing under his skin.
If this is how Andrew feels every day, he’s not sure how his brother copes. Andrew was right, Charlie rarely worries about anything, but he’s worried about today. Whether he’s more worried about what Eden will think of his friends and family or what Alec is going to think about Eden, he’s not sure. Jason likes everyone, so there’s nothing to worry about there, but Alec is going to be pissed, and given that Eden rarely likes anyone, today might be a shit show. He also feels guilty not telling Andrew about Zach. He might be an old friend, but Andrew really does hate surprises.
“Go outside and check the tables or something.”
“I did when Jason dropped them off earlier. I’ve checked everything, twice, and taken Birdie for a walk around the neighborhood. I also put the tablecloths on the folding tables in the yard and set out the centerpieces you brought.”
“Are you bored? Do you need another job? You can count forks. We need fourteen.”
“Fifteen.”
“No, it's fourteen I counted.”
“I uh…invited another friend,” Charlie says, as much as he can say without ruining Zach’s surprise.
