“Huh, tough guy?” Kash shouted, breath ragged with fury. “Get up. I’m not done with you.”
A final blow split his lip. Mano’s hand came up, his fingers brushing his mouth. Blood smeared across his knuckles.
The noise drew attention fast. Two guys sprinted over and grabbed Kash from behind, hauling him back while three girls nearby stood frozen, horror etched across their faces.
Kash thrashed against their grip, still shouting. “You’ve started a war, you son of a bitch!”
Ody headed into the parking lot just as Kash was being dragged away. His steps slowed, confusion rising as his gaze drifted to Mano’s fallen helmet, and the streak of red on the pavement.
His stomach dropped as he ran straight to him.
Mano pushed up onto one hand, lifting his back off the asphalt, blood dripping from his lip.
“Mano,” he choked out, falling to his knees beside him.
He spat blood onto the concrete, breathing hard, pain clouding his face.
Ody froze, horrified at the sight of him. Without hesitation, he slid Mano’s arm over his shoulder and helped him up.
“What are you doing?” Mano rasped as Ody guided him toward the car. “Where are you taking me? Leave me alone,” he said through clenched teeth, wincing with every movement.
Ody unlocked his car and opened the passenger door, guiding Mano inside. Mano didn’t resist, his jaw tight as he sank into the seat. Ody grabbed the helmet and the keys, tossed them into the back, then leaned in to fasten his seat belt.
“I don’t need your help. Just leave me the fuck alone,” Mano muttered, blood slipping down his chin.
Ody opened the glove compartment, pulled out a packet of tissues, and wiped the blood from Mano’s mouth.
Mano slapped his hand away. “I said leave me alone.”
“Stop it!” Ody snapped, louder than he intended.
Their eyes locked. Ody’s expression was stern, worried. Mano softened for half a second before he looked away.
Ody clenched his jaw and kept cleaning the blood anyway, slow and careful. Mano didn’t stop him this time.
When he finished, he closed the door, got into the driver’s seat, and buckled himself in. Mano had his eyes shut, breathing through waves of pain. His jaw throbbed violently.
As they drove, Mano coughed, bothered by the blood pooling in his mouth. Without taking his eyes off the road, Ody opened the glove compartment again, pulled out more tissues, and held them toward him.
Mano stared stubbornly. Ody flicked the tissues toward him, silently telling him to take them. With a sigh, Mano did.
When they arrived outside Ody’s building, he helped him out of the car, unbuckling the seat belt and sliding Mano’s arm over his shoulders.
“I can manage,” Mano said, so Ody let go and watched him hobble out on his own. “Why did you bring me here?”
“Just move,” Ody said as he led him toward the elevator.
Inside the apartment, Mano stood with a hand pressed to his jaw while Ody went straight for the first aid kit. “Go wash up,” he said, nodding toward the bathroom.
Mano didn’t move, just stared. Ody stepped closer, took his arm, and guided him in. He turned on the faucet. “Spit the blood out and rinse.” Then he stepped out, giving him space.
Mano rinsed his mouth, watching the water swirl faint red. His gums were irritated, his lip was split, and every throb reminded him of Kash’s fist.That bastard… He didn’t get enough last time. He’s fucking dead.
He walked back out to find Ody setting out cotton pads and antiseptic.
“Sit,” Ody said.
“There’s no need. I’ll go home.”
