Page 131 of Something Like Hail

Noah was tempted. As much as he tried not tocare, he still had feelings for Harold, and he wasn’t sure he couldsteer them towards friendship. Then again, he had to make anattempt. All this time, Noah had been angry with Harold for notgiving them a chance. In a way, he was just as guilty. Noah couldhave tried being friends like Harold wanted. That was the least hecould do now. If it got too hard, he would say so and they would gotheir separate ways again.

“I need your helpwith something. If you don’t mind.”

Harold perked up. “Anything! You nameit!”

Noah studied him, reminded of the first timethey had met—him standing nude in Harold’s apartment,simultaneously scared out of his wits and horny as the devilhimself. That had been the beginning of a wild ride but now… “Iwant out.”

Puzzlement gave way to understanding. “Youdon’t want to be an escort anymore.”

Noah nodded.

Harold shook his head. “Why?”

“Because Felix doesn’tknow, and I’m worried that if he finds out, it’ll break hisheart.”

Harold leaned back and exhaled. “Jesus, youmust really love him.”

“I’m starting to. It’s morethan that. He’s shown me a life that I thought I’d never haveagain. He’s reminded me of how the real world works, and I miss it.What we’re doing isn’t normal.”

“That’s why I like it!”Harold said defensively. “I’m proud of my work.”

“I like it too,” Noah said.“I’m not sure I’m proud though, because if I was, I wouldn’t havesuch a hard time telling him.”

“If people weren’t soclosed-minded, you would have already!” Harold’s face was flushed.He turned his head, continuing to shake it as he stared into thedistance. After a clench of the jaw, he returned his attention toNoah again. “Are you sure?”

About wanting to change careers? Or aboutFelix? Maybe he was asking if Noah was sure that he and Haroldcouldn’t be together. No matter the intended question, Noahrealized that the answers were all the same. “No. I’m not sure, butthis is what I’m going to do anyway.”

Harold’s eyes bored into his soul. Then henodded. “Okay. I don’t see why you need my help. Marcello won’t beangry if you quit. He might be disappointed, but he won’t try tohold you back. Much.”

“That’s the thing,” Noahsaid, licking his lips nervously. “I’ve been smart with my money. Ihave a lot saved up, but finding a new job is going to be hardbecause I didn’t even graduate from high school, and all I can puton my résumé is the Gentlemen’s Agreement Club. How am I supposedto explain what my job duties were? Customer service is my defaultresponse, but a potential employer will want details.”

“Make something up andMarcello will go along with it.” Harold snapped his fingers. “Ormaybe he could find you some other position in thecompany!”

“Do you thinkso?”

Harold nodded. “Sure! He likes you. Even ifhe didn’t, he owes me a favor.”

“Really? Howcome?”

Harold didn’t answer, already busy with hisphone. He pushed a few buttons and set it flat on the table. Noahglanced at the screen and saw that he was calling their boss.

“I told you never to callme here,” Marcello said, his voice loud and clear over the speaker.“What would my wife and children think if they discovered I washaving an affair with a younger man?”

Harold rolled his eyes and grinned. “They’dworry more if you were having an affair with an older man. Thatwould make him what? Ninety? At least.”

“Short conversations arethe sweetest,” Marcello replied. “Goodbye!”

“Wait!” Harold said,leaning over the table. “You’re the hottest man I’ve ever laid eyeson and I want you inside me. Repeatedly. I don’t even want you topull out between rounds.”

“You always knew how tobeguile me with poetry,” Marcello said, sounding pleased. “What canI do for you?”

“I could use a paper bag toput over my head,” Noah muttered, eyeing a nearby table ofoblivious children and two concerned parents. “Could you two keepit down? We’re in public!”

“Ah!” Marcello declared.“Is that Mr. Westwood I hear? Given your line of work, I alwaysthought it a shame your name wasn’t Northwood instead. Or perhapsLongwood, considering certain attributes. Oh, I think I’ve got it!Redwood!”

“I hate you,” Noah said,burying his face in his palms.

Harold laughed. “It’s his career we werehoping to talk about.”