Page 49 of Two Minutes for Holding

“Alright, fair enough,” Knox muttered.

“Okay, well, Harris, congrats. Now, men, let’s get down to business,” Coach Thompkins said, waiting while we all took a seat.

I’d just leftthe treatment room after having a massage and was on my way back to the locker room, where I planned to take a hot shower. I’d checked my phone before my appointment and again the moment the therapist had left the room, but there was still nothing from Peyton.

I was starting to worry as I entered the locker room; the place was quiet. I walked over to my locker and began pulling out mystuff for my shower when my phone finally went off. I grabbed it and relief flooded me when I saw Peyton’s name. Opening our chat, I read her message.

PEYTON: Sorry the Doctor was running behind. I wanted to let you know that the test results were correct. I’m approximately four weeks along. Call me tonight when you are home after the game. I have to run to school to see about getting a transfer and then get into work for a meeting with my boss, besides I know you are probably at the arena.

I was about to respond when the door to the locker room opened and in walked Knox and the rest of the guys. Immediately, I shut my phone down and dumped it into my locker.

“Well, big guy…any news?” Knox questioned, smiling.

I turned around and met Dylan’s gaze. The rest of the guys were already digging through their lockers, and he subtly shook his head. I could tell from the look on his face he was warning me that now probably wasn’t the best time to say anything, but for whatever reason, I didn’t heed his warning. I really needed to get this out in the open because it was literally killing me to be lying to one of my best friends.

“Knox, we need to talk.”

The rest of the guys froze and slowly turned around, looking in my direction as Knox stopped what he was searching for in his bag and glanced over his shoulder at me.

“What for?” he questioned, a smile on his face that slowly washing away the longer he looked at me.

The guys all froze to their spots as they stared at the pair of us.

“Why exactly should we talk, Clay?” he questioned, straightening up to his full height, turning his body to me.

I struggled to find my words as he stared at me. No one ever could grasp how Knox could be one of the scariest guys on the team until they were in my position. Then and only then would they understand.

“I asked you a question,” he said, crossing his arms.

I looked around the room, praying something would come to my mind to ease the tension in the room. I wanted to say something lighthearted and funny, but again, I came up with nothing.

“Knox, I…”

It was then his eyes grew wide, and he dropped his arms, his fists clenching at his sides. “So help you…” He yelled, “PEYTON?”

The guys all watched in horror as Knox crossed the room and grabbed hold of me by the shirt. I couldn’t deny it, and I wasn’t about to fight one of my best friends. I’d done the deed, and just like I’d told Peyton, I’d take the lumps that were to come with it if need be. Apparently, they need be.

“Oh hell, is he going to kill him?” I heard Levi mutter. “What do we do?”

The room was silent as Knox stared at me, his arm cocked back, ready to beat me.

“It’s Peyton.”

“God, you fucker,” Knox said through clenched teeth, his jaw tighter than I’d ever seen it. “How could you do this?”

“Knox, before you get angry—”

“Little too late for that, don’t you think?” he gritted.

“Look, I didn’t mean for it to happen. In fact, I was only trying to save her from making a huge mistake,” I said, looking him directly in the eyes.

I wasn’t lying. That was all I’d intended to do. To save her from getting with that guy, and I’d accomplished that, but I’d also accomplished the results that I now faced, and while I’d had no intention of doing that, it had somehow happened.

“You didn’t mean for it to happen?” he repeated, staring at me.

“Exactly. I didn’t mean for it to happen the first time, and I certainly didn’t expect for it to happen again.”

“Exactly how many times has ithappened?” he asked, emphasizing the word it.

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