20. Chapter 20
Ody woke up determined to start studying for his exams. Instead, he checked his DMs and texted Mano. We need to talk about Serifos
I’ll come by with the car, Ody wrote back.
The first day of June arrived hot and heavy. Mano went to the gym, took a cold shower when he got back, then got ready to meet Ody.
He always preferred taking his motorcycle instead of being trapped in a car in that heat, even if Ody hated the idea.
He pulled on a black tank top that left his muscular arms and shoulders on full display. His tattoos traced both arms, and he paired the top with black jeans and white designer sneakers.
When he stepped outside with two helmets, he saw Ody’s car already parked. He opened the passenger door, sat down, but left it open. “Why don’t we just take the bike? Where are we going?”
“For coffee. I need to tell you about Serifos.”
“Then let’s take the bike. We’ll get stuck in traffic for nothing.” He started to step out.
“There’s no traffic today. I got here fast,” Ody said quickly, trying to stop him.
Mano raised an eyebrow. “You love that car more than your own sanity, huh? Leave it here. I’ll bring you back to get it later.” He closed the door before Ody could argue.
He swung a leg over his motorcycle. Ody hesitated at first, then locked the car and walked over.
“Here.” Mano handed him the spare helmet. “Hop on.” He put on his own helmet and grabbed the handlebars while Ody stood still for a moment, the helmet in his hands.
“What’s up?” Mano lifted his visor and met his eyes.
“Nothing.” Ody climbed on.
“Hold on.”
“Just... don’t go too fast.”
“We’re in the city. How fast do you think I can go?
I said, hold on.” He took Ody’s hands and wrapped them around his waist, pulling him closer.
Through the thin fabric of the tank top, Ody felt the firm lines of his abs.
Mano kicked up the stand, started the engine, revved it, and took off, making Ody tighten his hold.
During the ride, Ody noticed the way Mano’s arms flexed as he steered.
“Gym’s paying off, huh?” he shouted over the wind.
Mano smirked.
Ody’s gaze drifted, catching on the tattoo curling over his right shoulder. He’d only ever seen glimpses of it before, half-hidden under T-shirts, but now more of it came into view, dark wings sweeping down his arm, the rest slipping out of sight beneath the tank top.
He tightened his hold slightly, eyes tracing the lines, following them higher, trying to picture where they began. They didn’t look decorative. They looked like they meant something. Like they belonged to a version of Mano he didn’t know yet.
“Got a place in mind?” Mano called back, raising his voice.
“Huh?”
“For coffee.”
“Your call.”
Mano kept riding until they reached a street lined with shops and cafés.
“Hop off,” he said. Ody did, while Mano shut off the engine, lowered the stand, and took off his helmet.
Ody struggled with his own clasp, fumbling.
“Not again,” Mano muttered and leaned in to unbuckle it for him, his fingers brushing under Ody’s chin.
“I’ll get the hang of it someday...” Ody huffed a quiet laugh, and they walked side by side down the sidewalk. “Where are we going?” he asked.
“Not sure. There are plenty of cafés. You pick.”
“I don’t mind. Wherever you want.”
Mano walked ahead and stepped into a café with outdoor seating. Only four tables were free. He chose one and sat.
Ody slid into the seat across from him, his gaze flicking to a nearby table, catching two girls whispering and stealing glances their way, one of them lingering on Mano’s arms.
Mano didn’t seem to notice. “So, what did you want to tell me?” he asked, pulling Ody’s attention back to him.
“Right. I talked to the group, and we said we’d book the tickets by the end of the week.”
“Already?”
“We leave in twenty days. We’re cutting it close.”
“Cool,” Mano said, his tone flat.
“We haven’t picked a hotel yet. We’ll start looking soon. Is there an area you prefer?”
“Why?” Mano leaned back in his chair. “Who said I’m coming?”
Ody blinked. “What? Why wouldn’t you come?”
Mano held his gaze. “Did you even ask the others if they want me there?”
“Of course I did.”
“And?”
“They want you there. Steve and Anna both do.”
Mano turned his head and exhaled. That was when he caught the two girls watching them. One smiled when he looked her way, her eyes drifting over his arms.
“You’re coming, right?” Ody asked.
A waitress appeared. “Good evening. What can I get for you?”
“Freddo espresso medium,” Mano said.
“Make it two,” Ody added.
Once she left, he leaned forward. “Well? You’re coming, right?”
“I told you, I’m not cut out for stuff like this.”
“Why not? You know everyone. And I’ll be there. What’s the problem?” His voice rose, his eyes fixed on him. “Unless you already made other plans.”
