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114. Christmas, Part 2

Desmond and Wren dropped me off at the gas station to make a few errands, something about my present. Desmond worked it out that someone from the Christmas party would pick me up, so I didn't think about it.

I sighed and moved toward the slushie machine, might as well enjoy myself while I wait.

"Natalie," I turned around to see Canyon.

I sighed, "Canyon," then turned back. I pulled my wallet out, but then Canyon put my hand down.

"No, I've got it." He smiled, holding up his wallet, "Gotta have fuel for the party, huh?"

I nodded, "You know how Alex gets about the quiche." I still felt a little upset about him not telling me Aeron was still in town. I hadn't seen him since the accident, our usual set times had been changed, so Canyon was taking a backseat to write some music until the holidays were over, and I'd had time to recover.

I moved slowly into his truck, wincing when my heel slipped off the railing. Luckily I was sitting.

Canyon was putting up appearances, but I knew something was eating at him.

I took a sip of my drink and then looked at him, "Out with it."

He shook his head, "Nothing's wrong."

I rolled my eyes, "Canyon, you forget your expressions say a lot. What's going on?"

He sighed, "It's Ophelia. We're having a bit of a rough patch, it's my fault."

"What did you do?"

His hand slacked on the wheel a little, "I've been trying to get something going again, something more than nightclubs and side gigs. I've recorded another album."

I almost choked on my slush, "Wait, what? Canyon that's great!" I smiled and noticed the hesitation on his face. "Let me guess, Ophelia's worried."

He nodded, "Bingo. She's been insisting that I go to a therapist, and I've been going. She wants to have a baby too, so... I am feeling the pressure."

"A baby," I smiled, thinking of a little Canyon running around. "Sounds wonderful."

Canyon smiled, "It would be quite grand, but I don't know if I'm ready."

"You will be." I patted his arm.

"Hey, I just wanted to also apologize for not telling you that Aeron was still in town. He didn't want me to say anything, he thought you'd run if you knew he was still here."

I shrugged, "He's not wrong, but where would I run to?"

"Somewhere new, with someone new." He looked at me, his eyebrow up. "So, how's this one working out?"

"I mean, you've only seen glimpses of him on my page right, but he's... stable, safe, a little mysterious." My cheeks heated up, I didn't feel the butterflies, but I felt the warmth of safety in Desmond's eyes, his touch. "He makes me feel valued."

Canyon nodded, "That's the most important thing, is that you're happy lass."

I nodded, "I agree."

I looked toward my street and saw a bizarre scene as we drove up. "What the hell?" Alex was on the ground and Everett was racing toward... AB?

AB and Everett collapsed in a tackle, snow splashing as they entangled. AB managed to get Everett on his back, pulling his arm back and forward in a punch. I saw one blow, then another into Everett's side.

Before I could race over to Alex, Canyon was already pulling him out of the way.

"Stop, that's enough," I screamed. But no one stopped.