Page 72 of Once in a Lifetime, Part 2

It was easier to go with them than try to explain something he couldn’t even process himself.

They pulled up outside the club and headed in, the music hitting instantly, loud and suffocating. A hostess guided them to a high table, and they ordered drinks as Steve and Chris were already moving to the beat.

“Alright, boys!” Steve shouted, leaning in. “Tonight we forget everything and just have fun!”

Their drinks arrived, and while the other two were getting into it, Ody just took a sip, eyes fixed on his glass. He kept drinking slowly, measured, until his gaze finally drifted. The music pounded in his ears as he scanned the crowd. Lights flickered over bodies moving too fast, too close.

He thought he saw someone familiar, but then lost them in the crowd. A white spotlight hit the same spot again, and Ody’s eyes locked onto it before it vanished. He leaned, trying to catch another glimpse and then his breath caught.

Black hair. That solid frame. And beside him, a tall man in black, with broad shoulders, standing too close.

Ody watched his hand slide to the back of Mano’s neck as he leaned in to whisper something.

“What are you staring at?” Steve stepped into his line of sight.

“Nothing,” Ody said, looking away.

But Chris had already followed his gaze. “Hey… isn’t that Mano?”

“Where?” Steve turned too.

“Don’t look. Just—just look ahead.” He grabbed at them, trying to turn them away.

“Mano!” Chris waved.

At the movement of a raised hand, Mano turned, and their eyes met. Everything in him froze. Andreas said something beside him, smiling, and Ody’s chest tightened.

Mano blinked. What is he doing here…? Shit. No.

“They’re calling you. Let’s go say hi,” Andreas said, taking hold of his arm.

“Don’t you dare,” Mano snapped.

Andreas was already dragging him with him.

As Ody watched him approach, his vision blurred. He bit down hard on his lip. Not here. Not now.

“Hey there,” Andreas said.

“Mano’s brother?” Steve asked.

Andreas let out a low laugh. “No. Friend. A very good friend,” he said, his gaze settling on Ody.

Mano kept his head turned, avoiding him.

“Andreas,” he added, offering his hand.

Steve and Chris shook it. Then Andreas turned to Ody, waiting. Everyone was looking at him now. Even Mano. Their eyes met again, neither of them looking away.

Ody lifted his hand. “Odysseus,” he said, his voice barely there.

“What was that?” Andreas leaned in.

Ody swallowed. “Odysseus.”

“You just got here?” Andreas asked.

“About half an hour ago,” Steve said.