Page 76 of Auctioned to the Reaper

Making him understand what it feels like to wake up every morning wishing you were somebody else.

“You fell asleep,” I growl.

Tyler’s eyes widen.

“You crossed the center line because you couldn’t keep your fucking eyes open.”

“I know!”

“You killed my brother.”

“I know!”

His voice cracks.

For a moment, neither of us moves.

Then he says something I’ve waited ten years to hear.

“I fell asleep, okay? I was exhausted. I’d been working a double shift, and I thought I could make it home.” His eyes shine. “I never meant to hurt anybody.”

I stare at him.

“You think that makes it better?”

“No.”

“You think Eli gives a shit what you meant to do?”

“No!”

My fist draws back.

Tyler flinches.

And suddenly I see Eli.

Not lying on the road.

Not broken.

Seventeen years old, grinning at me across the garage.

Come on, Grim. Quit being such a miserable bastard.

Then Autumn.

Standing in my kitchen, flipping pumpkin pancakes.

Laughing at my terrible jokes.

Looking at me like there’s still something worth saving.

I lower my fist.

Fuck.

I want to hurt this man.