The space between them was barely anything.
“We’re not done, you and I.” His voice was quiet as he brushed Ody’s jaw with his thumb. Then he turned and walked out.
Ody stood frozen, struggling to steady his breath.
Had he really just let a man kiss him like that? Without pushing him away? Without saying a word?
And why, in the middle of it… had his mind gone straight to Mano?
That night, his thoughts wouldn’t settle. He lay on the couch, his mind bouncing between Mano and Kash. He still couldn’t wrap his head around it. This had started a year ago, all because Kash wanted him and didn’t know how to approach him.
But how could someone treat a person they claimed to want so badly?
I could never treat Mano like that.He shook his head, the memory of Kash’s kiss surfacing again.
His fingers brushed his lips. In any other situation, he would have pushed him away. Hit him. Something. That’s what a straight guy with a girlfriend would have done.
But he hadn’t.
And worse, the whole time, he’d been thinking about someone else.
By Friday morning, he made his way to campus, still confused, embarrassed and unsure how to face his friends.
Was he starting to like guys? Or just Mano? And if it was just Mano… why had he let Kash kiss him? After everything he had put him through.
“Morning, man.” Steve smacked the back of his neck, snapping him out of it.
“M-morning.”
“You got your coffee yet?”
“Uh… no.”
They headed toward the cafeteria. The line was long, a handful of people ahead.
A couple of guys laughed as they stepped out of the line.
Ody lifted his gaze, and his eyes met Kash’s.
He looked down, his stomach tightening. Kash didn’t look away. He just stared. Then he walked past them with Pablo and Brandon.
“He’s keeping his mouth shut now. Wouldn’t dare say a word to you,” Steve muttered.
“Yeah, only because we’re here. Like hell he’d have the guts,” Chris added, while Ody stayed quiet.
Later, when class ended and everyone packed up, Kash and Ody reached the door at the same time. Instead of pushing through, Kash stepped aside and let him go first. Their eyes met again. Only for a second.
“What the hell was that?” Steve asked once they were in the hallway.
“Did he just let you go first?” Chris added, confused.
“I swear he’s up to something. Should I take him out before he makes his move?”
“No.” Ody’s voice came out sharper than he intended.
They stopped walking.
“What’s going on?” Steve narrowed his eyes.
