Page 108 of Thrill

The joy evaporated when he recalled Bruce’s words. He did have something else to do that day. He may as well face it all in one go.

He turned to the desk. “If this goes tits up, things might get a little rough for you.”

With a trembling hand, he got his phone out and dialled Tyler.

“Hello. Danny?”

The hope in Tyler’s voice made Danny want to blurt out a ton of words that no one would understand.

“Yeah. Are you okay?”

“No, I’m fucking not. I’m as un-okay as it’s possible to be.”

“Not sure that’s a word.”

“Not sure I care. Are we talking again? Please tell me we are.”

“Sounds like we’re talking to me. Be better to do it in person. That’s if you haven’t abandoned me altogether.”

He heard a sharp intake of breath on the other end. “Of course I haven’t, you dick. Tell me when and where.”

“New Lives. Now.”

Tyler got there in record time. Danny waited for him on an old sofa that Bruce had left in the middle of the shop. Bruce reckoned it was pride of place for potential buyers. In reality, his cronies would sit on it for a whiskey and gossip session every Friday afternoon.

Danny’s stomach did a flip as Tyler let himself in. He seemed nervous and gorgeous as hell.

“Do you have some news you’d like to share?” Tyler asked.

Danny nodded. “You’re looking at the new owner of this place.”

Tyler ran forward then stopped. He seemed so unsure Danny wanted to take him into his arms.

“Oh, that’s brilliant,” Tyler said. “Danny, you did it.”

“Yeah. Bruce has gone for a drink. But I just wanted to tell you.”

Tyler’s face lit up. “Really?”

Danny patted the sofa next to him. “Can we talk?”

“Before we do,” Tyler said, holding his hands up. “I let youdown, Danny. I accept it and I’m sorry for it. But, I promise you, it was to protect you from them.”

“Please sit down.”

Tyler did so. He was tantalisingly close to Danny.

“It hurt like fuck, Tyler,” Danny said. “The reality is, I’m never going to be able to match you. I may have just taken a step up but one day you’re going to be the CEO of something. Imagine going to parties with your boyfriend stinking of varnish and paint flecks in his hair no matter how much shampoo he used.”

Tyler looked down. “I would be proud. Do you know why?”

Danny shook his head.

“Because that man taught me that trying to impress people is a stupid fucking game,” Tyler said.

When he looked up, Danny saw tears in his eyes.

“Tyler. I didn’t bring you over here to upset you.”