Page 143 of Something Like Hail

If people could be considered a resource, hewould certainly be managing what they did. This explanation seemedto satisfy them.

“Then we have twice thereason to celebrate,” Bianca said. “That’s quite the promotion. Andwhat great timing!”

“It’s the perfect birthdaypresent,” Noah agreed.

“Don’t you want to give himyours?” Darli asked her brother.

“Yeah,” Felix saidbashfully. “I’ll wait until we’re alone.”

This didn’t seem intended as a racy comment,but Darli snorted anyway. Then she groaned when her mother insistedthat she help clear the table.

“You two just relax,”Bianca said. “I insist.”

Noah thanked her, then turned to Felix, whohad flushed cheeks. “You didn’t have to get me anything. Or do anyof this.”

“I wanted to! Are you readyfor your present?”

Noah nodded. “Sure.”

Felix glared at his sister, who had comeback for more plates. “Let’s go outside.”

“Outside?”

“There’s no privacy inhere.”

“Oooooh!” Darli said. “Ididn’t realize that trucks had backseats.”

“I’m not sure,” Felix shotback. “Why don’t you ask Toby?”

Darli went rigid. Then she leaned over,kissed Felix on the cheek, and said, “You’re the best brother inthe world, you know that? I love you with all my heart. I’ll makesure Mom doesn’t come outside. Deal?”

“That would be nice,” Felixsaid smugly.

Noah waited until they were outside beforehe asked the burning question. “What just happened and who’sToby?”

“Toby is her boyfriend.He’s a year older than you.”

Noah sucked in air through his teeth. “Soshe really does like older guys!”

“Yup!”

They were walking toward his truck out ofhabit more than anything. “Aren’t you worried?”

Felix scoffed. “Worried about Darli? She’salways made good decisions. Better than me. Sometimes she feelsmore like my older sister. Besides, I’ve met Toby. He’s quiet andsweet. And he’s her dance instructor. The best part is thateveryone thinks Toby is gay. I was heartbroken when she told mehe’s not.”

“Hey!” Noah said,pretending to be jealous.

“Heisreally cute,” Felix said. “But I’mmore into handsome guys. Like you.”

“That’s better.” Theyreached the truck, Noah opening the passenger side door and eyeingthe present that Felix had grabbed on the way out and tucked underone arm. Noah honestly couldn’t remember the last time he hadgotten a birthday present. He was excited enough that instead ofgoing around to the driver’s side, he made Felix scoot over so hecould climb in after him.

“It’s nothing big,” Felixsaid, spotting how eager he was. “If I was rich, I’d buy you a lotmore. Starting with a Blu-ray player. One of the cool hacked onesthat are region-free.”

“You lost me again,” Noahsaid. “I was raised by cavemen, remember?”

Felix laughed and handed over the wrappedpresent. It was square and firm, convincing Noah that it was a bookof some sort. He carefully tore away the paper, noticing hownervous Felix was and paused to give him a reassuring kiss on thenose. “I love it already,” he said.

“You don’t even know whatit is!”