Page 170 of Once in a Lifetime, Part 2

“I mean at the university,” Logan went on. “If the others try something… I know Kash made mistakes. He told me what happened.”

They both looked at Kash, who lowered his head.

“But I know he regrets it,” Logan added. “He wasn’t himself back then. So… if it’s not too much to ask… don’t leave him alone.”

Mano’s gaze snapped to Ody, searching his face. So now we’re worried about Kash? What about when he cornered you in the bathroom? When they beat you? When they made me walk away so they wouldn’t hurt you worse? No. No way he expects us to babysit Kash now.

“Okay, don’t worry,” Ody said.

Mano’s eyes widened.

“I’ll do what I can,” Ody added, offering Logan a small smile.

Mano stared at him, disbelief flickering across his face.

“We’ll talk soon. Good night,” Kash said. They walked off, leaving the two of them alone.

Ody turned to him, catching the stunned look on his face. “What?”

Mano turned forward, shaking his head. “I swear… I don’t fucking get you.”

“Why?”

“You care about this motherfucker?” Mano’s voice rose.

“He messed up, yeah,” Ody fired back. “He made mistakes. He’s human. But he learned from them, and he’s trying to be better. You don’t push people like that back into the shit.”

Mano stared at him, something sharp in his eyes. “I can’t fucking believe this. He bullied you. He hit you, humiliated you… he hurt your friends, he hurt me too!”

“I know!” Ody snapped. “And that’s exactly why it was so hard to forgive him. I made him promise he’d never touch you again. Never hurt you again.”

Mano let out a sharp laugh. “When was that? While he was sucking your dick?”

Ody flinched, his gaze dropping. “Mano, please… don’t do this.”

“Why? You’re uncomfortable?” Mano shot back. “Try being me.”

Ody looked up at him, taking a breath. “Do you know what it’s like not being able to tell anyone you like the same gender?”

Mano’s jaw clenched.

“Not even your friends. And not for the reason I stayed quiet… but because if they find out, they’ll beat the shit out of you like they do to every faggot out there.” He forced the word out.

Mano looked away.

“Kash was scared. He was hiding,” Ody went on. “And I know how terrified he is of what’ll happen in October. If they find out he’s dating a guy...” He gave a humorless laugh and shook his head. “I don’t even wanna think about it. Especially after hiding who he is for all these years.” He hesitated. “I’m not asking you to forgive him. But I did.”

Mano held his gaze, then looked away, exhaling. If Kash hadn’t deleted the photos and videos his sister took, she’d still be blackmailing me. Still… if it weren’t for him and his macho bullshit, none of this would’ve happened in the first place. “Good for you,” he said, meeting his eyes. “I can’t. And I won’t.” He turned and walked ahead.

Later that night, Kash sat on Logan’s bed, the white sheets wrinkled beneath him. “Why’d you ask Ody to look out for me?” he asked. “You really think something’s gonna happen to me?” A crooked smile pulled at his lips.

“Don’t joke about that,” Logan said, his tone sharp, serious.

Kash exhaled. “Whatever they’d do to me… I probably deserve it.”

“Don’t say that.” Logan stepped closer, grabbing his arms.

Kash looked at him with soft eyes. “You’re too good for me. You could be with someone who has his life together. A job, normal friends... Instead you’re stuck with me.” He glanced down before looking back at him. “I’ve done shit, Logan. Gangs, fights… we hurt people. We did things we can’t take back.”