Page 61 of By Rude Strength

“Maybe.” LA mulled those words over and let himself smile, sparing a quick glance back at Cass. “Sometimes.”

“Look, I’m sorry for busting your balls about your little quirks.” Brandon smiled kindly. “They’re all part of who you are. They’re special. They’re just part of what makes you, well,you. But changing your relationship? Maybe changing jobs? Getting out of toxic situations is hard, okay? Finally saying fuck it and being done? That takes a lot of strength.”

LA nodded, his eyes a bit hot. “I, uh… Yeah. Thank you. I appreciate that.”

“You’re bringing Cass to the wedding, right?”

“What?”

“Cass. Your new fellow?” Brandon wagged his brows. “We wanna meet him before then too, of course. But I gotta meet the guy who finally got you away from fuckin’ Gavin.”

Cass squeaked.

“Uh, yeah, we’ll, uh, we’ll see.” LA forced a smile. “Baby steps.”

“We’ll figure it out, okay?” Brandon chuckled. “Oh, hey, you want some coffee or something?” He winked. “On the house.”

“You don’t have to do that. I can buy a fuckin’ cup of coffee.”

“Hey, come on. Think of it as a reward for completing an epic quest. You left your house and came on a strange journey to see a wise old man.” Brandon wiggled his fingers dramatically.

LA scoffed, but he couldn’t help but laugh. “Okay, fine.”

“So. Still four sugars and a splash of milk?”

“Yeah, how did—”

“I kinda figured.” Brandon grinned. “Just wait right here. Want anything else?”

“Nah, I’m good. Thank you.” LA smiled as Brandon got up to walk back behind the counter. This was honestly going better than he’d expected, though it was clear he still had a lot to repair between them. He wasn’t sure what he’d done to deserve Brandon’s willingness to fix their friendship, but—

“I think it’s going swell! Don’t you?” Cass gushed, suddenly right beside him.

“Yes, it’s great,” LA mumbled, trying to hide a smile.

“He seems very kind.” Cass nuzzled the side of LA’s neck. “How do you feel? Are you all right?”

“Fine.” LA casually reached up as if he was scratching at his ear but instead ran his fingers through Cass’s fur. “Guess I gotta figure out how to explain you to my friends, huh?”

“Well, you know, I can assume a human form.”

“Wait, huh?”

Cass blinked. “Didn’t I mention it before? Hmm. Maybe I forgot.”

“We are so talking about this—”

“Here!” Brandon presented LA with a drink in a to-go cup. “Four sugars and a little baby splash of milk.”

“Thanks, man.” LA drew the cup in close.

“So, what’s going on with your job then?” Brandon sat back down. “Just waiting for the lawyer, right?”

“Yeah. See what I have to do to get it back.”

“Or?”

“Or what?”