Screw My Childhood Sweetheart His Alpha Brother Marked Me First novel Chapter 28

Chapter 28

I turned to face him, one hand still clutching my locker door. “You’re like part jungle cat or something.”

His brow arched in question.

“Too damn quiet.”

He chuckled. “I’m secretly a ninja.”

“Somehow, I wouldn’t be surprised.”

Knox had that superhero vibe, as if he could save the whole world single–handedly.

He moved in a little closer. “You okay?”

I nodded, shoving a few more books in my pack. “All good.” Just lonely as hell.

Knox took the backpack out of my hands before I could put it on. “I’ve got it.” He gave a chin lift to Jack and Cass. “See you guys

at home.”

“Bye, Senna,” Cass called as Jack pulled her in the other direction.

“See you tomorrow.” I closed my locker and spun the dial, following Knox as he started to walk towards the exit. “So you guys all live together?”

Knox glanced down at me, a flash of apprehension flitting across his expression. It was the first time I’d seen him anything less than completely confident and in control. “Not in the same house, but on the same property. I’m sure people have filled your head with all sorts of stuff.”

He opened the door for me, and I stepped through.

“I’ve heard some, but I’d rather hear it from you.”

He gave a tight nod as we started towards his truck. “It probably sounds weird from the outside, but for us, it’s anything but.”

“What is it for you?” I asked.

“It’s family. It’s having a community always at your back. If one of us is hurting, everyone will do anything in their power to help.” The corner, of his mouth kicked up. “It’s fun too. There’s always someone to hang with. Snowball fights and sledding in the winter. Lake parties and epic barbeques in the summer.”

“It sounds amazing.” The words were out before I could stop them. All I could think about as Knox was describing his life was the empty house I’d be returning to. The mother who couldn’t stand the sight of me. The father who didn’t bother to come

home.

“Really?”

16:59

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

24.1%

Chapter 28

I swallowed against the burn in my throat as I nodded. “Really. I think it would be incredible to grow up surrounded by all of

that.”

Knox beeped the locks and opened my door for me. “That’s not what you had growing up?”

I shook my head. “It was just me and my sister and our parents. Extended family wasn’t a big thing.” Both sets of

grandparents had already passed. My dad had a sister, but we never saw her and I didn’t think they were especially close. She hadn’t even bothered to come to Lacey’s funeral.

Knox shut my door and rounded the vehicle, climbing in. “I can’t imagine not having a million people running around at all

times.”

I wondered if a million people would make me feel less lonely. Or would I simply feel alone in a crowded room? I thought the key was to be surrounded by people who truly knew you, ones who saw and understood. I wasn’t sure I’d ever had that from anyone other than Lacey. She saw things about me sometimes even before I did.

Knox started his truck.

“Don’t we have to wait for River and Caspian?”

Knox shook his head. “They had a meeting and got a ride with Ridge.”

Knox’s cell phone rang, and he pulled it out of his pocket. “Hey, Dad.” While the greeting was casual, Knox’s demeanor was anything but. His shoulders pulled tight and his spine stiffened.

“Of course. I’m just taking Senna home, and then I’ll be there.” He glanced at the clock on the dash. “Fifteen minutes.”

A muscle in his jaw ticked. “I know. I’ll hurry.” He tapped a button on the screen and dropped the phone into the cup holder.

“If you’re late for something, I can walk.”

“No, he can wait a few minutes. It’s not the end of the world, even though he acts like it.”

I was quiet for a moment as Knox backed out of the parking lot. “Tough grader?”

Knox’s grip on the wheel tightened. “He expects the best. From himself. From those who work for him.”

“From you.”

It wasn’t a question, but Knox nodded. “Nothing I do is ever quite good enough. He’s always looking for the next achievement or learning experience.”

“That’s a lot to carry.”

“I can handle it, but it’s exhausting sometimes.”

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify