Chapter Ten
Horrible pounding drags me out of sleep.
I squint against the harsh sunlight streaming between the vertical blinds. What’s happening? It sounds like the entire motel is coming down. Construction? Asteroids? Anything seems possible in my delirious confusion. There’s a warm weight across my legs, holding me down.
“Gabriel?”
The world comes into focus, and I realize it’s Harper’s legs pinning me down. And I said Gabriel’s name. Out loud. How embarrassing. At least Harper is more groggy than me.
“What’s happening?” she mumbles, dragging a pillow over her head.
The events from yesterday come back to me in reverse order: the late-night chat, finding Harper in my room. Meeting with Uncle Landon. Oh God. The auction. It’s today!
A knock comes at the door, more insistent.
“Comin
