Mano let out a harsh scoff. “Wow. Took you long enough.”
“Yeah, you’re right.” Ody let out a bitter laugh. “Took me long enough to realize you always get bored after a week.”
They locked eyes, anger and something far more dangerous simmering beneath the surface.
Ranya finally stepped in. “What the fuck, you guys? Again?” she said, throwing her hands up. “Maybe you two on the same trip wasn’t a great idea, but we literally just started the tour. Can you not do this right now?”
“No!” they both shouted at the same time. Then they stormed out of the car, each slamming their own door.
“Call them!” Mano yelled, standing by his own.
“You call them! You’re the one who wants to leave!”
“I don’t have their numbers,” Mano said through clenched teeth. “Are you gonna call or do I have to lose my shit?”
Ody stepped closer. “So what, you’re gonna hit me now?”
“I’d love to! You wanna see?” Mano moved in as well.
They closed the distance until their foreheads nearly touched, their breaths mixing, fists clenched like they couldn’t decide whether to punch each other or pull each other closer.
“Hey, hey!” The girls rushed out of the car, pushing themselves between them.
“Ody, call Antony,” Anna said. “Ask where they are. If they’re still close, we can switch cars.”
Neither of the boys looked away from each other.
Finally Ody pulled out his phone and dialed. “Where are you?” he asked.
“I don’t know, dude. We saw you stop on the side of the road. Is everything okay?” Antony replied over the sound of the wind.
“Pull over and tell me where you are.”
“Dude, what happened?”
“Mano and Ranya are getting in your car. Steve and Danae are coming with me.”
“What? Why?”
“Just do what I said and stop asking questions,” Ody snapped. “Pull over and call me.” He ended the call and glared at Mano. “Happy now?”
“Very,” Mano spat back.
The girls let out frustrated sighs.
When they caught up with the others, Steve and Danae switched cars, taking Mano and Ranya’s seats.
“Bro, what the hell?” Steve asked as he climbed into the passenger seat.
“Leave me alone,” Ody muttered, gripping the steering wheel.
In the other car, Antony and Christina didn’t dare ask what had happened. Mano looked like he might explode. The rest of the drive passed in tense silence.
Half an hour later they pulled up at a beach and headed toward the bar with their bags.
“I don’t think we should drive around the whole island today,” Christina murmured to Antony and Steve. “Those two are at each other’s throats. How are we supposed to enjoy a trip like this?” She glanced between them. “Do you know what happened?”
Antony exchanged a look with Steve. “No clue. But Anna wasn’t herself this morning.”
