Page 10 of By Rude Strength

“Just tell me what to do so you’ll go back through that damn bottle and get out of my house.” LA stood to head into the kitchen. He didn’t feel like walking back upstairs, but he needed a drink pronto.

“I will leave when I decide that you’ve recovered your strength.” Cass grinned, his sharp teeth shining as he tagged along behind him. “That’s what I’m here to help you do!”

“Uh-huh.” LA grabbed a soda from the fridge. “Like, physical strength?”

“No.” Cass had to duck and turn sideways to squeeze through the kitchen doorway. “Your fortitude. Yourinnerstrength! If you were able to summon me, it means you are going through a pretty rough time right now. Maybe you recently had some big changes with your career or a relationship?”

LA sighed and grabbed the rum. “All of the above.”

“Ah, so!” Cass leaned against the counter and offered a gentle smile. “Tell me what’s going on.”

“Right now?”

“You’re the one who’s in such a hurry to get rid of me.” Cass smirked. “The faster I help you, the faster I leave.”

LA narrowed his eyes. “What happens if I don’t?”

“Don’t what?”

“What if I decide I don’t want your help and tell you to fuck off or whatever?” LA waved the bottle. “What if I think this is fucking nuts and you’re just a figment of my imagination or something?”

Cass poked LA right in the middle of his forehead.

“Ow! Hey!” LA swatted at him.

“Do I feel like a figment?”

“No.”

“Ha!”

“But you still might be some kind of hallucination.”

“Well, I hope you’re ready to enjoy a super awesome hallucination for a while. I’m not going anywhere until your strength is recovered,” Cass said firmly. “Even if that means forever.”

“Forever? Wait, like, forever forever?”

“Eternity, if need be.” Cass grinned. “Me and you are gonna be like peanut butter and jelly! Cheese and burger! Scrambled eggs and hummus! Ham and—”

“What?”

Cass patted LA’s head. “Just be certain that I am not going anywhere until we figure this out! I am honestly here to help you, Elly. So, please.” He gave him a gentle smile. “Let me?”

“Okay. Fine.” LA poured heavily,veryheavily, and then took a gulp of his extra crunchy drink. “I got fired, I got dumped, and my mother is trying to make me go to a wedding for someone I absolutely hate.”

Cass blinked. “Wait, and all that happened today?”

“Yes.” LA paused. “Oh, and I got a flat fuckin’ tire too.”

“Wow. Wowie. Yeah, you need a hug.” Cass held out his big arms.

“No.”

“Are you sure?” Cass wiggled his claws. “I give really good hugs. Like, the best. I have won hugging contests in fact. All primed and ready, a blue ribbon award winning hug just for you. Warm and snuggly. Right here.”

“No.” LA topped off his drink with more rum.

“Well. It’s a shame to waste it.” Cass shrugged and then hugged himself instead, smiling brightly. “Mmm, mmm,mmm, that’s a good hug.”