Page 136 of Once in a Lifetime, Part 2

“What?” Ody asked.

“Fireworks. On the most famous beach in Mykonos. And after that, some big-name singer. That’s what I heard.”

The word fireworks was enough. Ody’s eyes went straight to Mano. “Again, in the middle of a crowd?” he muttered, careful not to give anything away.

“Oh, come on, man! It’s August fifteenth. We can’t just stay in. That’s what we did in Athens, so why even come to Mykonos?” Elias shot back, Pierce nodding along.

“Fine. We’ll see you downstairs.” Ody started pushing them toward the door, ignoring their protests until he finally managed to shut it.

Behind him, Mano exhaled and pushed himself up from the mattress.

“Would you be okay if we sat on the beach, away from the crowd, until it’s over?” Ody asked, his eyes on him.

Mano held his gaze. “Yeah… Thanks.”

After breakfast, they spent the day sightseeing around the island. By mid-afternoon, they ended up at a packed beach and settled for a quick swim instead of paying another fortune for loungers, though Mano, of course, said he didn’t mind paying.

They stopped at a traditional tavern for dinner before returning to the hotel to rest. Late that night, they headed to the beach where the mini concert was taking place and settled on loungers away from the main crowd.

When the fireworks lit up the sky, Mano’s head jerked up. Ody was already watching him. The sound was distant enough, almost muffled, and Mano gradually relaxed.

They settled in with drinks as more people arrived for the concert. A while later, the crowd shifted toward the center, leaving their side of the beach quieter.

“Looks like it’s starting,” Chris said.

“Let’s go.”

“I’ll join you in a bit.” Ody watched them go.

Mano didn’t move, still focused on his screen.

The others headed into the crowd. Music picked up in the distance, bodies moving under the lights.

“It’s been… weird between us since last night,” Ody said. “I don’t like it.”

Mano remained quiet.

“I did some thinking when I went to the lobby.”

Mano finally looked up.

“So…” Ody hesitated, his eyes drifting toward the dark water. “I want to clear things up. With everyone. Anna, my friends… and you.”

“Me?”

“You don’t deserve this. And neither does she.” His head dipped. “I can’t keep hurting the people I care about.”

Mano lowered his phone, studying him now.

“I want… us,” Ody said. “I really do, Mano. I’ll talk to Anna when we get back. It’s so fucking hard. But I have to do it.” His chest heaved, his gaze lifting to the sky. “I have to hurt her.”

Neither of them spoke. The music carried faintly from the crowd.

“You know… I’ve always been like that,” Ody continued. “Trying to be kind. Helpful. If someone asks me to do something, even when I don’t want to, I still do it.” He let out a short breath. “I hate disappointing people. Even with silly things. I’ll change my plans because someone else wants something different. I’ll go out of my way to get something they forgot.” He shook his head. “I just… go along with it.”

He went quiet. “But this…” The word caught in his throat. “Hurting someone…” He swallowed, staring down. “Looking at Anna and knowing I’m the one who’s going to do that… Knowing I won’t be who she thinks I am anymore…” His voice faltered. “I know it has to be done. I just… it’s so fucking hard.”

Mano turned toward him on the lounger and brushed his cheek. “I know you’re trying.”