Page 30 of Protecting his Heart

“What’s up, Nick?”

“Nothing. Just thought I’d stop the boredom from setting in for you. Have you decided what you’re doing for your birthday yet?” The other bodyguard slumped into a chair on the opposite side of the door but faced him.

Owen rolled his eyes. “I’m too old for birthday plans. It’s not like it’s a milestone or anything.”

“Birthdays are always times to celebrate. Oscar just had his birthday party, and that was bloody awesome, even if I do say so myself. A dinosaur party? Hell to the yes.”

Owen chuckled. “You’re just a big kid. And yes, that looked fantastic from the pictures I saw. But no, I’ve no plans.”

“Okay, so let’s think then. You’re too boring for a nightclub. What about a pint at the pub? We can get the others to join us and make a night of it. Conversation, music, alcohol? What do you think?”

Despite not usually celebrating his birthday, especially since Evan moved to Italy, he liked the idea of something low-key. He nodded. “All right. You choose the pub, tell everyone the time, and I’ll be there. But make sure you tell people not to bring presents. I don’t need anything.”

Nick fist-pumped the air. “Yes! Plans are afoot.”

Owen’s stomach churned. “You do know I’ll return the favour for your birthday, right? Whatever you do to me will get done to you tenfold,” Owen warned.

Nick cocked his head. “That’s not the deterrent you think it is.”

Owen tutted. “Trust you.”

“I’ll be good, I promise.” Owen raised his eyebrows, and Nick held up his hands. “I promise!”

Owen couldn’t do anything about it now. He’d already given Nick carte blanche to do whatever. He sighed, already regretting it. They caught up for a few more minutes. With Nick guarding the king, they didn’t get a huge amount of time to talk without their jobs getting in the way. Sometimes, they worked together if King Andrew and Prince Freddie were at the same event, but it didn’t happen as often as it used to. Not since the problems they’d had. Security had tightened drastically since then.

“Right. I’ll be in touch about your birthday. Not long to go.” Nick winked, and Owen groaned as the man wandered off.

“What the hell have I done?”

“Should I be worried?” Owen stood and shoved his phone back in his pocket as Damon exited the suite.

Owen cleared his throat. “No, not at all. Nick and his plans.” He shrugged.

Damon chuckled. “He does seem to like his plans.”

“He does.” Owen glanced around. “Do you need escorting or…?”

“No, thanks. I’m just heading to see George. Freddie’s still in there working. I thought I’d give him a breather.”

“Okay, well, holler if you need anything, and one of us will be there.”

Damon nodded. “Will do.”

Owen settled back into his seat and watched Damon disappear down the corridor. If he thought about it, Owen and Evan’s relationship wasn’t much different from Freddie and Damon’s. They were both best friends before they started a relationship and had to work their way through the minefield before coming out the other side.

By the time Owen finished work, he was exhausted from inactivity, and because there were far too many hours between that point and when Evan got home, he headed to the training room. He planned to use the punch bag to alleviate some of his extra energy, not wanting to jump Evan the moment he got back.

As luck would have it, Dominic was there. “Wasn’t expecting to see you,” Dominic said.

Owen huffed. “Evan’s at work.”

“Ah, that explains it. Empty house syndrome.”

They settled in to work out side-by-side, the rhythmic punch, punch easing any tension that Owen had inside him. It was only recently that Dominic had started any kind of training related toboxing, and Owen tried to help him rediscover his love for it. An hour later, showered and dressed, he sat on the bench waiting for Dominic to finish.

“What’s your plan now?” Dominic asked as he pulled his jumper over his head.

“Haven’t really got one. I’m trying not to stress too much over Nick planning a birthday for me.”

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