Page 106 of By Rude Strength

Cass growled from behind him, a furious rumble that LA felt trembling beneath his feet and rattled the broken pieces of the coffee mug. He grabbed LA’s hips, as if he meant to pull LA out of the way and perhaps chomp Deborah into bits.

As much as it would have beenimmenselysatisfying to see his mother become imp kibble, LA calmly raised his hand, silently asking Cass to wait.

Cass snarled but stood fast.

Deborah almost crumbled, as if perhaps she regretted hitting him, but she revved right back up to snap, “You’re going to that wedding, young man. I am your mother, and you will do what I say. I need this. I need it, Lawrence. I need something pure and beautiful and perfect and—”

“Goodbye, Mom. I love you.” LA shut the door and locked it firmly.

He breathed.

In.

Out.

In.

And then he turned to collapse in Cass’s arms.

LA wasn’t sure if he cried so much as hehowled. He was angry and hurt, and he had no idea what to do with the sea of emotions threatening to drown him. He twisted his fingers into Cass’s fur, trying to bury himself there in Cass’s chest. If he heard more knocking, he was sure he’d scream.

Luckily, none came.

Still, he sobbed into Cass’s chest, not even caring when Cass picked him up like a baby and cradled him close. Now that the dam had been broken, he didn’t know if he’d ever stop crying.

“Here, come on.” Cass carried him over to the couch. “I got the mug all cleaned up and I can get you more coffee. Whatever you need.” He sat down, holding LA in his lap and hugging him tight. “Is this all right for your back, sweetheart?”

“No,” LA mumbled tearfully. “But I don’t want you to let go yet.”

“Then I won’t.” Cass kissed his hair.

LA sniffled and rubbed his eyes. He blinked when he found a box of tissue between them and he smiled weakly. It was covered in rainbows. “Thank you.” He grabbed a handful to dry his tears and then blow his nose.

He was raw and unhinged, but Cass’s warm embrace was comforting.

“What can I do, Elly?” Cass asked softly.

“You’re doing it.” LA threw the tissues at the table, but they dinged off the edge and hit the floor. “Goddammit.”

“It’s okay,” Cass soothed. “I’ll get it later.”

LA nodded and closed his eyes, sniffing still. “I thought she’d listen to me. I thought… I don’t know. I really don’t know. I guess that I could stand up to her and tell her off like I did with Gavin. That I couldfixit.”

“Some situations are not fixable. Somepeopleare not fixable.” Cass frowned. “What your mother did was wrong. She didn’t want you to reconcile with your bully for anyone’s benefit excepther own. Even if Katie did want to apologize, she has no right to ask that of you. I can’t imagine what her true intentions are, but you have no obligation to hear her out.”

“Thank you.” LA petted Cass’s chest. “I… I can’t believe my mother told her I’d lost my job. Then I start wondering what else she’s told her.”

“Your mother sharing details of your personal life without your consent is deplorable, especially to someone who hurt you so much.”

“Oh, but didn’t you hear?” LA rolled his eyes. “Katie’sworriedabout me.”

“While there is a tiny, miniscule chance that’s true, it’s more likely that it’s another attempt to manipulate you,” Cass mused. “After all, if she was truly concerned or wanted to make amends, she should have tried to do that on her own.”

“And not with the fucking wedding right around the corner,” LA mumbled. “It just feels like bullshit. It all feels like absolute bullshit.”

“If it walks like a duck, talks like a duck…”

“Then yeah, it’s bullshit.”