Screw My Childhood Sweetheart His Alpha Brother Marked Me First novel Chapter 17

Chapter 17

We’d met a couple of neighbors when we were moving in, but no one had come by the house. I hadn’t ever heard the doorbell.

Dad and I both froze for a moment. “Let’s see who that is.”

I wanted to tell him he could handle it for once. I didn’t want the responsibility of pasting on a smile for strangers. Instead, I pushed to my feet and followed him to the front door.

He opened the door to reveal a man and the blond guy I’d seen out my window yesterday. He was even more striking close–up. That blond hair ruffled in an effortless, artful way. Deep blue eyes, angular jaw–the kind of look that I was sure made him popular with the girls in town.

The man beside him held out a hand to my father. “Mr. Caldwell, I’m Mason Aldridge. I’m on the town council, and when I heard you had a daughter my son’s age, I volunteered us to bring your welcome basket.”

I took in the basket in the blond’s hands. It was full to bursting with what looked like pamphlets and gourmet snacks.

The guy held it out to me. “Welcome to Cloverdale. I’m Knox.”

Knox.It fit him. “Nice to meet you. I’m Senna.”

I reached out, taking the basket from his outstretched hands. Our fingers brushed as I did, and a shock of electricity sparked between us,

freezing me to the spot for a moment.

Knox’s eyes flared, seeming to swirl and change colors for a moment.

I pulled the basket towards me, unsettled by the way that brief touch had sent heat racing up my arm. There must have been static electricity in

the air around here.

Dad released Mr. Aldridge’s hand. “Please, call me Bruce. Thank you for coming by. I’m sure it’ll be nice for Senna to have a familiar face at

school tomorrow.”

I fought the wince that tried to surface. The last thing I wanted was this guy taking pity on me.

His eyes scanned my face, seeming to search for something. “I’d be happy to show you around to your classes.”

Mr. Aldridge grinned. “Knox is student council president, so he knows all the ins and outs to Cloverdale High.”

It was fitting, this golden boy being student council president. He was probably captain of the football team and dating the head cheerleader.

100. 100.

I tried to smile but knew it probably came out as more of a grimace. “Thank you. I appreciate it, but I got a tour earlier this week, so I know where I’m going.”

Knox frowned, lines bracketing his perfect mouth. “Okay, well, I’ll save you a seat at lunch then.”

“Sure, thanks.” I wouldn’t be taking him up on that. Knox’s beauty meant that he was surely the center of a lot of attention. I wanted nothing but to fade into the background,

“So where did you guys move from?” Mason asked.

“Baltimore,” Dad answered. “I took a job with an accounting firm in Seattle.”

Mason let out a whistle. “That’s a hell of a commute.”

11:45

Screw My Childhood Sweetheart–His Alpha Brother Marked Me First!

14.3%

Chapter 17

“Unfortunately, it’s forcing me to spend most of my week in the city.”

“Well, if your wife or Senna need anything, my card is in the basket. I’m always happy to help.”

After they left, Dad put an arm around my shoulders. “There certainly is something to this small–town thing.”

I almost shuddered at the contact. How long had it been since my dad had touched me? A hug? A pat on the shoulder? Anything? I think it had been Lacey’s funeral.

Tears burned the back of my throat. “Nice meeting you,” I whispered and hurried away from the entry. I needed space. To breathe. Anything that would erase the pain eating me alive.

www

The next morning.

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