“They’re at your food truck. If Mark’s hanging out with Zee, it’s only a matter of time before they turn up at your place.”
“Maybe if either one of you let me know before you drop by unannounced…”
“I have to look out for my own ass,” Greta said.
Joan nodded in understanding. Greta was a lone wolf—always had been, probably always would be. While they’d both been kicked out as teenagers, Joan had joined Team Villain. Even when things weren’t great with Melvin or Ethel or Irving, she’d always had Mark and Perry.
“I get it,” she said. “But this is temporary. Once we get rid of these new Villains?—”
“Did you just hear yourself?” Greta snapped. “You’re trying to get rid of Villains? In case you forgot?—”
“I know that sounds shitty. But Quake? These assholes who want to destroy everything? Nobody wants that.”
Greta’s nostrils flared. She crossed her arms, gripping her biceps through her black leather jacket. “I told you about them foryourbenefit, not the Supers’.”
“I know, and I didn’t give up my source.” Joan’s fire bubbled under her skin in irritation.
“You see how I can’t trust that something won’t get traced back to me.”
“I will never let anything happen to you.”
“Even if that means lying to my face and disappearing on me?”
“You’re the one who disappeared first,” Joan pointed out.
“When you worked with Superheroes to take out three members of your found family.”
“I never really thought of them as family. You know that.”
Greta made her smarmyYeah, rightface that was so damn annoying.
“Sadie said she told you how hurt I was,” Joan said.
“Youwere hurt?” Greta scoffed. “I’m losing my only true friend, butyou’rehurt.”
“That’s not fair. You know the situation. I’m doing the best I can.”
“You’re doing what’s best for you.”
Joan felt the angry sparks glinting in her eyes. “That’s literally what you’re doing.”
“Mine is survival.”
“Mineis survival.”
“No, yours is wanting your sweet girlfriend and your cozied-up apartment and?—”
“I’m having nightmares about what I did, okay?” Joan spat. “Does that make you happy?”
“No.”
“I feel like shit about it. But you know what? I don’t regret it. If that means taking a step back for a while, fine.”
Tense silence settled between them. This was their relationship: everything was flowers and sunshine, then something happened and they got pissed at each other and didn’t talk for a while. Still, it was their friendship on the line this time. That had never truly wavered.
Greta took a sip of her half-caf-whatever-the-fuck-complicated drink she’d ordered. She set her cup down. “Sorry you’re having nightmares,” she said in a calmer tone.
“I’m waking Sadie up. That’s the worst part.”
