Screw My Childhood Sweetheart His Alpha Brother Marked Me First novel Chapter 22

Chapter 22

“Slut,” Sadie said behind the guise of a cough.

Cass didn’t seem bothered in the slightest. She gave Ridge another quick peck and then came down from her tiptoes. She shot Sadie a wolfish grin as she passed. “Green really isn’t a good look on you. Clashes with your complexion.”

Sadie turned beet red and glared at Cassidy.

As Cass caught sight of me, her smile widened as she slid into the chair next to me. “I was hoping we’d have a class together. Unfortunately, this one can be boring as hell.”

I was actually somewhat looking forward to it. Learning about religions and customs from all over the world sounded like an escape.

Cass chuckled. “I can see your doubt, but trust me. Ms. Angler just makes us read from the book each day. She only lectures for like ten minutes.”

That did sound boring, but I was a fast reader, so maybe I could get some of my other homework done in this class too. “There could be worse things, I guess.”

“For sure.”

I couldn’t help glancing at Sadie and then back to Cass. Sadie and two of her friends were whispering furiously.

“Are you and Ridge dating?” The question just popped out before I had a chance to stop it. “I’m sorry, that was rude and totally none of my business. Ignore me.”

Cass chuckled. “I don’t think asking if I’m dating someone is rude. Especially if we’re going to be friends, which I have a feeling we are.”

A hint of warmth flitted through me at her words. Cassidy was kind and took no shit from anyone. Exactly the type of friend I’d be lucky to have.

“I am dating Ridge. And Jack. And Cooper, but he’s a year older and is in college now.”

I knew my jaw had slackened. “W–what?”

Cassidy burst out laughing. “Oh my gosh, you should see your face right now.”

“I, uh, I mean, good for you.”

She bumped my shoulder with hers. “I know, right? I’m a lucky girl. And it’s not totally abnormal around here.”

“To date multiple people?” I guessed it wasn’t that odd. People at my old school would’ve just called it hooking up.

Cassidy shifted in her seat. “The community I live in, it’s typical for some women to date, and even marry, more than one guy,”

“Oh.” I wasn’t sure what else to say to that. “Everyone at lunch…?”

“We all live together. Not in the same house or anything. Mason, Knox’s dad, owns this massive piece of property at the foot of the mountains. We all have homes out there.”

“Cult,” one of the girls with Sadie hissed.

Cass rolled her eyes. “Some folks around town think it’s weird. Some will say nasty things, but for the most part, people are cool about it. We’re just a tight–knit community, like an extended family.”

I couldn’t imagine being in that kind of relationship, but I hated that any of the people I’d met at lunch might receive judgment and derision.

11:45

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

18.8%

Chapter 22

They were the only people who’d been truly kind and welcoming to me today. Well, everyone except Jasmine.

I shrugged. “It’s not like you’re hurting anyone. I say do whatever makes you happy.”

“Me too. And trust me, Jack, Ridge, and Cooper make me very happy.”

Sadie made a scoffing noise. “They’ll get tired of you, Cassidy. It’s only a matter of time.”

“Your jealousy is showing again,” Cass sang back.

I tried to cover my laugh with a cough, but Sadie’s eyes narrowed on me. I quickly averted my gaze, focusing on my textbook.

Cass tracked Sadie’s gaze and muttered a curse. “You might want to avoid her for a while.”

“I’m trying to. What’s her deal anyway?”

“Sadie may be a bitch to me, but she’s been angling for a lunch invitation from Knox for years. She’s pissed you got that on day one.”

“It was a pity invite,” I whispered. “He knows I just moved to town and don’t know anyone.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure about that. We’ve had new people before, and they’ve never been invited to sit with us. Knox’s not big on outsiders. And

River was right about one thing–it brought you to the attention of Sadie and her crew.”

Great. The only potential friends I’d made at Cloverdale might have just put me in the cross hairs.

I stuffed the last of my books into my backpack, nearly toppling backward from the weight. Seriously, who decided teenagers needed to carry around half a library? The walk to school had been fine, but going home was going to be brutal.

I shut my locker and twisted the lock, then pressed my fingers to my temples. The headache was creeping back, probably from all the drama and information overload. A hot bath and mac and cheese were calling my name.

The halls had emptied with surprising speed. Perfect. At least I could walk home in peace.

I stopped just before I reached the front doors, familiar voices catching my attention from around the corner.

“She has no idea what she is,” Knox hissed. “You can’t just dump something like that on her.”

“She needs to know eventually, It’s not like you can hide this forever. If we’re both feeling the pull, it means she’s powerful. She needs to be protected,” River argued.

“Dad’s handling it,” Knox said firmly,

“Forgive me if I don’t want to put all my trust in your dad when she’s my ”

♡ (0)