“And living people?” Logan asked. She traced a circle in the carpet under the table with her toe. “Did you guys ever see a ghost for a person that’s still alive?”
Alejo narrowed his eyes at that, lips pressed in a flat line. Logan wondered if she’d overstepped now—if she’d gone too specific. Maybe he’d seen Brandon’s ghost at the cabin, too. Maybe he was involved in all of it. He gently set his mug on the table, skepticism melting into a soft frown. The way he looked now was almost mournful.
“I don’t have a for-sure answer. We know that spirits are made of unresolved pain that lingers somewhere between life and … beyond. Theoretically, I’d say pain that leaves a deep enough impact—pain that kills a piece of a person—could leave ghosts, too. Ghosts are death, but maybe death can mean different things. I don’t know. If pain is the measure, I promise Snakebite is full of ghosts.”
Logan sucked in a sharp breath. They’d never kept secrets from each other. At least, she’d thought they didn’t, but now it seemed like Alejo was made of secrets. Just like Brandon. A part of Logan wanted to tell him about what she’d seen at the cabin. But she couldn’t shake the creeping fear that he and Brandon had something to do with all of this. That whatever Brandon had done to cause the ghost in the cabin, Alejo was a part of it. Maybe there was a simple explanation, but maybe there wasn’t.
Her curiosity curdled into fear. She emptied her mug with one swallow. “Was there anything else we needed to talk about?”
“Your dad.” Alejo tentatively smiled. “He says you two had fun shopping the other day. Your room looks great.”
“Yeah, it was fine.”
“He’s trying,” Alejo said. “I know things can be … awkward. And the show hasn’t helped. Just try to cut him some slack.”
Logan nodded. “That’s everything?”
“I guess so,” Alejo said.
Logan checked her phone. She swiped open a series of texts from Ashley:
ashley b: party tonight at the cabin
ashley b: learned some stuff from my mom
ashley b: maybe we’ll see some ghosts
ashley b: kidding
ashley b: we should actually investigate though
ashley b: i’ll pick you up at nine
Logan smiled at the screen. She turned to Alejo and pocketed her phone. “I guess I should tell you I’m going to a party tonight?”
Alejo raised a brow. “A Snakebite party?”
“Yeah, at this abandoned cabin. It’s very on-brand creepy for me.”
Alejo’s expression steeled. It wasn’t just the party, it was the location. He did know about the cabin.
“It’s not a party party,” Logan continued. “It’s a gathering of friends.”
“All your good Snakebite friends?”
“Mm-hmm.”
“The same friends that decorated our wall?”
Logan’s stomach clenched.
“Actually, I’m taking Nick and Elexis from next door. They’re my new friends,” Logan said. “I’m helping Nick build a computer.”
“You’re helping him?”
“Okay, I’m watching him build a computer. My moral support means a lot to him.”
“You’re responsible,” Alejo sighed. “I know you’ll be fine. Just … make sure you have a way home. Don’t stay out too late. And if you need help, please call me.”