Page 103 of Knockin' Boats
“Hmm. I remember doing good work for you, too. But what did I get for it?”
He narrowed his eyes at me. “A damn good paycheck and a lot of tips, Ash. That’s what.”
“But not your trust,” I said. “Not your belief I could take over the business.”
He scoffed. “You weren’t ready. Still aren’t.”
“Maybe not, but you could have gotten me ready. You didn’t want to.”
“Goddamn it, Ash,” he said loudly enough that half the party paused and looked our way. “Is it always gonna be this way with you, huh? Nothing is ever good enough for you. I gave you plenty, you ungrateful?—”
“Rick,” Mom interjected, arriving out of breath. “Don’t make a scene.”
“He started it.”
“I’m ending it,” I said, putting my plate on the table. “Thanks for the invite, Mom. Enjoy the rest of your party.”
“Oh, don’t go…”
Mel stepped up, proving why I’d chosen her as buffer. “It’s my fault. My sister needs us to pick her up from work. It’s been real nice to see you again.”
“You too, honey.”
Mom hugged her while Rick shot daggers at me with his eyes. That was fine. I was shooting daggers right back.
For Mom’s sake, I smiled and softened my voice. “Let’s have lunch soon.”
When Rick isn’t around.
She patted my arm. “We sure will, and I’ll come see that food boat of yours now that you’re settled in. I can’t wait to try everything.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
Rick didn’t say anything, but his disapproval was louder than any shouting he might have done. He’d never believed in me. Not to run his business and not to back one of my own.
But that was okay. It was better that I do this on my own. Otherwise, he’d take credit for everything I did.
Mel and I started for the door. Rick caught up with us just before we made our escape.
“Ash,” he said. “I don’t want us fighting. For your mom’s sake.”
“I don’t either.”
He nodded. “Good. When you’re ready to come back to DreamBoats, there’s a place for you there.”
“I’m not?—”
He held up a hand. “I know you’ve got your own thing. But if it doesn’t work out, you’ll have a place with me. I know you got impatient, but I was just waiting for you to grow up. When you do, maybe we can talk.”
I nodded once and walked out, not trusting myself to speak. Even when Rick pretended to be supportive, he was betting on me to fail.
“You okay?” Mel asked.
“Not really,” I muttered. “I’m just gonna go home and crash.”
“You’re not gonna go blow off steam with Sawyer?” she asked with a little too much insight. “That’s what I’d do.”
“Don’t make this weird.”
