Ody’s eyes lifted to meet his. Why did that make him feel flattered? Why was a guy’s attention getting under his skin like that?
He opened the door again, and they headed inside. In the elevator, Kash didn’t look away from him once. Ody noticed, but kept his own eyes elsewhere.
Inside the apartment, he handed him a beer. Kash sat on the couch while Ody approached with two glasses. “Here.”
“Thanks.” He took a sip.
“Uh… are you hungry? We can order something.”
“I’m good.”
“Wanna watch a movie?”
“Sure.”
“Is there anything you… don’t watch?” He winced the moment it left his mouth. He was thinking of Mano again.
“What?”
“Never mind.” He grabbed the remote and scrolled through the streaming options on the TV.
He picked an action film. Mano never handled movies like this well, and Ody wondered if that had always been a sign of something deeper.
The movie started. Ody sat on the couch, leaving a careful stretch of space between them.
Ten minutes later, Kash reached for his arm. “Come closer.”
Ody hesitated, breath catching, but let himself be pulled in. He kept his eyes on the screen even though he wasn’t really watching. Kash wasn’t watching at all. His attention stayed fixed on Ody, his shoulder brushing his.
He shifted closer, catching the faint scent at Ody’s neck. “You smell nice.”
Ody turned his head. Their eyes met at a closeness that made his chest tighten. “Thanks,” he muttered, facing the TV again.
“You’re cute, you know that?” Kash said with a small smile. Ody’s eyes widened. “And really handsome.” He leaned in.
Ody jerked sideways on impulse, nearly sliding off the couch.
Kash caught him by the arm. “Careful. You’re gonna fall,” he said with a soft laugh. “Come here.” He drew him back, firmer this time.
Ody ended up lying against the cushions with Kash leaning over him. The room felt smaller. The only light came from the flicker of the TV against Kash’s face.
His gaze drifted over Ody, taking in his eyes, his lips, his jaw, and the brown strands falling over his forehead. “You’re even more gorgeous up close.”
Ody swallowed, pulse tapping at his throat. He had to pull the conversation back, away from whatever this was turning into. “Can I ask you something?”
“Anything.”
“If you say you like me so much… how could you treat me like that?”
Kash’s expression shifted, like he’d been expecting the question. He looked away, jaw tightening. “Nothing I say will make it sound better,” he said. “I started talking to you after class because I wanted your attention. I wanted to know you. But Brandon and Pablo noticed how quiet you were, how easy you were to pick on, and…” He rubbed a hand over his face.“And they turned it into a joke. Into a game. And I let myself get dragged into it.”
“So you’re telling me… you bullied me because your friends did?” He frowned.
Kash shook his head. “It wasn’t just that. They expect me to be a certain way. If I don’t play along, if I don’t act like the guy they think I am, they’ll tear me apart. They’ve done it to others. I’m not strong like you think. I’m just good at pretending.”
“You didn’t wanna look weak, right? Had to be the tough guy.”
“That’s the thing. I’m not tough. I just act like it because if I don’t, they’ll go after me too.” Shame flickered across his face, something tired beneath it. “You’re right about everything you’re saying. I just… I’m not who I pretend to be.”
