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For a moment, fear slithered up my throat. Should I still wear this hoodie to school?

How would the other girls react?

As if he could hear my thoughts, and maybe he could since I knew that was a thing, Noah said, “Fuck ’em.”

I looked at him.

He lifted his shoulders up, shrugging. “You’re better at hiding your thoughts, but I still got a few of the words. You’re worried about the other girls? Their reaction to you wearing Lee’s clothes?”

“Yeah.”

He moved closer, his face darkening in repressed anger. “And I’ll repeat it. Fuck ’em. They don’t matter. I can’t stand the fucker.” His eyes flicked in Lee’s direction. Both Lee and Cassian were watching me, blank expressions on their faces. Noah added, a slight sneer coming to his face, “But you like him, and well, you’ve grown on me. So whatever. The other chicks don’t like it, I’ll make their lives hell. Fuck, you have a poltergeist as a pet. The only reason he’s not here is because of the boundary. I’m the only ghost allowed.”

I frowned. “Sabine got in.”

“Yeah, and that pissed me off. The boundary wears off over time. You have to keep reapplying it. It got reapplied. Trust me.” He looked in Lee’s direction before glowering. “I’ll see you at your school.” He poofed away.

Both boys were obviously waiting for my conversation with Noah to finish.

I felt more reassured and began heading to Cassian’s truck. “He’s gone. Let’s go to school.”

Cassian whooped. “Hell yeah. I love Halloween. The next two days are going to rock.”

Lee came over as Cassian was heading for the driver’s side.

I rolled the window down.

He reached in, resting his arms over the window and tucked some of my hair back from my forehead. I closed my eyes briefly, enjoying the feel of his tender caress. He murmured, “You okay?”

I nodded, my voice coming out a little huskily, “Yeah. I’m okay. Noah’s… Noah’s a giant pain in the ass, but⁠—”

But you like him, and well, you’ve grown on me.

I echoed his words, “He’s grown on me.”

A shadow flickered over Lee’s face, a haunted expression flaring in his eyes before it was gone. His face went blank and he smoothed his thumb over the side of my face before leaning in. He said, just as he kissed me, “He was like that when he was alive, too.” His lips pressed to mine, a nice touch. Warming me. It didn’t turn into anything more. A brief kiss before he stepped away, giving Cassian a nod behind me.

Cassian’s hand reached for mine, lacing our fingers. “I got her. Don’t worry.”

His face was cast in shadow. He jerked his head up tightly, his lips pressed in a firm line. “You better.”

Cassian just grinned, starting his truck and pulling away.

Lee kept watch, not moving the whole time until we were on the road and out of sight.

Cassian’s hand moved to my thigh. He gave me a little squeeze. “It’s his hoodie. That’s why he’s worried. You wearing it means you’re his. And he won’t be there to protect you. You said Noah’s going to be around?”

I was tense for some reason. “Yeah.”

“He’s gotten to be less of a jackass, I take it?”

“Yeah. He’s not as bad.” I grinned at his wording. “He’s less of a jackass, yes. He likes Benji even though he won’t admit it.”

Cassian shuddered at hearing Benji’s name. “He was like that when he was alive.”

“What?”

“He and Lee were tight, but Noah acted as if he hated the guy. He’d say things like if Lee wasn’t careful about something, he’d beat the shit out of him. Then, Noah would just follow Lee around and take care of whatever he threatened Lee about in the first place. Gruff, but still protecting him. I’m not surprised that he’s the same as a ghost. Poor Lee, though. I know he can feel Noah when he’s around. Like the fire at his place. I ran out to help him, and Lee told me it was Noah. He yelled at him, as if he knew where he was and told him to knock it off. Fire just doubled in size right after and Lee cursed at him. Before the firemen got there, I think Lee threatened Noah. I don’t know what he said, but he backed up to the fence and said something. It sent a chill through me, but it’s weird because I can’t remember it. I know I heard it. I know he said something. The fire stopped right after and there was no damage to the backyard, but for the life of me, I can’t remember what he said. The exact words.” He frowned at me. “That’s weird, right?”