Chapter 19

**Winter**

I couldn’t believe Zander was threatening me. What did he think this was where he thought he could threaten me? He thought I was some scared little girl like last time and I was just going to fold just cause he said so. I didn’t know the exact details about what happened to Rex, but I did know he didn’t want to speak to me much after something happened. He was really thinking he could do that again and stop me from having friends. It wasn’t like I was flirting with them. There was no point in trying to flirt with anyone. Not when I know they couldn’t do things to me as the four boys could. I knew I would just wake up unsatisfied in the end. Maybe I was meant to end up alone. I know I wasn’t meant to end up with my step-brother and friends. What kind of weird world is that?

I walked back to where Nev sat, sitting back in my chair. I didn’t care about the stare that Zander was melting into my back. He could suck my dick. I was going to make sure he doesn’t mess with Nev. I am going to make sure he messes with none of us ever again.

“Sorry,” I said as I sat down. “That took a bit longer than I thought it would.” I didn’t know why I apologized for going to the bathroom, but it just fell out of my mouth. I felt like I left him alone too long and he might have thought I left him.

“It’s fine,” he smiled at me. “I know coffee can just go right through you sometimes.”

“Yeah, it really can. So where were we?” I asked trying to continue where we left off.

“Winter Story,” a voice came that made my face scrunch in discomfort. Hailey Long. The last person I ever wanted to see again. I knew she was still here sadly. She had come back from Europe. I wish they would have kept her. She couldn’t stay away from Royal too long. From what I understand, since high school, they had turned into some kind of power couple. They were no longer breaking up and making up. They had somehow stuck together better than ever. Now that I wasn’t around. I am sure that was what she blamed it on. Everything was always my fault for Hailey. My breathing was the worst thing she could have thought of.

“I thought you ran off to your grandmothers. What brings you back to my school?”

“Your school?” I asked raising an eyebrow. “When did you start to own it?”

“Since my father pays the school very nicely.”

I rolled my eyes. That’s all she was. Power and money. She thought that made her better than anyone else because she had a lot. Her father could buy her anything she wanted. Expect a better personality apparently.

“Still, not your school. What do you want anyway?” I asked looking at her. She had to come over here for a reason.

“I was wondering if your new little friend knew about your past. He might think twice about trying to befriend you after he sees.” She pulled out her phone. I gasped.

“Why the fuck do you have those?” I asked. Why would she still have them after all these years?

She shrugged. “Who said I have them? I know I wouldn’t be the only one who did. A lot of people loved those pictures of you.”

My face was turning bright red. This couldn’t be happening right now. I knew someone might bring it up. I knew it was too good to be fully gone, but I didn’t think someone would show someone I was trying to be friends with. What was this world?

“Do you want to know Nev?” She asked. “Your new friend took nudes with guys and sent them to the whole school.”

“I didn’t send them and you know that!” I yelled standing up. I was ready to fight her. She wasn’t going to spread lies about me with me standing right in front of me.

“How would I know that? Everyone knows the sender was never found. Who else would have access to those photos except you.”

Her boyfriend. She knew he was in one of those photos. Even if they didn’t show their face, they still had signs. Most had tattoos in the photo like their tattoos. I knew she saw the king tattoo that was on Royal’s knuckle in one of the photos.

Most thought they knew it was my step-brother and friends, but no one said it aloud. Everyone was too scared. They were scared of what the guys would do. Everyone knew not to mess with them. Not after what happened to the some that did. They ruled the school and everyone fell in line. It must be nice that didn’t change from high school.

I narrowed my eyes at her. “Why would I send those photos to anyone?”

“I don’t know. You want attention. You want other guys to know you are available and are easy. I don’t want to know your motives. I just know that you did it and ran away when it backfired.”

“That isn’t what happened at all!” I yelled getting close to her face. “Do us both a favor and leave us alone. I wasn’t even bugging you.”

“Your existence bugs me.” She said getting back in my face. “You better stay away from Royal if you know whats good for you.”

“Done, but not because you threatened me, but because I would rather die than go near him.”

“Whatever, you always had a thing for my man.” She said. Her face turned dark suddenly as her eyes narrowed at me. “Stay away from him this time or you will never be able to show your face in Everlasting again. Mark my words.” Her smile returned as she looked over at Nev. “Bye Nev. No one wil blame you if you run now. She is a little whore.” She said giggling before walking off.

I sighed not able to look at him. “I am sorry, Nev.” I said before I grabbed my things and ran out of the cafe.