Page 231 of Once in a Lifetime, Part 2

“I know you got an offer from one of the best record labels in the UK.”

“I don’t need advice from you,” he said, his voice rising.

“I just don’t want you to regret this. This could change everything for you. Your future, your life,” Nick pressed.

“It’s mine. I’ll do whatever I want with it.”

“So you’re going to throw your dreams away? Why? To stay in Greece? To finish school?”

“For Ody!”

Silence stretched between them.

Mano let out a breath. “Like you said… I’ll throw my dreams away for him.”

“Did you talk about it?”

“Yes. We talked.”

“And what did he say?”

“Don’t worry about what he said. You think I don’t want to go? You really called to remind me it’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance? I know that! I know what it means, what I’d be doing, what I’d be giving up! But I have someone here who actually showed up for me. In ways you never did. You left me. He stayed. He was there when I had nightmares and panic attacks. When I felt completely alone. Do you know what it’s like to have someone like that by your side? No. So shut up. And don’t ever tell me again I’m throwing my dreams away.”

The line hung in the air.

“So what you’re saying is that if Ody didn’t exist, you’d go,” Nick said, his voice low.

“In a heartbeat. To B.I. Records? Of course I’d go. But Ody does exist. And that changes everything. So stop trying to change my mind. I’m staying in Greece. End of story.”

Behind the bedroom door, Ody didn’t move.

His breath caught, the words settling in.

Chapter 45

When Mano’s voice faded, Ody went back to bed, his mind replaying every word of their conversation on a loop.

Mano had said it himself. He wanted to go to England. The only thing keeping him here was Ody.

He stayed in his room for half an hour before finally stepping out. “Hey.”

Mano glanced up from the couch as Ody fixed something to eat. Later, he asked if he wanted to go out for a drink. Mano agreed.

When it was time to leave, he went to Ody’s closet and reached for one of the shirts hanging beside his.

The bar was crowded, but they found a small table tucked between the others. They talked about random things while waiting for their drinks.

For a moment, silence settled between them as they both took a sip.

“I know I confused you the other day.”

Mano looked up. “Why are we talking about this again?”

“Because we never finished it. We just shoved it aside. And now we’re avoiding it.”

Mano exhaled, looking away.

“I’ve made my decision,” Ody said. “You said what I want affects your choices. Right?”