Page 60 of Two Minutes for Holding

“Damn straight they would. I’ve known you a long time, and I’ve known your track record…”

“Yeah, and don’t forget, I know yours, but I’ve never gotten a girl pregnant, at least not that I know of, anyway.”

“Nor have I,” Knox added. “I guess I just jumped to conclusions that you’d do what probably all the guys she’s dated would do. It was wrong. I shouldn’t have assumed.”

“You are right. You shouldn’t have assumed shit. I’ll admit, I won’t lie, I was scared, and after she told me. I contemplated just disappearing, but when it came down to it, I also knew how I felt about your sister. It was something like the Dylan-Aurora situation. So, while I was scared and I wanted to run, a huge part of me knew I couldn’t. I’ll always do right by her, I promise you that.”

“I know Lorelai has beat that into me. She said she was tired of my irrational attitude. She also told me I wasn’t being fair to either of you.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle. “Sounds like Lorelai, but she is right. I’m surprised she hasn’t cut you off.”

“Buddy, you seriously have not got the faintest idea.”

“Uh-oh, what happened?”

“Well, the night of the dinner when I lost my shit, once everyone left and I returned, in the privacy of our bedroom, she gave me my ring back.” He said, avoiding my eyes.

“What?” I gasped. “No.”

“Yep, she basically told me there was no way she was marrying someone as pig-headed as me. So, I spent the night alone for the first time since she’d moved in, and let me tell you, it’s been the worst night’s sleep I’ve ever had. She’s been sleeping in the guest bedroom ever since.”

“Is that why she’s a little off?”

“Yep, I’ve tried to talk to her to get her to reconsider, but she’s as much as told me that once we get this move for Mom and Peyton out of the way, she’ll be looking for her own place again. I firmly believe that if Mom hadn’t been staying with us, she’d have moved out already.”

Knox looked so defeated, I truly felt bad for him, but I also knew Lorelai wouldn’t take his shit either.

“So, is that why suddenly you’re willing to talk?” I questioned.

Knox shrugged. “That and other things. Phil gave me shit. He told me I needed to remember who Lorelai really was, his sister, and that I really had no room to talk. Then, my mother gave me a piece of her mind too the following morning and then told me I was acting worse than my father ever would have been. That struck a fucking chord with me because, as you know, he was terrible, so when I heard that, I sort of gave things a second thought.”

“So, you pulled your head out of your ass?”

“You could say that. I also hated being told I was worse than my father. My entire life, I’ve worked hard to be better than him. I think that was why I cared so much about Peyton and her decisions. I need to remember that she is an adult.”

“She is, and I swear to you once again that I’ll always do everything in my control to do right by her.”

“I know you will. I never should have doubted it, man. Seriously, I should have known that, out of everyone, after what you’ve been through losing your entire family, that you’d do right no matter what, especially if you had feelings for her. Ultimately, what happens is between the two of you. It has nothing to do with me.”

Knox surprised me by standing up and giving me a quick bro hug, but he quickly pulled away right after because the back door opened.

“Well, no one is bleeding,” Lorelai said, stepping into the backyard, followed by Peyton.

“Thank god for that.” Peyton smiled.

Peyton glanced over at her brother and, without another moment being spared, Knox walked over and hugged her.

“Just wanted to say I am sorry for how I acted. I’m happy for you, and if you want to be with this loser, then by all means, go for it. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

I looked to the ground and smiled as Peyton hugged Knox and then placed a kiss on his cheek.

“I love you, kid, no matter what you might think. I’m sorry for the things I said to you.”

“I love you too,” Peyton said.

When he let her go, he walked over to where he’d been standing and picked up his beer, taking another drink.

I turned to Peyton and took hold of her hand. “I’ve had enough of a break. Let’s go get the rest of the boxes from upstairs. I think these two need to talk.”

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