Cut and Run 3 - Fish and Chips

Zane stopped in place, turned Ty toward him, and put one hand on Ty’s face, thumb under his chin to make him look up. “I’m teasing, and you know it. There’s no reason for you to be this cranky,” Zane said, injecting a tinge of warning into his voice, and it wasn’t Corbin’s influence.
    Ty narrowed his eyes, his head tilting slightly in the way it usually did in the ring before Zane ended up on the mat. But he seemed to remain aware of the other passengers on the promenade and the fact that they could always be observed. He said nothing, just exhaling heavily in response. Playing his role, whether he liked it or not. Zane frowned. It wasn’t like Ty to be this difficult, even if he wasn’t thrilled with his part in the case.
    Conscious of the people walking around them, he released Ty’s chin, and when Zane spoke, he kept his voice very low, deliberately dropping Corbin’s drawl. “Is there something really wrong I need to know about?”
    “Look at me!” Ty hissed. “Do I look like I’m having a good time here? Stop enjoying yourself so much, you prick.”
    It was difficult to decide between a huff and a laugh, but regardless, Zane rolled his eyes. “Suck it up,” he answered. “You’ve had a hell of a lot worse.” He slid his arm around Ty’s waist and got him walking again. “What you need is a drink,” he announced.
    “Damn straight,” Ty said almost angrily. “But I can’t drink because who’s an alcoholic?” he asked sarcastically. He was obviously frustrated, both by the role he had to play and by the lack of outlet for that frustration. He was tense despite all the “relaxing” he’d been doing, and Zane knew he’d be spoiling for a fight that was not of the good by the time they got to the cabin if he didn’t find something for him to get into first.
    But this Ty not drinking thing? Zane needed to put a stop to that thought right now. He caught Ty by both shoulders, met his eyes, and spoke clearly but quietly. “Listen to me. You don’t have to quit drinking just because I have. Seriously.”
    “I’m not that cruel,” Ty told him frankly. “I’ve seen the look in your eyes when alcohol is mentioned. It’s the same look you give me, so I know what you’re thinking.”
    “It’s not cruel. And what do you mean, the same look I give you?” Zane asked, frowning a little. “Whatever look you’re seeing in my eyes isn’t anything other than me wondering if you’re wondering if I’m gonna ditch the wagon and drink up.”
    Ty shook his head patiently. “It’s the look of an addict seeing something he wants,” he said without malice. He spoke with an almost-kind frankness that was rare for Ty, made even more surreal by the British accent he was again employing. He held up three fingers. “Alcohol, drugs, me. You think of all of those things in the same way. I’m the only one that won’t hurt you to indulge, and I’m not cruel enough to combine two of them in front of you.”
    The surprise kept Zane quiet for a few moments, and he had to gather his thoughts before he could reply. Why he was constantly surprised by how observant and insightful Ty could be, he didn’t know. “I do appreciate the thought. But really, I can honestly tell you that as long as you’re around, it’s no contest.”
    Ty snorted and looked away, his eyes darting back and forth over the crowd of passengers shopping along the promenade. He came to some sort of decision, though, and he nodded and glanced back at Zane uncomfortably. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
    Zane nodded slowly and decided that was the best he could do for now, at least on that topic. He still had a cranky and worked-up partner who needed some kind of outlet. “C’mon.”
    He pulled Ty along to a map of the promenade and looked at the entertainment choices while Ty fidgeted impatiently. It was past nine, and the dance clubs were rocking — Zane could hear the muffled music — but he wasn’t sure something more soothing might not be a better choice. Still, they’d walk past the clubs, check them out. He made note of a couple places and then steered Ty in the direction of the music.
    “What?” Ty finally asked as Zane led him.
    “Distraction for you and entertainment for me, coming right up,” Zane announced as they descended a wide double staircase.
    “What do you mean, entertainment?” Ty asked suspiciously as he looked back at the steps. “Are we headed down to the clubs?”
    “Yes,” Zane