Page 72 of Life After You

“I saw Logey’s secret place.” Sam turns to Trey, and the video cuts off.

Mortified, I wordlessly look at Mac.

I’m going to feed Trey a bottle of hot sauce when I get the chance. Maybe slip some in his soap. Or maybe murder is better. Still, it’s good to see he’s alright… I guess

Once we’re dressed, we head outside, just as a taxi pulls up at the curb.

Mac looks over at me, brow raised. “You’re not gonna tell me where we’re going, are you?”

I smirk, “Not yet.”

She rolls her eyes but slides into the car beside me anyway, tucking her legs under her. My hand finds her thigh on instinct, my thumb brushing slow circles against the soft denim of her jeans. She doesn’t pull away. Instead, she leans into me, resting her head on my shoulder.

It’s a short ride, but it feels like it stretches forever.

Then the taxi pulls up outsideSi’s Auto Shop.

Mac sits up, frowning as she looks out the window.

I swallow hard, suddenly unsure if this was the right thing to do. But it’s too late to back out now. I pay the driver before stepping out and holding the door open for her. She follows slowly, eyes scanning the shop, taking it in. I rub the back of my neck, exhaling through my nose.

“So, you know I borrowed Braden’s car when I came to find you.” My voice is low, rougher than intended. Mac stills beside me. I shake my head, glancing down. “I’m sorry. I just…it was the only thing I could think of in the moment.”

Silence.

I force myself to look at her, expecting hurt or anger, but instead, she just stares at me, eyes glassy, mouth slightly parted. Then to my surprise, she steps closer, reaching up to cup my cheek.

“I know, and besides, Braden would want you to have it.” Her voice is soft but certain. No hesitation. No doubt. My chest tightens.

“Angel.”

She shakes her head. “No. He would.”

I swallow the lump in my throat, my hands settling on her waist, grounding myself. “I can’t take it with me.”

Her brow furrows slightly, and I brush my knuckles over her cheek, memorizing the feel of her.

“Keep it safe for me?” I murmur.

Her lips tremble slightly, and she nods, her fingers tightening on my shirt.

“I will,” she whispers.

I nod, swallowing hard.

Because this feels like more than just a car.

It’s a piece of him, of us.

Chapter Seventeen

Kayla

The van is waiting. Its engine hums low in the morning stillness, exhaust curling into the crisp spring air, the fumes shifting and twirling like spirits caught in a dance. The band is packed and ready to leave, their duffle bags slung over their shoulders, instruments loaded. This is it. The end of this. The end of us. I feel like I can’t breathe.

Logan stands in front of me, his jaw tight, hands clenched into fists at his sides. His duffel hangs off his shoulder, but he hasn’t moved toward the van yet. He just… stands there. Staring at me, like he’s waiting for me to tell him to stay. I want to. This thing between us, that’s always been there simmering beneaththe surface, bubbling up, but I’m not going to cry, dammit. This isn’t goodbye.

Trey is the first to break the silence. He steps forward and pulls me into a hug, his arms wrapping around me tight.“ Don’t go getting yourself lost again, trouble,” he murmurs into my hair, his voice rough. I laugh, but it holds no substance. “No promises.” He holds on for a second longer before pulling back, his hands squeezing my shoulders. His brown eyes are softer than I’ve ever seen them. “We’ll be back before you know it.” I nod, but it doesn’t feel real. None of it does.

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