Seal the Deal (Kings of Heart #4)

Chapter 1 Andrew

“I can’t believe we’re late.”

“We’re not late,” Charlie objects. “It’s literally only twenty minutes past.”

“And the fitting appointment was at two,” Andrew points out, tapping his fingers on the steering wheel while he waits for the red light to change. Three taps with the left hand, three with the right. He repeats it until the light turns green.

“It’s just Alec, he’s not going to get mad.”

“That’s not the point,” Andrew sighs. “The point is it’s rude to be late. It shows we don’t respect someone else’s time.”

Being late also makes Andrew feel wrong, but he’s given up trying to explain that to Charlie whose sense of time is about as fantastical as his wardrobe.

“Listen, I know you hate being late, but it’s literally less than half an hour. Relax.”

The words have the opposite of a relaxing effect.

“Next time you can drive yourself,” Andrew says, shooting his twin brother with what he hopes is a menacing glare.

“And deprive you of my company?” Charlie gasps. “Never. Besides, it would be a waste of gas to use two cars when we’re going to the same place.”

“Then be ready when it’s time to leave next time, or you’re going to be wasting gas whether you like it or not,” Andrew says.

It’s an empty threat, despite how anxious it makes him every time they’re late—something that happens often since Charlie is allergic to being on time—Andrew will never leave him behind.

He refuses to admit that to Charlie though; he takes enough liberties as it is.

“Fine, fine,” Charlie says with a wave of his hand. “Look, there’s a parking spot in front.”

Sure enough, one of the coveted curb parking spots in front of the tailor shop where they’re meeting their brother for wedding suits fitting is available. Andrew parks, barely shutting the engine off before exiting his car.

“Hurry up.”

“Bossy fucker,” Charlie replies, exhibiting not an ounce of anxiety about the fact that they’re now over twenty minutes late for their suit fitting for their youngest brother’s upcoming nuptials.

“You’re so annoying.”

“You love me.” Charlie grins, slipping his sunglasses into his hair before falling into step beside Andrew. “Is everyone coming?”

Everyone, meaning their youngest brother Alec, Alec’s fiancé Theo, their other brother and also Theo’s best friend Jason and Jason’s boyfriend Emerson, all of whom are set to be in his brother’s wedding.

“Did you pay attention at all when Alec called and told us what time to be here?”

“No,” Charlie admits. “I knew you’d pay attention for both of us.”

Andrew sighs, but can’t find it in himself to be surprised. He’s been keeping his brother on track since they were old enough to walk. It’s his fault as much as Charlie’s that he expects Andrew to keep track of everything. Besides, between the two of them, he’s more reliable with details.

“I don’t know how Eden puts up with you,” Andrew sighs, thinking about Charlie’s boyfriend. While the entire family has welcomed him with open arms, he and Charlie’s relationship is new enough, he is not actually in the wedding.

“Excuse you,” Charlie grumps, “Eden adores me.”

“Eden called you an annoying asshole before we left your house this morning.”

“What’s your point?” Charlie asks while opening the door to the tailors, waving Andrew in first. “I’m a fucking delight.”

“You’re something,” Andrew replies, well aware that while Charlie’s boyfriend does adore him, Eden also agrees with Andrew that Charlie is a pain in the ass.

A lovable, loyal, amazing pain in the fucking ass.

Neither of them would change Charlie for the world, but they still like to give him shit, especially Eden.

“There you two are,” Denise exclaims the second they step through the door. “You’re late. I already sent Theo, Jason and Emerson into the back rooms to try on their suits. Alec is in the front dressing room waiting for you.”

Denise owns this shop and is one of Andrew’s closest friends, her smile warming when she looks at Andrew.

“I’m sorry,” Andrew apologizes, even though it’s not his fault.

“Don’t worry, doll.” Denise walks closer, and Andrew automatically bends himself in half so she can kiss his cheek. “I know it wasn’t your fault.”

“Hey,” Charlie gasps. “How do you know it was me?”

Denise levels her sternest look at Charlie. She’s short in stature but solid, and her fresh undercut and perfectly tailored suit give her an intense air. “Charlie King, it’s always your fault.”

Charlie opens his mouth to protest then laughs. “Fair.”

“You two go find Alec. I’ve just got to make a call, and then I’ll come in to start marking for adjustments.”

Andrew’s been to Denise’s enough over the years for custom pieces or basic tailoring that he knows her place as well as his own home. With a hand at Charlie’s back, he guides him through the door that leads to the fitting areas. Moving directly to the first door, he knocks twice.

“That better fucking be you two.”

