Page 238 of Once in a Lifetime, Part 2

Kash didn’t want to find out. He turned and walked into the building.

Brandon snorted. “Next semester’s gonna be fun.”

By Friday night, Mano had packed everything. His suitcase stood by the door. His duffel bag lay open next to the bed, waiting for the last few things in the morning.

The apartment was spotless.

Ody sat alone on the couch. He hated how things had turned out. But Mano had to leave. Follow his dream.

That didn’t stop him from loving him. Or from wanting him to stay.

He picked up his phone and dialed.

“Yes?” Nick answered in Greek.

Ody hesitated, a knot forming in his stomach. “Good evening… sorry for calling so late.”

“It’s fine. What’s wrong?”

Ody didn’t answer.

“Ody?”

He closed his eyes, exhaling. “Do you know what time Mano’s flight is tomorrow?”

Chapter 46

Saturday morning came early, and Mano was already up. The movers arrived and loaded the boxes headed to his family home in Volos. He made sure everything was settled before handing over the keys to the apartment in Papagou, walking away from the place for good.

His bike was parked in a private garage, so he took a taxi, checking his passport again just to be sure.

In the back seat, he unlocked his phone, fingers moving on their own as he opened his messages.

Odysseus. Ranya. Chris. Nothing new.

His gaze lingered on the first name. He hesitated, then tapped.

Mano: I’ll come for my things at 7. Make sure you’re not home

Odysseus: And how will you get inside?

Mano: Buzz me in and leave until I’m done

He stared at the last messages they’d exchanged a little too long. Then he switched to his gallery. He didn’t have to scroll. Ody’s smile filled the screen, bright and careless, from the photos they’d taken at the little chapel in Sparta.

In the first one, Mano looked serious. He swiped. In the next, there was the faintest hint of a smile on his lips, while Ody was still beaming beside him. His jaw clenched. That familiar ache settled deep in his chest. His thumb brushed over Ody’s face on the screen, slow, like he could feel him through it. He swiped again. In the third photo, Ody was kissing his cheek, and Mano stood there wide-eyed, completely caught off guard.

A small smile pulled at his mouth.

He could still hear Ody laughing, begging him not to delete them.

Don’t do this to yourself. He was clear. He told you to go.

He locked his phone and turned to the window.

Across the city, Ody drove too fast, hands tight on the wheel as he headed for Mano’s place.

He had to reach him.