Screw My Childhood Sweetheart His Alpha Brother Marked Me First novel Chapter 21

Chapter 21

“We’ve met.” There was almost a slight growl to River‘ words. It didn’t fit with the person who had been so gentle with me this morning.

I cleared my throat, as if that could ease the tension at the table. “We have astronomy together, with Ridge and Jack.”

“That’s great,” Cassidy said, still smiling as if she were oblivious to the stare River was sending Knox’s way.

I looked at Caspian, trying to mirror Cassidy’s easy grin. “Nice to meet you too.”

He studied me for a moment. It wasn’t angry exactly, more like cold calculation. As if he were assessing every last thing about me with those ice–blue eyes.

River elbowed him in the ribs. “Don’t be a dick.”

Caspian grimaced. “Nice to meet you.”

Somehow, I didn’t quite believe that.

“So,” Cassidy said, interrupting the assessment. “How is the first day?”

Jack wrapped an arm around Cassidy and kissed her temple. “Wrong question.”

She looked up at him. “Why?”

“Because Sadie and her bitch squad are making it miserable.”

Cassidy’s eyes hardened as she turned her focus to another table. “What is wrong with that girl?”

I followed her line of sight and found the blonde who must have been Sadie perched on the lap of the handsome, green–eyed guy’s lap.

“Whatever it is, Anson seems to eat it up,” Ridge muttered.

“Because he’s a fool,” Knox gritted out.

My gaze jumped to Knox. I’d never heard that aggression in his tone before, and the glare accompanying it had me wanting to create a bit more

distance between us.

Cassidy shook her head. “Just ignore the mean girls. They’ll move on to other prey soon.”

I wouldn’t wish their attention on anyone, but I didn’t want it on me either.

“I don’t know about that, Cass,” River said. “She’s too pretty and Knox just made her a target.”

Knox stiffened next to me. “You have a problem, River?”

“Yes-”

“What do you mean, made me a target?” I interrupted. The last thing I wanted was a bullseye on my back.

Cassidy winced. “Lots of girls want Knox’s attention, and he doesn’t exactly invite many people to sit with us.”

What was this? Some sort of small town mafia? I didn’t want any part of some weird, Invite–only table that would make all the girls at this school hate me.

“It wouldn’t have been bad if he hadn’t walked you through the damn cafeteria,” River grumbled.

11:45

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

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Chapter 21

“River…” Everything about the single word was a warning.

A girl with dark brown hair and golden skin lowered herself into the seat next to Knox. Except it wasn’t really a full seat, more like half of one, and it put her almost sitting in Knox’s lap. “What’d I miss?” Her gaze narrowed a fraction as it landed on me. “New girl.”

“Old girl,” I shot back.

Ridge stifled a laugh by pressing his mouth to Cassidy’s shoulder. I waited for Jack to smack him or something for practically kissing who I assumed was his girlfriend, but Jack didn’t seem to be bothered at all.

Cassidy just shook her head. “That welcoming charmer is Jasmine.”

I nodded but didn’t say anything else. I’d had enough of stares and judgment today. The headache pulsing behind my eyes thrummed harder.

River moved in closer so that our thighs were touching. The warmth of that one, tiny connection seemed to soothe the worst of my fraying edges, almost as if he were pulling the anxiety and exhaustion from me.

He sent me a warm smile. “It’ll get better, promise.”

Jasmine rolled her eyes. “Enough with all the touchy–feely stuff.”

“Jaz,” Knox warned.

She ducked her head. “Sorry.”

A commotion sounded at the table next to us. Sadie shrieked as the guy I now knew was named Anson tossed her over his shoulder and

smacked her butt. “I thought you wanted me to walk you to class.”

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