Page 33 of Once in a Lifetime, Part 2

Just say it, Mano. Just tell me you want this and I’ll be yours. Completely.

Ody’s heart pounded. He just needed one word, one look, one sign that Mano wanted this as much as he did, and he’d give up everything for him.

“I don’t want more,” Mano said, his voice tight.

Ody didn’t react right away. Then something in his expression stilled. Their eyes held. It was more than enough. He slowly removed his hands from the door and stepped back, not looking away.

Mano didn’t move. He didn’t need to say anything else.

Ody’s phone rang. He glanced at the screen and saw Teo’s name. He answered, turning away as he spoke. Mano stayed where he was, his eyes still on him. Ody gave a few short replies, talking about meeting up tomorrow, mentioning that someone from the group was leaving Patra soon.

Mano pulled on his clothes. Ody unlocked the door and walked out without a word. He didn’t follow. But when Ody didn’t come back, Mano stepped out of the room. He found him in the kitchen, alone, fixing something to eat. “Where is everyone?” he asked from the doorway.

“Out,” Ody said without looking at him, already moving with his plate toward the couch.

Mano followed and sat a little distance away while the TV played in the background, neither of them speaking as Ody ate.

“I’m going to the room,” Ody said. “If you’re not watching, turn it off.” He handed him the controller and stood up.

Mano didn’t answer. He just watched him walk away. He moved into Ody’s spot on the couch, picked up his phone, and scrolled without really seeing anything.

As half an hour passed, sleep slowly crept in, and he pushed himself up, heading to the room. Ody was on his phone when Mano walked in. He headed toward his bed when Ody spoke without looking up. “Lights.”

Mano flipped the switch. Darkness filled the room, broken only by the faint glow of Ody’s screen. He lay down facing him, waiting for something. Nothing came. So he turned the other way, curling into himself as he closed his eyes.

He woke up alone. He pushed himself up, rubbing his eyes, still in sweatpants and a T-shirt, then stepped out of the room.

Ody’s dad was by the fridge. “Good morning, Mano.”

“Good morning. Uh… is Ody here?”

“He stepped out to grab some groceries. Anastasia’s still asleep, and my wife’s out running errands.” He looked over at him as he spoke. “If you’re hungry, help yourself, alright?” He reached for his jacket. “Odysseus should be back soon. I’ve gotta get to work.”

“Okay, thank you.”

“See you, Mano.”

Mano stood there for a moment, unsure what to do. He lingered a second longer, then reached for the remote and turned on the TV. The noise filled the room, but he barely registered it.

Ten minutes later, the door opened. Ody walked in carrying two heavy bags. He paused when he saw him. “Oh. You’re up.”

Mano’s eyes flicked to him before he looked back at the TV.

Ody set the bags on the counter with a dull thud and started unpacking. “Did you eat?” he asked, not looking at him.

“Uh… no.”

Ody opened the fridge. “There’s stuff if you want.”

Mano didn’t move.

“I’m gonna lie down for a bit,” Ody added. “We’re meeting the guys in a couple of hours. I’d tell you to come, but…” He exhaled. “You weren’t exactly comfortable last time. I don’t wanna put you in that position again.”

It sounded considerate, but it didn’t feel like it. Not the way Ody usually made things feel.

He closed the fridge. “I know you didn’t run into someone you know on the street.”

Mano’s eyes flicked to him. Ody was already looking at him this time. Neither of them spoke.