Cut and Run 4 - Divide and Conquer

And he didn‟t want to dig. He just
    wanted to sit and cry and have the day be over. “Can we just skip food
    and go to bed?”
    84 | Madeleine Urban & Abigail Roux

    The lines of Zane‟s face softened visibly. “Yeah. I‟ll put the food
    in the fridge. You go on upstairs. I‟ll bring some water.”
    Ty nodded as he moved past Zane toward the steps in the center
    of the narrow row house. He let his hand slide down Zane‟s forearm
    and across his belly as he went, then put his head down and climbed to
    the darkened bedroom on the second floor. He supposed it was normal
    to feel like something was amiss after nearly being blown up and then
    watching your oldest companion and most beloved possession go up in
    smoke as people around you filmed it. Not to mention the fact that he
    was now officially a target. He‟d become the poster child for shit that
    needed exploding in Baltimore.
    It was only a few minutes before he heard Zane‟s footsteps on the
    stairs, and then Zane appeared in the doorway, small duffel in one
    hand, gun in the other, two bottles of water in the crook of his arm. The
    gun and bottles went on the nightstand, the duffel on the floor next to
    the dresser. He probably had more clothes stashed in Ty‟s spare room
    now than he had at his own apartment. Ty often wondered how it
    would go down if Zane chickened out and ended it. Would he get to
    throw all of Zane‟s shit off the balcony and make a scene? That was
    really the only thing about the end he looked forward to.
    He sat on the bed, frowning at Zane‟s shoes as he thought about
    it. Then the mattress dipped next to him.
    “Thinking awfully hard for someone who was blitzed on
    painkillers all morning.” It was a gentle tease.
    “Don‟t ever let me take another one of those things.” He knew
    he‟d need one in the morning, of course.
    “If that‟s what you want, all right. You can stick to Tylenol and
    beer,” Zane replied.
    Ty reached out and patted Zane‟s knee, letting his hand rest there
    as he finally forced himself to look up and meet Zane‟s eyes. “Thank
    you for believing me today,” he said roughly. “No one else did.”
    “I trust you,” Zane said simply.
    Ty‟s hand tightened for a moment, and then he looked away and
    let his fingers slide off Zane‟s knee.
    Divide & Conquer | 85

    “Ty, I….” Zane‟s voice trailed off, and he took a shaky breath
    before trying again. “How about you lie down? You look like you‟re
    about to fall asleep sitting there.”
    “Yeah,” Ty agreed sedately. He pushed himself back and rolled
    into the middle of the bed, moving the sheets around and kicking them
    to the bottom of the bed. “What‟s on your mind, Zane?”
    Zane leaned back on one hand as he turned to look at Ty. His eyes
    told Ty he didn‟t plan on answering. Ty let his hand fall to the side, his
    palm landing against Zane‟s back just under the shirt. Zane gave him a
    half smile over his shoulder before pulling his shirt over his head,
    exposing his scarred back to the light of the lamp in the corner. He got
    up, kicked out of his shoes and jeans, and was soon crawling into the
    bed next to Ty in just briefs.
    Ty reached out and let his forearm fall across Zane‟s chest, then
    turned and slid his other arm around him, pulling him closer and
    curling against him gratefully. Zane settled on his side, closing his arms
    around Ty and sighing. Ty felt the words on his tongue and consciously
    held his breath, warding them off. He knew Zane was uncomfortable
    with the words “I love you,” though he didn‟t exactly understand why.
    It wouldn‟t do either of them to beat it into the ground. Ty knew Zane
    loved him, in his own way.
    And he hoped Zane knew the only thing Ty had loved longer than
    him was that Bronco.

    IT FELT like Ty was awake for a long time before his mind actually
    realized it. He was aware of being in bed. He was aware of the very
    early morning sunlight hitting his face. He was aware of his entire body
    being sore and borderline painful. He was aware of a solid ache in his
    heart that was shaped like a green and tan Ford Bronco.
    He just couldn‟t seem to convince himself to move or open his
    eyes. But finally, he turned his head and cracked an eye open with a
    soft groan.
    86 | Madeleine Urban & Abigail Roux

    Zane lay on his side next to him, his hand extended to rest on
    Ty‟s chest. He looked relaxed and deeply asleep, though Ty knew
    better. Zane still slept lightly, albeit