Can employer claim I violated my non compete by soliciting employees who contacted me?

I was terminated from my position for no reason other than my job was eliminated and had non compete in place. I was given a severance package of eight weeks of pay, paid in four installments. My former employer claims that I solicited one of my former employees and now is demanding that I sign a document stating that I agree not to be paid my final severance payment because of this supposed violation of the non compete. The information sent to me via the company' sat tourney states they have text message communications from me to the former employee in which proves my intent to solicit him. The employee contacted me first- via phone. I responded via text message and let him know that I had no job in my market to offer, but gave him the name of someone within my new company he could contact if he was serious. My former employer says that If I do not sign and agree to this settlement, they will sue me for entire severance and any legal fees. I have not seen proof that they actually possess the text message, although I did send a response to this former employee's question about employment. Am I not allowed to respond to someone that contacts me first? I received the documents from the attorney on a Friday afternoon and the company wanted an answer by Monday end of business day. This didn't even give me time to consult an attorney- especially because when the information arrived, I was out of state training for my new position. To date, I have not signed and agreed to forego last payment.