Page 18 of Something Like Hail

That’s because he was in his twenties! Oh,right. Noah returned to reality. He was in a pee-soaked bed, anolder guy beneath him squinting one eye shut against the white goothat threatened to invade. Not the easiest way to earn fifty bucks,but not the most difficult either.

“Mind grabbing a towel?”George said.

“Sure.” Noah hurried tocomply, wiping the come away from George’s eye for him. He knew howbad it could burn otherwise.

“It’s always the niceones,” George said with a laugh.

“What?” Noah asked, shakinghis head. “That’s what you wanted, isn’t it?”

“Yes! Definitely. I justdidn’t expect you to get so aggressive!”

“Sorry,” Noah saidsheepishly.

“I hope you’re not!” Georgecontinued grinning at him. “Let’s hit the shower.”

Thank goodness for that! With the heat ofthe moment over, Noah wanted to get away from the mess. They leftthe room and showered together, which felt comfortable. He figuredit was impossible to feel bashful after doing something so intimatetogether. George was ridiculously happy, making them both an herbaltea after they were dry. They sipped these while sitting in theliving room, wrapped in lush bathrobes that smelled freshlylaundered.

George yawned and smacked his lipscontentedly. “A bad thing about the construction industry is theearly mornings. I’m about ready for bed. You could join me if youlike.”

“Oh,” Noah said, not surewhat to make of the offer.

George chuckled. “Don’t worry, I have a realbed. Even I don’t like to sleep in wet sheets.” He rose, waving ahand. “Just relax and think about it. I’ll get your check.”

As soon as he’d left the room, Noahconsulted his phone. Half past ten. The shelter was definitelyclosed, and he wasn’t looking forward to sleeping rough anothernight. He also wasn’t sure about staying with George. Noah might beused to bunking up with strangers at the shelter, but he didn’tshare a bed with them. Would it be rude to ask to sleep on thecouch instead? Harold also had a couch. What if Noah found someexcuse to stay there?

“Here you go!” George said,reappearing and holding out a check.

Noah took it, trying to be casual as helooked to see how much he had earned. A five followed by two zeros.That couldn’t be right! They had met at six, and even if Georgerounded the time up, that was still only five hours spent together.He should be getting half this amount! “Thanks!” he said. “Are yousure this is right?”

“Too little?”

“Too much!”

George tsked and wagged a finger. “Nevertell a client when he’s made an offer that’s too high.”

“I guess I shouldn’t,” Noahsaid while laughing. This was great! It meant he had earned backhis advance already.

“About my offer…” Georgesaid. “No pressure! Just tell me what you want.”

“I should get back to myown place,” Noah said. “Feed the cat.”

For a second he imagined himself doing justthat, opening the door to an apartment, a cranky orange tabbydemanding his attention. He could make that dream come true. Itmeant more nights doing weird stuff like peeing on a guy, but hehad made it through the experience unscathed.

“I didn’t notice a caroutside,” George said. “Do you need a ride?”

Noah reconsidered him. He had wondered ifthe offer to spend the night came with ulterior motives, but maybeGeorge was simply a nice guy. “That’s really sweet of you, but Ilike to walk.”

“Is that how you keep inshape? If so, maybe I should sell my car. I’ll get your things.”George fetched his clothes, presenting them in a neatly foldedstack.

Noah decided to get changed there in theliving room, letting his robe drop to the floor. This gave Georgean extra thrill. Then they walked to the front door. After a peckon the lips and a hug, they said goodnight.

Once Noah was outside in the evening air, hebreathed in, feeling satisfied. His debt to Marcello was as good aspaid and he had made someone happy in the process. Not bad! Hestrolled at a casual pace, barely wanting to admit his destinationto himself. When he did, a smile appeared on his face.

Harold’s house. It took him nearly an hourto get there, only to find the windows dark, but he didn’t thinkHarold had gone to bed. Most likely he was still out on a date.What if the client invited him to stay the night like George had?That seemed likely. Who wouldn’t want Harold sleeping next to them?Noah sat on the front stoop and decided not to worry about it toomuch. The shelter was already closed, so it was either hang outhere or find another bush in a park.

He distracted himself by playing with hisphone, his only concern the dwindling battery life. Before it ranout, a car pulled in the driveway. Noah hadn’t paid much attentionto it before, not one to care about such things, but he supposed itdid look cool. The vehicle was a maroon two-door, the roof somesort of brown fabric, implying it was a convertible. Harold climbedout and eyed him over the top of the car. His expression wasconcerned. Noah stood. An excuse was ready on his lips, but it wasHarold who rushed over to him.

“Are you okay?”