“If I were single,” he said, his voice low, “this would be different. But I can’t stay away from you.”
For a moment, the world seemed to pause. Only the waves moved between them, soft and steady. Ody’s eyes stayed locked on Mano’s, desperate, waiting, hoping to finally hear the truth Mano kept shoving down.
But instead of softening, Mano’s expression hardened. Completely. Like something inside him snapped shut.
He looked at him with a coldness Ody had never seen before. “You can’t stay away? That’syourfucking problem. I don’t want you anywhere near me.”
Ody’s breath caught. “Mano, please—”
“I don’t give a shit about your feelings.”
The words hit Ody like a punch under the ribs.
Mano’s face hovered inches from Ody’s. “Go back to your girlfriend. Go fuck whoever you want. I don’t care.” His eyes were hard. “Just leave me out of your mess.”
Ody’s heart dropped so fast it felt like it drowned inside him. “Mano…” he whispered, but the sound barely made it out.
He held Ody’s gaze for one brutal heartbeat, letting the silence cut deeper than the words. Before Ody could say another word, Mano dunked his head under the water and swam off with strong, furious strokes, not looking back even once.
Ody stayed exactly where he was, alone in the waves. The salt water splashed against his face, but it didn’t hide the thin shine gathering in his eyes. He blinked hard, trying to swallow it down, but the sting only grew sharper.
He watched Mano disappear into the distance, realizing with a hollow, sickening certainty that this time, he might have lost him for real.
Chapter 40
Ody didn’t remember walking back to the hotel. One moment he was still in the water, staring at the place Mano vanished, and the next he was following the others inside like a ghost. He laughed when they laughed and nodded when someone spoke to him, but everything felt far away. His chest hurt in a quiet, constant way.
When they reached the restaurant, the chatter around him barely registered. Everyone drifted inside, hungry and sun-tired. The conversation was light, easy, the usual mix of plans and jokes as they talked about spending the evening by the pool. Ody barely heard a word.
After lunch, Mano stretched out on the bed, eyes half-closed, already drifting into that lazy post-swim haze. Ranya slid in beside him, her intentions obvious from the moment she touched him. She traced her fingers along his arm, slow and teasing, murmuring something about the pool tonight and how they’d eventually end up alone.
Mano didn’t react much. He gave a simple yes, nothing more, nothing less.
It was enough for her. She flashed a satisfied smile, planning whatever she thought was going to happen later.
Ody slipped away to take a shower, hoping for a few quiet minutes alone. Anna followed before he could close the door, insisting she hadn’t showered either. He tried to brush it off with a quick excuse, but she stepped into the stall with him anyway.
Her hands moved over his chest, her voice low as she hinted at turning the shower into something else. Ody leaned back, offering another excuse about being tired from swimming and eating too much. She sighed in frustration, pulling her hands away, while he kept his eyes down, letting the water hide the tension gathering under his skin.
By seven, everyone had gathered by the pool. Towels, clothes, phones, and half-forgotten snacks were dropped onto lounge chairs as they settled in under the fading light. Cocktails arrived a few minutes later.
The group slipped into vacation mode, talking about plans for the next day, debating whether to head to the beach again or try a tavern for lunch instead. It was all light, easy chatter, the kind that made time pass without anyone noticing.
By the time the last glasses were empty, night had settled fully over the hotel. The small lights around the pool flickered against the water, giving the whole place a soft, warm glow that made everything feel calmer.
That was when Anna perked up with an idea. “Anyone up for Truth or Dare?”
A few surprised groans rose.
“Oh wow, where’d that come from?”
“Come on, it’ll be fun.”
“Alright, I’m in.”
“Me too!” Ranya said, moving closer.
They shifted around on the lounge chairs, pulling them closer to form a loose circle. Mano sighed, already annoyed, but he didn’t get up. He stayed with them, arms crossed over his chest.
