Page 134 of Something Like Hail

It worked! Harold managed to grab the top ofthe wall and pull himself up the rest of the way. He turned aroundand squatted, looking like the world’s handsomest gargoyle as hegrinned.

“You okay?”

“Yeah,” Noah said, rubbinghis back. “I can’t feel my legs anymore, but that’s normal,right?”

“Pretty sure it is. Readyto join me?”

“How?”

Harold draped himself over the wall like awet towel, his stomach against the very top, his arms dangling overthe edge. He twiddled his fingers in invitation. “You just gottarun, jump, and grab my hands.”

“And you’ll pull me up,Hercules?”

“I’ll pull while you walkup the wall.”

Noah thought it over. “That might work!”

“That’s what I’ve beentellin’ ya! Hurry up. The blood is rushing to my head.”

Noah didn’t hesitate, knowing that doubtwould seep back in if he let it. He got a running start and leapt.The world seemed to slow as their hands neared. His aim was alittle off, but Harold managed to grab one hand and a wrist. Thephysical contact felt good. Noah didn’t need extra motivation tokick his feet against the wall as Harold pulled, bringing themcloser. Any amorous thoughts fled his mind when he realized that hedidn’t know what to do next. Keep on wall-walking right over Haroldand the wall itself? That would hurt them both—Harold as he gotstepped on, and Noah as he toppled over the other side.

Harold seemed to share his concern and triedto shimmy backward while still pulling. If that kept up, they’dboth fall. Noah still had one hand free, sort of, so he used it toreach for the wall next to Harold. This meant fighting against him.Harold really was strong, but he was also quick and seemed tounderstand. He stopped pulling on that arm while still holding ontoNoah’s other hand. This let Noah grab hold of the wall, and withanother kick, get his arm over the top to secure himself.

It wasn’t painless. He heard his shirt ripand felt the skin beneath scrape against stone, the burningsensation replaced by moisture. He was bleeding, but he didn’tthink it was a serious injury. After a little more struggle, hemanaged to pull himself up. Harold released his hand to grab theback of Noah’s shirt and didn’t let go until he was safe.

After panting—from adrenaline more thanexertion—they both pushed themselves up into a sitting position,legs straddling the wall.

“Odd place for a picnic,”Harold joked.

“Bad news,” Noah replied.“I left the food in the truck. Wanna go get it?”

They laughed, then lookedaround. Noah felt like they had climbed the peak of a mountaintogether and were now able to enjoy the view. Theirsurroundingswerevery nice. Marcello’s home was an impressive sight, the yardlandscaped into a generous slice of luxury.

“You hurt yourself!” Haroldsaid, noticing the way that Noah cradled his arm againsthimself.

“I’m fine. It’s just ascrape. It’s barely bleeding.”

“You’re bleeding?” Haroldsounded concerned. “Here.” He started unbuttoning hisshirt.

“What are youdoing?”

“I’m going to tie thisaround your arm like a tourniquet.”

“It’s just ascrape!”

“Better safe than sorry.”The top two buttons were undone, a third soon joiningthem.

Noah could already see tan skin and tonedmuscles beneath. “Stop. I mean it! We’re not doing this.”

Harold’s fingers paused. “Doing what?”

“You know what I mean.Don’t play the gentleman, don’t show off your body, and most ofall, don’t make me regret my decision.”

“I’m the only one whoshould regret anything,” Harold said, but after locking eyes withhim, he buttoned up his shirt again. He stopped just before thelast one. “Just one pec? I’ve been working really hard onthem.”

Noah laughed. He couldn’t help it. “No. Infact, if we ever hang out again, I want you in a turtlenecksweater. A really poofy one that hides any lines.”

“Fine,” Harold said in mockexasperation. “Ready to continue the mission, AgentRedwood?”