Page 82 of Something Like Hail

“Just making sure he goteverything right,” Noah said, shoving the receipt in his pocket. Hecouldn’t help searching for the waiter as they left. Another tableoccupied his attention, but Felix looked over his shoulder andflashed a bashful smile. Noah was too surprised to do the same.Funny how that worked. Almost every night was taken up by a guy whowas interested in him, but out here in the real world—with no moneyinvolved—the attention felt more flattering.

He and Marcello parted ways with an amiablehug and a promise to discuss the database idea further at anothertime. Noah then ran what errands he still could before he returnedhome, got ready for his date, and went out again. Tonight’s clientwas only interested in one thing. No dinners or semblance of adate. As always, he just wanted to blow someone and take his timewhile doing so. That was fine by Noah. He didn’t think of Haroldwhile this took place. He didn’t think about much of anything whenworking these days. Whenever he had sex with a client, Noah’s mindwent somewhere dark and silent, allowing his body to take over.

Once his work was finished, Noah collected his check andreturned home. He had once fantasized about renting an apartmentfrom the complex where he had pretended to live. Noah had eventoured those apartments with a leasing agent, not completelysatisfied with their quality. Sure, they were cheap, but he hadmore money now. Ultimately he chose a place away from the downtownarea where he had so often wandered the streets—away from Jerusalemand away from Harold’s neighborhood too. Noah’s apartment complexwas gated and offered a number of perks, such as the indoor pooland gym, a drop-off laundry service, and underground parking tokeep the rows and rows of shiny cars pristine. He could only guesswhat the other residents thought of his rust bucket, but he didn’tknow, because this wasn’t the sort of place where neighbors stoppedto chat. Instead the apartments seemed to be populated with peoplewho wished to remain anonymous—like he did.

He had chosen a two-bedroom unit forhimself, despite not needing the extra room. He had plans to use itas an office, but at the moment, the second bedroom remained empty.Noah let himself into the apartment. A cool gust caressed his face.He always left the air conditioner running at this time of year.The large kitchen was filled with supplies to cook, despite Noahrarely doing so, and the lush couch in front of the widescreentelevision could seat four, even though he never had anyone over.The few exceptions were all trusted clients.

Noah liked his home, and his truck, and thebank account that didn’t dip below five figures anymore. He wasnever hungry or woke up cold and wet. His life was finally stable.Then why wasn’t he happy? He had to admit that Marcello was right.Something was missing from his life, but it seemed like a joke thatit could be a guy. All Noah had were guys, so many that heoccasionally forgot a name. His job forced him to socialize daily,and physical contact always accompanied that. What else wasthere?

Emotion. Marcello had made a comment aboutthat being absent. From his job or his personal life? Noah couldn’tremember what his boss had been referring to so he began to pace,finding himself drawn to the extra bedroom. He shut the door behindhim and was surrounded by white walls and beige carpet. Neutral.Blank. Empty. The perfect place to meditate and figure it all out.His hands were in his pockets, one touching a phone, the otherfingering a receipt that included a drawing of a bad pun. And aphone number.

Maybe he just needed a roommate. Or a pet,or a friend, or anyone who didn’t treat him like a vending machinefor love. Feed the money in and push the button for thecorresponding craving. He wasn’t complaining. It really was a lotof cash. Noah was compensated too well to feel used, but thatdidn’t mean he couldn’t feel used up.

Sometimes he wishedhe could turn back the clock, never come out to his parents andexperience the normal life of a teenager instead. No living on thestreets or working as an escort. Just school followed by graduationand maybe a job waiting tables while he tried to figure out what todo with his life. Is that what Felix had? Is that why he could beso enthusiastic about lemons and limes?

Only one way to find out. Noah didn’thesitate. If his profession had taught him one thing, it was how totalk to complete strangers and keep conversations going. He pulledout his phone and the restaurant receipt, then sat cross-legged onthe carpet. He tapped in the number and hit the green phone icon,already grinning because he was doing something different. His lifehad become a routine of going on one date and prepping himself forthe next. Now he was finally breaking that routine… even if it wasjust for another sort of date. He was chuckling to himself when theringing stopped and was replaced by a nerve-racked voice.

“Um. Hey! I mean…Hello?”

“Do you always answer thephone like that?” Noah asked. He could picture Felix holding thephone in his hands like a hot potato before answering, wondering ifthe unknown caller was the guy he had left his numberfor.

“Oh god,” Felix said. “Ididn’t expect you to actually— I mean, I’m not insecure oranything. Okay, maybe Iam, it’s just…” A sharp inhalation ofbreath. “Hi there!”

“Hello,” Noah said coolly.“Could I talk to your older brother, please? I’m getting theimpression that you’re even younger than I originallythought.”

“How old did you think Iwas?” Felix asked, sounding hurt.

“Twenty-five,” he replieddespite the number being way higher than his actual estimate. Noahstill remembered what a compliment it once was to be mistaken asolder.

“Oh! That’s close. I’mtwenty. Two.”

“Okay,” Noah said. “I’m notsaying I don’t believe you, but I’ll need to see some ID before wego on our date.”

Felix gasped audibly. “Our date?”

“Yeah. I’m not much of aphone guy. In fact, I’m about to hang up, so let’s make plansbefore it’s too late. Are you free tomorrow night?”

“I have class.”

“High school?”

“College!” Felix shot back.Then he laughed. “You’re messing with me, aren’t you? There’s nohigh school at night. Except for adults, I guess.”

“You’re not anadult?”

“I am! Ugh. This is adisaster. Do over!”

The phone beeped in his ear, then wentsilent. Felix had hung up on him! Noah stared at it in puzzlementbefore he finally understood. He called the number again, the voicethat answered sounding sultry this time.

“Why, hello. I knew youwould call. I’mveryconfident.”

“Too bad,” Noah murmured.“I have a thing for nervous wrecks.”

“I’m that too!” Felix saidhurriedly. “So where are you taking me? We’re going on a date, youknow.”

“I didn’t,” Noah said,playing along, “but I like the idea. What should we do?”

“Oh. Dinner? And maybe amovie?”