40. Chapter 40 #2
“What’s wrong? You okay?”
Ody barely heard her. His mind was still outside, still in the pool, replaying Mano’s hands on Ranya, his mouth on her skin, the way he’d looked at him while doing it.
The ache hadn’t faded. It twisted deeper, sharp and jealous, the kind of feeling he had no right to feel but couldn’t stop even if he tried.
The fourth day in Serifos began. They skipped breakfast since they’d planned to leave for the tavern around noon. They met in the lobby, and Ody didn’t even try to look at Mano. Every time he felt Mano’s presence nearby, the memories from last night pressed against him like a bruise.
When they reached the cars, Ody clicked the button to unlock his. Mano stepped in front of him and plucked the keys straight out of his hand. “I’m driving,” he said, tone flat and direct, eyes fixed on Ody for a brief, unreadable moment before he opened the driver’s door.
Ody stared at him. His mind replayed last night in flashes he couldn’t stop. Without a word, he got in the passenger seat and they drove off.
They arrived at the tavern a little before one. It was a cozy, family-run place near the beach, the kind that smelled like grilled fish, oregano, and summer. The staff guided them to a long wooden table shaded by vines.
“Uh... let’s sit over here,” Ody said to Anna, choosing the seat furthest from Mano.
Mano noticed. Ody felt it.
“Guys, I’m starving. We should’ve had breakfast.”
“This is better. We’ll eat with more appetite.”
The waiter came, and after they ordered, the table slipped into the usual light chatter.
Ody barely followed any of it. Every laugh was too loud and every glance toward Mano felt dangerous.
He could feel Mano’s presence on the other end of the table like static against his skin, and every time he forced himself not to look, he felt it even more.
The girls got up to wash their hands. Ody sat there stiffly, staring at his plate, trying to breathe around the knot in his chest. The moment they returned, he pushed back his chair. “I’m going to the restroom,” he muttered, already standing.
He didn’t need to wash up. He needed distance, air. Anything to stop last night’s memories from replaying behind his eyes.
The quiet of the hallway didn’t help. If anything, it made everything louder inside his chest. He splashed some water on his face, leaned both hands on the sink, and tried to steady his breathing.
He didn’t know what he’d even say to Mano.
He didn’t know how to look at him without seeing Ranya against the pool wall.
He reached for the restroom door. Before he could open it, the handle turned. The door swung inward, and Mano stepped inside. They nearly collided, both going still.
Ody’s breath caught. His pulse stumbled hard.
Their eyes locked, close enough that Ody could see the faint shadows of last night under Mano’s eyes, the unreadable look he was giving him.
Ody’s mouth opened, instinctively, like he wanted to say something, anything, but the words died before they could form. He swallowed, unable to look away, speak, or even breathe right.
“Is there a problem?” Mano asked, his tone sharp enough to cut. Ody tensed. “Do you have a problem? Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Did you have fun last night?” Ody finally asked, the question strained and low.
Mano didn’t hesitate. “A lot,” he said with a smirk. “You? Did you enjoy watching?”
Ody’s jaw clenched hard, fists tightening at his sides.
“But you didn’t even see the best part. Things got a lot better after you walked away.”
“Cut it out,” Ody muttered, eyes shutting tight.
“Why should I? You were watching like you wanted front row. If you’d stayed one more minute, you would’ve seen exactly what I did next.”
“Stop it.” Ody’s eyes locked onto his, sharp with hurt he couldn’t hide.
“Why? Jealous much?” he taunted.
Ody grabbed him by the shoulders and slammed him against the wall. “Yes, I’m jealous!” he shot back, breath unsteady, their faces only inches apart.
Mano froze, genuine shock flickering across his face. He’d wanted to provoke Ody, not drag out a confession like this, and he clearly hadn’t expected the truth to hit him that hard.
“I can’t stand seeing you kiss and touch someone else,” Ody said.
“Funny, because you get to run back to Anna whenever you want.”
Ody shook his head. “I’m not proud of that. I hate myself for it. But I can’t shut this off, Mano. I’ve tried.” He swallowed hard, voice cracking as the truth tore out of him. “I can’t stop thinking about you... I’ve never felt this way before.”
Mano didn’t soften. He leaned in, his expression cold. “Try harder.”
Ody’s jaw tightened. “Don’t act like you don’t feel it too. You can pretend none of this affects you, but we both know that’s bullshit.”
Mano’s breath caught, just for a second, the smallest crack in the armor. He didn’t answer.
Ody stepped closer, chest rising and falling fast. “Tell me you don’t feel anything. Look me in the eyes and say it.”
Mano tried. He really tried. But his breathing turned uneven as his gaze kept drifting downward, like he was fighting something he couldn’t control.
He never said it. He couldn’t.
They were standing too close now, close enough for their breaths to mix, for both of them to feel the heat rolling off the other. Mano’s gaze dragged back up slowly, catching Ody’s eyes, and the look he gave him was raw enough to undo whatever resistance was left.
Ody felt it hit him like a current. Their stares collided, charged, dangerous, the last thread of restraint snapping between them.
His gaze dropped to Mano’s lips. When he looked back up, Mano was already looking at his.
That was all it took.
Ody lunged, crashing their mouths together, kissing him hard enough to steal the air from his lungs. He pulled him away from the wall and shoved him toward the stalls, their lips never separating, hands desperate and clinging.
They slammed the stall door shut. Ody grabbed Mano’s shirt and yanked it off, pulling him closer by the waist. The kiss turned rougher, hungrier.
His hands roamed across Mano’s warm torso, tracing every line of muscle like he’d been starving for this.
Mano grabbed him just as hard, dragging him closer as their kiss deepened into frantic need.
They knocked into the walls, the metal door, anything in their way, searching for more space without letting go.
Neither of them heard the main bathroom door open.
“Ody, are you in here?” Steve’s voice echoed.
They broke apart instantly. Both froze, pressed together in the cramped stall, eyes wide, breath ragged. Ody’s hands were still against Mano’s bare back, fingers trembling.
Footsteps approached. They held their breath, bodies rigid.
Two knocks hit the stall door. “Ody?” Steve called again, right outside.
For a split second, both of them wished the ground would swallow them whole.