4.9 Figuring Things Out

The following morning Charlie and Andrew came down for breakfast everyone was waiting for them. Emmaline looked up a sparkle in her eyes and a mischievous grin upon her face. "Did you do the nasty?" she asked.

Drew and Caleb both looked up with interest despite their puffy red eyes at the thought of their son having sex in the privacy of his own room.

"I err...we um..." Andrew stammered unsure what to say or where to look as his face heated up.

"Wouldn't you like to know?" Charlie asked winking at her.

"You didn't" she concluded "if you had you'd be as red as Andy." She smirked up at him "I bet you slept on the floor in that old sleeping bag like you used to."

Turning towards Andrew he shrugged "it's not use. She's too smart."

"I told you," Andrew sat down face still burning despite knowing how his sister would react.

"What am I going to do with you guys?" she asked "draw pictures?"

Andrew dropped his fork with a clatter onto his plate "Emmaline you wouldn't dare."

"Wanna bet," she challenged "better yet I could find a how to video on SimTube."

Charlie choked sending chunks of pancakes flying across the table surface. "That won't be necessary" he croaked eyes watering as he fought to clear his throat.

"Emmie" Drew chided "that's quite enough."

"I'm just trying to help," she retorted "if left up to them they'll both die virgins."

"Emmaline" Caleb's voice came out like thunder despite the amusement in his eyes "your brother's sex life is none of your concern."

"You mean lack of sex life," she snickered.

"Emmie" Caleb said "your brother will figure it out without your help."

"He's taking too long," she protested "I'm just trying to speed things along."

"Some things need to play out on their own" he told her "now leave your brother alone."

***

To her surprise the purple haired boy did not come to sit next to her on the plane. She was some what shocked to realize the depth of her disappointment when she walked past his seat in first class to reach her seat in coach. It wasn't fair that he would be sitting in comfort while she was sitting between two overweight, smelly neanderthals. 

She waved down a stewardess "is there any way I can get a seat in first class?"

"No ma'am" the stewardess said her eyes scanning the other passengers "you should have made those arrangement prior to boarding the plane." She walked off intent on finishing her preflight checklist.

Not to be deterred Indira excused herself as she attempted to gracefully step over the overweight man blacking her access to the aisle. Despite the fact she had to buck the steady flow of passengers still milling around finding seats and overhead space for bags she made her way to first class. Sitting in the empty seat next to the object of her desire she smiled saying "we meet again."

To his dismay the young man found himself looking into the expectant green eyes of a pretty girl. His hopes of having a quiet flight were quickly being dashed "I thought you were sitting back there somewhere" he jerked his head towards coach.

"Do you really think a girl like me flies coach?" she blinked her green eyes up at him. 

"She does if she wants to fly at all," the stewardess said from above her in a no nonsense tone.

"Excuse me," Indira scowled up at the annoying woman.

"I need  you to take your assigned seat," the stewardess said her gaze and tone unmoved by the girls attitude.

"I don't see why I can't just sit here," Indira told her settling into the seat "no one else will be sitting here.  Unless you're planning on opening the door again."

Crossing her arms the stewardess repeated "seat changes must be made prior to boarding. Please take your assigned seat." While she was talking an older man exited the cock pit and approached whispering in her ear. "But sir this passenger belongs in coach.."

"The captain is ready to take off" the co-pilot repeated "you can't expect him to delay take off because of one passenger in the wrong seat."

"Understood sir," the stewardess acknowledged turning to Indira "you'll need to pay for the upgrade in seating once we land." Her voice stiff with ill disguised anger.

Smiling smugly Indira turned to to  her companion "See I always get my way."

***

"Boys if your not busy we'd like to talk to you," Caleb said approaching them as they cleaned up the breakfast dishes.

"Sure dad, what about?" Andrew asked closing the dishwasher.

"Just come into the living room when you're done," Caleb told them as he left.

"Should I be concerned?" Charlie asked as he wiped the counter clean.

"Why should you be?" Andrew asked attempting to give the impression of nonchalance .

"You don't think they're upset that we spent the night together?" Charlie asked brows knitting together.

