Page 192 of Once in a Lifetime, Part 2

Chris pulled his arm off Mano’s shoulders and lightly punched Ody. “You had a crush on him and didn’t tell us? Wow, Ody.”

Ody just smiled. Mano looked down, a faint, almost shy reaction crossing his face.

Steve was watching him.

“It worked out,” Chris said. “That’s what matters. Come on, we’ve got a bus to catch.”

“Yeah, see you,” Ody said, starting to turn, then stopped.

Steve was already moving toward Mano. He stepped in and pulled him into a bro hug.

Mano froze.

“I’m sorry,” Steve said. “For how I’ve been treating you.”

Ody and Chris just stared.

“You’re a good guy.”

A small smile slipped onto Ody’s lips.

Steve leaned in, lowering his voice. “I can see what Ody’s like when he’s with you. Don’t hurt him.” He pulled back.

Their eyes met, then Steve stepped away. “Let’s go.”

Chris blinked, then followed. “See you, guys.”

They watched them leave.

Ody tilted his head, still processing. “What was that?”

Mano didn’t answer.

“My best friend just accepted you,” Ody said, a small smile forming.

Mano looked at him. His expression didn’t change, but something in his eyes softened.

As soon as they got into the car, Mano’s phone buzzed.

He pulled it from his pocket and saw a name he hadn’t seen in a long time.

Ranya: Hi Mano… I hope you’re doing better than the last time I saw you. I’ve been thinking about you. I wasn’t sure if I should text but… are you okay?

He just stared at the screen. He hadn’t thought about her in a while, but seeing her name brought it all back. How she’d been there for him when it all fell apart.

“Everything okay?” Ody asked, slipping the keys into the ignition.

Mano blinked, dragging himself out of his thoughts. “Yeah. Uh… it’s Ranya.”

“Ranya?” he said, turning fully toward him. “You’re still talking?”

“We haven’t talked since we broke up…” Mano said, glancing at him. “You and I.”

Ody frowned. “What do you mean?”

Mano exhaled. “She came over to my place. I wasn’t doing great.”

“Your place? What did you do with her?”