Page 10 of Knockin' Boats
“Of course I did,” I said. “But it’s the last one.”
He blinked. “Sure.”
I knew that expression. “I mean it, Rick. I won’t have time once the food boat starts up.”
“We’ll see how long that lasts.”
“It’ll last a long time because I’m going to make it a success. You’ll be sorry you missed out.”
He laughed. Fucking straight-up belly laughed at me.
“Sure, kid. Whatever you say.” He wiped his greasy fingers on his T-shirt, which I noticed was stained withblackberries.“Have fun while it lasts. Just don’t come crying to me when it turns out just how I said it would.”
“Fuck you,” I spit.
He took a threatening step toward me. “Watch your mouth. This is my fucking house you’re freeloading in.”
I laughed bitterly. “Freeloading? I payrent.”
“Not the market rate you don’t.”
Jesus fuck, thisasshole.Market rate was sky-high thanks to it being lakefront property.
“I could rent it to vacationers,” he carried on. “Then you’d really be out on your ass.”
I was over this night. Over this fight. All my poking and prodding had gotten me exactly what I wanted, and now I was done.
“Do what you need to do,” I said. “I’ll find another place.”
He scoffed. “Yeah, right.”
“I mean it. Living in Swallow Cove would be a lot more convenient anyway.” I shot him a look. “And I meant what I said, I’m not filling in at DreamBoats anymore. I’m done with it.”
And you.
He snorted. “Clean up this mess before you go to bed.”
“You’re welcome for the sandwich,” I called after him. The fucker didn’t even turn around.
I slumped onto the barstool and texted Mel.
I’ve got to get my own place again. Are you sure you won’t marry me and pay half my bills?
Not a chance, but I’ll help you shop for apartments. It’ll be fun to see the horror on your face when you see how the rest of us have to live.
I’ve lived rough. I lived with you, didn’t I?
You’re hilarious, Ash. I don’t know why things never worked out for us.
It’s a mystery, I typed out.
That was a joke, of course. We both knew what went wrong. I just preferred not to think about it too hard. I had enough on my plate without dwelling on my tangled feelings about my ex and my ex-best friend.
CHAPTER 3
Sawyer
A boat engine purred nearby just as I finished tying up one of our Regal cruisers. I’d taken a family out for the afternoon, and the lake had been quiet. The DreamBoats only ran nighttime and weekend party cruises, so I didn’t see Ash or any of those other dipshits.
