Page 38 of Two Minutes for Holding

“What is it?” I asked.

“I um, I found out…I’m pregnant,” she whispered.

As I stood there, Peyton watching me, I went from being fine one moment to my mind whizzing as her words registered in my mind. She was pregnant. She was pregnant. The words repeated over and over as I stared at her.

I was certain the color had drained from my face as well. Then as I stood there looking at her, while she waited for a response, I mentally did the math from the first time we were together until now. It had been almost six weeks, and from what I remembered, that was about the time Aurora had showed signs of morning sickness.

Was it mine?

We’d used a condom. I’d checked to make sure the sucker hadn’t ripped, which it hadn’t. As I stood there staring back at her, it came to me. The last time we’d done it that first night, I’d run out of them. Desperate for more of her, I’d slipped inside of her without a condom. I’d planned on pulling out…

I guess it didn’t matter now, I thought to myself. The one and only time I’d ever gone unprotected… My eyes landed on Peyton’s, and I was about to ask her what I should have immediately questioned, instead of trying to conclude myself, but she’d already walked over to the door and opened it, stepping out into the hall. She didn’t even look back at me. She walked out and shut the door, leaving me in the bathroom.

Chapter 12

Peyton

Clay had beenquiet all during dinner. He’d barely said two words, even when the conversation had turned toward the game, despite my brother and Dylan trying to pull him into the conversation. He wouldn’t even look at me once we moved into the living room, where we all enjoyed the dessert Lorelai had made. I’d even attempted to speak with him when he helped me bring the dessert dishes into the kitchen. It hadn’t helped that Mom came buzzing in and started making coffee for everyone. Shortly after, he quietly slipped from the house.

Once everyone was gone and we’d all turned in for the night, I lay in my room, my mind spinning. Even though I’d thought I wanted Clay to know, perhaps it had been a mistake to tell him tonight. Maybe it was the wrong time. Maybe I should have waited until I was certain that the baby was his. Or maybe I shouldn’t have said anything at all. That might have been better, I thought to myself.

I shoved my phone on the charger and pulled the blankets up over me, trying to get comfortable. I rolled over, hugging the pillow close to me, when my phone vibrated. I’d already spoken to Elsie, and it was late. I ignored it instead, but it started vibrating again a few minutes later, and then once more.

Maybe it was Elsie again, needing to tell me something, so I reached for the phone and opened the text message.

CLAY: You still awake?

CLAY: I’d like to talk…we need to talk

CLAY: I’ll even come get you if you want…that way we can talk in person. I think this is an in-person conversation to be honest instead of a virtual one. Let me know. I’m close to your brothers. I’ll give you ten minutes to get back to me. If I don’t hear from you, we can plan something before you leave.

I tapped the edge of my phone, a feeling of anxiousness and excitement building inside of me.

PEYTON: Hey. I can meet you outside in five minutes.

Almost immediately, those three little dots jumped around, and then my phone vibrated.

CLAY: I’ll meet you two houses down. Don’t want to take a chance on waking anyone.

I got up out of bed and quickly slipped out of my pajamas and into a pair of yoga pants and a sweater. I pulled my hair up into a clip and slipped from my bedroom. I could see the light onunder Knox and Lorelai’s door, and I could hear the TV on in my mother’s room. They were all still awake. Once past their rooms, I tiptoed around the corner into the kitchen and jumped when I saw movement out of the corner of my eye.

“My god…Lorelai, you scared me,” I said, placing my hand on my chest.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I thought everyone was asleep. Are you going somewhere?” she asked, looking at me, noticing my purse in my hands.

“I was just going to take a walk. Needed my bag for my phone so I can listen to music,” I lied.

“Oh, okay. Is everything okay?” she questioned, taking me in with a curious expression.

I nodded. “Yeah, of course. Just wanted to get a little air and walk off dinner.” I smiled.

“Well, make sure you take a coat. It’s cool out. Don’t go too far, and if you want a ride home, just message me and I’ll come get you.”

“Thanks, but I won’t go far. I’ll stay in the neighborhood.”

“Oh wait, before you go. Here’s my key,” she said, grabbing her keys and handing them to me. “Just put them back on the counter when you’re back. That way, I won’t have to bother you in the morning when I leave for work.”

“Thanks,” I said, heading toward the door and slipping my shoes on. I turned back to see her take a plate of cut-up fruit, cheese and crackers along with two glasses of water down the hall.

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