“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.
“Oh,” Ryan says, deflating at my words. “I didn’t realize he was trying out another sport.” He scrubs a palm over his face. “I’m sorry, Canny, but—”
“Don’t call me that,” Canyon hisses.
Ryan’s lips purse together, and he gives him a sharp nod. “So, uh, track, huh? Why the sudden change?”
Canyon’s grin is crooked and handsome but so fucking evil. Naturally, it’s directed my way. “Alis inspired me.”
Dad clutches my shoulder and squeezes. “He is pretty amazing.”
Canyon can barely hide his disdain for me, but I shoot Dad a wide smile to distract him. It doesn’t feel as though Dad will kick me out on my ass when I graduate, but I’ll be damned if I take any chances. I sure as hell won’t let Canyon start making a mess of my carefully held-together life.
“Did Alis tell you we’re in all of the same classes too?” Canyon asks, his stare still on me, hard and unyielding.
“You’re taking AP classes?” Ryan utters, shock in his tone. “No shit?”
“My other classes were boring last year. Now that I’m not playing football, I can do it.” Canyon shrugs as though the explanation is simple. As though he isn’t really doing all this shit to terrorize me.