Page 4 of Two Minutes for Holding

We’d just seen Knox at Christmas, and while I hadn’t wanted to go all the way to Vancouver after what had happened the last time we were there, Mom made me. I’d cleaned up my act a lot since then, hadn’t shoplifted since, and thanks to Knox calling me after I’d returned and talking some sense into me, I’d returned to school. It had helped that he’d called and spoken with the administration as well—and had probably been forcedto make some outlandish donations to the school for them to allow me back in. I’d been a trouble child, and I knew it.

“It’s about time you got here,” he said as he climbed into the front seat after throwing his bags in the back seat.

“Me! Hey, buddy, I’m the one on time. You are late.” I giggled as I put the car in drive and pulled away from the curb.

“So, things going well?” he asked as he reached behind him for the seat belt.

“Yeah,” I said, carefully merging onto the highway.

“School?”

“In class every day, on time, doing all assignments like I promised. I even got a passing mark on my last test.”

“That’s great. And what about Tor? You still seeing him?”

I knew he was going to ask me about Tor. I’d promised him I’d end things with him when I left the first time, but I hadn’t. Again, he asked me, and I’d promised once again I’d end it after Christmas. I still hadn’t ended things with him. I didn’t see the need. He wasn’t that much of a bad influence in my life, and I’d already made a lot of changes, so instead I’d kept it quiet and given Tor one last chance. I’d taken the things that were bugging me about our relationship and made him make a promise to me not to do them anymore, which he had in some roundabout way.

I knew Knox was going to be disappointed in my decision and, as I looked over at my brother, I told him what he wanted to hear.

“He’s gone,” I said, swallowing hard.

I glanced over at my brother to see him nod in my direction.

“Good. I’m glad. He was a bad influence.” He was quiet for a few minutes and then looked over at me. “Peyton, I’ll admit I’m confused about why I’m here. The email Mom sent said I was coming here because she needed some help with you, but now that I know things are fine, or so they seem, I’d like to know why I’m here. You and Mom both know that Lorelai and I are in themiddle of planning our wedding, and she likes to have the help from me when I’m home.”

I tapped the steering wheel. Yes, I’d emailed Knox using my mother’s email. I’d written as if I were her, telling him she needed help with me because I was in some sort of trouble, asking that he come as soon as he could. I knew Knox would do anything for Mom and that he’d be on the first flight to Vermont. I should have just been honest instead, because instead of me, it was Mom I was concerned about, and since I knew he’d do anything for her, there really had been no point in making anything up.

“Okay, don’t be angry.” I sighed.

I didn’t even need to look; I knew Knox was looking at me and that he had a questioning look on his face.

“I emailed you from Mom’s account under the guise of her, but for a valid reason.”

“Dammit, Peyton. Lorelai and I were supposed to be picking out invitations this weekend and possibly going to look at a few venues.”

“I know, it was wrong, but if you’d just let me explain,” I said, swallowing hard, suddenly feeling bad that I’d gotten him here under false pretenses. Well, not false; there was a problem. For the first time in a long time, it just didn’t pertain to me. I didn’t want Knox pissed off at me. I wanted him to give me a chance to explain.

“Okay, explain, because right now I’m wondering if you aren’t just up to one of your old tricks. That maybe everything you’ve just told me is all just bullshit.”

“I swear, I’m not up to anything. Everything is going well for me, I promise you that.” I sighed.

“Then what is it?”

“I’m worried about Mom,” I said, getting right to the point.

I glanced over at Knox to see a concerned look on his face. “Why? What is going on?” he questioned.

Mom had gone on one date with William just before we’d gone to visit Knox a few months ago. It wasn’t really anything to even mention when we’d been out there. When we returned, they’d started dating and going out a little more often. I’d often hear them arguing after a date and was almost certain that one night he threatened her.

While we’d been in Vancouver at Christmas, I’d wanted to tell Knox about him, and that I’d sensed there might be some type of abuse going on, but Mom had assured me I was worrying over nothing.

When we’d returned from that trip, things had gotten bad. I feared for my mother’s safety, but she continuously made me promise I wouldn’t mention anything. I wasn’t even sure if Knox knew she was seeing anyone, but lately it seemed things had spun out of control between her and William.

“It’s William,” I answered.

“Who the fuck is William?” Knox questioned.

Just what I’d thought. He did not know Mom was even seeing anyone, which meant she could be in trouble, because I knew Mom told Knox pretty much everything.

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