Page 172 of Once in a Lifetime, Part 2

After the treadmill, they moved on to resistance bands, stretching their backs and shoulders.

“How long has it been since you lifted weights?” Mano asked once they finished.

Ody hesitated. “Weights? Uh…”

Mano raised a brow. “Yeah?”

“I mean… I haven’t really been lifting lately. Mostly basketball, bodyweight stuff. Abs, push-ups…”

“Yeah,” Mano muttered. “I can tell.” He was already heading for the dumbbells. He grabbed a five-kilo and handed it to him. “Three sets. Fifteen squats. Start.”

Ody stared at it. “With five kilos?”

“Yeah. Why?”

Ody scoffed, turning the dumbbell in his hand. “A girl I know uses five kilos on each shoulder.”

“You haven’t touched weights in ages. Go heavier and you won’t walk tomorrow.”

Ody’s jaw dropped as Mano moved to the squat rack, loading plates onto the bar.

“How many reps do you do?” Ody followed him.

Mano slid another plate on, securing it in place. “Six to eight.”

Ody shifted closer, watching him. “And that’s how much?”

Mano tightened the lifting belt around his waist, then ducked under the bar, adjusting it across his shoulders. “One-forty.”

“One-forty?” Ody’s brows shot up. “And you thought, yeah, let’s give him five kilos. He’ll be fine.”

Mano dropped into his first squat.

Ody just stared. That’s almost twice my weight…

By the time Mano racked the bar, Ody was still standing there, watching him through the mirror.

Mano caught his eye in the reflection. “You done staring? Or do you need another minute to process? Start.”

“O-okay, jeez. You’re a strict trainer,” Ody muttered, walking off to find space.

Mano watched him as he set up, adjusting his stance. He let him get a few reps in before stepping over, his hand settling against Ody’s lower back. “Knees out. Keep your back straight.”

Ody finished the set and looked at him, breathing heavier.

“Good. Rest a minute. Then go again,” Mano said, already turning back.

About an hour later, Mano felt sharp, buzzing with energy. Ody was flat on the floor, arms and legs spread out, completely wrecked.

Mano nudged his shoe. “Get up. Locker room.”

“No. I live here now.”

“Get up.” He grabbed his hand and pulled him to his feet, practically dragging him along.

“I didn’t bring clothes,” Ody complained, gesturing at himself. “I didn’t think it’d be this bad.”

“We’ll shower at home.”