Page 105 of Break the Rule
“I’m not anti-romance.”
“I’m not sure what else you call sleeping your way through Santa Leon and all five neighboring cities in this county.” He brandishes a spatula in Charlie’s direction. “And before you say it, I’m not slut-shaming you, I’m pointing out that you’re as bad as Theo is. Or was. He’s better now.”
Alec looks so proud as he says it, so secure in his relationship. He always was the bravest of all the Kings, never afraid to stand firm for what he wanted even when everyone, Charlie included, told him to let it go—to let Theo go.
“I’m happy for you, Alec. Theo’s good for you.”
“Are you sure you didn’t get into Andrew’s wine? He buys that fruity stuff that tastes like juice. Dangerous shit.”
“I’m serious, he’s a good man. You and Theo, and now Jason and Emerson.”
“You’re being weird as fuck.” Alec narrows his eyes, brandishing the spatula at Charlie and sending a few stray pieces of onion and celery flying. “Talk.”
“Talk about what?” Charlie tries, stalling.
“About whatever the fuck has gotten into you.”
“I thought you wanted me to be nice to Theo.”
“I do,” Alec says, flipping the burner on the stove off before stalking towards Charlie. He puts his hands on the kitchen island, hopping up onto the top so his legs dangle off the edge. “You’re still being weird. You’ve also been weird in the group chat.”
“I have not.”
Alec arches one eyebrow and Charlie sighs. Okay, maybe he has.
“It’s not a big thing, or maybe it is,” Charlie says, leaning back against the kitchen island. Maybe it’ll be easier if he’s not looking Alec in the eyes. “I think I met someone.”
“Like someone you might wanna fuck more than once?”
“Like someone I have fucked more than once. “
“No shit?” Alec grins. “You caught feelings?”
Feelings.
That’s one word for it. Lust. Affection. Joy. Desire. Passion. Eden invokes a lot of feelings in Charlie. Big, inescapable feelings. Most shocking of all, is the fact that he doesn’t want to escape them.
A few months ago, the idea of having a boyfriend was inconceivable, now the idea of a future without Eden is the thing Charlie can’t imagine.
“You could say that.”
“I knew it would happen eventually,” Alec smirks. “I fucking knew it. What are they like? He, she, or they? What’s their name? Tell me everything.”
“Eden,” Charlie offers with a smile. “He’s...he’s something special, Ally.”
“Eden.” Alec says his name as if testing it out. “When do I get to meet him?”
“Today.”
“Today.” Alec blinks. “Wait, you’re serious?”
“Yeah.”
There’s a weird tightness in his chest, a longing for something he’s never wanted before. He wants his brothers to like Eden. He wants Eden to like them. He wants Eden to fit with Charlie’s friends and family so he wants to stick around.
He waits for Alec’s boisterous reaction, surprised when there’s nothing but silence. Daring a glance at his baby brother, he’s taken aback by the look in his eyes.
“So, it’s serious?”
