Page 4 of Trained Royal

He couldn’t.

He was useless.

****

Chapter 2

Kieren

Kieren Young stood with his hands braced on the sink in the gym changing room, his head lowered, and his eyes closed, breathing deeply until he felt he had control of his body. He hadn’t expected to react to massaging Patrick’s back. It had been a long time—a very long time—since he’d had any relief that wasn’t his hand, but he also hadn’t reacted to anyone either. Not until now. It wasn’t like he hadn’t been close to Patrick before. Why was this time different?

He glanced into the mirror, blanching when his reflection sent back the look of a man on the edge. On the edge of what, though?

Inhaling, he washed his hands again, not wanting to chance having the muscle cream get in his eyes if he’d missed any when he’d distractedly washed the first time. As he dried them, his phone rang, and he rushed back into the changing room to grab it.

It was Brett. “Hey, everything okay?”

Brett chuckled. “Everything’s fine. Can’t I call you just because I want to talk to you?”

Kieren exhaled, his body unclenching. “Of course. What’s up?”

“We’ve been invited to a party?”

Kieren groaned and dropped his head back against the wall. “No.”

“Yes.”

“You know I hate parties.”

“This one’s different.”

Kieren waited for more information, but when it didn’t come, he sighed and bit the bullet. “Why is it different?”

“Because the princes are asking for our attendance,” Brett said, and Kieren could hear the smile in his voice.

“Which princes?”

“All of them. Well, the ones we protect, anyway. Prince George called and requested our attendance.”

“So, it’s not a party. We’re working.”

“No. We’re off duty. It’s at Timothy’s house, and I’ve been told there’ll be alcohol, music, games and a barbecue. He also said we were allowed to get drunk.” Brett laughed.

Kieren rubbed a hand over his face. “Do I have to?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

Brett sighed. “You need more time off than you’re taking, Kieren. This way, I can see that you’re taking it.”

Kieren banged his head against the wall several times and blew out a breath. “Fine. When?”

“Saturday afternoon. It starts at three o’clock. I expect you to be there for as long as I am. Understood?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Don’t get cocky, asshole. Just because this is off duty doesn’t mean I won’t make your life a living hell as your superior if you mess me around.” Brett sighed. “It will do you some good to get to know some of the other guys a bit more, too. You’re not a loner, Kieren. We have your back.”