Page 62 of Once in a Lifetime, Part 2

Ody’s expression faltered. “I know it’s hard to forgive him, but with time everything will get better.”

“No, you don’t get it,” Mano said. “Nothing’s changed for me.”

“But I thought—”

“What?” He cut in. “He supports us and everything’s fixed?”

Ody’s eyes lingered on him.

“There’s more he doesn’t know,” Mano added. “Things that happened while he was gone.”

“Like what?”

Mano looked away. “It doesn’t matter.” His fingers loosened from Ody’s. “He left. That’s all that matters.”

He didn’t ask, even though he wanted to know what he wasn’t ready to share.

Mano disappeared into the bathroom. He splashed cold water on his face and leaned over the sink. When he came back, Ody was sitting where he’d left him.

His eyes lifted the moment Mano walked in.

“I’m staying over tonight, okay?” Ody said.

“I’m going to the gym in the morning.”

“Then I’ll come with you.”

“I’ve got a proper workout. Another time.”

Ody groaned. “You never take me anywhere.”

A faint smile formed on Mano’s lips. “Want me to tell you where I will take you?”

Ody crossed his arms, still pretending to sulk. “Where?”

“Volos. That trip we talked about.”

Ody’s head snapped toward him, eyes lighting up. He threw himself at him, pushing him back onto the couch. “I really want to.” He kissed him like he was trying to push everything else away. Mano kissed him back, but his hands stayed still against Ody’s side too long before they moved.

Hours passed, and by the time they lay in bed, Mano was staring at the ceiling, the room dim under the streetlight outside. “Nick said he wants to meet you.”

“What?” Ody turned. “Why does that make me nervous?”

“I met your whole family.”

“Yeah, but… this is different. He knows about us.” He exhaled. “How old is he?”

“Twenty-eight.”

Ody let out a long breath.

“Relax,” Mano said.

“Relax about what?”

“By the time he comes to Athens, we might not even be together.”

Ody went still, then turned to him, his whole body following. “Why would you say that?”