Screw My Childhood Sweetheart His Alpha Brother Marked Me First novel Chapter 48

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Chapter 48

Chapter 48

“Back off, Jaz. You’re so twisted up over Knox, you can’t even recognize lies when they spill out of your mouth anymore. Get it through your thick skull, he doesn’t want you.”

Jasmine’s hands curled into fists at her sides, and her breathing became almost labored. “Don’t forget who the dominant is around here, Cass.”

Cass straightened, stepping in front of me. “Don’t forget who can kick your ass in hand–to–hand.”

“I won’t stop with hand to hand. You don’t get to say that shit and get away with it. Knox’s been mine from the day I was born. Everyone knows

it.”

“Everyone but him, maybe,” Cass shot back.

“He needs time,” Jaz gritted out.

“I don’t need time.” Knox appeared from seemingly out of nowhere. “This ends now, Jaz. If you don’t back off, I’ll take disciplinary action.”

“Knox.” Her voice was the softest I’d ever heard it. “You can’t mean that. We’ve been through everything together. I know you better than anyone.”

“That’s not true. Not anymore.”

His fingers linked with mine. There was a buzz of energy and heat with the contact.

Jasmine zeroed in on our joined hands, her gaze practically burning a hole through them. “You’ll regret this.”

Her words were a vow, and I had no doubt she’d do everything in her power to bring them to fruition.

Knox turned to me as Jaz stormed off. “I’m so sorry, Ro.”

Cass cleared her throat. “I’m going to give you guys a minute. But don’t let her get in your head, Senna. She’s just jealous.”

I rubbed the beads of my bracelet between my fingers, staring at the rose gold catching the sunlight.

Knox placed a knuckle under my chin and lifted my head to face him. “Cass is right. Jasmine’s jealous and isn’t used to feeling that emotion.”

“I don’t understand your relationship with her.” It was a request for an explanation, one I didn’t have rights to but was asking for anyway.

Knox’s hand fell away as his gaze drifted to the forest. “It’s complicated.”

“Okay…”

A muscle in his jaw ticked. “There’s a lot I can’t explain, not yet, but Jaz and I both have a lot of pressure on our shoulders to achieve certain things. When we were younger, she was who I went to when I needed to vent.”

The flare of jealousy hit me square in the chest, stealing my breath. “What changed?”

“Jaz did. I don’t know when it happened, but instead of being on my side, it felt like she was just another source of pressure.”

“Her mom and your dad want you guys to be together?”

Knox toed a rock with his boot. “Her mom does. My dad did, but I don’t think he’ll want that for long.”

“Why won’t he want it anymore?”

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Chapter 48

“There’s a lot that’s changed over the past few weeks, but I need time to tell him. I don’t want-” Knox shook his head, cutting himself off. His eyes met mine. “I know I keep saying I’ll explain everything, I just-”

“Need time,” I finished for him. “It hurts. You know so much about me, and it feels like you’re hiding a whole other life.”

Knox winced. “I’m sorry-”

I held up a hand. “I don’t want an apology. I just wanted to explain where I’m at. You can’t ask me to open up to you when you’re not willing to

do the same.”

He nodded slowly. “You’re right. Do you want me to take you home? Or are you all right with staying?”

I let out a shuddering breath. Part of me wanted to retreat to my room, to my solitude, but it wouldn’t solve anything. If I wanted to know the guys better, I needed to know their world. “Let’s go back to the barbeque. I’m hungry.”

Knox’s mouth curved, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Well, we’ve got plenty of food.”

He didn’t touch me while we walked, seeming to know I couldn’t handle that right now. Voices grew louder as we approached the group. Sam threw a boy, who looked to be around nine, high into the air. The little boy shrieked as he was caught and then squirmed out of Sam’s hold and took off. He collided with me with an oomph

I caught his shoulders with a laugh. “Whoa there.”

He blinked up at me, eyes wide. “You’re really pretty.”

Knox chuckled. “You know how to win them over, Crispin.”

“You’re the new girl, right?” he asked as he studied me.

“I am. Think you could show me the ropes?” I offered a hand, and Crispin took it immediately.

“I know all the best spots for hide–and–seek.”

Sam hurried over to us. “Sorry about that.”

I smiled reassuringly. “No problem at all. Crispin was just going to show me around since I’m the new kid on the block.”

Sam glanced at Knox, as if checking to see if that was okay, and Knox gave a nod of assent. “Just let me know if he gets to be a bother.” Sam ruffled his son’s hair. “Best behavior, okay? Senna is our guest.”