Page 65 of Thrill

“That I’ll never be good enough for him.”

For once his parents seemed at a loss for words.

“Forget I said anything.”

Lisa took hold of his hands. “I might not know him very well. Tyler doesn’t seem like the type who would think that. Has he said something?”

Danny shook his head. To admit this to his parents was mortifying. It was like saying none of them were enough for someone like Tyler. Danny wasn’t sure if he truly believed that deep down. Even so, he couldn’t shake the unease that had lodged itself deep in his belly.

“Why aren’t you good enough?” Andy asked. “You work hard. You’re kind. Not hideous looking.”

“Andy,” Lisa said, swatting him on the leg. “He’s a bloody stunner. You get it from your Uncle Wayne. He had movie-star looks.”

“Shame the film wasGremlins,” Andy replied.

Danny sniggered. Andy and Uncle Wayne had always had a strange competitive vibe to their relationship.

“I hate when you don’t see everything you are,” Lisa said while throwing a death stare at her husband. “Please try.”

“If the job is getting you down, we’ll find you a new one,” Andy added. “It’s only work.”

Danny loved them so much. “Thanks, you two weirdos.”

That afternoon, Danny was helping unload a huge delivery of bondage gear. He did love to put his forklift truck skills to the test.

His phone rang.

“Go on,” Stan said, nodding outside. “If Parry comes out, I’ll cover.”

“Ta.”

John had a rule that phones were to be left in their lockers. Not one person obeyed it. Danny hopped off the truck. He dashed out of the open warehouse door and hid down the side of the building. He glanced at his phone and grinned.

“Bruce. What can I do for you?”

“Hi, Dan. Listen, I’ve got a massive favour to ask and please say if you’re doing something. I’ve got a big job on, you see. And it’s beating me, son. Is there any chance you can come by after work?”

Danny had planned on going straight to Tyler’s. But Bruce sounded breathless and stressed. He couldn’t leave his friend in need like that.

“Of course I can. Twenty past five okay? I’ll get a cab straight to you.”

“Thanks. I’ll pay for it.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I’ll see you later.”

They terminated the call.

Quickly, he typed a message to Tyler. He’d easily make it for half seven and still give Bruce whatever time he needed.

Bruce was never far from his thoughts for the rest of the day. He didn’t like the sound of him at all.

As soon as five o’clock came, Danny got an Uber straight over to New Lives. He found Bruce in the back, working on a massive desk. It covered the whole workbench.

“Bloody hell, Brucie,” Danny said. “That’s huge.”

“That’s what she said,” Bruce said, wiping his brow.

Danny shook his head. “When does it have to be done by?”