Page 180 of Once in a Lifetime, Part 2

“He was in love with him from the beginning… I can’t—” She let out a shaky breath, and buried her face in Nicky’s shoulder. “The things he’d been telling me… all of it was lies. Serifos… Patra… the tattoo… he stopped touching me…” Her words dissolved into sobs.

“Shh… don’t,” Nicky murmured. “It’s not worth it.”

Anna pulled back, shaking her head. “I’m such an idiot. I told Mano I thought Ody was drifting away. That there was someone else…” Her voice rose. “And he was standing right there! Listening to me. Watching me embarrass myself. How stupid am I? How fucking stupid?”

“Hey, hey…” Nicky reached out, trying to steady her. “I know it hurts. But you’ll get through this.”

“I want to go home.” Anna pulled away, wiping her face.

“The girls are waiting for us.”

“I’m not in the mood.” Her expression went blank.

“Come on… don’t let this ruin your whole night. We’ll get a drink, talk it out—”

“No.” Her voice steadied, colder now. “I’ll take you to them, and then I’m getting a taxi.”

“Anna—”

“Let’s go.” She didn’t wait.

Nicky couldn’t change her mind. Anna dropped her off at the bar and took a taxi home. She kept her face turned toward the window, wiping at her tears, trying to keep them quiet. Her throat burned. The driver noticed but didn’t say anything.

She unlocked the front door and stepped inside, her movements slow, heavy. Her keys hit the table with a dull sound. She sank onto the couch. She just sat there. Then it all came rushing back.

Back to the day she first met him.

“Come on, don’t be boring! We’re gonna have fun, you’ll see!”

Anna let out a long sigh, dragging a hand down her face. “Oh my God, Nicky. What am I even supposed to do at an amateur basketball game?”

“You only care about the NBA, huh?” Nicky shot back, nudging her shoulder, earning a sharp glare. “Peter’s playing. Come on, don’t start.”

Anna crossed her arms, shifting her weight to one leg. “Ugh, you’re not gonna let this go, are you?”

Nicky grinned, already knowing the answer. “No. So, are we going?”

Anna held her stare, like she might actually say no. Then her expression softened. “Fine. Let’s go.”

Nicky squealed and threw her arms around her.

That Saturday morning, the girls went to the basketball court. They met up with Peter, Nicky’s crush, and sat with the boys until the game started. The bleachers filled with friends of the players.

“You know, you owe me for this. I only came because you’re obsessed with him,” Anna muttered as the game began.

“Any favor you want,” Nicky grinned.

Anna’s eyes followed the ball, the players moving fast across the court. Peter’s team wore black. The opponents were in green.

She wasn’t interested, not really. Until her gaze caught on someone. A tall boy with light brown hair. Black shorts. Green jersey.

Her attention lingered. The way he moved. The way his arms tightened when he reached for the ball. He wasn’t jacked, but he looked strong. Fit. Athletic.

The referee called a foul for the green team. On the far end of the court, Ody bent forward, hands on his knees as he caught his breath. His gaze drifted toward the bleachers, then stopped. On her.

Anna’s breath caught when their eyes met. She didn’t look away.

He smiled. A small dip of his head, shy and confident at the same time.