Page 186 of Once in a Lifetime, Part 2

“Last time I saw him… it didn’t end well.”

His mind drifted, uninvited. Mano’s words. Everything he’d missed. Everything he hadn’t been there for.

“Give him my number,” Dominic said, cutting through it. “Tell him to call me.”

“I can’t forgive you. I don’t have it in me. So please… I’m begging you. Just go. Get the fuck out of my life. Seeing you just… hurts too much.”

Nick looked up. “You don’t get it,” he said, his voice low. “He wants nothing to do with me.”

Dominic’s expression softened. “Damn… I’m sorry, man.” He paused. “But, Nick, five instruments and composing? You can’t just tell me that and leave me hanging. I need to hear something.”

Nick didn’t answer.

Dominic stared at him. “You know music is my thing. How have you never mentioned this insanely talented brother of yours?”

Nick’s gaze dropped. “I wasn’t exactly around long enough to know much about his music.”

“Jesus.” Dominic shook his head. “Okay. But if there’s any way you can get me one of his tracks, do it. I need to hear this guy.”

Back in Athens, Ody couldn’t stop thinking about that one question. Each time it returned, it was louder than before.

“Do you regret it?”

He hadn’t answered. He’d just stood there, letting the moment slip past him, watching something in Mano’s expression shift. Now it sat in his chest, heavy.

He exhaled, running a hand through his hair as he drove, the streets blurring past him. He should’ve said something. Anything.

He turned the wheel before he could think it through. By the time he pulled up outside Mano’s building, his pulse had picked up. He stepped out, crossed to the entrance, and pressed the intercom.

Mano buzzed him in and stepped aside when he reached the door. “Is something wrong?” he asked, closing it behind him.

“You asked me if I regretted it,” Ody said, his voice steady. “I regret not talking to Anna sooner. But I don’t regret us.”

Their gazes held.

He stepped closer, cupping Mano’s face in both hands. “Ask me if I’d go on that double date again.”

Mano’s eyes flicked between his, his lips parting.

“Ask me,” Ody repeated, not letting him look away.

“Would you…” Mano swallowed. “Go on that double date?”

“I’d run to it,” Ody said without hesitation. “I’d love to see you for the first time all over again.” A faint, bittersweet smile touched his lips. “To see you step off that motorcycle… hands in your pockets, not even bothering to shake my hand.” His eyes softened. “To watch you sit there, distant, barely answering me. Leaving without noticing you’d dropped your necklace… and me chasing you down the next day to give it back.”

Mano’s breath hitched.

“To see you fighting that guy at uni. To insist I drive you home… To have you protect me when no one else did.” Ody’s brows drew together. “To sit next to you at the cinema… to eat Sishishi.” He let out a quiet laugh. Mano’s followed, softer. “To kiss you for the first time and have you push me away.” He tightened his hold. “To grow closer. To hear you sing. To tell you I love you.”

Mano’s eyes turned glassy. Ody’s thumb brushed just beneath them, holding his gaze.

“To go with you to your childhood home… to get those tattoos together…” His voice dropped. “Just… being with you.” His own eyes filled now. “I hate what I did to Anna. I hate that I caused all of you so much pain. But if you’re asking whether I regret loving you… I don’t.”

Mano turned his head, wiping at his eyes.

“I wouldn’t change anything. Not a second of it.”

Their eyes met again.