Page 125 of Knockin' Boats
“Oh god.”
“I can’t talk long. I’ll have to give a statement.”
“Of course. Fucking Julian. I knew that guy was a hazard.”
“He was just doing what you all do, right? Party on the lake. Keep your passengers happy, no matter what it takes. And fuck the safety of everyone else out here.”
“Sawyer, I never would have done that.”
There was activity at the stern as medics boarded the boat.
“I’ve got to go,” I rasped. “You probably shouldn’t wait up for me.”
“Fuck that, Sawyer. I’m waiting right here until you get back. I’m nothim, okay. I didn’t do this. I left the DreamBoats because of shit like this.” His voice went brittle. “I’m not responsible for this.”
Remorse smacked me in the face.
“I know. Sorry. I should…”
“Yeah, okay. Stay safe.”
I disconnected—from the call and the situation. Numbness descended as I went through the motions, answering questions, assisting the rescuers, and then finally,finallytaking my tourists back to the docks after a tour from hell.
CHAPTER 27
Ash
I hit the Call button to Rick’s cell for the third time in a row and paced up and down the dock in front of the resort.
“Fucking pick up,” I muttered.
Brooks, Skylar, Cash, and Poppy had all blasted me with questions the second Sawyer hung up. I’d told them what I could—which wasn’t much. But thank fuck I could reassure them that Sawyer wasn’t hurt.
Then I headed outside to make what was sure to be an unpleasant call.
If Rick ever actually answered it.
I warned him about Julian, but he didn’t listen. He’d cared more about tips and reviews than safety, and this was the shit he reaped.
Acid ate at my stomach. Sawyer’s accusing tone echoed in my head. Should I have tried harder to change the DreamBoats culture? Could I have made Rick listen? Maybe leaving was the coward’s way out.
I hit the Call button again. Four times is a charm? Or a desperate cry for help? Something.
“What?” Rick growled into my ear.
“What the fuck, Rick? Julian hit another boat and took off?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Julian hit our dock. It was unfortunate, and he’s been put on suspension.”
“Come on,” I said. “There were witnesses.”
“It’s their word against mine, and since they’re a bunch of drunk partiers, and we don’t even have a tour on the books tonight…”
I started shaking, red beginning to cloud my vision. Rick didn’t even care that people had been hurt. ThatSawyercould have been hurt!
“You cannot bullshit your way out of this! Sawyer was there.”
“Sawyer?”
