Screw My Childhood Sweetheart His Alpha Brother Marked Me First novel Chapter 24

“Senna, are you okay?” Knox’s voice jerked me out of my haze.

“Sorry. That was weird. Like I couldn’t hear for a second.”

Knox gave me a tight smile. “Long day with lots of loud voices. You probably just need some rest.”

“Probably.” But the suggestion had me realizing that I felt better than I had since lunch. My headache was gone and so was the bone–deep

fatigue.

It was the laughter. I stilled as the town blurred past my window. I hadn’t laughed since…I was with Lacey. Six months and not even a sitcom episode had startled a giggle out of me. Today was the first time.

River handed me my backpack, and I hoisted it over my shoulder. “Thanks again for the ride.”

“No problem. We’ll pick you up tomorrow morning around quarter to eight,” Knox said.

“You don’t have to-”

River shook his head. “Resistance is futile.”

I shifted in place as I thought about what Cassidy had said earlier today, that being friends with these guys would put attention and focus on me. But as I looked up and swept my gaze over the guys, I knew I wouldn’t be able to keep my distance. They were kind when I’d desperately

needed it, but it was more.

Just driving from school to my house, I felt lighter, as if they’d taken a little of the weight I carried every day. I felt safe with them, like nothing bad could happen to me as long as they were around.

It was ridiculous. I knew better than most that bad things could happen anywhere, anytime. But I didn’t want to give up this little glimmer of

hope that lit when I was around Knox, River, and even Caspian.

“Okay. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Knox grinned. “Tomorrow.”

River jumped out of the truck. “Wait, give me your phone.”

I slid it out of my pocket. I didn’t know why I even had it with me. No one called. My friends had stopped reaching out months ago. My boyfriend had lasted less than thirty days after the accident before he’d gotten tired of drowning in my grief. He hadn’t even had the courtesy to end things with me. He’d simply stopped calling, and one day at school, I’d seen him with his tongue down Clara King’s throat.

“Senna, you okay?” River asked as he slid the phone from my fingers.

I forced my mouth to curve. “Sorry, just spacing. Long day,”

He nodded but didn’t look overly convinced. “I’m putting all our numbers in here, and I just texted myself so we’ll have yours.”

“And what if I didn’t want you guys to have my number?”

“Too late now,” Caspian called from the truck.

River moved in closer as he handed me back my phone, so close that I could feel the heat coming off his body. It was the same comforting warmth that always seemed to flow from him. When I reached for my phone, he didn’t let go. “Call us if you need anything. We’re only a few minutes away.”

11:45

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

20.5%

Chapter 24

“Okay.” The single word was soft. I wouldn’t call. They were already saving me more than they knew.

“I mean it.” There was the slightest growl to River‘ words.

“She gets it, Luc,” Knox chided.

River shot him a glare and turned back to me, pulling me into a hug. The move happened so fast, I didn’t have time to react. His larger form engulfed mine, his arms wrapping around me. That now familiar warmth swallowing me whole.

Something in me eased at the contact, my muscles loosening and those pangs of pain that always racked my heart easing a little. River bent his

head so his lips were at my ear. “You aren’t alone.”

Everything burned. My throat. The back of my eyes. My chest. How did he know the exact thing that I needed to hear?

Knox coughed and River released me. “We’ll see you tomorrow.”

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