Page 99 of Thrill

A knock at the door made him jump.

He’s changed his mind. Thank God.

Tyler rushed to the door and flung it open. Then he reared back.

“Dad.”

“Can I come in?”

Gobsmacked, Tyler stood away from the door. His father walked in.

“Please don’t have a go at me. I’ve had a shit night’s sleep,” Tyler said, pushing the door closed.

“So I can see.”

Tyler gestured to a chair in the corner. “Take a seat.”

He perched on the end of the bed and faced his father. “I’m sorry, Dad. I’ve only myself to blame. Believe me. I know that. Please don’t try and make this any worse than it is.”

“I haven’t come to rub salt in the wounds. How could you think that?”

“Does Mum know you’re here.”

His father averted his gaze. “Not exactly, no. That’s not the point. I am your father and I’m not letting you drive away from here until I’ve said my piece.”

Tyler was touched that his father even had a piece to say.

“I’d like to hear it,” he said.

“Something you said last night. About making Danny more palatable.”

“I—”

His father held his hand up.

“Things haven’t been easy between us for many years. I think that’s fair to say.”

That’s putting it mildly.

“I’m sorry to have to say this but I think I have to. Your mother will never accept your lifestyle, Tyler. Not really.”

That stung. Mainly because deep down, Tyler knew every word of it was true.

“If you’re making decisions about your life to try to make that come about. Well, I don’t want you going after something you might never have. Do things for you. It’s time.”

He had never heard his father talk like this. Ever. It took some getting used to.

“Thank you, Dad,” he said. “I really mean it.”

“I’ve not been a great father to you, Tyler. If I can talk your mother round, believe me I will try. You know what she’s like. How is Danny?”

Tyler sighed. “Gone. Left me a note telling me not to contact him.”

“Won’t that be difficult? You two working in the same building.”

He hadn’t even considered that they were both back to work the next day.

“Ugh,” Tyler said, scrubbing his face with his hands. “What a total mess.”