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He shrugged, expression more distant than ever. “Duncan likes to talk.”
“He loves you.”
“Good to know someone does.” Leaning against the counter, he stretched like he couldn’t care less, but I knew better.
“Plenty of people care about you.” It had been a long day, and it was starting to show in my weary tone. “I care, I—”
“Pizza!” Harley bustled in from the garage, back far sooner than I’d hoped with more of his epically bad timing.
“Good.” Danny was all fake smiles. “Guess I am hungry after all. I found sparkling water in my pantry if you want to pick a flavor.”
“Excellent.” Harley set down a large pizza box and a bottle of soda. “I need caffeine, but you feel free to talk Money into trying the fancy stuff.”
“Oh, I can’t talk Cash into much,” Danny muttered as he took a slice of the vegetable-heavy side of the pizza.
“Something tells me you’re wrong.” Harley teased, grabbing a slice with olives and sausage. “You talked him into going with you to the police station this morning, and now he’s a viral hero. And the media is still camped out front. Like it or not, you guys are a trending story, at least until the next scandal hits.”
“Hopefully soon.” Danny’s reply was too dry, but Harley didn’t seem to notice, laughing anyway. It would be too damn easy to let Danny push me away and get pissed at his stubborn refusal to hear me out.
He was being a bit of a brat, the self-centered Hollywood star I’d expected that first meeting. But I knew better now. I’d seen him do yoga, laundry, and make pancakes. I knew what he looked like at two a.m. and first thing in the morning. And I recognized the pain lurking in his eyes. He was hurt. I’d hurt him with my too-quick refusal. Which meant I had to fix things, but probably not with Harley over here oblivious and cracking hero jokes.
“Bet Duncan has a dozen calls about your availability by morning.” Harley lounged against the breakfast bar and took a big bite of pizza.
“I’m not available,” I snapped.
“He’s not in the bodyguard business.” Danny’s tone was better suited to explaining something to a toddler.
“Huh. Well, if not security, that rolling fall maneuver could probably land you at least an interview for a stunt coordinator,” Harley mused. “Duncan’s not the only one with connections these days. I know some people from my gig at the studio.”
“I’m not looking for fame.”
“You have a road trip to take.” Danny nodded like he understood everything when the exact opposite was the case.
“No, I don’t.” Done attempting to be patient, I glared at him.
“Now, children. Let’s find a movie we can all watch, and you can stop bickering.” Grabbing another slice of pizza on the way, Harley headed for the couch area. “Unless you want to tell Uncle Harley all about whatever the beef is between you two?”
“No,” we said in exact unison, and any other time, I would have chuckled, but right then, all I could do was take my food and flop next to Harley on the couch.
“Movie it is.” Harley grabbed Danny’s remote, easy as if he visited all the time, and without consulting us, he queued up an episode of the show he’d been working security for. “Here. Money can point out all the ways in which the stunts went wrong, and I’ll pass along the critique.”
Danny’s tense body on the other end of the couch made it clear he’d rather be anywhere else, but he nodded. “Sure.”
I made a halfhearted effort to pay attention to the TV, but my attention kept wandering to Danny, who only ate one slice of pizza and otherwise stayed silent while Harley and I dissected the show. I wasn’t surprised when halfway through the second episode, Danny stood up with an exaggerated yawn.
“I’m tired. You can both keep watching, but I’m going to go to bed. Do you need to do some sort of security check upstairs?” He looked directly at Harley, not me, as he asked the question.
“I can—” I started, but Harley was already standing up.
“No problem. Alarm system’s already set, but I can check. Money should keep resting.” He followed Danny upstairs, returning a few minutes later to sit back down on the couch. “Boy. I’m not sure what you did to piss the kid off, but I’d suggest you fix it before Duncan catches wind.”
“Noted.” I clamped my mouth shut, not going to say more than that, and reached for the remote, queuing up the next episode before Harley could ask any questions. My back muscles stayed coiled tight through two more episodes before Harley finally dozed off. Danny was undoubtedly asleep too, but I was the furthest thing from tired.
How had everything gone so fucking FUBAR in less than a day? Danny’s hurt face kept flashing in my mind. It wasn’t simply the awful day. I’d messed up. Said the wrong thing or maybe not enough things. I needed to somehow find the words to make Danny listen, make him believe me. And Harley might be snoring, but no way was I sleeping until I finally convinced Danny that the last thing I wanted was to be his bodyguard.
