Page 225 of Once in a Lifetime, Part 2

Then Chris turned fully to Ody. “What do you want?”

Ody swallowed. “I want him to be happy. I want him to follow his dream. To know he’s making music and—”

“Not what sounds right.”

Ody blinked.

“I don’t want to hear what you think is right. I want to hear what you feel.” Chris leaned forward, tapping his own chest. “Here.”

Ody took a slow breath. Then another. “Honestly?” he asked, his voice low.

Chris nodded. “Honestly.”

Ody looked away. For the first time, he let himself think about what he actually wanted. Not what was right.

Chapter 44

He didn’t answer right away. He kept his gaze down, his fingers fidgeting as he tried to find the words. “I don’t want him to leave. I know it’s selfish, but I can’t imagine my life without him.” He couldn’t meet his friends’ eyes. “I want him to stay. I just… want things to stay the same.” He let out a small, uneven breath. “All of us together. Being idiots. Laughing.”

Chris’s expression softened. He gave his shoulder a couple of reassuring pats.

Ody sighed, staring ahead, his thoughts still tangled.

Mano didn’t have to wait long. Ody called, and he went to pick him up.

The silence between them felt off. Not heavy, just quiet in a way it hadn’t been before. Mano didn’t know what to ask. If Ody had changed his mind. If he’d figured anything out. If his friends had gotten into his head.

“What did you do while I was gone?” Ody asked from the passenger seat.

Mano blinked, like he’d just remembered. “Ranya texted me again.”

Ody’s head turned instantly.

“She apologized. Said she didn’t mean to be pushy.” His gaze stayed fixed on the road ahead. “She got worried when I didn’t reply. Just wanted to know if I was okay.”

Ody looked ahead again, nodding. “You replied.”

“I did.” Mano’s grip tensed around the wheel. “I think I need to be honest with her.”

They stopped at a red light. Their eyes met.

Mano exhaled. “I don’t want to give her false hope.”

Silence settled between them.

“We’re meeting in a few hours.”

Ody’s chest tightened, but he stayed quiet. He knew this was the right thing. Stopping him would be selfish.

“I won’t tell her about us,” Mano added as the light turned green. “But I’ll make it clear that… whatever happened in Serifos is over.”

Ody kept his head down as he nodded.

“I’ll drop you off, make sure you’re okay, then head home,” Mano said.

Ody glanced at him, surprised, but said nothing.

Mano helped him change into something more comfortable. He settled him on the couch, adjusted the pillows under his head and pulled a light sheet over him.