Page 189 of Once in a Lifetime, Part 2

Chris leaned forward, eyes wide. “Ody. Has a boyfriend. Holy shit!”

A cushion hit him straight in the head. He winced, glancing back at Steve, whose expression had gone flat.

“Can you not do this, bro? Ody’s happy with him.”

“I know,” Steve said, calmer now.

“So loosen up. Mano’s a good guy. Just because he’s not all open and friendly doesn’t mean he’s a bad guy.”

Steve exhaled through his nose. “Fine. But if he starts acting tough with me, I’ll beat the crap out of him.”

The next day, Ody and Mano stepped out of the building together, heading toward the car. “Come on, don’t be like that,” Ody complained.

“And what exactly do you want me to do?”

“Smile.”

Mano gave him the fakest, most exaggerated smile he could, then dropped it.

Ody sighed. “Please. Just try.”

“Fine. But if he tries anything, I’m beating him up,” Mano said, reaching out his hand. “Toss me the keys.”

Ody blinked, then tossed them over.

When they got to the meeting spot, Steve and Chris were already there.

“Smile,” Chris muttered, elbowing Steve.

“Yeah, right. I’ll just start laughing too,” Steve shot back, shoving him hard enough to make him stumble.

“Please behave,” Ody said as they walked up. “Do it for me.”

“What’s up, guys?” Chris greeted them, pulling Ody into a quick hug.

“All good. You?”

Both of them noticed it at the same time. Mano and Steve were already staring each other down, something sharp and unspoken passing between them.

Ody glanced at Mano. Chris looked at Steve.

“Hey,” Mano said, his voice low, giving a short nod.

“Hey,” Steve replied, just as low, returning it.

“So… where are we going?” Ody asked, a little too fast.

Neither of them answered.

“There’s a pub nearby,” Chris said, still watching Steve. “We could go there.”

They kept staring each other down.

“Yeah, okay, we’re going,” Chris decided, grabbing Steve by the arm and dragging him forward.

Steve didn’t break eye contact until he had no choice.

Ody took a couple of steps, then noticed Mano hadn’t moved. He grabbed his arm and pulled him along.