He reached for the restroom door. Before he could open it, the handle turned. The door swung inward, and Mano stepped inside. They nearly collided, both going still.
Ody’s breath caught. His pulse stumbled hard.
Their eyes locked, close enough that Ody could see the faint shadows of last night under Mano’s eyes, the unreadable look he was giving him.
Ody’s mouth opened, instinctively, like he wanted to say something, anything, but the words died before they could form. He swallowed, unable to look away, speak, or even breathe right.
“Is there a problem?” Mano asked, his tone sharp enough to cut. Ody tensed. “Do you have a problem? Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Did you have fun last night?” Ody finally asked, the question strained and low.
Mano didn’t hesitate. “A lot,” he said with a smirk. “You? Did you enjoy watching?”
Ody’s jaw clenched hard, fists tightening at his sides.
“But you didn’t even see the best part. Things got a lot better after you walked away.”
“Cut it out,” Ody muttered, eyes shutting tight.
“Why should I? You were watching like you wanted front row. If you’d stayed one more minute, you would’ve seen exactly what I did next.”
“Stop it.” Ody’s eyes locked onto his, sharp with hurt he couldn’t hide.
“Why? Jealous much?” he taunted.
Ody grabbed him by the shoulders and slammed him against the wall. “Yes, I’m jealous!” he shot back, breath unsteady, their faces only inches apart.
Mano froze, genuine shock flickering across his face. He’d wanted to provoke Ody, not drag out a confession like this, and he clearly hadn’t expected the truth to hit him that hard.
“I can’t stand seeing you kiss and touch someone else,” Ody said.
“Funny, because you get to run back to Anna whenever you want.”
Ody shook his head. “I’m not proud of that. I hate myself for it. But I can’t shut this off, Mano. I’ve tried.” He swallowed hard, voice cracking as the truth tore out of him. “I can’t stop thinking about you... I’ve never felt this way before.”
Mano didn’t soften. He leaned in, his expression cold. “Try harder.”
Ody’s jaw tightened. “Don’t act like you don’t feel it too. You can pretend none of this affects you, but we both know that’s bullshit.”
Mano’s breath caught, just for a second, the smallest crack in the armor. He didn’t answer.
Ody stepped closer, chest rising and falling fast. “Tell me you don’t feel anything. Look me in the eyes and say it.”
Mano tried. He really tried. But his breathing turned uneven as his gaze kept drifting downward, like he was fighting something he couldn’t control.
He never said it. He couldn’t.
They were standing too close now, close enough for their breaths to mix, for both of them to feel the heat rolling off the other. Mano’s gaze dragged back up slowly, catching Ody’s eyes, and the look he gave him was raw enough to undo whatever resistance was left.
Ody felt it hit him like a current. Their stares collided, charged, dangerous, the last thread of restraint snapping between them.
His gaze dropped to Mano’s lips. When he looked back up, Mano was already looking at his.
That was all it took.
Ody lunged, crashing their mouths together, kissing him hard enough to steal the air from his lungs. He pulled him away from the wall and shoved him toward the stalls, their lips never separating, hands desperate and clinging.
They slammed the stall door shut. Ody grabbed Mano’s shirt and yanked it off, pulling him closer by the waist. The kiss turned rougher, hungrier. His hands roamed across Mano’s warm torso, tracing every line of muscle like he’d been starving for this. Mano grabbed him just as hard, dragging him closer as their kiss deepened into frantic need.
