Page 37 of Two Minutes for Holding

“Remember that thing I did last night?” Knox questioned, his voice low enough, even I could barely hear him as he looked her straight in the eye.

I looked at Lorelai and saw her cheeks flush as she looked at me.

“Yes.”

“Would you like it again? If you do, you won’t go kissing another man.” He pulled her to his side and chuckled as he hugged her tight.

“Insecure much…” I chuckled as I looked at Knox.

“Shut up! I’m not insecure. Just reminding her what she has.”

“Why do you feel the need, she never had me to begin with, so it’s not necessary.”

“Guys, that’s enough. This is a stupid conversation.” Lorelai giggled as she looked at me and smiled as she shook her head. “I’m not running off with anyone, and thanks for the wine, Clay.”

“You’re welcome.” I winked, following Knox into the living room to find Dylan watching the sports channel.

“Hey, man,” I said, grabbing a seat on the couch across from Dylan, who was chugging back a bottle of water.

“’Bout time you got here. We need to talk strategy for the game tomorrow,” he said, leaning forward. “Rest of the guys should be here, too. After all, we are the starting lineup.”

“Ah, we’ll plan, then fill them in,” I said.

I glanced into the kitchen to see a very pregnant Aurora sitting on a kitchen stool making a salad, while Lorelai and Reese were busy rolling meatballs. I was just about to turn my attention to what the guys were saying when I saw movement in the hallway.

Peyton came around the corner wearing a dark pair of jeans and a beige sweater. My eyes ran over her curves as she glanced in my direction. She gave me a tiny but awkward smile and then went to stand beside her mother. I had no clue she was going to be here, but I was glad she was. Like before, she’d not been far from my mind, and I hoped that we’d have a chance to talk at some point tonight.

The three of us got down to business and began planning our strategy for the upcoming games, and then, when asked, Dylan and Knox got up to help the girls out in the kitchen. I’d noticed Peyton had excused herself from the kitchen a while ago, and I was curious about where she’d gone, so I quietly took off down the hall toward the bathroom.

I was just about to open the door when the door pulled open, and Peyton stood before me. Her eyes were bloodshot, almost like she’d been crying.

“Everything okay?” I asked quietly, not wanting anyone to hear me. She looked a little pale.

She looked over my shoulder down the hall and then pulled me into the bathroom and closed the door, locking it.

Standing there, ringing her hands together, she looked to the floor instead of at me. Something was wrong, I could tell. I’d never seen her like this before. Even the night that I’d run into her in the bar after she’d dealt with security and the police for shoplifting, she wasn’t this worked up.

“Where is my brother?” she asked, quietly.

“Everyone’s in the kitchen putting the finishing touches on dinner. It’s almost ready.”

“Shouldn’t you be out there helping?” she questioned.

“Don’t worry about me.”

She nodded and then turned away from me and began pacing back and forth. “I messaged you.”

“I know. I responded, but you didn’t answer me back.”

“I know. I don’t know why I didn’t respond,” she mumbled, still not facing me.

“When did you get here? Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”

“Knox picked me up last night,” she whispered, finally turning to look at me.

“Are you feeling okay?” I questioned, taking in her pale skin tone and flushed cheeks. I placed my hand on her cheek. Her skin was cool to the touch; despite looking like she was on fire.

She bit her bottom lip and brought her eyes to mine and shook her head.

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