Page 194 of Once in a Lifetime, Part 2

“We’ve never talked about it. I don’t know what you want. Music, or something else—”

“Okay. I’m leaving before I do something that lands me in jail at twenty-three.” He brushed past them and was out the door before either of them could react.

Nick let out a breath. “I figured it’d go like this.”

Ody followed him into the living room.

Nick sat down, elbows on his knees. “I just don’t want him to suffer anymore. Or keep blaming himself for our parents.” He shook his head. “I know I shouldn’t have left him. But I don’t want him carrying all that forever. And his PTSD… it’s not something he can just ignore.”

Ody sat down across from him.

Nick looked up. “How are you two?”

“Good,” Ody said.

“Is he happy?”

“Yeah… I think so.” He let out a small, awkward laugh. “We’re good.”

Nick looked ahead. “I can’t even remember what he looks like when he smiles.” Then he glanced back at him. “At least he does it with you.”

Ody held his gaze. “What do you want to know? Ask me anything.”

“I have no idea what he wants to do with his life. I know he plays music. That’s it.”

Ody took a breath. “He goes to the gym. Used to do martial arts. He’s good at basketball.” He paused. “But yeah… music’s what he wants.”

“He told you that?”

“Yeah. He writes his own songs. He sings too, even though he doesn’t like doing it in front of people.” A small smile flickered. “He’s not chasing fame. He just wants to make his music.”

Nick nodded.

Ody checked his phone as it buzzed. “It’s him. I’ll… be right back.”

Nick’s gaze followed him.

The moment the bathroom door closed, Nick stood and walked into Mano’s room. His eyes moved quickly. Laptop. Music books. Guitar in the corner. Keyboard beside it. Then he spotted the external hard drive. He pulled a cable from his jacket, plugged it into the drive, then into his phone. It vibrated as it connected. He opened the files, found a folder labeled demos, and selected five. There was no time for more. His eyes flicked to the door as the files transferred. After a few seconds, it was done. He unplugged the cable and placed everything exactly where it had been.

Ody leaned against the sink, phone pressed to his ear.

“Is he still there?”

“He’s leaving, Mano.”

“Good. Get rid of him. And tell him not to come back.”

He closed his eyes. “Mano, don’t do this. He cares about you.”

“Give me a break, Ody. He shows up talking about some doctor in London like I’m something that needs fixing.”

Ody exhaled, dragging a hand over his face. “He doesn’t want you to suffer.”

“He should’ve thought about that when he left.”

“It was a mistake. He’s admitted that.” Ody hesitated. “Just… stop punishing him.”

There was nothing on the other end for a second.