Ody shoved him hard.
Kash’s face darkened as he slowly turned back to him. “How’s your buddy Mano? Maybe we should drop by and say hello,” he sneered, pretending to walk away.
Ody grabbed his arm. “I…” He exhaled hard, voice shaking. “I’m sorry.”
“I want you to mean it,” Kash demanded.
Fury burned beneath Ody’s skin. His chest tightened as the silence stretched for several long seconds.
“Let’s go, guys,” Kash said.
“Sorry!” Ody shouted, eyes squeezed shut, ashamed of himself.
Kash chuckled, leaning close. “Look me in the eyes…” he commanded.
Ody forced his eyes to meet Kash’s stare.
“…And say it again.”
Ody swallowed hard. Humiliation. That’s what this was. Breaking him.
“Last chance,” Kash said. “Say it, or we visit your friend.”
Ody inhaled slowly, steadied himself, then whispered, “I’m sorry.”
A sly grin appeared on Kash’s lips, and relief almost hit Ody’s chest.
“Get on the ground,” Kash ordered.
Ody froze. “What?”
“On your knees.”
Ody glanced at the others and took two hesitant steps back.
“Get on the ground and apologize,” Kash repeated.
Ody’s breathing grew shallow. He backed away instinctively, but the group closed in, cornering him against the wall.
“This is the last time I’m asking nicely. Kneel,” Kash said, his voice cold.
“No,” Ody managed, gathering what courage he had left.
Kash shoved him hard, forcing him down while the other two stepped in on both sides, blocking any escape. Ody stayed on his knees in the grass, face turned away. “Let me go.”
“Look at me and apologize.” He grabbed Ody’s face and forced it forward. Ody resisted, but Kash turned to one of his friends. “Record this,” he ordered Pablo, who pulled out his phone.
“No!” Ody lunged to grab it, but Kash stepped between them.
“You recording?”
“Yeah.”
“Let’s try this again,” Kash said coldly. “Apologize.”
Ody turned his face away, fighting humiliation.
He wanted to disappear. Sink into the earth. Make the moment stop.
