Page 31 of Something Like Hail

Ryan’s eyes lit up like he’d been presentedwith gold pieces instead. “For real?”

“Yeah!” Noah said with achuckle.

“You probably need it morethan I do,” Ryan said, but the hopeful expressionremained.

“I’m doing okay. Don’tworry.”

“In that case…” Ryangrabbed the quarters. “Let’s go shopping!”

The only option was a row of vendingmachines, but Ryan was like a little kid, rushing from one to theother, unable to make up his mind. He got a little ofeverything—candy bars, chips, cola, and even a pack of gum.

“You’ll still love me whenI’m fat,” Ryan said when they were seated again and he was openinghis third candy bar, “right?”

“It’ll take more than thatto make you fat,” Noah laughed.

“I wish I could get huge,”Ryan said wistfully. “Maybe then my cellmate would stop—” He seemedto choke on the words or the candy before he continued. “—stopmaking eyes at me.”

Noah feared there was more to it than that.Ryan didn’t glow as he once had, but he was still good-looking. Ifhalf the stories about prison were true, Ryan would need to be onguard, or maybe do what was necessary to survive. Noah couldn’tjudge, but he still felt sorry for him. “I want you to eat more.I’ll put money in your account too.”

Noah knew it was a mistake the moment hesaid it. He should have done so anonymously. Maybe Ryan would haveassumed it was from his parents. Instead his chewing slowed. Thenhe swallowed.

“Where’s all this moneycoming from?” Ryan asked.

“I got a job. I’m still atthe shelter, but I’ve managed to save a little.”

Ryan relaxed somewhat. “A job? Where?”

Noah looked away. He wasn’t againststretching the truth, but it wasn’t elastic enough for thissituation.

“You’re tricking,” Ryansaid, reading him like a book.

“Don’t be mad!” Noahpleaded. “You know what it’s like out there. This is the only way Ican get back on my feet.”

“You’ll find yourselfknocked on your ass! You might have been lucky so far, but rememberthe time that guy almost broke my nose? I blew the ugly fucker andthen he elbowed me in the face and pushed me out of his car! Isthat really what you want?”

“No!”

“You’re worried about mehaving a death wish? You’re the one putting your life on theline!”

“It’s not like that. I’msafe.”

Ryan glared. “Really? Is that what youthink?”

“It’s the truth! I’mworking for a service. They screen out the bad guys.” Another slip.When would Noah learn to keep his mouth shut?

“An escort service?” Ryanasked, voice quiet. “Which one?”

“Does it matter? I don’twant to think about any of that. Let’s just enjoy the time we haveleft.”

“Which one?”

Noah crossed his arms over his chest. “I’mdone talking about this.”

“You’re working forMarcello.”

Noah remained perfectly still. It didn’twork.

“The Gentlemen’s AgreementClub? Isn’t that the name of it?”