“Yeah, with all the friends I have,” Mano said, a dry edge to his voice.
“You’ve got us,” Ody shot back.
Mano dropped his gaze and picked up his phone, scrolling to avoid the conversation.
“Do you know why you’re alone?” Ody asked. Mano looked up slowly. “Not because people don’t want you. It’s because you push them away.”
The words hit Mano like a punch.
“I’m not pressuring you. If you don’t want to hang out with us, fine. I consider you my friend, and I wanted you there. If you don’t, that’s your choice.” Ody’s tone softened, but there was weight behind it.
Silence stretched between them.
“You see it, don’t you?” Ody asked.
“See what?”
“That I’m trying to get close to you, and you won’t let me.”
“You’re the only one I’ve let this close,” Mano snapped. The outburst surprised even him. He looked away quickly.
“Then why won’t you come with us?” Ody asked, his voice soft.
Still avoiding him, Mano muttered, “Because when you get close to someone, they leave.”
Ody stared at him, stunned. So that was it. That was the reason beneath everything.
“I’d rather not have friends than have them and lose them.”
Ody saw the raw fear in his expression and felt something tighten in his chest. “We’re not going anywhere. We’ll stay by your side.”
“That’s what my parents said too.” Mano lifted his eyes and met Ody’s, his expression flickering for a second.
The vulnerability in his gaze made Ody’s heart ache.
Mano’s words hung between them, heavy enough to make the air feel tighter. He stared at the table, blinking, as if the truth he had just spoken had taken something out of him.
The moment stretched, quiet and fragile, Ody watching him with a softness that Mano didn’t dare meet again.
Ody could almost feel the wall between them shift, not gone, but cracked open just enough for him to see what was underneath. Before either of them could speak again, footsteps approached.
“Your coffee,” the waitress said as she set the glasses on the table. Mano turned his face away. “Enjoy,” she added before leaving.
Ody’s eyes stayed on him. “Is that why you’re afraid to get close to people? Are you scared they’ll leave you? That they’ll walk away?” His voice carried sympathy, though sadness pulled at the edges of it.
Mano finally met his gaze. “I’m not scared.”
“Then come with us,” Ody said, steady and intent.
Mano sighed and leaned back in his chair. “There’s no point. I already know how it ends.”
“Come anyway. You’ll see it won’t be like that. Unless you’re afraid of losing.” Ody kept his gaze locked on him, catching the quick flare of irritation in Mano’s expression.
“Me. Afraid.” Mano’s tone sharpened.
“That’s what it looks like to me,” Ody replied with a raised eyebrow.
“Fine. I’ll come. But you’ll see I’m right.” Mano’s voice was hard, defiant.
Ody hid a small, satisfied smile.
“Hello, boys,” two female voices chimed from nearby. Both of them looked up.
Standing beside the table were the two women who had been watching them earlier, each holding her own coffee. One had long black hair and striking blue eyes, her posture relaxed and confident as she looked between them. “Are we interrupting?”
“No,” Mano said.
“Can we join you, or should we leave you two to your argument?” she asked with a friendly smile.
“We weren’t arguing. Sit,” Mano said.
She slid into the seat next to him. “Ranya,” the black-haired girl said, her blue eyes fixed on Mano.
“Maria,” her friend added, smiling at Ody.
They introduced themselves, and Mano took a slow sip of his coffee.
“Are you guys in college?” Ranya asked.
“Yeah. Music,” Mano said, indifferent.
“Hm. Fit and artistic,” she teased, eyes lingering on his arms. “Nice tatts.”
“Thanks.”
“What about you, Ody? Are you studying?” Maria asked.
“Uh… yeah. Pharmacy,” he said, a little stiff.
“We’re in nursing. Pretty close fields, right?” Maria grinned.
Ody gave a small, awkward smile, while Mano drank his coffee, detached from the conversation. He knew this kind of situation all too well, and exactly where it usually led.
“How old are you guys? Wait, let me guess.” Ranya studied Mano carefully. “Twenty-five. And…” She turned to Ody. “Twenty-three?”
“No, no. He’s twenty-five, and he’s twenty-three,” Maria declared, pointing to Mano last.
Mano’s glare hit her instantly.
“What? Did I guess wrong?” Both girls laughed.
“You’re telling me he looks two years older than me?” Mano asked with a scowl.
“Well…” Maria hesitated. “I don’t know, it’s…”
Mano shot Ody a warning glare.
“Wait. Who’s taller?” Ranya asked.
“What does that have to do with age?” Mano snapped.
