Page 50 of Two Minutes for Holding

I wasn’t sure I should answer that now that I knew he’d heard us in Vermont.

“Wait a minute…”

I could see that Knox had already figured it out. I didn’t need to say another word.

“Knox…” I mumbled.

“You mean to tell me it was her I listened to moan and cry that night in Vermont as you banged the hell out of her?” he yelled, frantic.

He gripped my shirt tighter, and I already knew there was no getting it out it, his fist was coming directly for my face. Then I felt the hit, and another.

“Grab him!” I heard someone shout as Knox let go of my shirt and I fell against the lockers.

A searing pain ripped through my ribs as Knox kicked me in the side, taking my breath away.

I was expecting another hit but heard a scuffle and Knox swearing to let him go. I opened my eyes and saw Dylan and Colton holding Knox up against the lockers. Levi and Lucas came over to me and helped me up off the floor.

“Knox, calm down. Don’t do something you’re going to regret,” Dylan said, holding his arm.

“Yeah, man, it’s not worth it. Let’s just get out of here and calm you down,” Colton added.

“Dylan, Colton, let go of me and stay the hell out of it! He’s getting what he deserves—”

“I won’t stay out of it. Clay seriously didn’t mean for this to happen. He’s taking it seriously…and he’s trying to do what is right.”

“Oh right, the playboy, the manwhore of the group, is taking this seriously. Right!” Knox yelled. It was then he realized what Dylan was saying and stopped, looking over at him. “How do you know he’s taking it seriously?” he questioned, thinking it through. “Wait, you knew?” he questioned.

Dylan looked at Colton but said nothing. He just stood there, staring back at Knox.

“You fucking knew, and you didn’t come to me? What about you, Colton, did you know too?”

“I know shit,” Colton said, holding his hands up.

Knox turned back to Dylan, shoving him in the chest, throwing him right into the bank of lockers behind him, turning his sights on him instead of me.

“I did, but Clay asked me to keep it under wraps,” Dylan argued, trying not to be confrontational.

“What kind of fucking friend are you?” Knox yelled, glaring at Dylan. Then he turned and looked at me. “You…you’re dead to me, and don’t you even dare think about coming near me, or my family, especially Peyton, ever again? Do so and you’ll find the fuck out. I should have your ass kicked right off this fucking team for what you’ve done…”

He whipped around, slamming his locker door shut and took off out of the room. The entire room was quiet as we all stood there looking at one another, the tension still thick in the air.

Chapter 16

Peyton

I lay in bed,trying to force myself to stay awake. I watched the game. Clay hadn’t played tonight, which was odd, yet I knew he was there because I’d seen him skate onto the ice at the start.

I glanced over at the clock on my side table—a little after eleven. I was certain the guys would be back home by now. They normally were when they played a home game. I picked up my phone and checked to see if I had any messages, but there was nothing.

I rolled onto my side and closed my eyes. I felt uneasy all afternoon, especially after the doctor’s appointment. I’d given my notice at work and then had come home and started packing. Mom had let me know she’d finally found a place and that she had told William that the money he’d received from Knox for this month’s rent would be the last.

I let out a sigh and rolled onto my back when my phone rang. Grabbing it, I brought the phone up to my ear.

“Hey, how are you doing??” Clay’s voice asked over the phone.

“Okay, you?” I asked.

“Tired. It’s been a day. Did you watch the game?”

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