Page 138 of Something Like Hail

Noah’s heart swelled with gratitude, but hetried to keep it in check. “Are you absolutely sure?”

Harold locked eyes with him. Then henodded.

“I always thought you wouldmake a beautiful pair,” Marcello said cheerfully. “Perhaps notquite like this, but I’m very pleased nonetheless.”

“So he’s got the job?”Harold asked.

Marcello smiled. “You both do! Now then, howshall we celebrate? Oh, I know! Allow me to rub oil on your backs.And your fronts.”

Noah barely heard him. His attention wasstill on Harold, who seemed miserable until he noticed Noahstaring. Then he forced an upbeat expression, his tone matchingit.

“Actually,” he said. “I’mstarving. All we had to eat were soggy tamales, and I barelytouched mine.”

“Excellent!” Marcello said.“If it’s Mexican food you crave, I know just the place.” He reachedfor his phone. “Agreed?”

They nodded, Noah moving over to talk toHarold in a low whisper while Marcello made his call.

“Thank you,” he said. “Iknow this is outside your comfort zone, but I swear I’ll make it aspainless for you as possible.”

Harold managed to muster some enthusiasm. “Iknow you’ll do your best. I just hope I won’t let you down. I’lltry, but don’t be disappointed, okay?”

“You’re the only one who’sworried,” Noah said. “Marcello believes in you and so do I. Time tojoin us.”

“I’ll work on it.” Harold’sstomach growled just as the call came to an end. Louder he said,“Where are we eating anyway?”

“As I said,” Marcelloanswered, “we’re going to have Mexican food. None of this Tex-Mexnonsense. There’s only one place for it. We’re going straight tothe source! The plane will be on the runway and ready for us. Allwe need do is get dressed.” He tapped a finger on his lipsthoughtfully. “Although, do wereallyneed to wearclothes?”

“Yes,” Noah said with alaugh. “We do!”

He couldn’t help grinning as they allreturned inside. A new challenge awaited him, they would soon becelebrating in Mexico, and he could expect years spent with a guyhe truly admired. Maybe not in the way he had once dreamed, but hewas looking forward to it regardless.

* * * * *

They landed in Austin again at three in themorning. Marcello was so drunk that they had to help him to hisfront door, a big arm draped around each of their necks.

“Where are your keys?” Noahasked as they stood on the patio.

“Pocket,” Marcello slurred.“Pants pocket.”

Noah looked to Harold. “Think he means thefront or—”

“Of course he means thefront. You take your side, I’ll take mine.”

They spent a good minute digging aroundbefore they gave up.

“You must have left them onthe plane,” Noah said. “Do you have a spare key hiddensomewhere?”

Marcello stood upright, no longer needingtheir support. When he spoke, he sounded perfectly sober. “Oh,silly me! They’re in my jacket pocket. And you call that a search?You barely gave me a thrill at all!”

Noah rolled his eyes.

Harold laughed, patting down Marcello untilhe found the keys. Then he pulled them out and handed them over.“In you go, old man!”

“Won’t you join me? You’reboth too inebriated to drive. Stay the night. I’ll even give you aroom with a lock on the door, although I can’t promise on whichside it will be.”

“Sure!” Harold saidinstantly.

Noah hesitated. “I should get home. Felix isprobably worried.” Noah had texted him earlier in the day to say hewould be late, but his boyfriend might still be up and increasinglyconcerned.