Page 85 of Break the Rule
“Pity Charlie doesn’t drink Red Bull. Although maybe that’s for the best. Can you imagine Charlie on an energy drink?”
“That’s a terrifying prospect,” Eden laughs, watching Andrew rise from the table and head to the fridge. He shuffles a few things around before returning with a very familiar can, dropping it in front of Eden.
“You just said Charlie doesn’t drink these.”
“You do though.” Andrew sits, slowly sipping his own coffee. “You mentioned it on the first day you texted me.”
“But, why is it here?”
“Because you like them,” Andrew repeats, as if it will make more sense the second time around. At Eden’s clear confusion, Andrew continues. “I wasn’t sure if you would be here this morning, but on the off chance you were, well—I thought there should be some in the fridge for you. When you asked for coffee this morning, I thought maybe you drank both so I didn’t mention it, but I’m suspecting that’s not the case.”
“Do you regularly buy preferred beverages for your brother’s one-night stands?” Eden wonders, popping the lid on the can. He takes a huge chug to wash away the lingering aftertaste of the coffee, a smile tugging at his lips at the familiar burn of sugary chemical goodness.
“I don’t think it counts as a one-night stand if it keeps happening,” Andrew says with a pointed look. “Besides I’ve never had a cup of coffee with anyone Charlie was dating. There’s a first time for everything.”
“We’re not dating,” Eden protests.
Judging by the expression on Andrew’s face, he has thoughts about that. Eden has thoughts, too. Messy thoughts he doesn’t want to discuss with Charlie or Andrew or anyone, not even Addy. If he says they’re not dating, it keeps this casual and ensures neither of them get hurt when Charlie eventually gets tired of Eden. Which he will. Everyone does.
Unlike Andrew who is polite and tactful, Eden is neither.
“Why haven’t you ever had coffee with any of them?” Eden questions.
Andrew appears pensive, taking a drink of his coffee before twisting the mug in front of him. He taps the handle with each of the fingers on his left and then his right before he answers. “Most people don’t want me hanging around when they’re making a move on my brother. Having the asexual twin brother of the guy you wanna fuck around is probably cockblocking.”
“Fuck them,” Eden grits out.
“It’s okay, Eden.”
“No, it’s not. Fuck people who only care about someone when they can get sex from them.Fuck them.”
“Are we talking about me or you?” Andrew asks.
Were it anyone else, even Addy, he’s pretty sure he would deny it. Somehow with Andrew the truth is easier than a lie.
“Bit of both maybe?”
“For what it’s worth, I’m not mad about it. I’m used to it.”
“You should never get used to people treating you like shit just because you and Charlie are kind of codependent or because you’re ace.”
“Who says we’re codependent?” Andrew asks with a quirked lip.
“You snuck in while he had company to bring him groceries because he can’t buy his own food. He also takes any opportunity to bring you up, and you mentioned him at least once a day when we texted. You guys are the poster twins for codependency. Ikind of figured you two were a package deal. Not that Charlie is mine or whatever.”
“And that…wouldn’t bother you?” Andrew asks, his fingers curled around his mug so tightly his knuckles are white.
“No, why would it? I like you.”
“You don’t mince words and you don’t lie. I think you and Charlie could be good for each other.”
“I told you, we’re not…no.”
They lapse into silence, at least until Eden opens his mouth again.
“So you’re ace?”
“I am.”
