Page 233 of Once in a Lifetime, Part 2

“We still react every time we hear Anna’s name,” Ody said, looking down at the table.

“What does Anna have to do with this?”

“I don’t know if I can get over what we did to her,” Ody said. “What I did to her.”

Mano stared at him. “What are you doing right now?”

“I’m trying to make you see that even if you stay… we don’t have a future.”

Mano went still. “A few hours ago, you told me you loved me…”

Ody’s expression softened. “I do love you. But I can’t stand going out and pretending we’re just friends. Sitting in a bar and not being able to touch your hand. I can’t stand hiding the moment we step outside. That’s not a life. How long is this supposed to last?” He held his gaze. “I got stabbed because they saw us kissing.”

Mano lowered his head, blinking fast. “I-I tried to—”

“I never said it was your fault,” Ody cut in, the realization hitting him. “I just… I can’t do this anymore, Mano.” His voice dropped, his gaze gentle. “First Anna, then those assholes, now England. Maybe this is a sign we should stop.”

Mano’s chest ached. He would’ve preferred yelling. Cruel words. Anything but that look. “Stop what?” he asked, barely above a whisper. “Us?”

Ody frowned. “Why are you reacting like this? I thought you didn’t care that much. A few days ago, you said if you leave, we’re over. What’s different now?”

Mano just stared at him.

“What’s the problem, Mano?” Ody asked again, softer this time. “You said it yourself. If you leave, we’re over.”

Mano’s expression hardened. I thought you wanted me to stay. I thought you wanted… this. Guess I was wrong. He lowered his gaze. “There’s no problem,” he said, his voice flat. “None at all.”

A sharp pain hit Ody’s chest. He forced himself to stay still.

“I’ll come by for my things when you’re not home,” Mano said, finishing his drink in one go. He stood, dropped a twenty on the table and walked away without looking back.

Ody watched him go, his vision blurring. He picked up his glass and finished his drink, tears falling onto the table. The pain pressed in, but the thought of Mano doing what he loved, chasing something bigger than both of them, made it easier to breathe.

Mano didn’t go home. Halfway through the ride, he gave the driver a different address.

The taxi pulled up outside the gym. He walked in, went straight to the punching bag and drove his bare fists into it.

He didn’t stop. Didn’t think.

He wouldn’t let himself break.

The boy who had shown him what it meant to be loved had just let him go.

His knuckles split. Still, he kept going. One punch. Another. Until his arms gave out and he collapsed against the bag, dropping to his knees.

His vision blurred.

No. He wasn’t going to cry.

He pushed himself back up and hit the bag again.

With his hands still stinging, he pulled his phone from his pocket. He stared at the screen for a moment. Then he pressed call.

“Hi, Mano. I can’t wait to hear your answer,” Dominic said. “Have you decided?”

There was nothing but the sound of Mano’s breathing on the line. Then a sharp exhale. “When do you need me to sign?”

Dominic smiled. “Soon. I’m glad you chose us. We’re going to do great things together.”