“The fact that you’re asking means he is,” she laughed.
Mano turned away, annoyed.
“I’m taller by five centimeters,” Ody said casually.
“Were we at least close with the ages?” Maria asked.
“You added four years to me, but no big deal,” Ody said with a shy laugh.
Both girls froze. “You’re twenty-one?” they shouted.
He chuckled. “Yeah.”
“And you?” They turned to Mano.
“She got it right,” he said, nodding toward Maria.
“Twenty-three. Told you!” Maria gloated.
“Wow. No way you look twenty-one,” both girls said, inspecting Ody like he was under a spotlight.
He shifted, uncomfortable.
“He barely looks twenty-one. More like eighteen,” Mano muttered, his tone edged with irritation.
“Oh, come on,” Ranya teased. “You’re just bitter because he’s taller.” The girls laughed, and Mano shot Ody a look.
“Well, we thought you were older. We’re twenty-two,” Ranya added as Mano took another sip.
“Boys, do you wanna go out for drinks sometime?” Maria asked.
“Uh… I’ve got a girlfriend. Sorry,” Ody said, looking down.
“Ugh.” Maria slumped, disappointed.
“What about you, Mano?” Ranya asked.
“I’m single.”
“Can I add you somewhere?” she asked, pulling out her phone.
Mano typed his handle, while Maria leaned toward Ody, eyes fixed on him. “So… just because you have a girlfriend, you can’t go out for drinks?”
“I do go out… I just don’t…” Ody fumbled, his hands fidgeting.
Mano watched with a sly smirk.
“So if I give you my socials, you won’t ask me out?” Maria teased.
“Uh… sorry, but I’m loyal to my girlfriend,” Ody said, looking anywhere but at her, catching Mano enjoying every second.
“Okay. I’ll DM you and we’ll see how it goes,” Maria said. “What’s your username?”
“Uh… Maria, it’s better if we don’t. Sorry.”
“Pfft.” She leaned back, deflated.
“What’s wrong?” Ranya asked.
“Our boy here is very committed to his girlfriend,” Maria said, glancing at Ody.
Ody’s eyes were on Mano, who was openly smirking now.
“Lucky girl, Ody,” Ranya said. “Mano, I just followed you. I’ll DM you about that drink.”
He gave a small nod.
“We should go. See you around.”
“Bye, boys,” Maria said, her eyes lingering on Ody.
“Bye…” Ody replied. As the girls walked away, he turned to see Mano still smirking. “What?”
“First time someone hit on you?” Mano said, the smirk tugging higher.
“W-what? No!” Ody blurted, cheeks red.
Mano laughed. “It didn’t look like it.”
Ody’s expression shifted. “Why not?”
“You were funny.”
“How was I funny?”
“You were shy,” Mano said with a teasing grin. “You’re not used to getting hit on, huh?”
“Not all of us are pretty boys like some people,” Ody muttered, irritated.
“Pretty boy…” Mano repeated, a quiet laugh slipping out as he glanced down. He lifted his eyes back to Ody. “You think I’m pretty?”
Ody froze, swallowed and blinked fast. “For some reason they do. All those girls you go out with.”
“And you have a different opinion, huh?” Mano asked, a hint of playfulness in his voice.
Ody’s shoulders tensed. “I… I don’t have an opinion,” he stammered. “What matters is what you think. If you like what you see in the mirror, no one else’s opinion matters.” He scratched the back of his neck.
Mano’s grin faded, but his eyes stayed locked on him.
“What?” Ody asked.
“You’re such a good guy that I’m actually starting to like you.”
Ody blinked. “Oh. Nice. So you didn’t like me all this time.”
“You were just okay.”
“For someone who was just okay, you sure took a beating for him,” Ody shot back.
“What are you trying to say?” Mano’s brows pulled together.
“You did so much for me. Things even best friends wouldn’t do. So don’t tell me I was just okay.”
“Why, what else could you be?” Mano asked, attitude rising.
“Mano…” Ody leaned in, closing the distance. “In the bathrooms, when I thought you left because you were scared for yourself, I was wrong. You let him threaten you so he wouldn’t hurt me. You protected me. Not yourself.”
“You did the same thing,” Mano snapped. “That note said they’d beat me up if you didn’t go to the backyard.”
“But I admit it. I consider you my friend.”
“Well, the same goes for me!” Mano raised his voice.
A few guys at the next table turned their heads.
Mano looked over, realizing his own volume, then rubbed his forehead, hiding part of his face. His leg bounced under the table.
Ody watched him with a small, surprised smile. “Did you just call me your friend?”