Page 104 of Something Like Hail

He looked at Chester, who seemed to bewaiting for guidance from him. Noah didn’t want Harold to win, sohe shook his head. Chester nodded his understanding, except he hadgotten it wrong, because he didn’t place any more bids. He thoughtthat Noah didn’t want him to bid more! Noah was about to gesturethat he should continue when the gavel swung down.

“Sold!” Marcello cried.Then he pointed the gavel at Harold. “This little stunt is comingout of your paycheck, young man! Who do we have next? Colby! Ifyou’re looking for a one-man talent show… Excuse me, Noah, but I’mafraid your fifteen minutes of fame are over.”

He felt his cheeksflush. Noah was still standing center stage like an idiot. Everyonebefore him had left the stage to thank the person who placed thewinning bid. He wasn’t sure he could handle that, but luckily hehad a few options. He saw Tim off to one side, ignoring theproceedings and looking as though he was about to leave. Noah alsowanted to have a word with Chester to clear the air between them.Then of course there was Harold, who probably shared the samedesire. Noah kept his eyes lowered as he walked down the stagesteps, still unsure of what to do.Fatedecided for him.

“Hey.”

The greeting was casual and accompanied byan equally relaxed smile. Noah soon averted his gaze, becauseHarold was too damn handsome. “Hi. Sorry, but there’s someone Ireally need to talk to.”

“I know the feeling,”Harold replied.

Noah chuckled like it was a joke, attentionon Tim again, who was definitely heading for the door. “Sorry. Thisreally can’t wait.”

Couldn’t it though? As herushed away from Harold, he realized he didn’t know what he wouldsay to Tim.Remember that guy who shotyou? He’s awfully sad these days! Why don’t you cheer him upagain?Tim would probably tell him where tostick it, and rightfully so, but that was better than facing thealternative. He glanced back over his shoulder. Harold was stillstanding there wearing a dejected expression. Noah forced himselfto turn forward again, and when he noticed Tim disappear throughone of the doors, he broke into a sprint.

“Wait!” he called out whenclose enough. “Mr. uh…. Mr. Wyman?”

That did the trick. They were at the far endof the kitchen, the room abuzz with activity. As silver eyes lockedonto his own, he realized with some irony that he was running awayfrom one gorgeous guy to get the attention of another, and if giventhe choice, he would gladly replace them both with two averagejoes. That would make getting over Harold a little easier, andfacing Tim… Noah’s stomach burbled with nervousness. He could seewhy Ryan was still clinging to the memory of this person, and howhe himself had failed to measure up. On a purely superficial level,Tim was in a different league.

Those silver eyes moved over his body, nodoubt taking in the skimpy outfit. “Sorry. I’m off duty tonight. Ifyou need anything, just ask Nathaniel.”

“Huh?” Noah replied. Tenpoints for being a smooth talker!

“You’re either a waiter oryou’rewayunderdressed,” Tim joked. “I’m guessing we worked togetherbefore. I’m not volunteering tonight, but like I said, Nathanielcan—”

“I used to date Ryan,” Noahblurted out. “Ryan Hamilton.”

Tim’s friendly expression faded. Hisattention even darted to Noah’s hands, as if seeking a weaponthere. Then he started to move away. “I gotta check on my dog. Sheneeds to…” He shook his head, went toward another door, and pushedthrough it.

“Wait!” Noah cried, givingchase. “I just want to talk.” Now he knew how Harold must feel.“Please.”

They were in a dim hallway, Tim alreadyhalfway down it, but his steps slowed and he stopped. Then he spunaround. “If this is about an STD, I’ve already been tested. Foreverything. Multiple times. Seemed like a good idea after beingwith someone like Ryan.”

“It’s not about that,” Noahsaid. He reached for a nearby switch and flicked it on, wincingagainst the light before forcing himself to meet Tim’s stare. “I’mworried about him.”

Tim’s laugh was humorless. “Me too. I keepworrying they’ll let him go and he’ll show up at my house againwith a gun.”

“What he did was seriouslywrong,” Noah said quickly, “but that wasn’t Ryan. He was neverperfect, but he also wasn’t that bad. You know hewasn’t.”

“He stole from me. Hecheated!” Tim clenched his jaw. Then he exhaled. “But I never sawhim get violent. Not back then.”

“Because he wasn’t,” Noahstressed, “I was with him after you guys were together, and he wasgood. Messed up, yeah, but still okay. The drugs changed him. Hewas just starting out when we met. I know it sounds lame, but Iblame the heroin. The real Ryan was a loving person.”

“He could be.” Tim saidgrudgingly. He leaned to one side to see down the hall toward thekitchen. “Does Marcello know you’re here?”

“Yes. Notright hereright here. Heasked me to be a waiter tonight. That’s not the usual sort of workI do for him, but he knows who I am. He knows myhistory.”

“Huh. I’m guessing hedoesn’t know that Ryan asked you to talk to me. That’s what’s goingon here, isn’t it?”

“Kind of.”

Tim digested these words. Then he pulled outhis phone.

“What are you doing?” Noahasked.

“Calling my husband,because my crazy ex asked an escort to get me alone, and that hasme worried.”

Noah glared. “All I said is that I work forMarcello! How do you know I’m not a photographer? Or anaccountant?”