Ever since that night.
I remember my eyes dragging over Canyon’s wet, muscular chest as he casually leaned back in his seat on the boat, dark hair messy and hanging in his eyes. A genuine smile curved his full lips up as he watched Dad and Ryan give each other shit. I was fixated on the happy trail on his lower abs and the way it disappeared under the loose band of his swim trunks. When Ryan proposed to Dad, I was still drooling over what someone like Canyon Voss would feel like pinning me beneath him. All of my fantasies came grinding to a halt at that moment as I realized what was happening. Before anyone could say anything, Canyon swung at his dad.
We haven’t had to deal with Canyon and his dad together since.
Why now?
Canyon, with my traitorous other dog in his muscular arms, smirks my way. Evil intent glimmers in blue eyes that resemble Lake Whippoorwill on a sunny summer day. Ryan stands behind him, a hopeful grin on a face that’s just an older version of Canyon’s.
I want to demand to know what he’s doing here, but I won’t fuck things up for Dad. Not this close to graduation. I can’t risk it.
“Hey,” I grunt out. “Surprised seeing you here.”
Canyon smirks. “No surprise, really, seeing as we’ll be brothers soon.”
Fucking asshole.
That shit had him seeing red earlier today. Now? Now he’s bullshitting through his teeth.
Why?
What is this asshole up to?
“Right.” I dart my gaze to my dad. His glasses are perched on his nose, and his hair is styled to perfection. He wears a grin that looks much like Ryan’s. I want to shake them both and make them realize Canyon’s just playing them. “Need help?”
I set my dog down to wash up in the sink. Dad points me to the cutting board where he’d been cutting up lettuce, tomatoes, and onions. I take on the task gladly, just to give myself a second to regroup. Conversation between Ryan and Dad is a little stiff. I can tell they’re both nervous about having Canyon here but still hopeful. This bastard better not do anything to rock the boat.
Ryan chatters on about work—his favorite thing to talk about—while Dad throws in his two cents every now and again. They make their way into the dining room to set the table. Canyon remains quiet after they leave. He finally sets Nutmeg down and walks over to the sink to wash his hands. We’re just two feet apart, and I can nearly feel the heat of his body and smell his soapy scent. I want to shove him away from me, but I don’t.
“Excuse me,” he rumbles, pressing into me from behind to reach for a paper towel.
I know he’s just doing it to piss me off, but having his solid body against my back and his deep voice vibrating through me, I nearly take off my thumb with the knife. With lightning-quick reflexes, his hand captures my wrist as the blade scrapes across my flesh.
“Careful, bro.” The malice in his tone makes me shiver. “Wouldn’t want you to lose violin too.”
I tense at his warning. Before I can retaliate, he slides a hand around my throat, his hips painfully pinning me against the counter. His breath is hot against my ear as he leans in close.
“I think we’re going to enjoy being brothers,” he taunts, his voice low and cruel. “We’ll spend every waking moment together. It’s going to be a blast, man.”
“Did you really come here just to fuck with me?” I accuse, venom dripping from my words. “Because, if so, it’s stupid. I won’t roll over and play dead for you. I bite back, Voss.”
“You have no idea what I’ll do to you,” Canyon warns. “No idea.”
“The way your dick’s poking into me, Voss, I have at least one idea, and it’s a big one.”
He’s not hard, but it serves to have him jerking away from me as though I’ve burned him. Good riddance, asshole. I shoot him a victorious grin, wiping it off my face when Ryan reenters the kitchen.
“Looks like everything’s all ready,” Ryan announces. “Alis, why don’t you bring the veggies to the table once you’re done?”
I grab the serving dish the moment it’s piled high with vegetables and storm past Canyon, careful not to look at his stupid-hot face. At least his smug demeanor is gone. He’s once again thrumming with the barely contained rage he carried throughout the school day whenever we had an encounter.
As we take our seats at the table, I watch Dad and Ryan to see if they’ll tiptoe around Canyon’s precious feelings. Surprisingly, they don’t and openly share a kiss before launching into wedding plans.
It’s all they talk about.
Flowers and suits and cake.
Dad’s never been married before, and he’s sparing no expense on his first wedding. Even though Ryan was married once before, it was a small wedding at his grandparents’ church. They’re both eager to have an over-the-top affair with nearly three hundred guests. I’m dreading the entire thing, especially since Dad has asked me to be his best man. Standing in front of three hundred people and staying still while Dad marries the father of my nemesis doesn’t make my list of things I’m looking forward to.
Thank fuck Leon is going.
At least I’ll have someone to talk to. Plus, it’ll be fun giving Leon shit about being in a suit. I’ve never seen a guy as big as him in a suit. It’s going to be fucking hilarious.
I keep quiet, building my tacos while not making eye contact with Canyon. He’s tense across from me and isn’t saying anything either. It’s not until I take my first bite that he speaks.
“I quit football,” he blurts out in a surprisingly triumphant tone.
I choke on my food, and Dad whacks me on the back until I can get it to go down. Ryan is frozen in shock, his own taco poised near his mouth but never making it in.
“W-What now?” Ryan stammers.
Canyon’s grin is devilish. “I said I quit.”
A dark expression passes over Ryan’s features, but before he can explode, Dad clutches his forearm and squeezes it. Ryan relaxes marginally.
“I thought you loved football,” Ryan grunts out slowly. “This comes as a surprise.”
“You’re not the only one with surprises,” Canyon snaps back, the vein in his neck pulsating with his anger. “Besides, you loved football. Not me. I loved you.”
Loved.
Ryan’s breath is sucked out of his lungs, and he sets his taco back down on his plate. “Is this why you’re here? To punish me some more?”
“Ryan,” Dad starts, but Ryan cuts him off with a sharp glare.
“No, Quinn. I’ve tiptoed around him for months. It’s time we had it out. Right, Son?”
Canyon’s blue eyes are sharp as blades as he crosses his muscular arms over his chest and sneers at his father. “I quit football, and you think I’m punishing you? Once again, Dad, your head is up your own ass.”
“Enough,” Ryan snaps. “You will not come into this house and disrespect—”
“He joined the track team with me,” I blurt out, needing desperately to diffuse the situation. “He’s faster than me.”
Canyon’s glare darts my way, and he narrows his eyes. I know he’s trying to figure out my angle. The angle is, I don’t like seeing Dad upset. It was much better when there was hope in the room.