Page 153 of Once in a Lifetime, Part 2

He didn’t move. He just stared at the ceiling.

By the time Ody made it home, he collapsed onto the couch. His eyes burned, red from crying.

Anna had called him dozens of times, sent messages. He was supposed to call Steve to make plans for drinks that night. He never did.

Now, worried, she called Ody’s friend.

“Hey, Anna.”

“Steve… have you talked to Ody?”

He frowned, Ody’s last outburst flashing through his mind. “No. Why?”

“He was supposed to call you. Ask if you and Danae wanted to go out tonight. He didn’t?”

“No.”

Silence stretched.

“I’m worried. I’ve sent him so many messages and he’s not answering.”

“I’m going to his place. I’ll call you back.” He hung up, grabbed his keys, and left.

He reached Ody’s building by taxi and hit the buzzer.

Inside, Ody barely registered the sound.

Steve rang again. Then started pressing other apartments until someone let him in. He took the stairs two at a time, reached Ody’s floor, and pounded on the door. “Ody! Ody, are you in there?” He hit the door again. “It’s me, Steve. Ody!” He kept pressing the bell, until the door finally opened.

Breathless, he froze.

Ody stood there, wrecked, eyes swollen and red.

Before Steve could say anything, Ody collapsed into him. His grip tightened in Steve’s shirt as he broke, sobs tearing out of him. “Steve…”

He wrapped his arms around Ody, still trying to catch up. “What’s wrong?”

“He broke up with me,” Ody choked.

Steve went still. He tried to get Ody inside, but he couldn’t stop crying. It took effort, but he finally managed it. He shut the door behind them, guided him to the couch, and sat beside him. “What happened?”

Ody didn’t answer. He broke down again, shoulders shaking, breath coming apart.

Steve exhaled, already knowing he wasn’t getting anything out of him like this. “Lie down.” He went to the kitchen, filled a glass of water, and pressed it into his hand. “Drink.”

Ody barely managed a sip.

When his breathing finally eased a little, Steve spoke. “Tell me what’s going on.”

Ody dragged a hand over his face, eyes swollen, thoughts scattered. He tried to explain, but it came out broken, pieces out of order, nothing clean.

Steve listened, his hand moving over Ody’s shoulder. His phone buzzed and he checked the screen. “It’s Anna. She’s looking for you.”

“Don’t answer,” Ody muttered.

“I can’t ignore her. I told her I was coming here.” He picked up. “Hey, Anna.”

“Where’s Ody? Did you find him? Is he okay?”