Page 69 of Once in a Lifetime, Part 2

That was it. Just hearing Ody’s voice saying his name sent a sharp ache through him. His throat went dry. “Hey.”

“Where are you?” Ody asked. “Why have you been leaving me on read?”

“I’ll explain,” Mano said, his voice low.

“I was waiting for you to call… to talk about that night. Why did you ignore me?”

Mano closed his eyes. “Can we meet? Eight o’clock.”

“Mano… what’s going on?”

“The café next to the stadium.”

Ody exhaled. “Okay.”

The call ended.

Mano looked up at Andreas, his jaw tight, anger and pain flickering in his eyes.

Andreas took one last drag before crushing the cigarette into the ashtray. “I’ll be watching,” he said. “I want to see him leave that café… without you.”

Mano blinked hard.

“Tell him about Ranya. The rest, I don’t care,” Andreas continued. “But if he doesn’t leave alone… I’ll cut his brakes.” He pushed to his feet, already turning away.

Mano stayed where he was, his head dropping into his hands. A shaky breath left him, his whole body tensing.

He was going to have to look him in the eye… and break him.

Chapter 16

Andreas dropped him near the café, reminding him of what he had to do and what would happen if he didn’t. Mano stepped inside and took a seat facing the entrance. His heart wouldn’t slow down.

When Ody walked in and made his way toward him, something inside him twisted. He almost got up. Almost pulled him into his arms and told him everything. But all he could think about was the car. And what Andreas would do.

Their eyes met. Neither of them smiled.

Ody reached the table, pulled out the chair, and sat across from him. “What’s going on?” he asked. “Why did you sound like that on the phone?”

Mano swallowed, his gaze dropping. He couldn’t force the confession out.

“Why did you leave me on read?” Ody pressed. “I told you I’d wait for you. That you could come to me when you were ready… I was waiting for you. And then you just—”

“I’m with Ranya.” The words came out sharp, forced, his eyes to him.

Ody froze. His gaze locked onto Mano’s face, searching it for something that didn’t feel real. But Mano gave him nothing.

“What?” The word came out weak.

Mano looked down, his jaw tightening. He dragged in a breath before forcing himself to look back at him. “I’ve been thinking about it since Serifos. You have a girlfriend. And whatever this was…” He faltered. “…it wasn’t going anywhere.” He held his gaze with effort. “I asked her to be my girlfriend. She said yes.”

Ody stared at him like he didn’t recognize him anymore. “Is this a joke?” he whispered, his eyes beginning to glisten.

Mano fought to keep himself composed. “Why? What’s the big deal? You know how I am. I don’t get attached.”

Don’t look at me like that, Ody. Leave. Just go.

Ody didn’t move. His eyes stayed locked on him, glassy now. A dry scoff left his lips. “I can’t believe I almost threw away two years with her for—” He stopped himself, but it was too late.