“Yeah, well, it didn’t seem to make a difference. Kash still threatened you afterward.”
Ody let out a slow breath. “He hasn’t done anything since, okay? He stopped bothering me. That’s why there’s no point talking about this anymore.”
“Wait, I’m totally lost. What the hell are you guys even talking about?” Antony asked.
“I’ll explain later,” Steve said.
“Is he still...?” Ody asked quietly.
Ranya nodded. “Yeah. He’s still back there. He asked me to leave him alone.”
Ody lowered his gaze, feeling responsible for everything that was happening.
Half an hour passed. The tension slowly faded as the group settled onto the loungers, wrapping themselves in blankets against the cool night air.
Anna curled up in Ody’s arms, just like the other two couples.
Then Mano finally approached.
“Baby?” Ranya searched his face.
He didn’t answer. He grabbed a blanket and lay down with his back to them.
Quiet conversations drifted between the group for a while, but eventually the voices faded. One by one, they closed their eyes,dozing under the moonlight as the waves rolled steadily onto the shore.
Ody carefully turned his back to Anna, who was sleeping beside him, and unlocked his phone. For a moment he hesitated. Then he opened his messages and reread the text Kash had sent.How’s the trip? I miss you... Can’t wait to do more things to you when you get back...
Anger flared in his chest as he typed.What if Anna saw this? Are you trying to fuck everything up? Don’t text me again.He sent the message, then exited the chat and opened his conversation with Mano.Are you okay?He hit send while glancing at Mano’s back a few meters away.
Mano was lying under the blanket. Ody couldn’t tell if he was asleep. A moment later, it was marked as seen.Please talk to me…
Mano swallowed hard and typed a reply.No I’m not
Ody’s stomach tightened when the message came.Why?
The typing bubble appeared, then disappeared. A moment later, Mano replied.Because this doesn’t feel right
Ody stared at the screen.You mean... behind Anna’s back?
Seen
I don’t feel right either, trust me. I feel awful for doing this to her… I wish I could make it easier
It was seen again. A moment passed, and then Mano replied.You can
How?
Leave me alone
When Ody read the reply, his stomach clenched. His pulse spiked, throat suddenly dry. No. He didn’t want that. He couldn’t do that. His fingers hovered over the screen. Before he could type a reply, another notification popped up.
Mano: This can’t happen again
You don’t mean that…
I do
Then why did you kiss me back?
