Page 37 of By Rude Strength

“Well, let’s start with chocolate, hmm?” A tub of unsweetened cocoa powder appeared on the counter, and Cass continued mixing what appeared to be sugar and flour into a big bowl that LA didn’t even recognize. “This is my personal recipe for an Imp’s Food Cake,” he said cheerfully. “Not to be confused with aDevil’sFood Cake, hmmph. This is much better.”

“Okay.” LA reached around Cass to grab the rum, ignoring how Cass’s fur brushed against him. “What can I do?”

“Here.” Cass stepped aside to give LA access to the bowl. “In just a moment, I’ll start pouring the liquid ingredients in and you’ll stir.”

“Yup. Can do. One sec.” LA pulled a can of Dr. Pepper from the fridge.

“Ah, time to drink?”

“Yes, and keep your judgy eyeballs to yourself.” LA got a glass. “Let me mix this and then I’ll mix whatever you want.” His damn back hurt and maybe seeing Gavin with someone else so soon was bothering him more than he wanted to admit.

Cass watched him pour the rum heavily. “Is everything all right?”

“Peachy.”

“Are you sure?”

LA took a big sip of the potent concoction, staring back at Cass over the rim of the glass. He took another, making Cass wait for him to finally reply, “Never been better.”

“You are an awful liar.”

LA set his glass down. “Fine. Whatever. Gavin made some shit post. He’s already moved on.”

Cass cringed. “Yeah, I’m sorry about that. I was wondering when you’d see it.”

“Wait, you saw it? How?”

“Duh. I checked his page.”

LA laughed. “Seriously?”

“What? As your imp, it’s my job to help you to the very best of my ability! Which means being up to date on anything that may affect your progress.”

“Which means stalking my ex online,” LA teased.

Cass appeared flustered and nearly spilled the vegetable oil as he poured it into another bowl. “I do whatever is necessary, thank you. So, yes, if that means stalking your ex, then yes.” He frowned a little. “Are you all right?”

“It hurts,” LA admitted. “But then I got to thinking. About some of the stuff you said. You know, about Anna and me being an asshole…”

“And?”

“Gavin did this on purpose. The post, I mean. He even wrote that shitty caption knowing I would see it. It’s like everything else shitty he’s ever done.” LA took a deep breath. “He did it to hurt me, manipulate me, and I’m not going to let him do that anymore. I deserve better than that.”

Cass cheered, and a flurry of bubbles and rainbow confetti rained down on them. “I am so happy to hear that! This is magnificent news, Elly!”

LA wrinkled his nose, swatting at the bubbles. “Hey, hey, come on now. It’s not a big deal.”

“Do not think so little of your revelation.” Cass clasped his big paws on LA’s shoulders. “Today has truly been wonderful indeed! You’ve already grown so much.”

“Uh.” LA blushed. “Maybe you’re just really good at your job.”

“We both know you don’t mean that.”

LA grinned. “No, not really, but… Thank you. Seriously. For helping me pull my head out of my ass.”

“I don’t think that will fit on the cake either, but I will certainly try.” Cass squeezed LA’s shoulders before letting go.“You deserve a partner who will listen to you and support you, who will care about the things you want.”

“Like you do?” LA hated how quickly the words came out of his mouth and he tried to drown any others with a chug of his drink.