Chapter 166 

I spotted a dessert truck and made a beeline for it, ordering my go–to–iced coffee jelly. 

Hayden glanced at my cup, frowning. 

“What? You don’t like it?” I asked, smirking. 

“Too much cold stuff’s bad for your stomach,” he said, all serious. 

I laughed. “Wow, look at you being all considerate. Are you sure you’ve never had a girlfriend before?” 

“Nope,” he said, totally confident. 

I shot him a look, totally not buying it. 

“I’ve got a lit 

a little sister to take care, so I know some things,” he added, and I paused mid–bite. 

Wait, what? He has a sister? 

He’d never mentioned her before. 

Suddenly, these lyrics popped into my head- 

Talkin‘ all that, but I know you’re caught. 

‘Every girl’s just “like a sis“? 

‘Boy, you ain’t slick, can’t play me like this.‘ 

It was like Hayden could read my mind because he quickly said, “My actual sister. Same mom, same dad.” 

I turned my attention back to my coffee jelly, taking another bite. “You’ve never mentioned her.” 

“I just never found the right moment,” Hayden said, taking a bite of my coffee jelly. I watched him grimace a little 

He didn’t like it. 

Jace hadn’t liked it either. 

Out of spite, he used to say coffee jelly was invented just to torture people. 

The thought of Jace left a sour taste in my mouth. “If you don’t like it, don’t force yourself. You can choose something else.” 

“It’s fine. It’s just a little cold,” Hayden said, locking eyes with me. “It’s late, and this cold stuff isn’t gonna sit well with your stomach.” 

I didn’t respond, opting for silent defiance. 

Hayden must’ve sensed my mood because he dropped the subject. We ate our coffee jelly quietly, the tension thick between us. 

“Rea,” a familiar voice, surprised and slightly confused, sounded from behind me. 

I turned to see Steve, a girl on his arm with makeup so perfect it looked airbrushed. 

Chapter 166 

+25 BONUS 

“Hey, Steve,” I greeted him. 

“Out here enjoying some street food, huh?” Steve asked, not noticing Hayden yet. 

Before I could answer, Hayden’s spoon slid into my bowl, scooping up a bite of my coffee jelly. As he tasted it, he commented, “It’s too cold. You shouldn’t eat so much.” 

Steve’s eyes widened as he glanced between me and Hayden, clearly thinking, What’s going on here? Knowing his connection with Jace, I smiled slightly and said, “I’m here with my boyfriend.” 

As I spoke, I casually linked my arm through Hayden’s. He played along smoothly, nodding at Steve like this was the most normal thing in the world. 

“It’s you?” Steve finally gave Hayden a real look and recognized him. 

They’d seen each other at the amusement park last time. 

Hayden nodded but didn’t say a word. 

Steve looked totally thrown. Shaking his head in disbelief, he blurted, “Rea, what’s going on here? Explain.” 

There’s not much to explain. I’m dating him. And tonight, we had dinner at the Johnston residence. Matthew and Lindey invited us,” I said, making sure Steve knew this wasn’t just some casual thing. “T–This is way too fast, don’t you think?” Steve sounded like he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. 

I smirked to myself. Jace had hooked up with Tanya before we’d even officially broken up. Wasn’t that faster? 

“Didn’t you tell me to move on? Have you forgotten already?” I shot back. 

Steve scratched his head, laughing. “I knew you weren’t as soft as you looked. Guess I was right–you’ve got some bite.” 

He gave Hayden another look, then said two words. “Good choice.” 

I knew Steve had my back in this whole little revenge plot against Jace. He’d been on my side through all the drama, 

Dude was a real friend. 

“Alright, you two have fun. Bring this guy by my place sometime–we’ll see if he’s got what it takes,” Steve said with a grin, walking off with some girl on his arm.