"We didn't do anything wrong," Andrew shrugged "I guess they want to set some ground rules thanks to Emmie's little comments at breakfast."

"I was really hoping to get her to think we had really done something," Charlie  laughed "but she saw right through me."

"The little shyster knew exactly what she was doing," Andrew shook his head fondly.

"She's too smart for her own good," Charlie agreed "to be honest though I wouldn't have come here if it weren't for her." He moved closer to Andrew taking his hand and tilting his chin up to gaze into his grey eyes "we owe her our thanks."

Heart pounding an uneven rhythm Andrew dropped his eyes, focusing on Charlies soft full lips. Memories of how those lips felt pressed against his the night before invaded his senses. His skin tingled where Charlies fingers touched his. Running his tongue across his bottom lip Andrew leaned in close to Charlie....

"Kiss him already," Emmaline's voice broke the daze he was in.

"Why I ought to...." Andrew yelled after her as she vanished out the door on her way to the pool.

"We should see what your parents want," Charlie told him when he moved to follow the girl.

Hearing the worry in Charlie's tone Andrew turned to follow him from the room asking "what's wrong?"

"Maybe they aren't as open to our relationship as we thought," Charlie said "maybe what happened with Indira made them change their minds."

Shaking his head Andrew asserted "that's not it. I'm positive." Taking Charlie's hand "there's only way to find out. Let's go and hear what the have to say."

***

They walked into the living room hand in hand. Drew to turned to Caleb with a smile "I told you they were together."

"Is there a problem with us being together?" Charlie asked. He tried to keep the worry from his voice. From the exchange of glances he knew he hadn't been successful.

Clearing his throat Caleb leaned forward looking at each of the boys in turn. He read a mixture of fear, worry and embarrassment in their eyes. Smiling he sat back hoping to put them at ease. "You're not in trouble. We just want to talk. To know what you're intentions are."

"Our intentions," they repeated together exchanging glances "we just um uh figuring things out," Andrew muttered attempting to put into words his feelings and failing. All he was sure about was he must sound as confused as he felt. 

Turning to his wife Caleb chuckled a little "they sound like us when we first realized we had feelings for each other." 

Nodding she leaned into him but addressed her words to the two boys sitting across from them. "It's ok not to know or understand what your feelings are. It's natural to feel somewhat dazed and confused."

"We want to assure you that you're not alone. We're here to help you. If you need someone to talk to...."

"We promise we'll listen," patting Caleb's hand she continued "also we promise not to tell you what to do. I can't promise we won't slip. We only want what's best for you."

Both boys nodded in unison unsure what else was expected. "Charlie, Drew and I both want you to know how sorry we are about your dad. Zayne was a good man and I'm sure he'd be proud of the man you turned out to be."

"I'm not so sure about that," Charlie muttered under his breath.

Caleb threw him a piercing gaze "son take it from me there's very little a child can do to disappoint their parents." Drew squeezed his hand with a iron grip which didn't go unnoticed by Andrew.

"What did you want to tell us?" he asked hoping that Charlie wasn't correct in his assumptions that it had anything to do with Indira's actions the night before. Did they want him to move out?

"We aren't trying to push you," Drew said glancing at her husband who nodded before she continued "but we would like to offer Charlie a place to live."

"We know how difficult it is to start out without support of parents. We want to help as much as you'll let us," Caleb added.

"As you know Andrew we have have that unused apartment over the garage," she smiled at them "if you want to fix it up Charlie, you're more than welcome to stay there."

Caleb fixed them both with a firm glare "we would appreciate it if you kept you nightly activities confined over there." He grunted when Drew's elbow jabbed him in the side.

"Dad" Andrew protested "we've only ever kissed the one time."

"Ah so there was kissing," Drew gave him a knowing glance before bursting into giggles as he squirmed in his seat. 

"I'll take it sir," Charlie said hoping to put an end to the teasing.

"Great," Caleb said standing up, giving each of the boys a firm hug "welcome to the family," he said to Charlie. Turning to Andrew a wicked gleam in his eyes he said "be sure to keep the noise level down over there." He took Drew's hand before they walked from the room.

