Page 78 of Trained Royal
Damon exhaled. “No. He’s upset because I lied to him. Again.”
“Exactly. Why not try to be open about everything from now on?Everything.”
Damon’s eyes widened. “I will tell him everything he needs to know.”
“That’s not quite what I said, but I suppose it’ll have to do.” He clapped him on the shoulder. “Have a safe journey and keep out of trouble.”
Damon quirked his lips. “I’ll try my best.”
Patrick wandered back to Freddie’s room and entered without knocking. Freddie glanced up at him.
“You should’ve left it alone.”
“I didn’t say anything that didn’t need to be said.” Patrick retook his seat.
“He has a right to do what he thinks is best,” Freddie said.
“He does, but he also has a duty to keep himself safe.” What Patrick didn’t say was that this duty was also to keep Freddie from losing someone he cared about. He didn’t want to think how losing Damon would affect Freddie.
“How is the studying going?” Freddie changed the subject, and Patrick let him. There was no pushing Freddie when he’d made his mind up.
“It’s going well. I’ve only started on the first unit, but it’s interesting. After this, I have to get back and do some coursework.”
Freddie chuckled. “I bet you didn’t expect to be back at school, did you?”
“Not even a little, but I’m enjoying it.”
“I’m glad.” He set his tea on the table. “Have you decided how or what you’re going to do once you’re finished?”
“I want to give lessons to those who can’t afford them under normal circumstances. Maybe youth centres or schools with low budgets. We could work towards an end-of-year concert or something similar.”
“Sounds good. Have you been researching it, or are these just initial ideas?”
“Initial ideas. I want to get some more of the course under my belt before I investigate more.”
“You’ll be done before you know it.” Freddie smiled. “How’s Kieren?”
“He’s good. Wishing he could be back to normal, but he’s getting there. His physiotherapist has said he’s doing well.”
“Good news, then.”
After spending another hour with his cousin, during which Kieren arrived, they bid goodbye and headed back home, followed by their guards. When they settled into the sofa in Patrick’s suite with their arms around one another—something that was easier to do now Kieren’s sling was off—Patrick took a breath and told Kieren about his new plans for the future. The idea delighted Kieren, and they brainstormed a few ways to provide for those children wanting music lessons.
When their ideas ran out, Kieren cleared his throat. “In the light of recent…transparency between us, I have something to tell you, too.”
Patrick glanced up at him. “What’s that?”
“I draw.”
Patrick frowned. “Draw what?”
“Anything. People, Places, Items.” He fidgeted. “You,” he whispered.
“Me?”
Kieren nodded. “I have…too many to count pictures of you, but I could never get it quite right. There was always something missing.”
“Can I see?” Patrick sat upright.
