Ruthless Creatures by J.T. Geissinger

Of all the times Kage has probably faced the prospect of
dying, I have no doubt my best friend would be the scariest.
Getting choked up, I say, “I’m so glad you’re back.”
Rising from the table, she heads to the drawer by the stove
where I keep the takeout menus. “Me, too. But you might
change your mind when I order kale on this pizza.”
“That’s disgusting.”
“With a cauliflower crust.”
“What a bait and switch! That’s ruining the whole point of
pizza. Why not just have a salad, for god’s sake?”
“Because I had a salad for lunch.”
“Of course you did. Your addiction to vegetables is out of
control.”
With the menu in one hand, she dials the restaurant with
the other. “Having your parents call you ‘Chunky Monkey’
your entire childhood leaves scars, sis. Still dealing with the
fallout.”
I stand and hug her from behind, resting my head on her
shoulder as she orders the kale-and-cauliflower pizza.
I know it’ll be awful.
I’ll eat it anyway.
Kage isn’t the only one I’m a ride or die for.
A pang of heartache has me missing him so much, it leaves
me breathless. As Sloane reads her credit card number to the
pizza place, I slip my phone out of my pocket and send Kage a
text.
Then I finish my glass of wine and pour another, trying not
to think about what he might be doing right now.
Whatever it is, it doesn’t involve me.
And it probably isn’t good.