Page 169 of Once in a Lifetime, Part 2

The voice cut through the moment.

They both turned.

Mano shut his eyes, exhaling. “You’ve gotta be shitting me.”

“What are you guys doing here? It’s been forever,” Kash said.

“Yeah. Ever since you and your sister threatened us,” Mano said, his voice low.

Silence.

“You must be Mano,” the guy next to Kash said. Short, wavy dark brown hair. Solid build, just slightly shorter than Kash.

“Um… this is Logan,” Kash added.

Logan gave a polite smile. “Nice to meet you.”

“He’s, um… my boyfriend.”

Ody’s eyes widened.

Mano didn’t move.

“We’ve been seeing each other for about a month and a half,” Kash went on. Logan glanced at him with a soft smile.

“I’m happy for you,” Ody said. “You seem… good.”

Kash looked down. “I cut ties with the others. Pablo and Brandon… At least I tried. I guess we’ll find out in October.”

Ody nodded. “Thanks for… dealing with your sister. She hasn’t bothered Mano again.” He held Kash’s gaze, waiting for some sign that Stella had said more.

“No, don’t thank me.” Kash dragged a hand through his hair. “I fucked up back then. It was the least I could do. Now I’m just… scared of what’ll happen if the others find out…” he said, glancing at Logan. “But at least I’m being myself now.” A small, sincere smile formed on his lips. “At least this time… it’s me.”

Chapter 35

Kash’s words lingered. This time, they felt real. Silence stretched between them. Mano didn’t react, his expression unreadable.

Kash let out a small breath, looking between them. “Uh… so, what’s new with you guys? I saw your story from Mykonos.”

“Yeah, we went with the guys,” Ody replied.

“I hope Anna didn’t suspect anything…”

“We broke up,” Ody said without hesitation.

Kash blinked. “Oh… I—I don’t know what to say.” He glanced at Mano, but got nothing back.

“It should’ve ended a long time ago. Anyway… We’ll talk when we’re back at uni.”

“Yeah…” Kash nodded.

“Can I ask you for something, Ody?” Logan said.

All eyes turned to him.

“Take care of him. Please.”

Mano’s gaze turned to the side, his jaw tightening.