Page 42 of Edge of Unbroken

Shane only grins at Jared. “Yeah, you probably haven’t noticed Cat before because she’s usually here with Ran and they tend to be all over each other, so…”

Jared’s face falls as he looks from Shane to me. He obviously knows who Ronan is. “Oh, yeah, that would make sense,” he says. “She’s with Ran?”

Shane nods. “Yep.”

“Cool. Well, Ran’s a lucky guy,” Jared says and shakes Shane’s hand again. “Didn’t mean to step on toes here. It was really nice to meet you, Cat.” Jared gives me a quick wave before he walks out of the kitchen.

I pop my hip out, resting my hands on either side of my waist. “Well, Shane, you can tell Ran you did your job protecting me from all the evil guys who are trying to have a conversation with me.”

Shane smirks. “I think I will do that.”

I shake my head. “Are you serious? Do you really have so little confidence in me that you don’t think I could have handled this myself?”

Shane’s brow creases. “I’m just making sure you’re okay.”

“I’m perfectly fine. Jared and I were just talking.”

“He said you were beautiful.”

“So? Is that a crime?”

Shane squares his shoulders. “No, but I don’t need some guy making moves on you while Ran’s away. You heard Ran on the phone. I’m just doing my duty.”

“I can’t tell if you’re being protective of me or Ran here,” I say, analyzing Shane’s face.

“Both of you.”

I scoff. “Well, I can take care of myself. And as for Ran, I wasn’t going to hop into bed with Jared. In fact, I was about to inform him that I’m seeing someone. Shane, you know I’d never do anything to hurt Ran, right?”

“Of course!”

“Then you can back off. I’m allowed to talk to guys. And I know for a fact that girls still try to make a move on Ran. You wouldn’t jump in to stop that. So, please, drop the double standard. I’m neither a damsel in distress nor would I do anything to hurt Ran. Honestly, I’m a little offended that you feel the need to act like that.”

I make to leave the kitchen, but Shane grabs my wrist, forcing me to turn back to him.

“I’m sorry, Cat,” he says, his blue eyes soft. “You’re right. I just feel protective of Ran.”

“I feel protective of him, too,” I say. “I promise, I wouldn’t do anything to hurt him. I miss him, I want him home…”

Shane looks downtrodden. “I know. I know all that. I think… I’m still struggling with… I feel guilty that I didn’t protect him from…”

“There was nothing you could have done to protect him.”

Shane shakes his head adamantly. “I could’ve made him tell someone.”

“Oh, right. Have you met Ran?” There’s no way Shane could’ve made Ronan do anything Ronan wasn’t ready to do. “I’m pretty sure you tried to convince him to tell someone.”

“Fine, thenIshould have told someone. I don’t know why I didn’t.” I can see the guilt, the regret in Shane’s whole body and face, and it’s a sentiment I’ve heard echoed by Steve, who still beats himself up over not knowing, not noticing, not protecting his little brother.

“And what do you think would have happened if you had told someone? Probably only one of two things: either nothing at all, or things would have been worse for Ran. I think subconsciously you knew that and so you did the only thing you could do for him: listen, be there for him, and provide him with a safe space, which you did!” I say, resting my hand on his forearm.

He looks at me, the pain reflected in his eyes. “I don’t know about that,” he sighs.

“But I do. Think about it! How often did Ran seek refuge at your place? And your family let him work at Murphy’s, which was another way for him to escape that hell house.”

To my relief, Shane’s mood seems to lighten as he nods slowly.

“And he confided in you,” I say. “You allowed him to share just a little bit of his burden. Shane, you’re a great friend. You did what you could, and now you can stop overcompensating and hovering over me, okay?” I add with a grin, which Shane reciprocates.

---