Page 64 of Life After You

Trey glares at us all but mutters something under his breath about holy water and protective circles as we make our way outside. Logan’s thumb brushes over my knuckles, and I glance up at him, my heart skipping in that way it always does when he looks at me like I’m the only thing that matters.

We step out into the fresh air, laughing, teasing, already looking forward to whatever chaos comes next.

The bar is dimly lit, warm, and packed with people laughing over drinks. The air smells like whiskey, lime, and beer-soaked wood, and honestly, it’s the perfect place to relax before we do something insanely stupid—like willingly walk into a haunted underground tunnel system.

Trey, however, looks like he’s ready to throw up.

He hasn’t touched his drink. He’s just sitting there, hunched over the table, eyes flicking between each of us like he’s searching for an escape route.

“I mean, do we really have to do this?” His voice is strained, like it’s physically painful for him to even ask. “Double or nothing, yeah? Like, we could just… I don’t know, go to another bar? Or a club? Something that doesn’t involve summoning demons?”

Chace snorts. “We’re not summoning demons, dumbass.”

“You don’t know that,” Trey snaps. “You don’t know what’s down there.”

Logan, ever the instigator, smirks. “Pretty sure they’re just tunnels, man.”

Trey glares. “That’s how it starts. That’s what they want you to think. Then—boom. You’re possessed. Some shadowy, red-eyed, soul-sucking bastard latches onto your aura, and next thing you know, you’re coughing up black sludge and crawling on the ceiling.”

I nearly choke on my drink. “Trey, have you been watchingThe Exorcistagain?”

His face is dead serious. “I’m just saying, this is how horror movies start.”

Dean, who has been quietly sipping his beer, leans back. “I thought rock stars were supposed to be fearless.”

Trey points at him aggressively. “You—you don’t get it.” He looks around the table. “Does anyone have a crucifix?”

We all stare at him.

“I’m serious!” he insists. “I need protection. Holy water. A rosary. Something.”

Sam bursts out laughing. “Dude. You’re not even religious.”

“That’s not the point!” Trey throws his hands up. “The point is, I don’t want to be some demons prison bitch.”

Logan shakes his head, grinning like the asshole he is. “Trey, come on, man. You really think any demon is gonna waste their time on you? You’re the Trey Baker. Ain’t no supernatural entity gonna wanna deal with your batshit craziness. Your rizz. Your aura is too damn strong.”

Trey scowls. “Thanks, Logan. I love you, man… but that’s really not comforting.”

Clay, who’s been lazily stirring his drink, finally sighs. “Actually… you’re losing aura.”

Trey’s eyes widen. “The fuck does that mean?”

Clay ignores him, reaching into his pocket and considering something for a beat before pulling out a silver cross necklace. Without a word, he drops it into Trey’s open palm.

“Here. Look after this.”

Trey clutches it like it’s a winning lottery ticket. “Thank you. Finally, someone who takes my safety seriously.”

Clay shrugs. “You do realize I’m an atheist, right?”

Trey’s face drops. “Are you kidding me? Does this even work?!”

Dean smirks. “Only one way to find out.”

Trey groans and drops his forehead onto the table. “I hate all of you.”

I reach over and pat his head mockingly. “Aw, poor baby. Don’t worry. If anything tries to possess you, we’ll fight it off.”

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