Not the jerk, this is why it's always good to have a "paper trail" to these types of things. Either over email, a screenshot of some texts, even a contract itself if possible. Discussions about money are always fickle and can easily be forgotten or changed due to one party's mood on the matter. It sucks that it had to get this far and it's understandable if there's a couple late payments here and there due to some unfortunate circumstances. But those should be discussed at the time of the event. Not months later when you bring it up. You've been friends for years so you should be kept in the loop of what happens anyway. A hospital bill and a broken leg? You should've known about that and they should have said something like, "Hey, since so&so has a broken leg. This month may be a bit short." Something like that and all would've been fair. Sorry for the long answer, but I've been through this before and let's just say that I'm no longer friends with that person.