Page 29 of Two Minutes for Holding

“A little after eleven thirty.”

I could feel my cheeks heating. A little after eleven, I’d wandered down to Clay’s room using the stairs to avoid the possibility of being caught by Knox or any other guy on the team. I’d seen Colton slip into his room at the far end of the hall and was certain he’d caught sight of me just as Clay had opened the door.

I shifted in my seat. “You’re sure you had the right room?”

“Pretty sure. I did book it.”

“Why are you asking?” I questioned, folding the corner of my napkin, hoping I didn’t sound suspicious.

“Colton mentioned he thought he saw you outside of Clay’s door a little before eleven. Guess I’m paranoid. I’m in the room beside him, and I know he had some company last night. I could hear them through the wall. I was going to knock on his door after Colton messaged me, but figured I’d check on you instead of bothering Clay.”

“Oh wait, I ran down to the store in the lobby to grab a snack before they closed. While I was there, I got a message from Elsie letting me know she was coming over for dinner when I get back. Then she called me.

“What snack did you get?” he questioned.

Immediately, I answered the first thing I thought of. “Skittles.”

I hated skittles more than I hated apple crumble. I did not know why I’d picked the only piece of candy I hated.

I knew why, because I panicked. I’d had no choice but to lie to him about this, otherwise the pair of us would be disowned.

“You hate skittles.”

“Oh, not anymore. They are my new favourite. Elsie got me hooked on them, and I can’t get enough of them.”

Just then, the server returned with our apple crumble and slid the two pieces in front of each of us. Knox picked up his fork, digging into his, while I did the same.

“Well, I hope you enjoyed them, and I hope you enjoy this desert,” Knox said, watching as I took my first bite.

I was so glad my brother was proud of me for standing up for myself, which only made the fact I’d just lied to him make me feel even worse. We ate our dessert and then made our way over to the arena where I watched as they beat the Ice Hawks five to nothing in the last game here in Vermont.

I waited around, hoping to not only say goodbye to my brother but to sneak off with Clay for a few minutes before they left, but immediately they were swept off to the airport shortly after they’d got out of the locker room.

I made my way back to the hotel and spent one more night alone, and in the morning, I drove back home, making it in time for my shift at work.

“So,are you really thinking of moving to Vancouver?” Elsie asked as she cubed up the chicken she’d brought for dinner.

I was so excited to have something home cooked that I was practically salivating. The last couple of days I’d eaten dinner with the team, and even Knox mentioned how my appetite had picked up. I’d been hungrier than normal, but then I’d barely eaten for weeks after Tor and William had been at the house. Ihadn’t mentioned that to him, though, mainly because I didn’t want him to worry about me.

“I think so. Honestly, it makes the most sense. Tor and I are over. My boss is being an enormous dick, and well, don’t forget the nightmare that is William.”

“How could I forget that? I can’t believe your mom entered a relationship with that guy. He’s so icky.”

I giggled. “I know, but then you say that about me and Tor.”

“Honestly, Tor is icky too, but it’s not just that. It’s because I know what kind of jackass he is.” She giggled. “Pass me the potatoes.”

I grabbed the small bag of potatoes she’d brought to her and watched as she cut those up as well. “What are we having again?”

“Curry chicken and potato in roti. You are going to love it,” she said, winking at me.

“Hope you are right,” I said, never having tried that dish before.

She added the potatoes to the boiling pot of water and then added the chicken into a pan, letting it cook.

“How was your stay in Vancouver?”

I’d not mentioned anything that had happened in Vancouver this time to anyone. Elsie was my best friend, and I still wasn’t even comfortable enough to mention my time with Clay. I’d told her about my previous stay and running into him the night Knox had made me face security for stealing. I’d told her about the drinks we’d shared and how we’d spent some time getting to know one another. I’d told her about the kiss we’d shared that night in the car and how he’d profusely apologized afterward when he dropped me off. I’d told her how we’d shared the occasional text message after that, how he’d check in on me, but that ended about a month later, and since then I’d not mentioned his name.

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