Page 30 of By Rude Strength

Still, the thought heated his cheeks as he changed into a pair of black jeans and a red short-sleeved button down shirt with a cartoon skull pattern. He had to move slowly, still a bit stiff fromall the walking yesterday, and he sat on the bed to pull his socks on. He put on his sneakers and then opened the door.

He half-expected to find Cass right there, but the hallway was empty.

“Cass?” LA went downstairs. “Did all my dreams come true? Did you finally leave?”

Cass pouted at him from the couch. “That is not nice.”

“Damn.” LA grinned. “Still here.” He pulled up a ride share app on his phone. “Getting a ride now. You stay put and do whatever it is you do, okay?”

Cass laughed. “You silly little bean! I’m going with you.”

“Uh, no.”

“Yes.”

“No way.” LA narrowed his eyes. “How am I supposed to explain talking to the giant fuzzy monster that no one else can fucking see?”

“Well, Icouldlet them see me, but then we’d have much bigger problems than getting your strength back.”

LA crossed his arms. “I’m just going to pick up my car. That’s it. No need for you to come with me.”

“I disagree!” Cass hopped up, his wings flapping. “Every precious second of the day is an opportunity waiting to be seized!”

“Literally just going to pick up my car.”

“But you could be picking up a new chance to—”

“Oh myGod. Will you just—” LA’s phone buzzed. “Look, my driver is here and she’s in a Prius. How the fuck do you expect to fit, huh?”

Cass exploded in a cloud of confetti and emerged unscathed but smaller.

Much smaller.

He was about the size of a teddy bear now. He flapped his wings, flying up to perch on LA’s shoulder as he cheered, “Ta-dah!”

“Of fucking course. And oh look, more confetti.”

“Oh! Do you want more?”

“No.” LA grumbled as he headed outside. “What I want is a tiny mute button.”

“Really?” Cass blinked in confusion. “What for?”

“Never mind.”

The driver arrived then to take them to the tow yard, and Cass was thankfully quiet. So was the driver, which was even better.

LA scrolled through his phone, swiping over to his text conversation with Gavin.

Still nothing.

Maybe LA should check on him, see if—

Cass flicked his ear.

“Fuck!” LA jerked and swatted at Cass.

“You all right, sir?” the driver asked worriedly.