Page 174 of Knockin' Boats
“Nothing that wasn’t true.”
“This shit has to stop,” Rick said. “You can’t go around telling people I’m some sort of criminal!”
“But you are,” Sawyer said quietly.
Rick jabbed a finger at him. “You stay out of this! You don’t know what you saw that night.”
“I do know,” Sawyer said. “I was there for an up-close view.”
Rick turned back to me. “You go tell Julian you were full of shit, and you do it now, or I’ll make sure your mom knows exactly what kind of manipulative liar you are. She’ll cut ties with you.”
“She won’t.”
He barked a laugh. “You really think she’ll choose you over me? I pay her bills, you dumbass. She owes me.”
“Excuse me?” came my mom’s strident voice. “Ioweyou?”
Rick pivoted, looking chagrined. “Honey, that came out wrong. I’m just angry.”
“You think I’d choose you over Ash?” she pressed on, voice trembling.
People were leaving the pavilion, and more than a few had drifted in our direction. Their whispers began to buzz around us.
“Ash is myson,” Mom said. “You’re supposed to be making peace, not starting a war.”
“He started it,” Rick said.
Her gaze shifted to me, dubious. “Is that true?”
“All I ever did was tell the truth. I know you don’t want to believe it. That you don’t believe me?—”
My voice broke.
Sawyer spoke up. “I witnessed the boating accident. Julian was the tour guide when the hit-and-run happened. We just talked to him about seeking out a lawyer because he could be in some serious trouble if authorities confirm that Rick covered up the crime.”
There were a few gasps from the crowd that had gathered to watch the drama unfurl.
The crowd’s comments grew louder.
A crime?
Never trusted that guy.
He should be ashamed…
Rick’s eyes darted around, taking in our audience, and his face reddened with fury.
“Slander is a crime,” he bellowed. “Stop with the accusations before I have you prosecuted!”
“It’s not slander if it’s true,” I shot back. “No one else sees you for what you are, but I always have. And now maybe some of these people will too. You’re greedy, unethical, andcorrupt?—”
With a shout of rage, Rick charged toward me.
Sawyer jumped forward to block him, and he took a swing at him.
My vision went red. Fuck if I was going to stand by while Rick tried to hurt Sawyer.
“Don’t you dare!” I shouted, shoving him.
