Page 15 of By Rude Strength

Gavin’s smug smile dropped. “Excuse me?”

Cass cringed.

LA groaned. “No, I wasn’t talking—”

“Have you lost your mind?” Gavin scoffed. “Who the hell do you think you are to talk to me like that?”

“It wasn’t you!” LA spat.

Cass tried to make himself small, which was hilarious considering how large he was and that it didn’t matter since Gavin couldn’t see him.

“Right, it’s your little fuck boy, huh?” Gavin burst into the kitchen. “Where is he at? Where is he hiding?”

LA groaned and sat back on the couch, holding his face in his hands while Gavin ran around the kitchen looking for someone who didn’t exist. This was utter insanity, but pretty on par with Gavin’s usual rants. “There isn’t anybody here, Gav. Come on.”

“Please, I already know you’ve cheated on me,” Gavin snapped as he stormed back into the living room.

“What? When?” LA scoffed. “When would I even have time?”

“That guy I saw you hugging!”

LA’s brain scrambled briefly. “Wait, Mr. Perez? The man who had just lost his wife?”

“Yes! I saw him kiss you!” Gavin glared. “Bet you were a real nice way to get over his grief, huh?”

“You’re insane.” LA rolled his eyes. “That was last year! He kissed me on the cheek and he was crying—”

“On the mouth!” Gavin snarled. “It was on the fucking mouth, you stupid slut! And I know you’ve been fucking that removal partner of yours too! Oh sure, someone just happens to die in the middle of the night and you have to go get them right then?”

“Yes. Yes, because that’s literally the job,” LA drawled. “People die all the time, Gav. Please believe that when I am dragging someone off the toilet at two in the morning, I am not thinking about sex. I have never cheated on you. Not fucking ever.”

“Fuck you, you’re pathetic.”

“What?”

“I hope whoever he is really enjoys a sloppy fuck,” Gavin taunted. “Maybe your fucking crying will be a big turn on. You’re a fucking mess. No one is ever gonna put up with your stupid bullshit, you little bitch.”

“And who’s gonna put up with yours?” LA barked back, his temper flaring. “Huh? Aw, who’s gonna be there to tell you how great you are and how fucking awesome you are in bed to prop up your poor limp dick of a fuckin’ ego? Oh, and it’s not your fault your mommy and daddy split up? When, let’s be real, it probably was because you make everyone around you fuckingmiserable!”

Gavin flinched and his eyes grew damp.

LA glared.

“Okay, oof, let’s take this back a notch,” Cass whispered hurriedly.

LA realized everything he’d said and his rage wilted. He tried to get back up and reach for Gavin, saying earnestly, “Fuck. Gavin, I’m… I’m sorry. I’m so fucking sorry.”

“Enjoy dying alone, prick,” Gavin said quietly as he headed to the door. “Don’t bother texting me or trying to call. I’m blocking you.”

“Gavin, wait—” LA made a face as the door slammed and one of the paintings fell off the wall. “Motherfucker.”

“So!” Cass clapped his paws. “That went well. But not really.”

“No fucking shit.”

Chapter three

“Like,at all,” Cass went on with a shake of his head. “In the history of things going well, that was dead last.”