“Friends, groups, vacations all together. It’s not my style.”
“Why not? We’ll have a great time.”
“You will. I won’t,” Mano said, firm and unbudging.
“Why are you being so negative?”
“I don’t do well in crowds. I don’t like being around too many people.” Mano’s tone didn’t waver.
Ody’s mind drifted to the first day they met. “I’ll let you think about it. I’ll ask you again when we book.”
“It won’t change anything.”
“I’ll still ask. See you at campus tomorrow.”
When the call ended, Mano stayed there for a moment, phone still in his hand. His chest felt strange, tight in a way he didn’t want to think about. He opened his contacts, typed Ody’s name in Greek and saved the number.
He wasn’t the type to join group trips. He wasn’t into beaches, couples, or pretending he fit anywhere. He knew he wouldn’t go.
But lying in bed that night, staring at the ceiling in the dark, he realized something that unsettled him far more than the beating he had taken. Even if he had no intention of going, he would think about that invitation all night.
Chapter 15
Morning came, and Mano felt better, though he was still taking three painkillers a day. When he climbed onto his bike, a dull ache spread across his lower back. He shifted until he found a position he could tolerate, then put on his helmet and rode off. The pain followed him all the way to the university, but he managed.
Before heading to class, he made a quick stop at the restrooms in the main building. Outside the door stood someone he recognized, one of Kash’s friends.
Their eyes met. Mano’s gaze sharpened like a blade. Without a word, he pushed past him and swung the door open.
He froze at the sight in front of him.
Kash and Pablo had Ody pinned against the wall by the sink, his brown hair and shirt soaked.
All three looked up at the sound of the door. Behind Mano, Brandon stepped in front of the exit, blocking it.
Mano’s fists clenched. Fury surged through him.
“Well, well. Look who showed up,” Kash mocked. “Didn’t think you’d be back so soon. Recovered fast, huh?” He smirked and glanced at Ody, who stood dripping beside him. “Here to rescue your little buddy?”
Mano stared Kash down, fire flickering behind his eyes. The threat Kash had whispered the night they beat him up echoed in his mind.
Then he turned to Ody. Exhausted, humiliated, almost pleading, he stood motionless.
Mano’s jaw tightened. His fists trembled with the urge to break Kash’s face.
But Kash stepped toward him, leaving Ody behind, his voice soft and venomous as he leaned close. “You know what I’ll do to him if you get involved,” he whispered, pulling back with a triumphant smirk.
Mano’s breath shook. Every part of him burned to act. But Ody’s soaked shirt, the fear on his face, Kash’s threat replaying, chained him in place.
Kash arched a brow. “Well?”
Mano exhaled, closing his eyes for a moment. Then, without daring to look back at Ody, he turned stiffly and walked out.
Behind him, the three burst into laughter, the sound echoing down the hallway. Ody stared at the door, disbelief and hurt hollowing his chest.
“So, where were we?” Kash taunted, stepping closer.
Outside, Mano stepped into the open air and kicked a trash can so hard it toppled.You’re a fucking loser. A big fucking loser.He paced back and forth, rage clawing at his ribs. It would have been easy to destroy them. He had done it before. The thought of what they were doing to Ody while he stood there doing nothing twisted his stomach.
