Page 235 of Once in a Lifetime, Part 2

Mano: Buzz me in and leave until I’m done

Ody stared at the screen. “How can you be this cold?” he whispered.

The intercom rang a little after seven. Ody pressed the button without a word.

When the elevator doors opened, Mano stepped out, only to find Ody standing in the doorway.

“I’ll leave the keys under the doormat,” Mano said, not even looking at him as he brushed past.

Ody turned, jaw tight, watching him unzip his black duffel bag and start stuffing his things inside.

The door slammed shut.

Mano spun around, irritation flashing across his face. Ody stood right in front of him.

“What are you doing? I told you I’ll leave the keys. Go.”

“This is my place. I’ll do whatever I want. If you want your stuff, take it. I’m staying.”

Mano let the bag drop and stepped closer, something sharp settling in his eyes. “You’re the one who told me to come get my things from your place.”

Ody’s gaze locked on him. “You didn’t seem bothered. Said it was no big deal.”

“You asked what the problem was. There’s no problem at all, mikre.”

Ody’s jaw tightened. “Great. Then why does it bother you if I’m here?”

“Because I don’t want you anywhere near me.”

“Ah.” Ody nodded, too calm, while Mano glared at him. Say something. Do something. Get angry that I told you to leave. “Why are you pretending you don’t care?” He snapped. “Tell me what you feel!” He shoved him hard in the chest.

Mano barely moved. “You want me to tell you what I feel?” he said, stepping in, forcing Ody back.

Their eyes never broke.

“You were just a hookup that lasted a little longer than the others.”

Everything went quiet. No… that’s not true. It can’t be. His stomach dropped, his breath catching somewhere in his throat. “So I was a hookup,” Ody said, his voice tight.

“That’s exactly what you were.” Mano didn’t even blink.

And that was what hurt the most.

Ody needed to know. He grabbed him by the back of the neck and pulled him into a hard kiss.

Mano didn’t push him away. He kissed him back, rough and hungry. No… stop him. He’s playing you. Just like he did in Serifos. He wants to see how attached you are. How far you’ll go. How even after he pushed you away… you still want to stay.

Mano shoved him. Hard.

Ody lost his balance and hit the floor. He looked up, stunned, while Mano stood over him, chest rising and falling.

Ody didn’t move.

That shove… Mano could’ve done that anytime. It would’ve been that easy. He just… never did. Until now.

Ody pushed himself up slowly. “Is that how you kiss your hookups?”

“And is that how you kiss someone you’re breaking up with?” Mano shot back.