Cut and Run 4 - Divide and Conquer

words. “Like duct tape on a window. You know it‟ll fall apart
    eventually, but at least you can make interesting patterns in the
    meantime.”
    Zane laughed softly. “That‟s an odd description.”
    “But apt, isn‟t it? With Ty? I don‟t mean it as an insult. He was
    good to me. He still is. We parted on good terms. And he was like a
    godsend for Elaina when she really needed someone. He still makes an
    effort to spend time with her when he can. He‟s just not the type you
    bring home to Mom, but he‟s a good guy,” she asserted with a self-
    conscious laugh.
    “One of the best I‟ve met.” Zane looked over Elaina and thought
    about Ty‟s family. “I‟m not surprised he spends time with her. She‟s
    adorable.”
    “Thank you,” Shannon said with a smile. The water turned off
    upstairs with a heavy clank, and she glanced upward. She looked back
    at Zane, and her smile faltered.
    80 | Madeleine Urban & Abigail Roux

    Zane shook his head, wondering what had her anxious. Then it
    occurred to him. She was waiting for him to excuse himself. “Ah, I
    don‟t live far, but it‟s pretty cold to walk it. I can‟t leave until I call a
    cab,” he said, hinting at leaving to give her time with Ty. Now to see if
    she‟d take it.
    She began shaking her head quickly. “No, there‟s no need for
    that, I can take you home. I just… he really shouldn‟t be alone tonight.
    But….” She stopped and held her breath for a heartbeat before letting it
    out in an irritated rush as she smiled and laughed at herself. “When he‟s
    all pitiful and drugged like this, I just really shouldn‟t be around him,”
    she admitted as she blushed furiously. “Could you maybe stay with
    him?”
    Zane didn‟t even try to hide the grin. Yeah, she was spunky.
    “Well, that being the case, yes, if you can run me to my truck so we‟re
    not stranded.” He shrugged and took a drink from the half-empty can in
    his hand.
    “Of course,” she agreed gratefully.
    They could hear Ty moving around upstairs again, which was an
    altogether good thing, since he‟d been practically catatonic earlier. A
    few moments later, he thumped heavily down the stairs and padded
    barefoot into the living room, hair still damp and mussed. He wore a
    pair of sweatpants and a thin, faded T-shirt that had once had writing
    on it, and he‟d taken the time to tape up his fingers after the shower. He
    looked awful, like someone had just put his puppy on a spit roast. He
    glanced at them both sheepishly as he joined them, but then he waved a
    hand at Shannon‟s beer and snorted.
    “Make yourself at home, sweetheart,” he joked quietly.
    Shannon huffed back at him. “At least it‟s real beer and not hard
    lemonade.”
    “He‟s probably got that too,” Zane commented before draining
    his soda can. He pointed at Ty. “But none for you at all.”
    “What‟s wrong with hard lemonade?” Ty asked, clearly offended.
    Shannon laughed as she stood and set the bottle on the table
    beside the couch. “Are you okay?”
    Divide & Conquer | 81

    Ty shrugged uncomfortably, obviously searching for an answer
    that was somewhat honest. Zane looked between the two, deciding it
    would be best if he stayed out of this conversation. He‟d have his own
    version with Ty later.
    “Well,” Shannon murmured, obviously knowing Ty well enough
    to know that he wasn‟t okay. She stepped closer and hugged him tight.
    “I‟m going to take Zane back to get his truck, okay? He‟s going to stay
    with you tonight to make sure you don‟t throw yourself off the
    balcony.”
    Zane stood and moved away, giving them some space, wondering
    if Ty was feeling as awkward as he was. Zane had never met one of
    Ty‟s old girlfriends. He hadn‟t realized Ty had old girlfriends.
    Ty merely nodded as she let him go. He made an effort to give
    her a smile, but his heart obviously wasn‟t in keeping up a façade. It
    was interesting that he didn‟t seem to feel the need to bother with her.
    Shannon retrieved her purse from the kitchen counter, and Ty
    glanced over at Zane and met his eyes. Zane tipped his head to the side
    in question, raising one brow. Ty responded with a helpless gesture that
    wasn‟t quite identifiable, other than to say he was indeed
    uncomfortable and probably heartbroken.
    Ty cleared his throat and stepped over to the couch where Elaina
    still slept peacefully, and he bent and gathered her carefully in his arms
    before easily lifting her. She murmured