Page 23 of By Rude Strength

“I will stay until you fall asleep,” Cass replied gently. “And just in case you get sick and need to throw up, then I can help you to the bathroom.”

LA managed a chuckle. “I’m not going to throw up.”

“I’ve heard many drunk people make the same claim.”

“Well, I’m not that drunk, so.”

“Famous last words.”

“Shut up.” LA laughed, dropping his hand down to rest on Cass’s forearm. “I’m going to pass out now and hope that when I wake up, this has all been some sort of fucked up fever dream, okay?”

“And when you wake up and you don’t have a job or a boyfriend?”

LA squeezed Cass’s arm. “Well, you’ll still be here, right?”

“Of course.” Cass purred softly.

“Good night, Cass.”

“Night, Elly.”

Chapter four

LA woke up likehe normally did.

Sore, cranky, and already in a bad mood because he knew he would have to limp his way to the bathroom to take his first piss of the day.

But there was something not so normal about this morning.

Namely, the large furry imp still cuddled around him.

LA touched Cass’s forearm, sliding his fingers toward Cass’s paw.

So much for Cass being a figment of his imagination.

There was a part of LA that didn’t want to move and risk losing the physical connection because it really did feel so nice to be held. Cass was warm and strong, and LA could almost drift off back to sleep.

Except he really had to use the damn bathroom.

Wincing, LA wiggled forward to slide out of bed and hopefully not disturb Cass. He managed to stand, his hips and lower backthrobbing in complaint and forcing him to hunch. He shuffled to the bathroom, though he did pause to glance back at Cass.

Still asleep.

LA smiled.

Cass was annoying, there was no doubt about that, but he was also kind, patient, and more attractive than LA was comfortable admitting. He’d never met anyone so ridiculously positive, as if Cass was capable of sneezing out literal sunshine and rainbows.

He limped into the bathroom, used the toilet, and then washed his hands and face. He looked at himself in the mirror and grimaced at his reflection. He needed to shave, he had dark bags under his eyes, and combined with his fair skin, he looked practically ghoulish.

Maybe a bit of sunshine was exactly what he needed.

He headed back into the bedroom, surprised to find that Cass was gone.

The bed had been made and LA swore he saw a few bubbles floating through the air. Either he had imagined them or they simply popped before he could confirm what he was seeing. He snorted, shaking his head as he looked around for his phone.

It wasn’t on the bedside table where he thought he’d left it.

Huh.