Page 125 of Ethan

Ethan had been afraid this was it. Because of course this was it. “Don’t be a complete dumbass,” he said, reaching out and smacking his brother on the side of the head. “You can’t do it all by your-fucking-self. You play ateam sport.”

Really, it was extraordinary how similar Charlie’s and Hank’s neuroses were. Ethan almost wanted to thank Charlie for preparing him so well for dealing with his boyfriend, but he had a feeling that wasn’t going to go over very well. Not right now, anyway.

“You wouldn’t get it,” Charlie tried to argue, but Ethan shut that down too.

“Idoget it. You don’t think I do? You don’t think I know what it feels like to have everyone watching you and piling their own expectations on you? To wonder, in the worst corners of your mind, if you’re ever going to live up to them? To yourown? I fucking always know. I’m theyoungest, remember? I watched you and AveryandLivvy, and so did everyone else. I watched you all succeed, more than anyone could’ve expected. And by the time they got to me?” Ethan didn’t even say it. Didn’t think he really needed to.

Because Charlie knew.

“Oh,” Charlie finally said, uselessly. “I didn’t think.”

“No shit,” Ethan muttered.

“I just—” Charlie broke off. “You’re so chill about everything.”

“Yeah, well, I gotta be the normal one in this family,” Ethan said.

Charlie actually barked out a laugh at that. “Oh, isthatwhat you think you are?”

“Yep,” Ethan declared.

But Charlie just laughed again, lighter this time. Thank God,lighter. And he finally took a sip of coffee, then another.

That was when there was a knock at the door.

“I’m assuming that’s not him,” Ethan said. He could already guess who it was.

Charlie rolled his eyes. “Unless Avery’s become Superman in the last fifteen minutes, no. I’m sure it’s . . .well.”

He didn’t say but then he didn’t have to. They both knew.

“I’ll get him,” Ethan said.

And sure enough when he opened the door, Max was standing there with tired dark eyes, holding a tray of coffee cups from Charlie’s favorite coffee place down the street.

Naturally, Max had gone out of his way to get coffee, even though he knew theyhadcoffee at their apartment.

“Hi, Eth,” Max said. “I heard. Congratulations.”

He said it almost like a question.

God, he was really going to kick hisandCharlie’s ass.

“It’s going to be good,” Ethan said. “Great, even.”

Max immediately looked chastened and guilty like worrying was something he should be ashamed of.

“You two are the worst,” Ethan said flatly.

“Coffee?” Max offered. Holding out the cup carrier like an offering. Ethan took it, put it on the little side table where Charlie insisted they put their keys and wallets, and then pulled Max into a tight hug.

“Oh,” Max mumbled into his shoulder. “Oh. Well. Yes.”

When Ethan pulled back, he said, bluntly, “Please don’t be as stupid as my brother.”

Max choked out a laugh. “Barney’s not stupid.”

“You’rebothstupid,” Ethan retorted. Gave him a pat on the shoulder. “Go take him the coffee, but don’t let him drink too much or else he’ll get—”