I’d be all for a quick romp in the sack with her, but right now, Mum’s words keep playing on a loop in my head.
Not ready to be King.
How does one even prepare to be King? It’s not like I haven’t been paying attention all these years. Sure, I’ve been more concerned with women, but I still know what it takes to run a country. Or at least I think I do.
“You want to get out of here, Prince James?” Any attraction I might have had to this woman goes down the toilet at those last two words. I know most women are with me because of who I am, but I can’t handle it tonight.
“Sorry…” Bloody hell, I can’t even remember her name. “I’m just not feeling it tonight.”
I nod to my Personal Protection Officers, my PPOs, that I’m ready to leave. It’s still early, so hopefully I can pop over and see the one person who might actually be able to talk some sense into me.
“Are we heading home, Your Highness?” my security officer asks, as I dodge the questions of the paparazzi that are awaiting my exit before getting in the idling car.
“Head to Ellie’s, please.” I throw my blazer over the backseat and close my eyes. Why is this shite bothering me even more today? Maybe because it’s coming from Mum. It’s my advisors who are the ones to condemn me for my behaviour. Never has Mum gotten involved before.
“Shall I call ahead and let her know that we are coming?”
“Please do. Otherwise, she may be irritated.”
The car lurches into the street as the noise of the club fades away. I’m hoping my sister will be a voice of reason. For being this early in the evening, it’s a quick drive through the city. When we pass through the gated entry of Ellie’s neighbourhood, I release a breath.
“Thanks, guys. I won’t be long.” I hop out of the car, seeing Ellie at the front door. Her once brown hair is now pink, a stark contrast to mine.
“Why the hell are you coming over to my place at nine at night when you could be out at the clubs?” She waves me in as I kiss her cheek.
“No Sean tonight?” My sister’s face softens at the mention of her partner, Sean. If she hadn’t stumbled into his tattoo parlour when she ran away from the palace, I don’t know where I’d be right now. That’s a slippery slope to go down.
“He had a session run late. What’s brought you over here?”
I flop down on her couch, rubbing my eyes. “Mum. The palace. You name it.”
She messes around in the kitchen before returning to the living room. “I’m guessing it has to do with that picture that is spread all over the news?” She hands me a scotch before sitting in a chair next to me.
“You saw it too?” Christ, I didn’t think she’d be looking at tabloids once she left the royal life behind.
“It’s hard not to hear it from the parents when they’re whispering about me at the school.” Ellie took the reins of Sean’s after school art programme and helped build it into what it is today. She keeps it running on the days that Sean is at his tattoo parlour. I don’t know how they manage both, but they love it.
“Hopefully you didn’t see it.” I shiver, taking a long pull of the scotch.
“Absolutely not! I wouldn’t go out looking for that. But it serves you right for getting caught. It’s not like you were ever discreet with your women.”
“Thanks, Ellie. Just what I needed tonight.” My eyes roll on their own.
“Why are you so morose tonight? Couldn’t find anyone to take home at the club?”
“Is that really all people think I do?” Shite, maybe Mum does have a point.
“Jamie. It’s all you lead people to believe. There’re no photos of you going to galas or art show openings or state dinners because you’re always going out with women. It takes precedence over anything else you might do.”
“Fecking hell. You sound just like Mum.” I shake my head. “But you may have a solid point.”
“Is the world ending?” she asks on a gasp. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard you say those words to me before.”
“Alright, alright. Quit being a smart arse.”
The front door opens with a bang as Sean races in. “Is everything okay in here?” He looks haggard. “Oh, hey, James. What are you doing here? I thought something happened.”
“Other than me being a prick, nothing going on.”
