Page 110 of Burn Bag

“I’ll never find another like her. Do you know they’re actually phasing out the V8 models in favor of electric?”

Red grimaced. “It was bound to happen.”

“V6 engines with some hybrid bullshit. I need a man’s man vehicle, and that baby was it. She was the epitome of the perfect vehicle. Maybe I could fix her up?”

I looked to Slider hopefully, but he just shook his head. “The damage was too severe, man.”

I sank down in the chair, burying my head in my hands again.

“Hey, I’ll take you out truck shopping tomorrow,” Red said.

“It’s too soon,” I whimpered. “I’m not ready to replace her yet. I need time to grieve.”

“Yeah,” he croaked out. “I get it.”

I nodded, and together, we sat in the waiting room, reminiscing about the good days with my beautiful truck that would never see the light of day again. It was a sad time, but somehow, sharing our best memories helped just a little.

She was shakenand had a nasty gash on her head, but was otherwise okay. She’d be sore for a while, but nothing broken.

I breathed a sigh of relief at the doctor’s words and asked to see her. I was still trying to rein in my temper as I stalked down the hall to her room. How could she be so fucking stupid? There was a reason I told her not to drive my truck. It was way too big for her, and if she wanted to drive it, she was going to do so with me.

I shoved the door open to her room and instantly deflated about fifty percent. She looked so pitiful in that bed, curled up in a ball. I almost forgot about why I was mad at her. The nurse—our nurse, Kristy—was by her side, patting her arm to comfort her as she cried.

When Kristy looked up at me, she shot me a stern look like this was all my fault. My anger renewed itself as I let the door swing closed and walked into the room.

“Let me know if you need anything, sweetie.”

Kristy shot me another pointed look before making her exit. Unsure if I could keep my temper in control, I shoved my hands in my pockets for good measure, then approached Daphne in the bed.

“How are you?” I asked, keeping my voice low and even.

“Okay,” she said, trying to smile, but failing miserably. “Sore.”

I nodded, reminding myself to keep a civil tone. “That’s to be expected when you get in an accident.”

Her lower lip quivered, but what right did she have to cry when it was my truck that was destroyed?

“I fucking told you not to drive my truck,” I snapped. “Didn’t I tell you it was too fucking big for you?”

“I know and I’m so sorry!” she cried, bursting out in tears. “I swear, I didn’t think anything would happen, and I didn’t want to interrupt you at work! It was just a trip to the store. I thought I could be there and back before you ever knew about it. I was going to surprise you with dinner,” she continued to cry.

Hiccuping sobs wracked her body as she tried and failed to sit up. I could hardly understand her over the cries rattling her voice.

“I’ve been—cooking show and—studying. Thought I could—” She sucked in a huge breath as more cries rattled in her chest. “Make you a nice dinner!”

More tears broke free, streaming down her face as she pushed herself up. “—dessert with whipped cream.” She cried something incoherent before finishing with, “—be perfect!”

By the time she was finished, she buried her face in her hands, and tears actually poured between her fingers with how hard she was crying. As angry as I was, I couldn’t stand to see her this upset, crying so fucking hard that she was hunched over and bodily shaking.

“Aw, fuck,” I muttered, rushing to her side. I sat down on the bed and pulled her into my arms, rubbing my hand up and down her back soothingly. “Baby, it’s okay.”

“It’s not!” she cried, beating her fist against my chest. “It’s not okay! I should have listened. I should have stayed home!”

“Hey, it’s not like you could stay home forever. You were bound to have to leave eventually.”

“I ruined your truck!” she cried. “I could have killed Harper. What kind of monster am I?”

Frowning, I rubbed her back and squeezed her tight. “Hey, listen to me. This is not your fault. I should have been there. I should have found a car you could drive. If this is anyone’s fault, it’s mine.”

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