Page 24 of Something Like Hail

Definitely.

Okay. Thanks.

That should have been the end of it. Noahdidn’t have a credit card, and he couldn’t imagine any companygiving him one. Then Harold texted again.

Do you have one?

No point in denyingit.Nope.

Wanna borrow my car? If you’re driving to LAthen no way. If you’ve got errands to run, then it’s cool.

I need tovisit— Noah hesitated. What were they now?They hadn’t broken up officially but it was also impossible forthem to date.–a friend. He’s not doing sowell. He lives two hours away.

Huh. Can you drive?

Yeah! LOL

Okay. Just let me know when.

Seriously? Could Harold getany nicer? “I freaking love you,” Noah said out loud. Then hetexted back.Thanks! I’ll pay whatever arental would cost. How do I get a day off?

Just text Marcello and say what day youneed.

Simple as that? Noah nibbled his bottom lip.If he was honest, he didn’t want to go to Gatesville. Then again,the letters were often dramatic, but suicide? He wouldn’t be ableto live with himself if something happened, so he sent a text toMarcello, asking for the next day off.

Take all the time youneed, came the reply.I’ll mark you as decommissioned until I hearotherwise.

What the hell? Noah neededone day off. That was all!I’ll be backthat night. Before dinner. I’ll make sure of it, so never mind. Notime off needed.

He waited for a response.It never came. Had he just ruined it all? Noah rolled his eyes,blaming himself, then the letter. He texted Marcello one more timein desperation.I mean it. I want towork.

Understood.

Finally! What was Marcello’s problem? Noahwas never going to ask for time off again, that was for sure!

* * * * *

Noah refused to let moody letters ordismissive text messages get him down. He went to a nearby dollarstore, buying a few essentials for his room, such as a smalltrashcan and liners. Nothing frivolous aside from a scented candle,because Mr. Carvajal hadn’t been the best-smelling guy. When hereturned, he found a brochure about safe sex on the floor in frontof his door, along with samples of lube and rows of condoms. Hedidn’t have to guess who had left those there, but he was sureEdith meant well.

Then he got ready for his next date. Noahwas hungry, but he avoided eating at the shelter. He would probablyhave dinner with his client, and it seemed unfair to take food frompeople less fortunate. He began his walk early, since thisdestination was farther away than the others had been. Nearly twohours! Maybe he should invest in a bike, or pay more attention tothe bus system.

He was expecting another house, but insteadarrived at an apartment complex on a busy road. Noah walked up thestairs to the third floor, five minutes late. A note was taped tothe door, something dark hanging from the knob.

Put this on. Then knock.

That’s all the note said. One look at theknob revealed that black cloth was draped over it. He lifted this,discovering it was a blindfold. Okay. Noah glanced around. He feltself-conscious, but once certain nobody was watching, he did asinstructed. The blindfold was thick, obscuring his visioncompletely. No wonder Harold didn’t like this guy. Things wereweird already! He felt for the door, then knocked. It squeaked openalmost instantly.

A hand grabbed his and pulled him inside. Helistened as the door closed, multiple locks sliding into place.

“What’s your safe word?”asked a gruff voice.

“Armadillo,” Noah answered.“Sorry, but can I—”

He was reaching for the blindfold with hisfree hand when his arm was yanked behind his back, joined by theother, like he was about to be handcuffed. He shoved aside hisconcerns. S&M always involved restraints of some sort, didn’tit?

“You don’t do anythingunless I tell you to,” the voice said. He could only assume it wasDoug. “Understood?”

“Okay.”