Page 17 of Two Minutes for Holding

“You alright?” Dylan questioned, looking at me with a worried expression as I continued to cough.

“Yeah,” I finally said, clearing my throat. “Beer hit the back of my throat, I guess.”

“As long as you’re good.”

“Fine,” I added, taking another drink.

“Anyway, that’s why Knox didn’t hang around after practice. He had to take Peyton back to the airport. I guess he didn’t want to take her. He mentioned to me he’s sure he caught her in a lie this weekend.”

“Oh?” I questioned, wanting to know a little more information before I panicked.

“Yeah, I guess it was the morning he ran into her in the lobby of your building.”

“Oh yes, I ran into them there as well. Knox was there for that skin care rep, and apparently, she’d spent the night with an old girlfriend.”

“Yeah, well, Knox say’s it’s bullshit. He’s sure she was there with some guy and he as much as told her that. He also told her that until she told him the truth, he wouldn’t take her to the airport. I guess they had another major blowout before practice, hence his shitty mood. I guess it was a mess. Then their mother got involved and basically forced Knox to take her.”

“So, then his mother left as well?” I questioned.

“No, just Peyton. His mother is staying for a bit, helping Lorelai with some things for the wedding.”

My mind flew to Peyton and the memory of Saturday night while the guys sat there listening to Dylan. She’d acted odd when she left me after running into her brother, which I guess, given the circumstances, I couldn’t blame. I’d figured she’d mellow out once she got home, but from the sounds of things, it hadn’t gone that way.

It had been a mindless mistake on my part, going after her once she left. I’d forgotten that Knox was supposed to be there for breakfast with that rep. All I’d wanted to do was talk to her, make sure things were okay. I was certain she was going to have difficulty dealing with what happened between us, and I wanted her to know I was there for her, which was why I’d given her my number.

I’d played it as cool as I could with Knox standing there, even though I knew my cocky side was coming out every time I looked at her. I’d been lucky not to have given anything away. I probably wouldn’t look as good as I did right now if he picked up on anything, but he’d been preoccupied with his upcoming meeting.

She looked so stressed, so uncomfortable as she fumbled with her story about why she’d been in my building. Those full cheeks of hers were so flushed I couldn’t help but want to takeher right back upstairs and make another set of her cheeks match. I could only imagine how wildly her heart was beating as she looked up at her brother, praying he bought her story. It was probably beating just as quickly as it had the night before while she’d been bent over in front of me as I ran my finger over that tight little hole and confessed I wanted to take that part of her as well.

Once Knox rushed off, I followed her outside, hoping to speak to her. I really wanted to apologize for allowing anything to go on between us, even though deep down I’d loved every single minute of it. I may have loved it, but I’d slipped again, but before I could talk to her, she rushed off.

“What about you?” Lucas questioned, looking me straight in the eye.

“Huh?”

“Are you sitting at this table? Jesus, what are your plans for summer?” Lucas asked, clearly annoyed with me. “We’ve only been talking about it for the last half hour.”

“Haven’t given it a lot of thought, to be honest. Since I don’t have any family, I guess I’ll go wherever you asses invite me, otherwise I’ll be spending most nights by myself until practice starts up.” I shrugged.

Colton and Levi both looked my way, questions about my comment on their lips, but before they could ask, I stopped them both.

“Story for another time, guys,” I added, grabbing another slice of pizza.

“Fair enough. We don’t want to pry,” Levi added, and Colton agreed.

“It wouldn’t be prying…Clay will tell you when he is ready,” Dylan added.

My personal life had been kept out of the public, thanks to Pamela and her team. I knew it was one aspect of my life thatmost everyone was curious about, but it was also something I hated sharing, and for good reason. Lucas, Dylan and Knox knew, as did Phil, Lorelai’s brother, but I’d sworn them all to secrecy, and so far, they’d all kept their word—something I was grateful for.

It was weird sitting here with the two new guys, but it was fitting. Everything else felt off, so it was a perfect time for them to join us. I’d need new guys to hang around once Knox found out what had happened between his sister and me. It would only be a matter of time.

We continued eating, and soon, the five of us were all discussing our upcoming game and what our chances were that we’d make the playoffs this year. It was a welcome distraction from everything else.

Chapter 6

Peyton

The cab pulledup in front of the townhouse I shared with my mother. I pulled some money from my purse from the money Knox had given me when he’d dropped me off and I paid the cab driver. Thanking him, I carried my bags up to the door and let myself into the dark house.

---