Page 39 of Wear It Like a Crown

“Just interesting.” Since Joshua was pretty certain he wouldn’t get more out of Leo on that topic, he changed gears. “I wouldn’t have minded staying around for a football match. You didn’t have to cut things short on my account.”

“Let’s just say that I remember how dreadful a player you are.” The moment it was out, the corners of Leo’s mouth tugged down into a frown. He looked distinctly uncomfortable when really, his assessment hadn’t been too far off the mark. Although, wait…

“Not that you’re wrong, but when did you see me play?” Joshua asked.

A red light forced the van to a halt. Tapping his fingers against the wheel, Leo was staring at the car in front of them, presenting Joshua with only his profile. “I saw a documentary on Eton a while ago. Included some footage of you playing.” He shot Joshua a quick smirk. “Bloody awful, mate.”

Joshua hadn’t known such a documentary existed. Had George cleared it? Probably. He did love to embarrass Joshua, disguising it as a vested interest in making “Your Royal Brattiness” seem human and approachable. “I’m notthatbad anymore,” Joshua said. At Leo’s sceptical glance, he laughed and splayed his fingers. “I mean, I’m still pretty bad, just not as bad as I used to be. Tristan’s been teaching me some.”

“I thought your lot didn’t do torture anymore.” In spite of a lingering tightness around Leo’s eyes, the statement was laced with humour. Joshua decided they were at the stage in their relationship where it was acceptable for him to punch Leo’s arm, so he did.

Leo moaned and pretended to collapse from the pain, but quickly righted himself when the car behind them honked. “Hold your horses,” he muttered, flipping off the other driver in the rear-view mirror.

Joshua shouldn’t be charmed by Leo acting like a dick. He shouldn’t be charmed at all.

Tugging off the beanie, he ruffled his hair before he moved to pull off the Clash T-shirt Leo had lent him. “What are youdoing?” Leo asked, sounding frazzled, and Joshua gave him a confused look, pausing with his fingers on the hem.

“Taking off your T-shirt?”

“You can’t just strip naked while I’mdriving.”

“I’ve got something on underneath,” Joshua said—which Leo would have known if he hadn’t pointedly left the room as soon as Joshua had begun unbuttoning his shirt earlier. Shrugging the T-shirt off, Joshua folded it into a neat square that he placed on the dashboard. Only then did he stop to consider the near-panic that had coloured Leo’s voice. Why would Leo be quite this invested in Joshua’s state of undress?

Was there some interest? At least a little?

Joshua studied the way Leo was tightly focused on the road. Even if Joshua had mustered up the courage, ignored the whole no-questions promise he’d given and actually asked it—Are you attracted to me?—he knew that Leo would evade an answer. Like he did with all things personal.

Adjusting his posture into something casually at ease, legs splayed and head tipped back, Joshua kept his tone light. “Can I ask a logistical question?”

The tension in Leo’s shoulders relaxed. “Yeah. I may or may not answer.”

“Why switch locations? Wouldn’t it be easier to stick to one place?”

“Of course it would be easier.” Leo nudged the volume of the radio down. His gaze seemed to linger on Joshua’s left shoulder, where Emma’s initial was inked into his skin. “But then we’d have to find somewhere that’s not illegal, probably pay rent. We’d have to fill out the necessary paperwork.” The mere thought seemed to disgust him. “We just want to help, quick and efficient, not waste money on things we don’t need. Or waste energy on filling out three copies of forms.”

That… was such a logical response that Joshua wondered how he hadn’t thought of it. Probably went to show his naivety with real-life matters.

“Fair enough,” he murmured. They were both silent for a short while after that, long enough for the song to fade into another one, and Joshua thought about asking Leo what kind of music he listened to, about favourite songs and bands. Would that be too personal?

In the end, Joshua settled for, “So what’s the plan now?”

“The plan is to get rid of the trash and return the van. Then meet Nate for some pints later, if that’s all right with you.”

Joshua rested both hands in his lap. “You don’t mind me intruding?”

“Wouldn’t have offered otherwise.” Leo shot Joshua a smile, one that crinkled the corners of his eyes and teased with the faintest notion of a dimple.

Joshua wanted to kiss him.

He bit down on the inside of his cheek and hoped his expressiondidn’t give him away. “That sounds really good, then. And thank you for today. And also in general. You’ve just been really great about this.”

Leo was quiet for a beat. When he replied, his voice was soft. “You’re welcome, Princeling. For the record, it’s an honour.”

Princeling. It was strange how quickly it had come to sound like an endearment. Joshua wanted to hear it murmured into his ear, wanted to hear Leo rasp it out with his hand on Joshua’s dick.

Rein it in.

Clearing his throat, Joshua dragged his gaze away from the other man. Christ, this wasn’t a good idea. Leo had given him no clear indications that he was interested, and Joshua needed to drag his mind out of the gutter. It was just… a bit raw, all of it—the bleak morning and Leo’s unexpected sweetness, and then seeing him with those street kids, the way he was able to provide them with a temporary focal point. If Joshua were smart, he’d call it a day.