Page 20 of Two Minutes for Holding

I screamed so loud he dropped the dinner to the floor, and when he spun around, I could see the shock in his eyes, which was quickly replaced with anger.

“Don’t you ever raise your voice to me,” he said, taking a step toward me, a crazed look in his eyes.

God, I wished I’d kept my word to my brother the last time I’d returned. I should have dumped him then, but in my own true fashion, because I hadn’t, things were once again way out of control. I reached for the phone and held the receiver up to my ear.

“What you going to do, call your big hockey player brother?” Tor said, pretending to shake.

“The police, Tor, I’m calling the police, unless you get the hell out.”

“Go ahead, call ‘em. When they get here, they’ll charge your ass for making a phony phone call,” he said, moving toward the back door. “Don’t call me when you need something. And I’m taking the money,” he added, opening the back door.

“Take the money, go ahead!” I screamed. “Just get out.”

The back door slammed so hard the glass rattled. I stood there, staring after him, and then I finally ran to the door, locking it and pulling the blind, then I ran to the front door and locked it as well.

Once I knew I was safe, I slid down the door and collapsed on the floor, my body shaking at what had just happened. I pulled my legs up to my chest and wrapped my arms around them, dropping my head to my knees, sobbing. I’d never thought I’d have it in me to stand up for myself, but I’d done it.

Sobs racked my body as I sat there, then fear crept into me. Knox had been right. I did not know how to protect myself. What if he came back? With Mom gone, and no idea of when she was going to return, I was alone here. Without the money Knox had given me, I had no way to pay the rent or the past due bills, so we’d be homeless soon.

Soon, Tor wouldn’t be my biggest problem. William would be my next problem. That, and needing to find a new place for us. All of that combined with explaining to my brother what had happened to the money he’d given me. I felt sick.

Two WeeksLater

I placedthe frozen dinner in the microwave and set the timer, then pulled a soda from the fridge and was about to sit down at the table when I heard a knock on the door. I glanced down the hallway to see if I could make out who it was. All I could see was a dark figure in the window.

I took a deep breath and made my way down the hall, praying it wasn’t Tor. I didn’t need a repeat of what had happened.

I pulled the door open to see William standing there. My heart sank as he leaned against the doorframe, a creepy smile on his face. I’d purposely been avoiding contacting him because I didn’t have the money to pay him.

“Well, well, well. It’s about time. You realize you guys are almost three weeks behind on your rent?” he said, pushing his way into the house.

The fact I’d been able to avoid him since I’d been back had been the only good thing that had happened since I’d returned. I’d ignored the phone calls and the text messages from his office and kept the lights off at night in case he’d driven by. It was only when he’d messaged my mother that I’d received a call from her, wondering why I hadn’t already paid our rent with the money Knox had given me. In a panic, I’d made up something about working a lot and told her not to worry, that I’d take care of it.

“I know, William. Mom isn’t here.”

“Yep, I know. She’s up there with that son of hers, the one who’s got an immense surprise coming to him once my partner at the firm finishes drafting up the letter, I’m having him write.”

I swallowed hard, knowing William wasn’t lying. If he was anything at all, he was a snake in the grass, and when he figured he might be able to get money from someone, he’d do whatever it took to make sure it paid off. Unlucky for him, Knox had already had a meeting with his lawyers and William was the one with the surprise coming.

“Regardless of where your mother is, your rent is still due there, sweet cheeks.”

My skin crawled each time he called me that.

“Yes, and I’ve got the money, but it’s at the bank. I’ll have to see if I can get there before the weekend.” I shrugged.

He looked me in the eye, then shook his head.

“Enough of the games, Peyton. Give me my money,” he said, taking a step closer to me.

“I told you; I’ll get it.”

“Then while you’re there, get next month’s too. I’ll be back on Friday to collect.”

“Saturday,” I answered just as he turned around to leave.

He stopped, glanced over his shoulder at me, and chuckled. “You think I’m playing games? I’ll have the two of you booted out of here.”

“I know you aren’t playing, William. I’ll have it on Saturday. I promise.”

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