Anna stirred beside him, stretching before lifting her head. “Good morning, baby,” she whispered.
Ody forced his eyes open. “Morning…” The word scraped out of him, barely there.
She smiled, relaxed and glowing, completely unaware of the storm twisting inside him. She leaned in, kissed his shoulder, and sat up to get dressed, humming as she moved around the room.
Ody stayed still for a moment, the guilt sinking deeper with every breath he took. When he finally moved, it was slow and heavy, like his body didn’t want to follow him. He dressed, pulling on his clothes with stiff hands.
His mind wouldn’t stop replaying Mano’s face, the hurt in his eyes and the way he had looked at him before walking away on the beach. Every memory hit like a weight he couldn’t shake off. By the time they stepped out of the room, Ody felt like he was walking underwater.
Downstairs, the breakfast area was loud with voices and clinking plates. Christina lifted her hand as they approached. “Good morning, guys!”
Ody managed a small nod.
“Day three in Serifos,” Steve announced like a TV host. “How’s the energy today?”
“Amazing,” Anna said cheerfully. “This trip keeps getting better.”
They headed toward the buffet just as Mano and Ranya came down the stairs. “Morning!” she called.
Everyone greeted them, but Ody’s gaze caught on Mano’s expression instantly. Blank. Cold. A wall where softness had been last night.
The group headed to the tables while Ody lingered behind, heart pounding, eyes tracking Mano as he approached the buffet. Ranya filled her plate and left.
“Good morning,” Ody said.
Mano didn’t look at him.
“Did your headache go away? Are you feeling better?”
Nothing.
Ody reached out, touching his arm lightly. “Hey. What’s wrong?”
Mano turned his head slowly. His eyes burned with a razor-sharp anger that made Ody’s breath hitch. “You’re the biggest bastard I’ve ever met.”
Ody’s stomach dropped. “What?”
Mano took a slow breath, like he needed it to keep from exploding. “You sat with me last night telling me you want me, that you can’t stop thinking about me,” he said. “You kissed me like you meant it. You said you wanted me all to yourself.” His jaw tightened. “And a few hours later, you fucked Anna.”
Ody’s throat closed. He didn’t have to ask how Mano knew. Of course he knew. The rooms were close. The wall was thin. His voice failed him, and he stood there in complete silence, guilt burning so hot he thought his skin might crack from it.
Mano swallowed, hurt twisting into anger. “I heard her. I heard you.”
Ody swallowed hard. Shame clawed up his throat until it felt like he could barely breathe. “Mano, please… Let me explain.”
Mano let out a bitter, humorless laugh. “‘I never played with you,’ right?” He mocked Ody’s words from the night before. “What a joke.”
“Mano—”
“I fucking hate you.” Mano spat the words like they tasted bitter.
They didn’t just hit Ody. They went straight through him. His heart dropped so fast it felt like it actually hurt. Heat rushed into his face and then drained out just as quickly, leaving him cold all over. He had expected anger. He had expected cursing,yelling, maybe even a shove. But that… Those four words… They hollowed him out.
His mouth opened, but nothing came out. He felt sick with what he had done, with how badly he’d hurt him, and how right Mano was to say it.
Mano turned to leave, but Ody grabbed his wrist, desperation tightening his grip. “Mano, please—”
“Let go.” He didn’t raise his voice. It was quiet and dangerous. He leaned in, his eyes cold. “You really don’t wanna make a scene in front of everyone,” he said, his tone sharp enough to cut. “So get your hand off me.”
