His breath ghosted the back of Ramin’s neck. Was Noah on his side, too?FacingRamin? With his Ark pointed right at Ramin’s ass?
This was torture.
“Ramin?”
“Yeah?
“I’m sorry I didn’t keep in touch.”
“Me too.” Ramin swallowed. “We were kids. It happens.”
“Yeah. But still. You were going through something awful, and I… I should’ve been there for you.”
“It’s okay. You were going through your own stuff.”
Ramin couldn’t see Noah, could only imagine the warmth in his eyes, but that made it easier to talk somehow. Noah couldn’t see him blush.
The darkness protected them both.
“Thanks for inviting me along today. For making me feel like part of the family. I haven’t had that in a long time.”
“I was glad to. I had fun. We all did.” Noah’s voice dropped so low Ramin could barely hear it. “I don’t think you’re boring at all.”
Ramin chuckled. It was nice of Noah to say, but he’d only seen Interesting New Ramin. He’d missed the last twenty years.
But he liked being not-boring to Noah.
“Thanks. I think you’re pretty cool too.”
“Thanks.” It was Noah’s turn to chuckle. The laugh made the hairs on Ramin’s neck stand up. “I try.”
“Seriously. You’re kind and you’re”—Ramin was about to sayhandsomebut that was definitely not appropriate—“you’re patient and you’re thoughtful. You always have been.”
Noah went quiet for a long moment.
“Thanks.” He sighed. “It’s nice to have someone that knew me before. Before Angela and Jake, I mean. Sometimes it feels like that’s all I am to people. Jake’s dad. Angela’s ex. But to you, I’m an old friend.”
Ramin’s chest heated. He slid his feet around to find a cooler spot. “I’m glad.”
The rain kept falling. Noah kept breathing. Eventually, Ramin relaxed enough to breathe himself, too.
“Night, Noah,” he whispered. He didn’t even expect an answer.
But Noah whispered back, “Night, Ramin.”
twenty
Noah
Twenty Years Ago
You going to Sweetheart?” Noah asked, leaning against the locker next to Ramin’s. Students filed past on the way to seventh hour, but Noah’s (and Ramin’s) was just down the hall.
Ramin shook his head and avoided Noah’s eyes.
Noah didn’t know much—Ramin didn’t really talk about it—but he knew Ramin’s mom wasn’t doing well. He thought maybe talking about the dance would cheer Ramin up, at least a little bit.
Not that anything seemed to do that these days.