***

Turning to each other they exhaled all their pent up air. "That was worse than I imagined," Andrew said.

"They were only teasing," Charlie said with a grin "I thought it was cute."

"Ugh" Andrew groaned "can you imagine what they'll be like once we, you know...." words failed him as he looked away.

"Are you embarrassed?" Charlie asked. When Andrew nodded he asked "of me?"

"What?" Andrew's head came up staring at Charlie "of course not."

Moving closer to him Charlie asked in a low husky voice "then what is it?"

"It's just ..." he wrung his hands "you are ...." He half turned away "I've never been kissed before that night." The confession came out half strangled. After having said the words Andrew wished he could take them back. He was almost nineteen. He couldn't think of anything worse to have to admit to the one person you were falling in love with. He could only imagine what Charlie was thinking. The low rumble of laughter coming from the source of his unease was more than he could take "what's so funny?" he demanded.

"You. Us. Everything," Charlie shook his head as laughter shook his body.  "Do you think I'm anymore experienced then you?"

"Well..." he grinned sheepishly "the kiss was...wow...I thought..."

Moving closer Charlie tugged on Andrew pulling him closer "I'm glad you thought I was such a great kisser." Andrew raised his eyes opening his mouth to protest when Charlie captured his mouth with his own. "I've been wanting to do that since we were fifteen." He breathed deeply savoring the moment "I've been in love with you since the moment we met."

Heart pounding in his ears Andrew couldn't believe what he was hearing. Resting his cheek on Charlie's shoulder he never felt more loved. Not once had he felt this way with Sheree. She had been nice but something was always missing. It had hurt when she had rejected him.. Now he was thankful 

Blake had been a different story. He had been attracted to him that day on the beach. It was nothing to what he felt towards Charlie. Something was off about the guy and the way he had to control everything. Shaking his head Andrew sighed melting into Charlie's arms. 

***

A week later they were shopping at the local home depot store for paint. To cover the hideous old lady wallpaper that still clung to the walls in a last ditch effort to remain. "How about this one?" 

Charlie asked picking up a sample "Fallen Timber. This should be dark enough to cover up that awful wallpaper."

Half listening, Andrew was fingering a different sample. "I like this one, Coriander Seed."

Comparing the two Charlie frowned "there's not much difference. You pick the one you like."

"No you have to live with the color," Andrew protested bulking at making the final decision "you should choose."

"Aw isn't this cute?" a familiar voice sneered from behind them.

Startled Andrew dropped the samples he was holding. Turning he came face to face with Blake. Blake had a faint bruise on his chin, the only trace of their last encounter. "Blake," Andrew said his name with a slight quiver in his voice.

Snorting Blake took a step forward "moving kind of quick aren't you?"

"He's moving into the apartment above our garage. I'm helping...."

"Andrew that guy doesn't need an explanation," Charlie eyed the other man "we should go." Turning to the sales clerk he said "we'll take the Coriander Seed. I'll be back to pick it up in an hour." Taking Andrew's hand he said "let's go."

"Not so fast," Blake protested grabbing Andrew's other arm.

Andrew felt Charlie bristle beside him. Turning he said "I should talk to him," he added when he saw the worry in Charlies eyes as his brow's knit together "I'll be alright."

Blake flashed Charlie a triumphant smirk as he led Andrew towards an empty aisle. "I'm giving you one last chance to change your mind." He moved closer to Andrew.

Andrew stepped backwards attempting to put space between them. He bumped into the shelves behind him. "Change my mind? About what?" he asked.

"Don't be so naive. About us. About me" Blake pressed in closer until they were almost touching "I'm the only one for you."

Putting a hand up Andrew pushed against Blake's chest. "There is no us. It was one disastrous date." Merchandise clattered to the floor as he attempted to squirm away from the other man pressing against him.

"We could have been so much more if he hadn't shown up," Blake snarled leaning in close licking Andrew's face from his chin to his ear. He gripped Andrew's neck as he attempted to turn his face away "let me demonstrate what you're missing." Without further warning he brought his mouth crashing down upon Andrew's in a bruising painful kiss.