“The fuck you talking about?” Nicholas frowns. “You didn’t do anything.”
“I did,” Andrew counters. “I went into this deal with you knowing if things went public it would affect the people I love. When you said we were going to keep it quiet, I selfishly decided I didn’t need to tell them yet, and look where that got us. Charlie’s been worried all day, and he said Alec missed his classes, and Jason had to have his assistant coach take over morning practices because he was so worried. That’s my fault.”
“Pretty sure your brothers are fucking adults, who cares.”
“I care, Nicki. That’s part of loving people. You care when they hurt, or they’re worried, especially when it’s my own fault.”
“This is why I don’t do feelings. That’s too much fucking work.”
“Maybe one day you’ll find someone worth it.” Andrew’s lips are turned down in a frown that makes Nicholas want to hit someone, except he’s pretty sure he’s the reason it’s there. Him and his deal and blowing things with the paparazzi and being an asshole.
“Un-fucking-likely.”
“Whatever you say.”
“Exactly. WhatIsay.”
“Would you like something to bang your chest with next? Or maybe something else to display your dominance?”
“Fuck you,” Nicholas gripes without any real bite.
Were anyone else saying that to him, he would probably be pissed. Somehow coming from Andrew, it’s lacking whatever it is that would normally put Nicholas on the defensive.
“So,Annie?” He prompts, knocking his knee against Andrew’s.
“Charlie couldn’t pronounce my name when we were little, and instead of Andrew, it sounded like Annie. It just stuck even when we got older. People tried to tell him it was a girl’s name, but to be honest I think it just pissed him off more. Charlie’s always hated gender norms.”
“Think I’ll stick with princess,” Nicholas smirks, giving in to temptation and reaching out to touch Andrew’s hair. It’s softer than it looks, the thick strands sliding between his fingertips. Not even the ache in his knuckles matters, just the glide of his fingers through Andrew’s hair when he does it again.
“Yeah, yeah, tease all you want, I’m used to it,” Andrew says, swatting Nicholas’s hands away. It’s on the tip of Nicholas’s tongue to point out he hadn’t been teasing when Andrew continues speaking. “Do me a favor though, don’t call me thatin front of my brothers if you ever meet them. They tease me enough as it is.”
Nicholas grunts, having no intention of letting anyone else hear that nickname now. It’s for Andrew and Andrew alone. Besides with the way things are going he probably won’t ever meet them anyway.
“So loquacious,” Andrew says with a shake of his head. He rubs his hands on his knees then stands up. “I should head home and uh, well—pack, I guess. For at least a few days until this blows over, and I can get out of your hair.”
“It won’t blow over for awhile,” Nicholas shrugs, which is as close as he’s capable of coming to admitting he has no desire to see Andrew go any time soon.
“I should go then,” Andrew says. “I’ve gotta get my car somehow, too. I could call an Uber or?—”
“Don’t you fucking dare call an Uber,” Nicholas interrupts, offended by the very idea. “I’m driving.”
“Oh, I didn’t wanna put you out. Today’s your day off, and?—”
“Andrew.”
“Yeah?”
“Shut up.”
“Rude,” Andrew huffs, crossing his arms. It’s kind of offensive how even that is attractive. Can people become more attractive as time goes on? That should be fucking illegal. Somehow, the more time Nicholas spends with Andrew, the more every single thing about him turns him on. If he one day pops a hard on for Andrew’s polo shirts or khakis, he’s going to fucking riot.
“What did I tell you this morning?” Nicholas demands.
“If I need something, I will tell you. I know you said that, but?—”
“No fucking buts,” Nicholas cuts him off. “Besides those goddamn paparazzi might still be there.”
“What are you gonna do if they are, fight them?” Andrew snorts, seemingly amused by the prospect.
