The Queen They Buried

Chapter 7

The school day blew by. Aubree’s high school had evening study sessions, but she’d gotten a pass from her teacher to skip

them.

She grabbed her bag, ready to hit the store for some groceries to cook dinner. Needed fuel for a late-night gaming sesh at

the internet café.

But right outside the school gates, someone stepped in her way.

It was Emery.

His face was twisted, eyes flashing with disappointment and anger. “I thought cutting off Dad was bad, Aubree, but this? Didn’t think you’d go this dirty.”

Aubree frowned, totally lost. She took a step back. “What’re you even talking about? If it’s nothing, just… let me go, okay?”

Emery’s jaw clenched, like he was biting back a yell. “Why’d you post that video on the school forum? You know how much this’ll wreck Carmen?

“She’s at Rithol Art School, training, and called me crying her eyes out. Says she doesn’t even know why you’re mad at her, and you’re out here ruining her. That’s cold, Aubree.”

‘Cold?’ Aubree let out a sharp laugh, then smirked. This was too much. They all knew about the forum drama—the lies trashing her name-and didn’t care.

But the second her comeback hit Carmen? Boom, she’s the bad guy, no questions asked.

“Emery, is your brain just for decoration?” she snapped. “Only people at the Wilson family party knew about that video. You think those big shots would mess with the Wilsons? So, who leaked it, huh?

“If I wasn’t getting slammed online first, you think I’d post that video for giggles? And FYI, that video’s legit. It’s the truth, isn’t it?”

Emery blinked, thrown, but rallied fast. “You’re always ticking someone off, Aubree. That forum post? Probably just payback from someone you annoyed. Carmen would never do that.”

Aubree rolled her eyes so hard it stung. She was done with this Carmen fanboy. “Buzz off,” she growled.

But Emery wasn’t dropping it. As she turned to leave, he grabbed her wrist. “You’re coming with me to apologize to Carmen. Now. I’ll sort out the truth later, but you’re fixing this.”

He wouldn’t let go.

temper flared. She glared at him. “So, you don’t even know what went down, and

his mouth-probably to bring up Carmen’s dumb staircase fall-but Aubree

remember when I came back to the Wilson family. Carmen

show. You all rushed over to make sure everyone knew Carmen was

me? What’ve you done to back

protecting me. You’re just mad I cleared my name because

1/3

Chapter 7

Then what about me? I’ve been torn apart

sister, fine. Why even bother

there’s playing favorites,

a word, because he knew she’d hit the nail on the

claim the family cared about her too,

breath, he said, “C’mon, just come home with

at him

decked out in a crisp white shirt and black pants, sauntered over, one hand stuffed in

toward them, brows

his uncle, who’d been MIA for three years, rolled up

They just sat in the car, going nowhere, until Aubree showed up at

hit him with.”Alvin, you gotta build those

his uncle’s glare burning holes, Alvin dragged himself over

but they weren’t tight enough to just hit up a

golden ticket

hand free and stepped up next to Alvin.

though.

of quick looks as they

20

Turner, and that carried

Aubree took off, Emery’s phone lit up. It was

Wilson, Miss Miller’s test results are in. Mind swinging by to grab ’em?” the

Aubree blacked out and landed in the hospital, Emery

Aubree flashed Alvin a grin. “Alvin, thanks for the save.

swinging open the car’s back door. That was

his face-just a hand, knuckles sharp,