The moment the door closed, Ody’s mask slipped. He let out a shaky breath and pressed both hands to his face. His pulse hadn’t slowed since the sea. He could still feel Mano’s breath on his lips, the warmth of his skin under his fingers, the shock in his eyes when he’d confessed the truth he never meant to say aloud. “Shit…” he whispered, dropping onto the edge of the bed.
His mind spiraled. He hadn’t meant to say it. But he had meant it. And that was the problem. He had a girlfriend. He had Anna. He shouldn’t be thinking about Mano like that. He shouldn’t be wanting him, or even feel this pull that made his whole body react before he could think.
He rubbed the back of his neck, fingers trembling a little. But every time he blinked, he saw Mano blinking back at him in shock, cheeks flushed, eyes wide and soft in a way that Ody wasn’t ready for.
His knees felt weak, so he leaned forward, elbows on his thighs as he tried to breathe through the mess tightening inside him.
He didn’t know what scared him more. That Mano had heard the truth, or that it felt like a relief to finally say it.
He stayed like that for a long moment, staring at the floor, trying to pull himself together. Eventually he forced himself to get up, grabbed a clean pair of shorts, and headed to the shower. The cold water helped, but his mind never quieted.
By the time he finished getting dressed, the noise in his chest had settled only enough for him to look functional.
They all met later at the hotel restaurant. Ody kept his head down, barely touching his food, while everyone else chatted about plans for the night. Mano said nothing, but Ody could feel his presence across the table like a pressure on his skin.
After eating, they split off. Some showered, others scrolled or napped, and Ody tried to act normal while his brain refused to let him rest. Mano had fallen asleep already, exhausted from swimming.
By late afternoon, the girls’ room had turned into chaos. Music blasted while they got ready, brushes and palettes covering every surface.
Ody’s phone rang, and Steve’s name flashed across the screen. “Yo, we’re thinking of hitting the pool while the girls get ready.”
“Alright.”
“Bring Mano too.”
The call ended before Ody could respond. He stared at the screen, a knot tightening in his stomach. He didn’t know what he wanted more, for Mano to come or for him to stay far away. Both options terrified him.
Ody typed the message and hit send.The guys are heading to the pool while we wait for the girls. You in?
Mano read it, but he didn’t reply.
Before Ody could spiral over what that meant, a knock hit the door. He opened it, his eyes locking on Mano standing there.
“Um… you came to go to the pool?” Ody asked, his hand going to the back of his neck.
Mano didn’t answer. He stepped inside, kicked off his shoes, and walked straight to Ody’s bed. He dropped onto it, stretching out in his sweats like he owned the room.
“What are you doing?” Ody asked, blinking at him.
“Lying down.”
“You’ve got your own room. Why did you come here to lie down?”
“I wanted company. Is that a problem?” Mano said, resting his hands behind his head, his eyes flicking to Ody’s.
Ody’s chest tightened. “N-no… but the guys are waiting—”
“Go ahead. I’ll stay here.”
“But you said—”
“If you want to leave, then leave.” Mano finally turned his gaze on him, steady and unreadable.
Ody hesitated, then sat on the edge of the bed with his back half-turned to Mano.
Mano didn’t look away. “What is it you like about me?”
The words hit Ody like a punch, his breath catching. “W-what?...”
