Page 28 of Something Like Hail

“I’m okay,” Noah said. “Itwas freaky, but I figured it out.”

“You didn’t get my textmessage?”

“Not before I went in,but—”

“I’m sorry, man!” Appearingpained, Harold rushed forward and hugged Noah, which felt prettyexcellent. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

He was tempted to play it up, but thatdidn’t seem fair. “I’m fine. I get why you don’t like him. The guyis a creep.”

Harold still looked pale as he gestured tothe car. Noah climbed in, casually inhaling the scent of theinterior. Soon they were cruising down the street, Harold’sexpression haunted.

Noah studied him. “I take it you had a badexperience with Doug?”

Harold nodded. “Yeah. Did you have sororitygirls?”

“Huh?”

Harold glanced over at him. “What sort ofstuff did you hear?”

“Oh! At first it was agroup of guys. Later a police officer came in and made me do stufffor him. Sorority girls?”

“It sounds stupid, I know.They were laughing and toying with me, but that’s not what freakedme out. I had never done anything like that before. Bondage,handcuffs… nothing. I was okay with the blindfold, but as soon as Iwas tied up, I freaked. One hundred percent panic. We didn’t knowit at the time, but I have cleithrophobia. That means I don’t likebeing trapped. I guess no one does, but when it happens to me, I gomental. I couldn’t even remember my safe word. That was the worstpart. I went nuts and Doug loved it. Eventually I remembered, butby then I was crying and…” His voice seemed to lose strength.Harold shook his head. “I don’t know.”

Noah wanted to reach over and take his hand,just to comfort him, but he was worried it would also reveal hisinterest. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine,” Harold said.Then his jaw clenched. “Actually, it’s not! I hate Doug! I getalong with most people, but he shouldn’t be in the club. Or weshould only send people to him who can act. Like, we’d tell themthe truth ahead of time. Marcello and I keep arguing aboutthat.”

“Sorry,” Noah said again.“I’ll tell him I agree with you. Maybe it’ll help.”

Harold shot him a look of gratitude, hiseyes lingering. Was he interested too? Or maybe not, because hesaid, “You’ve got something on your chin. Uh… I think it’s driedcome.”

Noah’s face flushed as he started rubbing atit. How embarrassing! Harold seemed to find it funny, which wasworth it when the pain in his voice was replaced by mirth.

“I hope you didn’t go intoMcDonald’s while waiting for me! If you did, they probably wonderedwhy you’re covered in mayo.”

“Laugh it up,” Noah said,grinning at him.

“I will!” Harold’s smilewas bright, and best of all, shining in his direction. “Where to?Wanna hang out at my place?”

Definitely! But tonight was the first in along while that Noah had a dedicated place to sleep, and he didn’twant to make Edith angry or upset by not showing up again. “I havea busy day tomorrow. Sorry.”

“Oh, right! You wanted toborrow the car. In that case, we’ll stop at my place, I’ll hop out,and you can take the car home with you.”

Or Noah could forget about Edith’s feelingsand the dumb trip to Gatesville and spend the night with the mostexcellent guy in the world.

Maybe I should just kill myself.Seriously.

Ugh. Noah couldn’t ignore that. Besides,he’d just been manhandled and splooged on by an absolute creep. Notthe best time to make a move on Harold. “That would be great,” hesaid lamely. “Thanks.”

He wished the car ride had lasted longer,but in less time than he liked, they were standing in Harold’sdriveway.

“Just bring her back whenyou’re done,” Harold said, handing over the key. “Tomorrow,right?”

“Yeah,” Noah said, notmoving. “I reallyreallyappreciate it.”

“No problem.”

Noah still didn’t budge. “I guess I’m toogross to hug right now.”