Screw My Childhood Sweetheart His Alpha Brother Marked Me First novel Chapter 38

Chapter 38

Our history teacher, Mr. Clarke, had told us that we could pick any topic as long as it had to do with someplace in the United States, since the class was AP American History.

I sat down on the couch and practically sank into its pillows. “I was thinking it might be fun to do something local. It’ll give me a chance to get to know the area a little better.”

“That’s a great idea,” River said, taking the spot next to me and pulling out a notebook.

“My dad might be able to get you into the town’s old records, if you need research materials,” Knox offered.

Caspian cracked his soda and sat. “Perfect. Mr. Clarke eats up that primary resource stuff.”

Anson shifted on the couch. “I talked to Mr. Clarke after school, and he said I could switch to your group, if it’s cool with you. I think that might be better for me with all the Sadie stuff.” His mouth twisted into a grimace on her name.

The relief that swept through me was dangerous. It meant I was starting to care a little too much about who Anson spent time with. “Works for me.”

“Less work with four than three,” Caspian said.

River waved him over. “Welcome aboard.”

Anson scooted closer on the couch. “Thanks.”

I glanced at Knox who was opening a textbook and laying it on the coffee table. “Are you sad you’re not in class with us now?”

He sent me a smile. “Wouldn’t mind sharing a few more classes with you.”

“Too bad you’re a freaking genius and already took AP two years ago,” Caspian quipped.

My eyes widened. “Seriously?”

Heat hit Knox’s cheeks. “I’ve got a good memory, that’s all.”

River leaned into me. “Don’t listen to him, he’s crazy smart. Puts all of us to shame.”

I couldn’t help but wonder if that was because Knox liked school or because his father was putting pressure on him to excel.

ir research tasks. Once we’d done that, we all Our group settled on the founding of Cloverdale as our topic and divided u settled into the couch and began working on homework. I started with pre–ca.. alus. It was my least favorite of all and I’d learned long ago that I needed to tackle it when I had the most brain energy.

my

classes,

I worked on problem after problem until it felt as if my eyes would cross. I set my pencil down and stretched, cracking my neck. My gaze swept over the group and I smiled. There was something about being comfortable in the midst of total silence that told me I’d found my people.

| sutontheart—His Alpha Brother Marked Me First!n

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Chapter 38

My gaze caught on River. His brows pinched as he focused on a science textbook. I tapped his leg with my foot. “You okay?

“Yeah, just have a rough headache.”

“I have some extra ibuprofen that the nurse gave me in my bag. You want some?”

He shook his head. “Those painkillers never help.”

“Let me try something.” I patted the carpet in front of where I was sitting.

River slid off the couch and made himself comfortable in the spot.

I ran my thumbs along the sides of his spine on his neck. “A lot of times, these headaches come from neck tension.”

River let out a little groan and all the guys looked at us. I couldn’t help the blush that stained my cheeks. “Let me know if it’s too much pressure.”

“It’s perfect.”

I closed my eyes for a moment, focusing on feeling where the tension was located most. I kneaded my thumbs into the muscles. I swore I could feel energy flowing out of River–a sort of angry, swirling heat.

River sucked in a sharp breath and my eyes flew

open.

“What? Too much?”

River shifted on the floor so that he could meet my eyes. “My headache’s gone.”

“That’s good, right?”

He nodded slowly. “Usually I can’t kick them at all, let alone that quickly.” His gaze bored into me, as if he was searching for something I couldn’t see.

I waved my fingers. “Must have the magic touch.”

“Yeah. You must have.”

I stared up at the ceiling as the sun streamed in through my window. I should’ve been reveling in the fact that I didn’t have to be anywhere right now. Normally, I loved a lazy Saturday. Before Lacey died, they’d been some of my favorite days. Dad would make his famous waffles, and Mom would put on The Beatles. Lacey and I would dance around the house until it was time to stuff ourselves silly.

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