Page 139 of Once in a Lifetime, Part 2

“I heard what everyone said about Pierce and Chris,” Ody went on. “I knew exactly what people would think. That I’m an asshole. That I’m trash. I was scared you’d look at me differently.”

“Why didn’t you ever tell me you liked guys?”

“I didn’t know. Not until him.”

Kash flashed through his mind.

Shit.

“I’ve messed everything up,” he muttered. “I hurt everyone.” He dragged a hand over his face. “Anna… you… him…” His voice cracked, the last word barely coming out as his eyes filled.

Steve exhaled, then moved closer, pulling him into a hug.

“I fucked everything up, Steve,” Ody choked against his shoulder.

Behind the lifeguard hut, Mano sat in the sand, knees drawn up, listening. His eyes grew glassy, and he blinked fast. Then pushed himself to his feet and walked off.

By the time he made it back to the others, his expression was blank again. When Elias spotted him in the crowd, he asked where he and the other two had been. Mano told him they’d be here soon, and Elias handed him a can of beer.

Ten minutes later, Steve and Ody appeared through the crowd.

Ody found Mano across the crowd.

“But with him… I feel like myself.” The words he’d heard earlier wouldn’t leave him.

By the end of the concert, the crowd’s attention shifted toward the sky.

“Shooting stars!” a girl shouted, making all six boys look up.

Ody’s attention drifted from the sky to Mano. Mano caught him looking and held his stare. Their eyes met under the falling stars. A small smile curved on Ody’s lips.

Steve watched them for a moment. There was something in the way Ody looked at Mano. Like nothing else mattered. He turned back to the sky.

They decided to leave once the sun had risen. Steve caught Ody’s eye and gave him a small nod. Ody nodded back, understanding. Steve slung an arm around Chris and Elias, pulling them along and slipping into their conversation.

Ody slowed his pace beside Mano.

Mano glanced at him. “Why are we slowing down?”

“Let them go ahead,” Ody said.

Once the others were out of sight, Mano turned to him. “Did you talk to Steve?”

“Yeah, we talked.”

“And?”

Ody let out a nervous laugh. “We’re still friends.”

Mano nodded, the words he’d overheard earlier echoing in his head.

“I want you two to get along better,” Ody said, pulling him out of it. “Just try. For me.”

Mano stared straight ahead. “He gets on my nerves. He did it in Serifos too. Those comments…” He exhaled. “They piss me off.”

“He’s my best friend,” Ody said, quieter now. “And you’re my boyfriend. I don’t want things to be like that between you two.”

They reached a set of steps leading downhill and stopped. The sun was rising, painting the horizon where the sea met the sky in soft pink and orange.