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.

at him. “So, you don’t even know what went down, and it’s my

his mouth-probably to bring up Carmen’s

to the Wilson

all rushed over to make sure everyone knew Carmen was still the Wilson princess. Bryan even sent a lawyer’s letter to the jerk stirring the

me? What’ve you done to back me up?

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

1/3

Chapter 7

She cries over this? Then what about me? I’ve been torn apart online-should

fine. Why even bother with

there’s playing favorites, and then

grip on Aubree’s hand eased up. He didn’t say a word, because

cared about her too, but their icy

said,

at him

broke in. Alvin, decked out

toward them, brows low and

was stone-cold. He’d been thrown off when his uncle, who’d been MIA for three years, rolled up to grab him from school. Thought maybe

going nowhere, until Aubree showed up at

Bowen hit him with.”Alvin, you gotta

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

but they weren’t tight enough to just hit up

was her golden ticket to ditch

yanked her hand free and stepped up next to Alvin.

jaw clenched. He was kinda curious, though.

of quick looks

20

Kid’s last name was Turner, and that carried weight. Plus, rumor was Bowen was back in

off, Emery’s phone lit up.

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

blacked out and landed in the hospital, Emery had the docs give her a

off Emery, Aubree flashed Alvin a grin.

swinging open the car’s back door. That was when Aubree spotted a shadowy figure chilling inside, half-hidden

couldn’t make out his face-just a hand, knuckles sharp, catching