Page 58 of Two Minutes for Holding

“I never said I didn’t like your choices. I said it really didn’t matter to me which invitation you chose. However, you know my feelings on the red velvet cake,” Knox muttered, keeping his head down.

“I just wanted your input. It’s your wedding as well,” Lorelai said, glancing across the table at us.

“Jesus, can’t anyone just do what I tell them to. I told you I was fine with the invitations, any of them. Pick one. The cake, I wanted vanilla, not butterscotch, not that stupid orange, whatever it was called, and I hate red velvet. As for the meal, put the damn choices down on the card and let the guests decide what they want to eat.”

I looked over to see Lorelai was now really on the verge of tears. My mother wore a shocked expression, and then I glanced over at Clay. It was at that moment that Knox threw his napkin down on the table and stood up.

“Where are you going?” Mom questioned.

“I’m done.”

“Done what?” Lorelai asked.

“I’m done with this meal. It clearly doesn’t matter what I want, or who I want to share meals with. It was as much as told to me twenty minutes ago down the hall what I was going to do. So, I’m done. I’m going out.”

Knox took off toward the door, and seconds later, we all jumped when we heard the door slam shut.

“I’m so sorry. This is so embarrassing,” Lorelai cried, while Mom did her best to console her.

“I’ll go after him,” Phil said, getting up from the table.

We heard the door close moments later. I’d lost my appetite. I knew this outburst was because we were here, and I felt terrible for Lorelai, who’d worked so hard on this wonderful meal.

“I think considering everything, Clay and I are going to go,” I mumbled.

“No, Peyton, please don’t leave,” Lorelai said. “Eat your dinner. I invited you here, and therefore you’re allowed to be here. I should have cleared it up with him and told him what my plans were, to have the two of you to work things out. I figured dinner would be a good time to do that. I’m so sorry that the pair of you had to witness this.”

“Lorelai, don’t you worry. I’ve seen this man throw plenty of fits over the years. One more will not change my thoughts on him now. He’s angry, he’s hurting, and I’m sure he feels betrayed,” Clay added. “He’ll also get over it.”

“Yeah, but he’s doing this to you. Someone who has lost so much already. He should be happy for you that you have found someone who makes you happy.”

“I know in my heart he will be once he gets over everything. Somehow, I knew he’d react this way to the news. I’m sure he thinks Peyton is just another notch on my belt, but he is so wrong,” Clay added.

“Well, I’m glad to know that,” I whispered.

Cadence, Mom, and Lorelai all laughed at what I said, while Clay took hold of my hand in his.

“GuessI’ll see you in a couple of weeks,” Clay said, his forehead resting against mine as he squeezed my side, kissing me.

The rest of the weekend had flown past, and while nothing had gotten resolved at dinner that night, I’d wondered what the meaning behind Clay losing so much meant. I finally broke down and asked him on Sunday morning, and he shared his story with me. It broke my heart knowing what he’d been through. Shortly after, he’d promised me he’d work on talking with Knox at the next practice. They had two games left of the second round, and they were down by one game, so if they didn’t win the next one to tie it up, they would be out of the playoffs.

“Maybe wait until after you guys play the next game,” I whispered, not wanting to bring more stress to the team than was already present.

“Why?” he questioned. “I’m only going to talk with your brother.”

“If you talk to him before the game, and then you lose, he will blame us even more for the loss. Please, just wait.”

“Alright, I’ll wait,” he said, pressing his lips to mine. "Don’t stress over it. Things will work out.”

Chapter 19

Clay - Four Days Later

“This box is ready to go!”Peyton yelled from one of the upstairs bedrooms.

I climbed the stairs to find her taping one of the last boxes shut. I walked over, grabbed the box from the bed, and carried it downstairs, where I placed it in the hallway. I’d flown out after we lost the last game, sending the Boston Enforcers to the playoffs.

I didn’t think it really surprised many of us. We’d been struggling as a team, for the better part of the end of the year. Phil had retired at the beginning of this season. Then Levi and Colton joined the team, mid-season, throwing our entire game play strategies off. I think we’d all been surprised that we’d made it to the second round of playoffs, but when we got the news that Aurora had gone into labor the day before our last game, I think we all knew we were going to lose.

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