He shrugged. “It’s no big deal. I was going this way.”
“Whitney said you guys are having to pick up a lot of extra shifts.”
Nodding, he shoved his hands in his pockets. “That’s the way it is in the restaurant and bar business.” He looked over at the street, then back at her. “How’s your friend Nicole?”
Ashley smiled. So Jared can be personable when he wants to be. “She’s good. She and another friend of mine are planning to come here in a couple of weeks.”
“Make sure you come by the bar.”
“I’m pretty sure that’s high up on her list.”
Suddenly, Jared started coughing and gagging.
“Are you all right?”
Holding his throat, he shook his head no. He continued to cough, gasping for air, making raspy noises.
Stepping back, she held the screen door open wide. “Come inside. I’ll get you a glass of water.”
As he stepped inside, she motioned for him to follow her. She dashed into the kitchen, grabbed a glass from the cupboard, filled it with tap water, and then rushed back into the family room.
Handing him the glass, she said breathlessly, “Here.”
Taking it from her hand, he brought it to his lips, took a small sip, and set it down on the coffee table.
“You’re all better,” she said. “It’s amazing what a sip of water can do.”
The features on his face turned hard as granite. “You’re such a sarcastic bitch.” His tone was sharp as a knife.
Confusion quickly morphed into fear when Ashley saw the madness and evil in Jared’s eyes.
“Why so speechless, Ashley?”
A smart retort burned on her lips, but she gritted her teeth and held it back.
“You think you’re morally superior to everyone, but you’re not. You’re nothing but a pathetic fucking snitch.”
Her mind was racing, trying to figure out how to get away from him. “I don’t even know you. I’m not sure why you have a problem with me, but I’m sorry if I’ve ever offended you. If I did, it was unintentional.”
“But you do know me. How soon you forgot,” he whispered in a calm, seductive voice.
Sharp, icy-cold shivers ran up and down her spine. He’s the caller. Holy shit. I have to get away from him.
“Did I meet you in Denver?” she asked, calculating how long it would take her to reach the back door and run out before he stopped her.
Spit flew from his mouth as he spoke. “You used to act so fucking nice to me, to my sister—hell, to all of us. But you were nothing but a fucking backstabber. My mother thought you were so sweet, but you tricked us all. You destroyed my family, you cunt!”
Holy shit! He’s Jeffrey’s son, Tanner. The realization was a real jolt, like fireworks exploding in her brain. But he looks different … His name is Jared.
“Tanner,” she said quietly.
“Should I be flattered that you remember me?” His lips twisted into a ghoulish snarl.
“I didn’t want to testify against your dad, but I didn’t have a choice. You don’t know how much I wish I never stayed late all those nights. I really liked your father. I didn’t mean to hurt him or his family.” Her voice hitched. “I was subpoenaed.”
“That’s not good enough. Do you think that’s going to erase the destruction of my family? My mother lost her reputation! She had to get a fucking job as a sales clerk and wait on her former friends. Do you know how humiliating that was? It broke her.”
I have to diffuse his anger. He’s getting out of control.
“Why are you doing this now? The trial was over years ago. Your father is out, and I heard he has a job. I’m glad—”
“He’s starting at the bottom. He’s making no more than a low-level fucking employee right out of college. You broke him too. After my dad was convicted, the money was gone—all of it. Bryan had to drop out of school, and Erin lost all her friends. She tried to kill herself. Do you even give a fuck?”
“Yes, I care. I don’t know what to say. I was compelled to testify.”
“And I’m compelled to give you what you deserve. My dad lived in fear every fucking day he was in prison. You destroyed five lives.”
“Please, Tanner, think rationally. If you hurt me, you’ll go to prison. You’ll bring more shame to your family. You don’t want to do something you’ll regret.”
He lunged forward and grabbed her arm, twisting it painfully. “I’ve regretted not killing you after you testified. My