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“Said he fell asleep. Crossed the center line. Exactly what the report said.”

“Gray…”

“I spent ten years hating myself for something that bastard did.”

My voice cracks.

I clear my throat.

“I broke my promise to Mom. I’ll always regret that. But I didn’t make Tyler fall asleep.”

“No,” Autumn says softly. “You didn’t.”

I look at her.

“And I couldn’t have stopped him.”

“No.”

For the first time in ten years, the words don’t sound like an excuse.

They sound like the truth.

I squeeze her hand.

“Still doesn’t bring Eli back.”

“I know.”

We sit quietly until the sheriff’s cruiser turns into the driveway.

Daniels gets out and approaches the porch.

“Blackwood. Need a statement.”

“Tyler’s inside. He’s been drinking. Admitted the break-in and the message.”

The sheriff nods.

“I’ll have a deputy speak with him.”

He disappears into the house.

Autumn stands.

“Come on. Let’s get out of here.”

I follow her down the steps.

At the bottom, she turns toward me.

“Gray?”

“Yeah?”

“Why did you really come back?”

I look at her.