“It’s us two,” Andrew confirms.

The door swings open to reveal their youngest brother Alec.

Despite his frazzled expression and messy curls, the custom suit makes him appear older than Andrew is used to, especially since he usually lives in athletic wear or oversized cropped t-shirts.

Even though Alec is twenty-two now and engaged, it’s sometimes difficult to think of him as a fully-fledged grown up.

“You look handsome, Alec.”

“Yeah? I feel kind of weird.” The pinch between Alec’s eyebrows intensifies as he smooths a hand down his belly, fingering the sky blue buttons on his silk shirt. “You think Theo will like it?”

“Theo is going to love it because he loves you,” Andrew tells him.

Alec stands just a little bit taller. “Thanks.”

“Theo’s going to sob like a baby when he looks at you.” Charlie moves around Andrew, wrapping Alec in a hug. “I also might cry. I can’t believe my little baby is getting married.”

“Not a fucking baby,” Alec huffs, returning the hug with such force Charlie falls into Andrew, who is then pulled into the hug. It’s a bit uncomfortable, but nice too. Andrew lets himself appreciate the contact for several long seconds before stepping out of the embrace.

“Has anyone made sure Theo and Jason are actually getting dressed?” Andrew questions, well aware of the way the two of them can get distracted. “Maybe I should check on them.”

“I’m sure they’re fine,” Alec says. “Emerson usually keeps Jason on track, and when Jason is on track, so is Theo. Don’t worry about them though, I want to see you in your suit too. You and Charlie both. Don’t make me be the only one in a penguin suit.”

“That’s technically a suit not a tuxedo,” Andrew points out.

“Whatever. It doesn’t stretch,” Alec huffs.

“You could’ve gotten married in sweats, you know,” Charlie says. “There’s no rule that you have to wear a suit to get married, and even if there was, rules are meant to be broken. If I ever got married, I’d wear Crocs and maybe some comfortable linen pants.”

Andrew snorts. “Pretty sure Eden would kill you if you tried to get married in Crocs.”

“I know,” Charlie grins. “That’d be fun.”

“Weirdo,” Alec laughs, expression sobering. “Are you thinking about proposing?”

“Fuck no, Eden would kill me and not in the fun way. I was just talking in hypotheticals.”

Charlie shrugs, brushing it off further when Alec asks more questions, but Andrew can’t help but wonder.

For all Charlie was commitment-phobic before he met Eden, and for all Eden rails against social expectations, both of them are deeply committed to each other in their weird way.

They just work, and whether they ever get married legally or not, Andrew is pretty sure they’re endgame.

The same way Alec and Theo are. The same way Jason and Emerson are.

All of his brothers have a significant other, a partner they love deeply who makes them happier than they’ve ever been.

As happy as Andrew is for all of them, and as much as he adores all of his brothers’ partners, a seed of jealousy and discontent settles in his chest when he thinks about them all paired off.

All of them are so happy. Andrew is happy for them, too.

Even if it makes him hyper aware of how single he is, and the fact that he doesn’t have anyone special to bring to the wedding this summer.

At Andrew’s urging, they’re doing the fitting early.

There are still four months until the wedding.

He might find someone. Maybe. No sooner does he think that, he wants to laugh.

If he hasn’t found someone who wants to be around him by now, after over a decade of failed dating attempts, he’s sure as shit not going to find someone special enough to bring to his little brother’s wedding.

Instead, he’ll be doomed to be the eternal bachelor.

“Earth to Andrew.”

“Huh?”

“I said ‘Earth to Andrew,’” Alec repeats. “You okay? You zoned out.”

“I’m fine,” Andrew automatically answers, not sure whether it’s true or not but positive that it doesn’t matter regardless.

Not today. This is Alec’s day. Alec’s tux fitting for his wedding.

He’s not going to let any of them know how much it’s dredging up painful feelings of loneliness or jealousy. He’d rather die.

“I’m going to go ask Denise something really quick,” Andrew says.

“Ask her what?” Charlie questions.

“None of your business,” Andrew replies, both because Charlie is a nosy bastard and because he has no idea what he’s going to ask. It’s merely an excuse to get out of this room for a few minutes before the urge to claw his own skin off becomes obvious to his brothers.

He intends to hide in the little sitting area for a few minutes, but the plan is thwarted when he steps out of Alec’s dressing room and finds Jason, Emerson and Theo all sprawled on the couches.

Or more accurately, Jason is plopped on the middle, Theo is leaned against him on one side and Emerson is curled into his other side.

“Aren’t you three cozy.”