A few later

Several beers later, Ethan is feeling pretty good.

Charlie keeps getting rounds, as both the initiator of the evening and the only one with a job. Ashley, apparently, just recently lost hers. Ethan didn't quite catch what she was doing before, only that it involved a commute. Incidentally, Ethan absorbed several Ashley facts over the evening so far. Highlights being her favorite color (pink), her having a mild lactose intolerance, and the fact she has three cats.

“It’s just excessive!” Charlie groans, planting her face on the table. “Cats should never outnumber people!”

“It’s fiiine,” Ashley sighs, a little drunker than her sister despite drinking the same amount. “It’s a normal amount to have.”

“Cats are pretty fucking great,” Ethan notes, the drunkest out of the three of them.

“Don’t encourage her.” Charlie sighs, forehead still pressed against wood. “I’m tired of a clogged vacuum!”

“You two still live together?” Ethan asks, not missing the hint despite his head floating.

“Yeah…” Ashley leans back, frowning. “We’re renting this place out a fe-”

“I’m renting,” Charlie looks up frowning. “You’re just staying with me.”

“I pay rent…” Ashley tries to glare, but it comes off as an awkward squint.

“You pay me. I pay rent. There's a difference.”

“I don’t see the difference…” Ethan sips his drink, tempting fate by getting involved.

“The difference,” Charlie sits upright, turning to Ethan. “Is it was my place first, and she moved in when she couldn't cut it playing big girl all by herself.”

“Fuck you!” Ashley snaps.

“Fuck you!” Charlie claps back.

Ethan stays quiet, sipping his drink.

“Ehh,” Charlie sighs, her expression softening. “I’m sorry, Ash. I love you and you’re fucking cats.”

“No-no, I’m sorry… I shouldn't impose so damn much…”

“Naaaaah,” Charlie shakes her head. “You’re fine. Isn't she fine, Ethan?”

“Yeah, she’s fine,” Ethan mumbles.

“Pft. Hear that, Ash? When was the last time a boy said you were fine.”

Ashley’s brow furrowed. “Daily.”

“Oh? And where are these boys lining up to mack on my prissy sister?” Charlie mock looks around the room. “I certainly haven't seen them, and you certainly haven’t brought any around.”

“Kinda hard to bring anybody home with you as a roommate. Fucking walking around half naked half the time, and plain naked the rest.”

Ethan pauses for a moment, starting to picture Charlie naked. Wincing, he does it out of fear of being hit for liking what he imagines.

“I’m not your roommate. I’m a renter, and you’re a plus one who hasn't had a good fuck in years.”

“Fuck you!”

“Fuck you!”

Drinking his drink, Ethan takes a deep breath.

“For your information,” Ashley points across the table. “I fucked Sarah Mitchell just… last year…”

“Oh, big accomplishment there.” Charlie rolls her eyes. “You and half the town.”

“You’re into girls?” Ethan asks, taking a moment to catch up with the conversation. Normally that wouldn't phase him, but drunk Ethan can’t help but chew on that little morsel.

Ashley looks at Ethan, her expression sour. “Duh, I’ve got-”

“Eh, Eh, Eh,” Charlie waves her sister down, shaking her head. “You really want to go there?”

Ashley glances over at her sister, her expression going blank. “Oh… Yeah…” she turns back to Ethan, “I swing both ways.”

“Fucking same,” Charlie looking into the bottom of her empty glass. “Variety is the spice of fucking life.”

Ethan isn't surprised by the revelation. Honestly, the only answer she could have given that would have surprised him is if she said she only slept with men.

“What about you?” Ashley turns to Ethan.

“Me?” Ethan raises his brow.

“Yeah, we told you, so you gotta tell us.”

Ethan considers the question for a moment. {if Gay >0}A few days ago, he would have answered that he was straight without much thought, but now he felt things were a little more complicated.{if Gay =2}.. Actually, it was pretty fucking complicated.{endif}

He definitely wasn't gay. He knew that much for sure, but…{endif}