Page 110 of Knockin' Boats
“I’m sorry. You were great at that job. Anyone could see it.”
He snorted. “Youhatedrunning into me on the lake.”
“Well, yeah, because you were so infuriatingly cocky. I just saw the guy who had everything he wanted. I saw what I didn’t have.”
Ash clasped my forearm. “You’ve got more than you think. All you have to do is take it.”
I twisted my lips. “You sound like Mason.”
“Your brother?”
“Yeah. He thinks I’m settling for this mundane, boring life instead of really pursuing my passions because I’m afraid of repeating Mom’s mistakes.”
“Is he right?”
“Man, I don’t know. I like my job. I like being out on the lake. But I guess I do get bored at times, you know? With Hudson gone, I’ve had to step up to deal with problems at work, and even though it wasn’t fun dealing with Heath, it was…worthwhile? I guess? I kind of like solving problems. Maybe when he comes back, I’ll talk to him about it. See if I can find some new challenges.”
Maybe even pitch that idea for leading water-sport tours.
“That would be amazing,” Ash said with a smile. “You certainly weren’t some brainless worker bee on the food boat. You were a cocky asshole.”
I laughed. “I wasn’t trying to be. Honestly, Ash, I think…maybe I let my mom’s history get to me. I was afraid you’d get off on the wrong foot with people. But you know your business best.”
“Well, you weren’t all wrong. The changes I made to the menu have helped a lot.”
“Good.” I pushed back from the table. “So what do you say we turn on some Netflix and chill?”
He wiggled his brows. “Clothing optional?”
“Whatever makes you happy. I’m just trying to be a good friend.”
“Are we friends again?” he asked softly.
“Yeah. I want to be, if you do.”
“Yeah, friends sounds really good.”
My throat tightened for some inexplicable reason. My eyes burned. I’d thought I’d lost this friendship forever. I’d cast Ash in the role of villain of my life. It turned out, he had his own villain.
His own problems.
Because Ash didn’t get everything he wanted. Not yet. But maybe with the support of his first friend, he still could.
And maybe I could too.
If I was brave enough to try.
CHAPTER 24
Ash
After I finished eating, Sawyer and I settled into the bed with his laptop to watch some TV and decompress after a stressful day.
It was oddly comforting to crowd close to him and just veg out. Sawyer laid his head on my shoulder, and I couldn’t resist combing my fingers through his messy curls.
He sighed, breath tickling my bare chest, as the first episode ofTeen Wolfcame on the screen.
I chuckled when I saw it. “Really?”
