Chapter 14
Ody moved to the stove while Mano stood frozen, watching him. “I’ll take it off in a minute and then we can eat, okay?” He glanced at him. “Sit down, don’t just stand there.” He gestured toward the table. Mano pulled out a chair and sat. “Do you want something to drink?”
“No.” He looked a little lost as Ody cut the omelet in half and divided it onto two plates.
“Here you go. I used eight eggs, so there’s plenty of protein. Since you go to the gym, you’ve got to eat protein, right?” Ody sat across from him.
Mano slowly raised his fork, staring at the omelet.
Ody watched him. “Please tell me you eat eggs.”
“Yeah, I like them.” He looked at him.
“Ah, good then.” Ody smiled, took a bite, then noticed Mano still hadn’t moved. “You’re not hungry?”
“You’re…” Mano’s voice was quiet, his gaze lowered.
Ody stopped chewing. The pause made him tense.
“…too good to me.” Mano looked up again.
Ody chuckled. “I’m like that with everyone.” He kept eating. “Come on, eat before it gets cold.”
Mano took his first bite.
“Do you have class today?” Ody asked.
“Yeah. I’m not going.”
“Why?”
“Because I can’t.” He held his gaze, and Ody grew serious. “You?”
“I have one in two hours.”
“I’ll eat and then leave.” Mano took another mouthful.
“You don’t need to go. You can stay as long as you want. I’ll be back by midday.”
“You’re telling me to stay here while you’re gone?” Mano asked.
“Yeah. Why?” Ody frowned.
“Because… I’m a stranger. You trust me?”
“Why wouldn’t I? What could you do?”
Mano couldn’t tell if he was joking or if he was actually that naive. “You’re too innocent for this world. So innocent that you’re almost cu—” Mano bit the word off, heat creeping up his neck, embarrassed by what he’d almost said.
“Almost what?” Ody asked, noticing the pink in Mano’s cheeks. He knew exactly what that word was.
“Either way, I can’t stay.” Mano blinked fast. The embarrassment still lingered. He couldn’t bring himself to meet Ody’s eyes. “I’ll head home before you leave for class.” He finished his food in small, distracted bites, took a painkiller, and pushed himself up from the chair with a stiffness that had nothing to do with his injuries.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Ody asked by the door.
“I’m fine. I’ll get home fast with a cab.”
“I can drive you.”
