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“That you’re some freak who likes to fuck his food.”

Paul, over by the chopping boards, burst out laughing as I stiffened. “Grody.”

Voice tight, I said, “They’re not food when they’re alive.”

Johnny spluttered a laugh, lowering his magazine. “So you’re saying they’re fair game until we eat them? Barf. That’s messed up, dude.”

“I’m just saying they’re people.” I turned to glare at him. “Don’t remember telling you to go on break yet, Johnny. Get back to work.”

“Chill,” he muttered, but put down the mag and heaved himself up. “But I guess I should probably stand guard over the meat in case you get any sick ideas.”

He and Paul glanced at each other and snickered. Nostrils flaring and my skin prickling with anger, I turned back to the counter and snatched up the printout for the next order.

Chapter Four

Elliot

It was just me and Paul left in the kitchen when we heard a knock on the door a half hour before closing time. After exchanging a glance, Paul swiftly picked up the container of leftover meat and vanished into the walk-in refrigerator.

Shuffling over to the door, I opened it just a crack and peered out with a frown. When I saw who it was, my lip curled. “Yeah?”

Brett scowled from the corridor. “Don’t worry, I’m not gonna barge into your precious sterile kitchen.”

“I know you’re not,” I said flatly, leaning my shoulder on the wall. “What do you want?”

He huffed, jaw clenching as he glanced down the corridor toward the other kitchen and the storefront. “Okay, look. I’m supposed to be closing tonight, but—”

“Ah.” I smirked at him. “But you wanna leave early.”

He glared at me. “My girl just stopped by and said she wants me to go with her to a party. She’s out there waiting for me.”

“Congrats,” I deadpanned.

“She just got back from visiting her grandparents. I haven’t seen her for two weeks. Two weeks,” he emphasized with a meaningful brow raise. “Tonight might be the first night I don’t have to jerk off.”

My nose wrinkled. “Don’t make me ralph all over the kitchen, Brett.”

“Come on. You know what it’s like.” He gave me a pleading look, as if the fact that we were both dudes meant we were united in his lofty ambitions to get laid. “And you’re locking up tonight anyway, right? Ricky already said he’d be okay closing down our kitchen on his own. All you have to do is give it a quick check before you go.”

My spine had shot straight the moment the word Ricky left his mouth.

“Fine.” I tried not to sound too eager. “But you owe me big time.”

“Yeah, yeah, of course. You got it.” He turned to rush eagerly away.

“Think of me while you’re with your girl,” I called after him snarkily, “not jerking off.”

“Dick,” I heard him mutter before he vanished back into the other kitchen.

Letting the door swing shut, I turned and wiped my face clean of any emotion as Paul reappeared from the fridge.

“You can finish a little early,” I said quickly before he could ask what that had been about. “I’ll clean up.”

“For real?” He was already untying his apron. “Bitchin’. Thanks, man.”

“No prob.” I waited as he made his way to the door.

“Oh, and…” He stopped and shifted awkwardly. “Uh, sorry about earlier. We were just joking around. I know you’re not… you know. A weirdo perv who wants to hump the food.”