“Hey! Fuck off!” LA scowled angrily. “Stop talking to me like you know me.”
“But I do,” Cass said, holding up his paw. “I’m an imp of strength and fortitude, and I can see that you’re hurting. Your confidence has been depleted and you use anger to deflect. You’re vulnerable and that makes you feel weak, so you lash out and lose your temper instead of trying to address what’s really bothering you.”
“That sounds like an utter load of bullshit.”
“What you have to realize is that you’re strong. Your inner strength is still there.” Cass offered an encouraging smile. “Once you can conquer your self-doubt or fear or whatever it is that’s holding you back, you’ll be able to heal and move forward with your life.”
“You sound like a fucking fortune cookie.”
“Well, I am very sweet and full of wisdom, so yes!” Cass beamed. “A fortune cookie is pretty fitting actually. Thank you, Elly.”
“LA.”
“That’s what I said.” Cass cleared his throat and the notepad and pen reappeared in his paws. “And sometimes moving forward means letting go of certain things. A pair of pants that you don’t wear because it has a bunch of holes in the crotch, some shoes that maybe you could donate because they’re just a lil’ worn…” He dropped his voice to a mumble. “...Boyfriendswho don’t respect you and your time or feelings.” He grinned. “You know! Stuff like that!”
LA snorted out a little laugh. “Yeah, I’m not throwing Gavin out.”
“Are we sure? Like really sure?”
“Yes, we are.”
The front door swung open.
“Fuck!” LA stood too fast, pain shot down his leg, and he fell onto the floor.
“Wow.” Gavin snorted out a cruel laugh as he strolled in. “Already drunk? Typical.”
“Gavin?” LA flailed to pull himself up to his knees, eyes wide. “Don’t, don’t look! Just, just fucking go!”
“Like I haven’t seen you wasted before.”
LA swung his head between Gavin and Cass, eyes wide as he gawked. He couldn’t believe Gavin wasn’t screaming bloody murder right now. “What the fuck are you even doing here?”
Gavin didn’t seem to notice the absolutely giant monster standing a few feet away from him, shaking a set of keys “Returning your keys, asshole. I didn’t see the point in waiting.”
LA stared at Gavin and then over at Cass. “Can he not…?”
“See me?” Cass laughed. “Oh, no. Not unless I want him to, and—”
“Who the fuck are you talking to?” Gavin snapped. “Is someone else here?”
“And I really do not want him to.” Cass scowled and crossed his arms.
Gavin whipped around, eyes scanning every corner. “Wow, didn’t take you long, did it? Already got yourself a new guy?”
“What? No!” LA sputtered as he scrambled to his feet. “There’s no one here.”
“Couldn’t be bothered to have lunch with my parents, but sure, you made time for a new piece of dick.”
“There is no one here,” LA said more firmly. “You can check if you’d like!”
“No, I’m good.” Gavin dropped the keys on the coffee table. “Really can’t stand to see who you thought was good enough after a couple of rum and cokes and scrolling on Grindr. You really are so desperate for affection once you’ve had a few.”
LA’s temper flared.
Cass clicked his tongue. “So, we’ll be addingcondescendingto the list.”
“Fuck you,” LA snapped.
