Page 159 of Knockin' Boats
“There’s more to it than just the reviews, Mom.” I bit my lip, casting another look at Barb and Mike, but fuck it. Maybe Sawyer was right and Mom did deserve to know what her husband was doing. “There was a boating accident.”
Her lips pursed. “Okay?”
“Sawyer saw it happen. He’s an official witness. And, uh, Rick wants him to change his statement to authorities.”
“I don’t understand.”
“It was a hit-and-run, and one of the DreamBoats was involved. Rick is trying to cover it up.”
She shook her head. “No. That’s not possible. I haven’t heardanythingabout that.”
“I’m sorry. I wasn’t sure if I should tell you.”
“Ash, I know you don’t get along with Rick, but to come up with a conspiracy theory likethis?—”
“You know Sawyer, Mom. You know how honest he is.”
“Of course I do, hon. He’s a good boy.”
“He’s, uh…” Now was so not the time for this. “He’s my boyfriend now.”
Her eyes bulged. “What? What about Mel?”
“Just a friend, Mom. Like I’ve been trying to tell you for the past five years.”
“But a man? I didn’t think you were—” She stopped short and shook her head. “This is a lot to process right now.”
Charity handed me the finished orders. I passed it out the window, throat tight. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to hit you with everything at once. I just…I wanted to be honest.”
She took the order, handing one set of fries over to Barb and setting the rest down on the seat beside her.
She reached for my hand, squeezing tight. “You know I love you no matter what, Ash. I’ll talk to Rick and straighten everything out.” She flashed me a smile, one of the fake ones I’d seen at so many events. “This is all just a big mistake we’re going to clear up.”
“I’m sorry to pull you into the middle of all this.”
“I’m your mother,” she said. “Do you really think I’d want to be left out of any problem you have, hon?”
“I don’t know.”
“No.” She met my gaze. “And for what it’s worth…” She licked her lips, looking nervous. “Sawyer is a good guy. I’m happy for you. Just sad for Mel.”
“Mel is fine, Mom. She doesn’t want to date me any more than I want to date her. We’ve been nothing but friends for a long time now.”
Mom didn’t look convinced. “If you say so.”
“I do!” I exclaimed. “I have. Many times.”
She shuddered out a sigh. “Well, uh, we should get going?—”
“The fries are amazing,” Barb said from her corner, where she’d started chowing down. “If those reviews are right, it’ll be worth the food poisoning.”
I rolled my eyes. “There won’t be any food poisoning!”
She chuckled. “There better not be.”
Mom picked up her food and took a small bite, saying all the nice, complimentary things she’d come to say. But my news dump had knocked her for a loop, and I doubted she even tasted what she was eating.
After a few minutes of strained small talk, Mike fired up the engine and they took off.
