Page 58 of By Rude Strength

“Well, then I’ll only be here to annoy you if you choose to let me.” Cass smiled gently.

“Guess we’ll just have to see.” LA could feel warmth creeping into his cheeks as he took his medicine. “So. Uh, what’s for breakfast? Smells good. And hey, you didn’t even wreck my kitchen this time.”

The air filled with bubbles as Cass squealed. “It’s a peach crumb cake! With fresh peaches!” He frowned suddenly. “Is that all right?” He gasped. “Do you actually hate peaches?”

“No, no.” LA sipped his coffee, his heart skipping a beat. “Peaches are fucking perfect.”

Freshly dressed and full of delicious peach crumb cake, LA parked around the side of the Expresso Yourself coffee shop. He couldn’t even remember the last time he’d been here, and he was pleased to see how full the parking lot was even before the lunch rush.

The building was brick with colorful awnings, a small patio area, and was completely decked out in Pride decor. The side facing the parking lot was painted with a colorful mural of rainbows and important queer figures of history like Harvey Milk, Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, and more.

“Oh! This place looks fun!” Cass was in his teddy bear version, peeking up from the passenger seat. “I love the rainbows!”

“Yeah, it’s nice.” LA turned off the engine and then tucked the keys into his pocket. “Brandon has done really well for himself.”

“I’m excited!” Cass wiggled.

“Okay, but you’re not gonna do that thing where you talk to me and I can’t talk back because I’d look crazy, right?”

“I will try to resist.” Cass squirmed.

LA snorted as he tried to get out of the car, wincing. He loved his car, but it wasn’t easy to maneuver in and out of since it was so low to the ground. He grunted with effort, surprised when a full-sized Cass was magically at his elbow to help him. “Oh. Thanks.”

“Of course.” Cass patted his shoulder. “Do you want to get your paintings now or later?”

“Later is fine. He may not even have a spot for them, you know?”

“Understood. Let us go, Elly!”

LA didn’t mind the nickname so much now.

It was sort of cute.

He headed inside with Cass in tow, breathing in the warm scent of coffee and sweet baked goods. The decor was a mix of warm woods and splashes of bright colors with an array of Pride flags hanging from the counter and draped across the packed bakery case next to it. Most of the tables and chairs were mixed and matched from different sets, and the far-right wall was lit with studio lighting to illuminate the current display of paintings.

“That’s where the art goes, huh?” Cass asked curiously as he gravitated toward the wall of paintings. “Hmm. I like yours much better.”

LA nodded and smiled a bit as he walked up to the counter, waiting patiently behind a couple ordering some muffins.

“It’s so cozy in here.” Cass walked ahead to check out the bakery case. “It’s very nice and friendly. Mmm, though their baked good selection leaves much to be desired.”

LA cleared his throat.

He couldn’t exactly respond.

“Right! Sorry. Got it.” Cass giggled, hurrying back over to stand beside LA. “I’ll be quiet! Promise!”

LA reached out to subtly brush his fingers over Cass’s arm, shooting him a quick smile.

“Hey! LA!” Brandon called out.

LA turned toward the voice, recognizing his friend immediately.

Brandon was behind the counter beside the cashier, waving. He was short and tan with blond hair and a bright smile. “I can’t believe it. You actually came!”

“Yeah.” LA’s smile dipped. “Hey!”

Brandon came around to greet LA and give him a big hug. “How the hell are you? You look great!”